Language/Irish/Vocabulary/Family-members

Family Vocabulary in Irish (Gaeilge)

Haileo! Irish Learners! 😃

In today's lesson you will learn the main family members in Irish Gaelic.

Traditionally, the Irish family structure was patriarchal, with the father being the head of the household. However, today's families are much more egalitarian, with both parents sharing in the responsibilities of child-rearing and household management.

The extended family is also highly regarded in Irish culture, and it is common for multiple generations to live together or in close proximity to one another. This creates a strong sense of community and support within the family unit.

In addition, storytelling is an important part of Irish culture, and family stories and traditions are passed down through generations. This helps to create a sense of connection and shared history within the family.Happy learning, hope you enjoy!

After mastering this lesson, these related pages might interest you: Food, Nature and Environment, Health & House.

Main Family Members in Irish

• Father: athair
• Mother: máthair
• Son: mac
• Daughter: iníon
• Brother: deartháir
• Sister: deirfiúr
• Grandfather: Daide
• Grandmother: mamo
• Uncle: uncail (mother's brother), athair mór (father's older brother), athair beag (father's younger brother)
• Aunt: aintín (mother's sister), deirfiúr mór (older sister), deirfiúr beag (younger sister)
• Cousin: col ceathrar (male cousin), col cailín (female cousin)
• Nephew: neacht (brother's son), gariníon (sister's son)
• Niece: neacht (brother's daughter), gariníon (sister's daughter)
• Husband: fear céile
• Wife: bean céile
• Partner: compánach
• Child: leanbh
• Twins: cúpla
• Father-in-law: athair céile
• Mother-in-law: máthair céile
• Brother-in-law: deartháir céile
• Sister-in-law: deirfiúr céile

Example Sentences

• Tá mé ag caint le mo dheartháir ar an nguthán. (I'm talking to my brother on the phone.)
• Bhí mé ag caint le mo chailín ar Skype inné. (I was talking to my girlfriend on Skype yesterday.)
• An bhfuil aon chúplaí sa teaghlach agat? (Do you have any twins in your family?)
• Tá mo chomharsa ina gcónaí leis a hleanbh nua-aimseartha. (My neighbor lives with her newborn baby.)
• Tá a bean céile i mbun staidéir ar an léann. (His wife is studying literature.)
• Tá an seanathair ag rá scéalta faoi na seanlaethanta. (The grandfather tells stories about the old days.)
• Tá mé ag foghlaim Gaeilge ó mo dheirfiúr mór. (I'm learning Irish from my older sister.)
• Tá an col ceathrar ag dul amach le chéile anocht. (The male cousins are going out together tonight.)
• Tá an neacht ag iarraidh a bheith ina bhall den fhoireann sacair. (The nephew wants to be a member of the soccer team.)
• Bhí mé ag siúl le mo gharmhac ar an trá. (I was walking with my grandson on the beach.)

More Family Members in Irish

• teaghlach, líon tí = family

Irish (Gaeilge)	English
seantuismitheoirí	grandparents
seanathair	grandfather
seanmháthair	grandmother
tuismitheoirí	parents
athair	father
máthair	mother
an fear / na fir	man / men
an fear céile	husband
an bhean (bean) / mná	woman / women
an bhean chéile	wife, spouse
duine/daoine muinteartha	relative(s)
uncail	uncle
aintín	aunt(ie)
nia	nephew
an neacht	niece
col ceathrar [m/f]	cousin
buachaill	boy
cailín	girl
mac	son
iníon	daughter
deartháir	brother
deirfiúr	sister
an páiste, leanbh / clann	child / children
an babaí	baby
cuairteoir(í)	visitor(s)
aoi / aíonna	guest(s)
cara / cairde	friend(s)
namhaid	enemy
comharsa(na)	neighbor(s)
duine / daoine	person / people
gaol	relationship

Other Lessons

• Days of the week
• Animals
• Games and Toys
• Family
• City
• Fruits
• House
• Nature and Environment
• Transportation