Haigh, a chairde!

Expressions and sayings are always important to learn to sound more native, so here are some common Irish sayings. Feel free to write more in the comments!

Go néirí an bóthar leat

Translation: May the road be successful with you

Meaning: Good luck on your journey (literal and figurative)

Níl saoi gan locht

Translation: There isn’t a wise man without fault

Meaning: We have all got our weaknesses

Giorraíonn beirt bóthar

Translation: Two people shorten the road

Meaning: Life is better with companionship

Drochubh, drochéan

Translation: A bad egg, a bad bird.

Meaning: Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree (negative)

Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine

Translation: Under the shelter of each other, people survive

Meaning: Life is better with a community, companionship

Is olc an ghaoth nach séideann do dhuine éigin

Translation: It is a bad wind that does not blow to somebody

Meaning: No matter how bad something that happens, someone will benefit

Is fearr Gaeilge briste, ná Béarla clíste

Translation: Broken Irish is better than clever English

Meaning: Promote the use of Irish at any level

An té a luíonn le madaí, eiroidh sé le dearnaid.

Translation: He who lies down with dogs, gets up with fleas

Meaning: Being in bad company gets you in trouble

Níl aon tinteán mar do thinteán féin

Translation: There’s no hearth like your own hearth

Meaning: There’s no place like home

Ní chaitheann an chaint an t-éadach.

Translation: Talk doesn’t wear the clothes

Meaning: Talk is cheap

Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh sí

Translation: Praise the young and they will flourish

Meaning: Positive reinforcement is best for children

Cuir síoda ar ghabhar ach is gabhar i gcónaí é

Translation: Dress a goat in silk and he still remains a goat

Meaning: You can’t change someone or something

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