9
Mar 10
Cupla Focal Competition!
by Donna in category Competitions
Paddy’s day is coming and Seachtain na Gaeilge is in full swing so why not practice your cúpla focal as Gaeilge now.
All we want to know is what your favourite Irish word or phrase is. We have 10 cool Seachtain na Gaeilge t-shirts and goody bags up for grabs for the best entries.
Closing date for entries is Sunday 14th March so leave your leave your cupla focal in a comment below!
Hey Guys,
The only cupla focal I have is: – Nuair a thainig me go dti an shiopa cheannaigh me a lan milsean agus ula… oh I have another one… nil aon scammail sa speire!
Think I fell asleep in Irish class…..
Pog mo thon – have used this phrase extensively during my travels.
Great way to express your feelings when the situation calls for diplomacy and a smile.
I like the sound of ” bosca brioscai”, ie box of biscuite, I find the sound of Irish words and phrases sounds so easy on the ear, like maybe a folk memory from deep in the brain of a time when we all spoke it. Need less to remark my cupla focail are very cupla but it’s in there somewhere!
Go n’eiri libh go leir,
Hugh
‘Duirt bean liom gur duirt bean lei’
Sorry, can’t do fadas.
This phrase can be really apt at times when you want to dis another bit of rumour or hearsay.
conas a tu tas? ie how are yer balls, lol
An bhfuil cead agam dul go dti an leithreas?
Ta se go halainn!
My favourite is :-
Ni haon Ding Dong na a Ding Dong fein.
Yeah I know it should be tinteain ! but hey that’s schoolyard humour for ya.
An bhuill tu amaidain? an bhuil tu suas? ce mhead a oligh tu?
Ní hé lá na scoilbe lá na gaoithe……………..don’t leave things too late, it’s stood me in good stead for many years.
Lá ‘le Pádraig faoi mhaise dhíbh go léir.
Is folamh fuar e teach gan bean.
Nil aon tinteain mar do thinteain fein.
I didn’t particularly like Irish when I was at school but now that it is no longer compulsory, I love it and I try to speak it as much as possible. I even went back to night classes to try to learn the language and it was very enjoyable. My grandchildren think I’m crazy…
I think the phrase ‘an cailin deas’ is very much part of the Irish especially the lads.And let not forget the ‘cupan tae’
“Tá tú i do líbín baite” means “You’re drippin wet” it’s a bit dirty but it’s all I got!
Tog go bog e (take it easy)
My favourite Irish phrase is..
Maireann croí éadrom i bhfad.
“A light heart lives longest”.
The Irish name for a female idiot is :- OINSEACH, as against that for a male version, which is :-AMADAN
NI la na gaoithe la na scolb- this relates to thatched houses which were common in Ireland for a long time, and says that the day of the wind is not the day to be fixing the thatch!
Is é ” DoneDeal.ie” an suíomh gréasáin ar fud an domhain.
“Shin a will”, what will be will be or how ever.(Irish spelling not great sorry.)
I think ” An bhfuil Cad amach- mar se do hulleh? Horrendous spelling- got worse as the phrase went on!! That’s what we will all remember- how to ask to go to the toilet!
My favourite irish phrase is ” ni he la an gaoithe la an sclob ” (the windy day is not the day for thatching) …….. dont know if it is spelt right though .
slan go foil .
Spraoi agus Sugradh
Ag snámh in aghaidh an easa!!! Seems to be what most of the others above are doing!
I like Scamallach (Cloudy) In my Irish exams everything was Cloudy.
Pog Mo Thoin, Mar ta mo thoin ana deas. (Kiss my hole because my ass in very nice). Hey thats my opinion anyhow. Suas Seachtain na Gaeilge. xxx from Shelly in Tipperary.
When I was at school (in the black North we were not taught Irish)
I was told that the Irish for Stillorgan was “mickie marbh” (dead mickie)
Imagain the giggles from 5 ten year old boys We thought it was the coolest address in the world!!
Níl aon tinteán mar do thinteán féin! There is no fireplace like your own fireplace!
Tuigeann Tadhg Tadhgín
ie people of similar disposition understand each other, but I love the sound of the Irish version, it just rolls off the tongue!
My two favourite irish Phrases are “Smuigile Rón” which is the irish for jellyfish and translated to english means Seal spit!
And The second is “Tá tú chomh Místumaigh le muic i malá” which is an irish insult that Means “You are as awkward as a Pig in a Sack!!”
Is féidir liom dul chuig an leithreas le do thoil
ta se mahogany gaspipe!!!
thats what we used to say in school
My mum was never great at Irish and any time she met an American tourist looking to learn some Irish she would teach them “Pog mo thoin le buideal briste” !!! doesnt make much sense I know but we all used to get a laugh cos the Americans thought they were telling people “I love your country and people”
Ahh sunday Lunch in Durty nellys!!!!
Taim in ngra le ‘Done Deal’, ta an comhlacht se speisialta agus ta na daoine ag obair ansuid an fantaiseach!!!
I’m loving Done Deal, the company is very speacial and the people that work there are fantastic!!
Carol
Sin sceal eile! Covers most every tricky situation I’ve been jammy enough to get out of over the years!!!! Lol.
I think my favourite word is gnéasach as it is the most un-sexy way of saying sexy in the world.
Beagán a rá agus é a rá go maith.
Say little but say it well.
Buichoas Le Dia………………this was my only used words to the head teacher when we got the great news the school had finally opened after our extended Christmas break due to the cold snap. Any other words would have been too inappropriate in front of the Kids…….
Is minic a bhris béal duine a shrón!
It’s often that a persons mouth broke his nose!
Má tú ag lorg cara gan locht, béidh tú gan cara go deo.
If you are waiting for a friend without fault, you’ll be without a friend forever.
tog go bug e
take it easy
An bhuil tu abalta labhar aus gaelige? No.
Póg mo hón!
For me the best Irish phrase, has always been “fluich go craiceann” – ‘Táim fluich go craiceann’, The phonetics of it are just amazing. Without a doubt, my favourite Irish phrase.
Just wish I knew more amazing phrases like that one! :S
For me the best Irish phrase, has always been “fluich go craiceann” – ‘Táim fluich go craiceann’. – I’m soaked to the skin.
The phonetics of it are just amazing. Without a doubt, my favourite Irish phrase.
Just wish I knew more amazing phrases like that one! :S
Tabhair póg dom, táim Éireannach ! ( kiss me i’m Irish ! )
This is very approiate and comforting for all irish exiles at this time.
its such a shame i didnt listen in class all those years ago
I love , Go mbeirimid beo ar an am seo aris, or as Bhearla , May we both be alive at this time the next time . Happy Paddys Day to all and to my sister Patricia as we both share a birthday on Paddys day ,with 12 years difference. Our parents enjoyed regular habits. Cheers
Is minic a bhris beal duine a shron
( It is often that a persons mouth broke his nose )
keep up the good work and success to you all
I just realised that I regulary use the Irish phrase “Ar Muin na Muice”, as I did yesterday by saying to son “That’s great that you’ve finally sold that car. You’re muin na muice now”
Thaithin an giota seo liomsa. “Briseann an dúchas tré shuile an chait”.
Literally, nature breaks out through the eyes of the cat or nature will come out.
Ar aghaidh le seachtain na Gaeilge.
Go n’eiri an mbothair leat.
Slan go foil. Lig do scioth.
Slainte!
craic.
Very handy on foreign holidays when being chatted up by spanish/greek etc. Then when they would turn to their friends and start talking in their own language – we would all start ‘nach bhfuil an la go halainn’ – ing and ‘Ba mhaith liom caca milis’ -ing and ‘An bhfuil cead agam dul go dti an leitreas?’ – ing !!!
Ná glac pioc comhairle gan comhairle ban.
Never take any advice without a woman’s guidance, it has to be one of the truest irish sayings
Nil tintean le do tintean fein,(Dont know how to get fadas on the comp)
I Love this It means that there is no hearth like your own hearth.
Go neirigh an bothar leat
Gura slán an scéalai which means May the bearer of the news be safe:)
“Thog an cailin sin mo liathloidi” that girl took my balls
This a typical statement most Irish guys can relate to haha
My nan used to go around saying • Don’t give cherries to pigs or advice to fools…not sure of the proper irish as you’d never ask her to repeat herself or she would clock you with the sweeping brushfor being cheeky
Cúinis bóthair cáilín báinne – from the carlsberg add
love it !!!
dont thabhairt muca cherries no comhairle amadán…think thats it could be wrong
If ever i was to get a tattoo it would read” Deanta na eireann,” Made in Ireland. In celtic writing across my back.
Pog mo thoin
Is the best Irish phrase going
gra agus sonas
love and happiness
le linn an cúlú, a iarraidh ar gach I a dhíol mo ghluaisteán, agus léiríonn an t-airgead dom.
during this recession, all i ask is to sell my car and show me the money.
Ta Siad at Teacht ” They are on the Way ” The Guinness Ad
When the Lads were rowing from the Mainland to the Arran Islands
Great Advert with a Cupla Focal
My favourite Irish word is ‘smidiríní’ . to make bits of something. Rinne mé smidiríní as an gcupán. another on is ‘giúirléidí’ belongings. Chuir mé mo ghiúirléidí go léir isteach sa mhála.
Betty
Lunasa.
Irish word for August. Has a nice ring to it.
Muy favourite is “Go n-eirigh an bothar leat” – what a wonderful way of putting it.. the road rising with you….my Irish is getting better now that my daughter is facing Junor Cert next year;-))
My favourite is “Go n-eirigh an bothar leat” – what a wonderful way of putting it.. the road rising with you….my Irish is getting better now that my daughter is facing Junor Cert next year;-))
For me it has to be, “Is maith liom tea” Everytime!!! (“,)
An bhfuil tu go maith.
An rud a lionas an tsuil lionann se an croi
PRONOUNCED: on rud ah lean-uss on sewell lean-onn shay on kree
MEANING: What fills the eye fills the heart
go raidh maith agat Done Deal agus lean ort leis an dea-obair
thank you Done Deal and keep up the good work
Is fulamh fuar e teach gan bean,which means it’s a cold house without a woman.
“Cuidíonn achan deor” arsa an seanbhean, agus í ag déanamh a múin san fharraige
“Every little helps”, said the old woman, as she pee’d into the sea!
“Paddy’s Day”
Is a slang invented by the English
To belittle the Irish
Since we Irish could talk for our country I especially like “Bua na cainte”, the gift of the gab…..agus “Is folamh fuar e teach gan bean” , it’s a cold house without a woman.
Ta me ar muin na muice.
ta me completely as mo bhosca bosco
Hi Guys,
I love this line & use it just to confuse people “Ta me amach as an fuinneog agus trasna na bothair” !!! I’m out the window & across the road. It takse people a while to understand what it means & have that confused look on their face’s. Love it (“,)
I like
“Thainig me
Chonaic me
Bhuaigh me”
(I came I saw I conquered/won
)
Is minic abhris beal duine a shron
Many a time a man`s mouth broke his nose
Cead Mille Failte
only phrase i learned in school 40 years ago is , on bhfuil cead agam go di on leithers
Pionta Guinness, Le do thoil.
Which means a pint of guinness please
Nil aon tintean le do tintean fein.My spelling is not the best sorry.
glac bog an saol agus glacfaidh an shaol bog tu !- take life easy and life will take it easy on you ! i like this phrase because it reminds me to not get too stressed over the small stuff as things will work out
lov d appreciation from all n donedeal of our native language 
X
my favourite is as follows codhlaidh sabh agus na fluich an leaba.
good sleep and dont wet the bed
Ceart Go Leor, a Phaiste?
Y’alri Kid?
Is maith liom cupan tae!!! agus “Pog mo thoin” best phrases!!!
Tá mé ar mhuin na muice!
I love the Irish saying:
“An té bhíonn go maith dhuit, bí go maith dhó,
an rud nach mbaineann dhuit ná bain dhó”.
An te a luionn le gagharaibh éireoid le dearnaithibh.
I´m not sure what you mean?
my favorite one has to be—> ”Talla a chluiche le do deideagan”—which means–go play with your toys–
ta an ispini sa spar
i probabily made a (cupla focle) mistakes in my sentence, but ? cares
LIVE LONG AND PROSPER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
love the add on telly…..Are you Irish? Say something Irish. The lads being fluent in Irish dedicate an Irish Poem…cailin bann…caca milis…is maith liom caca milis……brilliant!!!!!
ta se ufasach ar fad, classic irish saying made famous by our most famous irish puppet bosco, has to be apt for the times we are now living in, always brings a smile to people who remember the programme
when in college long ago i asked miceal o goill as arann what was the gaeilge for “if looks could kill i would be dead long ago” duirt se”go bheatach cosulacht marbh bheinnse cailte fado”not too sure about the spelling.
Hi all,
Am a big fan of the aul Gaeilge.. I love seanfhocails(old sayings)so heres a cuple of my favourite ;
Is minic a bhris beal duine a shron – its often a persons muthe gets their nose broken!
Aithnionn ciarog ciarog eile – A beetle knows a beetle
Da fhad an lae, tagann an oiche – As long as the day is, the night will come
Go mbeannaí Dia dhuit,
Irene
I like this one “Ni feidir leat ceann criona a cuir ar gualainn oige ” you can’t put an old head on young shoulders..or the proverb “Bionn aidhairce ?? fada ar na bo thar lear” The cows on the other side of the sea have longer horns, it dosent mention the bulls.
Hi, I love conas ata tu for d simple reason every irish person knows exactly what it means and when a foreign person asks us to talk irish its the one phrase we always say..Is maith liom gaeilg
Is maith liom Caca Milis
as my mother used to say to me when we would have an argument,[is fear an troid na an t-uaigness]xcuse da spelling,.it means.[better to have a fight or arguement than the lonliness.]an now i know wat she ment how true it is,la padraigh maith agaidh….
Níl aon tinteán mar do thinteán féin
There’s no home like your own home.
Most people can relate two.that.Its fearly univeral.
Ah “caca milish”…Anyone know where i get a lap top fitted with a fada button.ha ha ha… SWEET CAKE,also nice with custard!!!!.But i dont know what irish on that one is!!!..
Taim are mhuin na muice!
cupann tae.
Taim are mhuin na muice!
cupann tae
Ná glac pioc comhairle gan comhairle ban.!
never take advice without a womans guidance!!
Aithníonn ciaróg ciaróg eile!
it takes one to know one!!
My favourite…and I’ve used it often…. “Ni mara cheile a thagann se air einne”….a term used to describe the madness that might have taken over someone…
or
“Ta an ceann caillte agam”…(I’ve lost my mind/head)
or
“Ta ceann cipin ort”….(you dimwit)
sorry but there seems to be a theme developing here…maybe I should think of some nice ones like
Is tusa mo ghra geal…you are my bright love.
one i learned from a very young age… pog mo toin… sorry but its always been a classic.
(or) An bhfuil cead agam dul go dti an leithreas mas e do thoil e?
my favourite word in irish is sceitimini which means excited or full of trepidation . it sounds the way it means.
my favourite word in irish is the word for jelly fish which is “smogairle rón ” which translates as a seal’s snot. good one !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
is maith liom diét cóke =D
Conas ata tu. My favourite irish word is Bronntanas. My favourite irish saying is Nil aon tintean mhar do thintean fein. Happy St. Patricks Day.
1:
nil aon thintain mar do thintain fein
2:
cead mile failte
Asal!
An té nach bhfuil láidir ní foláir dó bheith glic – He who is not strong must be cute
Deich Sean Sugras agus buideal Seacht Suas mais is e do thoil e -
10 John Players and a bottle of 7-UP please! Tee hee hee!
My favourite seanfhocails:
Ta se ag tomhais tarnai – he’s measuring nails i.e. wasting time.
Also:
Bhi mil ar gach focail aici – there was honey on every word i.e. she spoke ever so sweetly.
Sorry – can’t find the fadas!!
Hi there,
I am Italian and what I like to say in Irish is: Caboiste!!
Ciao!
Is Éireanach gach éinne ar Lá Fhéile Phádraig! – on st.patricks day everyone is irish !
agus
the good aul “Tabhair póg dom, is Éireannach mé!” kiss me im irish
Ta me sceitimini orm!!!
Cá bhfuil tú ó díbh féin, tú tá áitiúil – Where are you from yourselves, are you local?
Go mbeimid lan beo ag an am seo aris…….. my favourite irish few words…. slan
oiche mhaith agus codlaith saidbhe
conas a ta sibhse. taim broduil as mo chultuir fein.hello i am proud of my culture and language.only started learning gaeilge at 23 ach nil me ag cleachtadh gach la. i went back to school to learn our native tongue. i have conversational irish.enough to get by. slan.
Tá se cocailte suas
- used to describe some1 who was mad in da head!!
I like to tell my Husband or Kids “I do Briongloid ” (brionglóid [b’r'inglód’) In your Dreams” I says a lot and is polite
Tog go bog e – Take it easy
Rith me ar nos na gaoithe.
This means, I ran like the wind
Ta an ghrian ag scoilteadh na gclocha.
The sun is splitting the stones.
Ta tu ar muin na muice.
You are on the pig’s back.
Original & Best —TIOCFAIDH AR LA
I saw ” Tiochfaidh etc etc” written on a toilet wall in Dublin
and written underneath in Dublinese was
” Ahh Chucky yer sister ! ”
No respec’ wha’ ?
Le dea Guí, Phil B
Nil aon tin tan mar do thin tan fein
There’s no fire side like your own fire side
Another interesting phrase I heard in the West of Ireland one time was
“Ta se mahogany gaspipe” – I have no idea wht this means??? Sounds good though…………
I love this Phrase
Maidin Fhuar gheimhridh a bhi ann Nuair a Dhuisigh me d’Fheach me amach on fhuinneog. Leath na suile orm
Tá a lán rudaí iontach ar fáil sa DoneDeal.ie
There are loads of great things available in DoneDeal.ie ha I said I’d chance my arm by milking it.
Slán.
Cailín bóthar báinne bhaile
Tog go boge!
Na Dean e sin !
( fadas are missing )
Dia dhibh a chairde,
Nil ein tiontain mar do thiontain fein Loosely translated means “There is no place like home” (Literal translation “There is no fireside like your own fireside”)
So, Slan agus Beannacht libh goleir (Goodbye and blessings to you all)
Ciaran MacOireachtaigh.
in Irish, the prefix Mac before a man’s surname means “Son of” and Ni before a woman’s surnamename means “Daughter of”
!!!go mbeirimid beo ag an am seo aris!!
D’eirigh me uibheacha seaclaid!! – Give me a chocolate egg!!
Beannachtai na Feile Padraig
Is e so mo cupla focail
Na bac !
Briseann an duchais tri shuileamh an chait. Shin Seanfhocail.Ide.
Nil aon tintean mar do thintean fein. There’s no place like home on paddy’s day!
Mamaí milis – yummy mummy!!!!
Colette
“Tír gan teanga tír gan anam”
(a country without its own language is like a country without a soul)
Croi na Teanga,
Els
My favourite is as a kid my uncle wouldnt say “rubbish ! “…….he’d say “coc asal agus rubaill na muice” Sounds much nicer than rubbish.
nil aon tintean mar do thintean fein
i herd this at a wedding,[ol aigi agus ith aigi neart agus na spaireal an urlaur]eat an drink enough an dont spare the floor,
Níl aon tintaín mar do thintain fein!
An American friend wanted to know what ‘Grandma Hugga’ meant. We hadn’t a clue til she mentioned that Liam Neeson said this a cupla times when he won an oscar. Go Raibh Maith Agat just doesn’t sound half as good.
Peata an mhuinteora [teachers pet]
is Mhaith an tailenn an tocras [hunger is my favourite sause] my irish teacher allways says it when its lunch tme
Na bac leo [dont mind them
Ta ead orthu [their just jealous]
seaclaid scaipeadh [choclate spread]
Neamh paidraig pairaid[st.patricks parade
ta me cuiosach.
means i’m middling, alright, sound.
Margadh Déanta!!
Deal Done!!! or Done Deal!!
“An bhfuil aon scealin deas ad?” Have you any good news? Because at the moment there is plenty of bad news
“Is maith an tanlann on tocras” Hunger makes the best sauce .I saw it over the door of a restaraunt and have eaten there several times since
“Is maith an tanlann on tocras”! Hunger makes the best sauce! I saw ithis pharse over the door of a restaraunt and have eaten there on several occasions since
Ciunais Bothar Cailin Bainne.
I actually thought about that ad far too much….
Quiet..Road..Girl..Milk..
Was it just random words…..or was he relaying a story about taking a milkmaid up a quiet road?
I watch far too much television.
Thainig Super Ted ar nos na goaithe.
Níl aon Tóin Tinn mar do Thóin Tinn Féin !
There’s no sore arse like your own sore arse !
It’s a skit on..
“Níl aon Tinteán mar do Thinteán Féin”
There’s no fireside like your own fireside/ ( No place like home)
Le gach dea guí ó Phil B
Is go sciochfadh an Diabhall na dhá Magairlí díot !
May the Divil swipe the two Te$t1cles from you !
An old Irish Curse ! Ouch !!
Le dea Guí ó Phil B
Dúirt Bean liom, go ndúirt Bean léi, go bfhaca sise bean,….
a chúala Bean a rá !
A Woman said to me that a woman said to her that she saw a woman who heard another woman saying it ! ( Meaning…hearsay ! )
Beir bua leis an Teanga i Seachtain na nGaeilge ! Phil B.
Is maith an scathan suil charad
A friends eye is a good mirror
Eist moran agus can beagan!
Hear much and say nothin!
Is minic a gheibhean beal oscailt diog dunta!
An open mouth often catches a closed fist!
agus
Ta me are meisce
I am very drunk (may be apt for some on St Patricks day..)
Chomh cinnte is go bhfuil coc san asal
great way in irish class when u cudnt be bothered answering da questin but it still looks like ya no sumit tut tut tut ………ni thuigim thu!!!
Is glas iad na cnoic i bhfad uainn = far away hills are greener
an bhuil tu ag marchiocht
My favourite and much-used phrase is: Slan agus Beannacht when signing off my emails to people who live outside Ireland – never fails to impress (and hopefully gives them the impression that I know more Irish than I actually do!).
Slan agaibh go leir
Paula
lá féile phadraig go gac duinne ag feacaint ar an leathnach seo go mbeirimid beo ag an am seo arís
[ beidh an ghaedhilg fa mheas fos.]
Go ndeana Dia trocaire ar……… lord have mercy on………
cool
my favourite irish word by far is ‘cupla bomaite’. I love using it and I stick it into sentences wherever I can!
Siobhan
A good customer of mine says Buiochas le diabhal, not as is more
usually said Buiochas le Dia.
DoneDeal is fearr ag ceannacht car…………….DoneDeal is best to buy a car
bi ag ol is na bi oltaigh,drink but dont get drunk
Hi Guys!! Thanks for all your brilliant entries! The competition is now closed and the winners are being picked. Keep an eye on our blog for the list of winners!!