Seanfhocail Ghaeilge - Irish Proverbs
🌿 1. Is fearr Gaeilge briste, ná Béarla clíste.
Pronunciation: Iss farr GAYL-geh BRISH-teh, naw BAYR-lah KLEESH-teh.
English: “Broken Irish is better than clever English.”
📚 It’s better to try speaking Irish, even if imperfect, than not to speak it at all.
🌿 2. Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine.
Pronunciation: Err skaw a HYAL-eh a WIR-in nah DEE-nee.
English: “People live in each other’s shelter.”
📚 We depend on each other — community and cooperation are essential.
🌿 3. Is olc an ghaoth nach séideann do dhuine éigin.
Pronunciation: Iss uhlk un GWAY nahk SHAY-din duh GHIN-eh AY-gin.
English: “It’s a bad wind that doesn’t blow good for someone.”
📚 Even misfortune can bring benefits to someone.
🌿 4. An rud is annamh is iontach.
Pronunciation: Un rud iss ANN-uv iss UN-tukh.
English: “What’s rare is wonderful.”
📚 Scarcity makes things more precious.
🌿 5. Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh sí.
Pronunciation: Mull un OH-geh uh-gus CHUCK-hee shee.
English: “Praise the youth and they will flourish.”
📚 Encouragement helps young people grow.
🌿 6. Tús maith leath na hoibre.
Pronunciation: Tooss mah leh nah HIB-rah
English: “A good start is half the work.”
📚 A solid beginning makes the rest easier.
🌿 7. Ní huasal ná íseal, ach thuas seal is thíos seal.
Pronunciation: Nee HOO-suhl naw EE-shuhl, ukh hoo-iss shall iss hee-uss shall
English: “Not noble nor lowly, but up for a while and down for a while.”
📚 Life is full of ups and downs — status changes with time.
🌿 8. An té nach bhfuil láidir, ní foláir dó bheith glic.
Pronunciation: Un tay nach will LAW-dir, nee fuh-LAW-r doh veh GLICK
English: “He who is not strong must be clever.”
📚 If you lack strength, use your wits instead.
🌿 9. Níl aon tinteán mar do thinteán féin.
Pronunciation: Neel ayn CHIN-tawn mar duh HIN-tawn fayn
English: “There’s no fireside like your own fireside.”
📚 There’s no place like home.
🌿 10. Dá fhada an lá tagann an tráthnóna.
Pronunciation: Daw AH-duh un law TAH-gun un traw-NO-nah
English: “However long the day, the evening comes.”
📚 Every trial or hardship eventually comes to an end.
🌿 11. Ní neart go cur le chéile.
Pronunciation: Nee nyart guh kur le KAY-leh
English: “There’s no strength without unity.”
📚 Working together makes us stronger.
🌿 12. Is fearr an tsláinte ná na táinte.
Pronunciation: Iss farr un TLAWN-chuh naw nuh TAWN-chuh
English: “Health is better than wealth.”
📚 Good health is more valuable than riches.
🌿 13. Is maith an t-anlann an t-ocras.
Pronunciation: Iss mah un TAN-lan un TUH-kras
English: “Hunger is a good sauce.”
📚 When you’re hungry, even simple food is delicious.
🌿 14. Bíonn blas ar an mbeagán.
Pronunciation: Been BLAHSS air un BYUG-awn
English: “There’s flavour in the small bit.”
📚 Even a little can be enjoyable — quality over quantity.
🌿 15. Níor bhris focal maith fiacal riamh.
Pronunciation: Nir vrish FUK-ul mah FEE-uh-kal REE-uv
English: “A kind word never broke a tooth.”
📚 A good word never hurt anyone — kindness costs nothing.
🌿 16. Is fada an bóthar nach mbíonn casadh ann.
Pronunciation: Iss FAH-duh un BOH-hur nach MEE-in KAS-uh un
English: “It’s a long road that has no turn in it.”
📚 No path is completely straight — change is inevitable.
🌿 17. Tír gan teanga, tír gan anam.
Pronunciation: Teer gon TYANG-uh, teer gon AN-um
English: “A country without a language is a country without a soul.”
📚 Language is at the heart of a people’s identity.
🌿 18. Níl bua gan dua.
Pronunciation: Neel BOO-uh gon DOO-uh
English: “There’s no victory without effort.”
📚 Success only comes with hard work.
🌿 19. Is maith an scáthán súil charad.
Pronunciation: Iss mah un SKAW-hawn sool KHAR-ud
English: “A friend’s eye is a good mirror.”
📚 True friends show you who you really are.
🌿 20. Giorraíonn beirt bóthar.
Pronunciation: GYUR-in bert BOH-hur
English: “Two shorten the road.”
📚 Good company makes the journey easier.
🌿 21. Is maith an scéalaí an aimsir.
Pronunciation: Iss mah un SHKAY-lee un AM-sheer
English: “Time is a good storyteller.”
📚 With time, all truths are revealed.
🌿 22. Ní mar a shíltear a bhítear.
Pronunciation: Nee mar a HEEL-tyer a VEET-yur
English: “Things aren’t always as they seem.”
📚 Appearances can be misleading.
🌿 23. Tóg go bog é.
Pronunciation: Toe-guh guh bug ay
English: “Take it easy.”
📚 Don’t rush — be gentle or go easy on yourself or others.
