Language/Irish/Vocabulary/Family
Hi Irish learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will go over essential Irish vocabulary related to family. Irish families, like any other families, come in different shapes and sizes. Family members may include parents, siblings, grandparents, cousins, and more.
Let's start by taking a look at some key terms. Don't forget to use Find native speakers and ask them any questions you may have!
Family Members[edit | edit source]
Here are some common words for family members:
| Irish | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| fear céile | /far ke:la/ | husband |
| bean céile | /ban ke:la/ | wife |
| páiste | /paw-shtuh/ | child |
| linbh | /linv/ | baby |
| mac | /mahk/ | son |
| iníon | /in-yuhn/ | daughter |
| tuismitheoirí | /tish-mi-ho:ree/ | parents |
| mamó | /mah-moe/ | grandma (mother's side) |
| daidí | /dad-ee/ | grandpa (father's side) |
| deartháir | /jahr-haar/ | brother |
| deirfiúr | /jahr-fyoor/ | sister |
Here's an example dialogue to see how these words are used:
- Person 1: Dia dhuit! Conas atá tú? (Hello! How are you?)
- Person 2: Tá mé go maith, go raibh maith agat. Agus tú? (I'm well, thank you. And you?)
- Person 1: Tá mé go breá freisin, go raibh maith agat. An ndearna tú rud ar bith spraíúil aréir? (I'm also good, thank you. Did you do anything fun last night?)
- Person 2: Bhí mé ag caint le mo dheartháir agus mo dheirfiúr. (I was talking to my brother and sister.)
Extended Family[edit | edit source]
Irish families often have close ties to their extended family members, including grandparents, cousins, aunts, and uncles. Here are some words to describe these relationships:
| Irish | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| seanmháthair | /shan-wah-hir/ | grandma (usually father's side) |
| seanathair | /shan-ah-hir/ | grandpa (usually father's side) |
| máthair mhór | /maw-hir wor/ | grandma (usually mother's side) |
| athair mhór | /ah-hir wor/ | grandpa (usually mother's side) |
| uncail | /unk-il/ | uncle |
| tante | /tahn-te/ | aunt |
| mac máthar | /mahk maw-hir/ | first cousin (son of mother's sibling) |
| deirfiúr dheartháir | /jahr-fyoor yahr-haar/ | first cousin (daughter of father's sibling) |
Here's another dialogue to see how these words are used:
- Person 1: Dia dhuit! Cad é mar atá tú? (Hello! How are you?)
- Person 2: Tá mé go maith, slán. Mé féin? (I'm well, thanks. And yourself?)
- Person 1: Tá mé sórt fliuch, ach tá mé ag tnúth le bheith ag caint le mo chéile. (I'm feeling a bit wet, but I'm looking forward to talking to my family.)
- Person 2: Ceart go leor. Cé acu fhéin ar mhaith leat labhairt? (Okay. Which of them would you like to talk to?)
- Person 1: Ba mhaith liom labhairt le mo shinsear. (I would like to talk to my grandparents.)
In-Laws[edit | edit source]
Irish words for in-laws and other extended family members can differ depending on the region or dialect. Here are some common words for in-laws:
| Irish | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| mac léinn | /mahk layn/ | son-in-law |
| náthair pósta | /naw-her paw-stah/ | father-in-law |
| máthair pósta | /maw-her paw-stah/ | mother-in-law |
| deirfiúr pósta | /jahr-fyoor paw-stah/ | sister-in-law |
| bioróir | /bee-roh-ir/ | brother-in-law |
Here's an example:
- Person 1: Tá mé ag dul go dtí teach mo dheirfiúr pósta. (I'm going to my sister-in-law's house.)
- Person 2: An bhfuil tú ag freastal ar bia nach bhfuil oiriúnach duit? (Are you attending a meal that's not suitable for you?)
- Person 1: Aontaím leat, ach ba mhaith liom teacht chun freastal ar mo theaghlach pósta. (I agree, but I want to come to attend my in-law family's meal.)
Family Activities[edit | edit source]
Irish families often come together for various activities, such as going to Mass or playing traditional Irish games. Here are some words you may hear when talking about family activities:
| Irish | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| cluiche | /kloo-huh/ | game |
| seinn ceoil | /shane kyohl/ | playing music |
| amhrán | /ow-rawn/ | song |
| imeachtaí teaghlaigh | /im-ohk-tee tyah-lee/ | family activities |
| aifreann | /af-ran/ | Mass |
Here's an example:
- Person 1: An bhfuil aon chlais I do theaghlaigh? (Does your family have any traditions?)
- Person 2: Bíonn amhránaíocht agus damhsa againn ar Nollaig. (We sing and dance on Christmas.)
- Person 1: Go hiontach! An dtaitníonn sé sin leatsa? (Awesome! Do you like it?)
- Person2: Is breá liom é. Ni fhacas rud mar sin ar fud an domhain. (I love it. I haven't seen anything like that in the whole world.)
Conclusion[edit | edit source]
In this lesson, we went over some essential vocabulary related to Irish family members and discussed some of the activities and traditions that Irish families engage in. Remember to practice talking about your own family with your language partner on the Polyglot Club website. With practice, you'll be confident in your language skills and able to keep the conversation flowing. Slán go fóill! 😊
➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎
Sources[edit | edit source]
- Family words in Irish (Gaeilge)
- 35 Easy Words Related To Family In Irish - Ling App
- Lesson Highlight: Irish Gaelic Terms for the Family
Now that you've completed this lesson, don't stop learning! Check out these related topics: Sports, Body parts, Education & Time.
Videos[edit | edit source]
How To Describe The Family In Irish - Learn Irish - YouTube[edit | edit source]
Learn Irish-Lesson 9 Family - YouTube[edit | edit source]
How to say the different FAMILY members in Irish! - YouTube[edit | edit source]
How to say Family in Irish Gaelic - YouTube[edit | edit source]
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Fruits
- At the post office
- Nature and Environment
- Family members
- Months of the year
- How to Say Hello and Greetings
- Geography
- Drinks
- Directions
- Geometric shapes