Language/Irish/Vocabulary/Days-of-the-Week

Irish Vocabulary - Days of the Week

Hi Irish learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will focus on the days of the week. Knowing the days of the week is essential for daily communication, whether you're making plans with friends or scheduling an appointment. Additionally, learning the days of the week will also teach you important vocabulary and grammar concepts. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to confidently say the days of the week in Irish.

Quick Introduction to Irish

Irish is a Goidelic language, a member of the Celtic language family. More than one million people in Ireland speak Irish, with millions more people around the world learning the language. Irish is the official and first language of the Republic of Ireland.

Irish has three dialects: Munster, Connacht, and Ulster. Each dialect has its own unique characteristics, including variations in pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary. Irish grammar is complex and differs from English grammar in many ways. Additionally, Irish orthography (spelling) can be challenging. However, don't worry! Irish is a beautiful and fascinating language, and with time and practice, you will master its intricacies.

If you're interested in learning more about Irish find native speakers and ask them any questions! You can also supplement your learning with Polyglot Club's Vocabulary section.

Days of the Week

In Irish, the days of the week are named after pagan gods and celestial bodies. The names of the days in English are derived from the names of the Saxon gods and goddesses, but the Irish and English are not related words. Here are the Irish names for the days of the week:

Irish	Pronunciation	English
Dé Luain	day loo-in	Monday
Dé Máirt	day maw-irt	Tuesday
Dé Céadaoin	day kay-deen	Wednesday
Déardaoin	dare-deen	Thursday
Dé hAoine	day hee-nuh	Friday
Dé Sathairn	day sah-harrin	Saturday
Dé Domhnaigh	day doh-nay	Sunday

Irish days of the week start with "Dé," which means "day." For example, "Dé Máirt" literally means "Tuesday day." When referring to yesterday, today, or tomorrow, Irish uses the words "inné," "inniu," and "amárach," respectively. "Inné" and "amárach" are not related to their English equivalents, "yesterday" and "tomorrow."

Example Dialogue:

• Person 1: Cén lá atá ann inniu? (What day is it today?)
• Person 2: Tá sé Déardaoin. (It is Thursday.)
• Person 1: Cad é a bhí ann inné? (What was yesterday?)
• Person 2: Dé Céadaoin. (It was Wednesday.)
• Person 1: Agus cad é a bheidh ann amárach? (And what will be tomorrow?)
• Person 2: Dé hAoine. (It will be Friday.)

Fun Facts

- The Irish word for "week" is "seachtain," which means "seven nights." - In addition to the days of the week, Irish also has names for the months. January is called "Eanáir," February is "Feabhra," etc. - The Irish poet Seamus Heaney wrote a poem called "Glanmore Sonnets VIII." In this poem, he describes the days of the week in Irish: "One day, they'll know,/Pretty much as we do, how it goes."

Conclusion

Congratulations! You now know the days of the week in Irish. Remember to practice these vocabulary words regularly, and soon they will become second nature to you. In addition to memorizing the names of the days, make sure to also familiarize yourself with the grammar and pronunciation rules involved. 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

- "About the Irish Language." Conradh na Gaeilge. Web. - "Days of the week in Irish." Omniglot. Web. - "Gaelic for Beginners: Lesson 16 - Days of the Week." Bitesize Irish. Web.

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• Numbers
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