Dialect Pronunciation Chart
I’ve decided to start this thread for those seeking help with pronunciation. Simply type in the Irish word you need a pronunciation for and other volunteers to the site will add a phonetic rendering of that word in a dialect of Irish that they are comfortable with.
If you’re looking for a certain pronunciation, please ask on our free translation forum.
I think this can be a valuable resource to help others with their pronunciation as well as to illustrate the sometimes subtle differences between the various dialects of Irish. Of course this will require cooperation from some of the more advanced speakers, which has never been a problem here. If you have any suggestions how to make this better please contact me.
| Word (meaning) | Munster | Connacht | Ulster |
| Abhaile (home) | av-all-yeh | uh-WAL-yeh | uh-WALL-eh |
| Abair (say) | AH-ber | ||
| Ach (but) | uch* | ach* | ach* |
| Agam (lit: at me/ I have) | ugum | AH-gum | |
| Agat (lit: at you/ you have) | ugut | AH-gut | |
| Aige (lit: at him/ he has) | EGG-uh | ||
| Aici (lit: at her/ she has) | ECK-uh | ||
| Againn (lit: at us/ we have) | AH-ginn | ||
| Agaibh (lit: at you (pl.)/ you have) | AH-giv (AH-gee) | ||
| Acu (lit: at them/ they have) | AH-koo(b) | ||
| Agus (and) | ugoos | OG-uss | |
| Ag caint (talking) | ug cant | uh KYNTCH | |
| Ag canadh (singing) | ug KUN-ay | uh KAH-nuh | |
| Ag dul (going) | ug dool | uh DULL / GULL | |
| Ag éisteacht (listening) | ug AYSH-tuckt | ug AYSH-tuch*t | |
| Ag féachaint (looking) | ug FAY-ch*unt | uh FAY-ch*untch | |
| Ag gáire (laughing) | ug gaw-reh | uh GAW-ruh | |
| Ag gól (crying) | ug gole | uh GOLE | |
| Ag imeacht (going away) | ug IM-uckt | ug IM-yuch*t | |
| Ag ithe (eating) | ug i-heh | ug IH-huh | |
| Ag léamh (reading) | ug layv | uh LAYV | |
| Ag obair (working) | ug owe-ber | ug OH-ber | |
| Ag ól (drinking) | ug ole | ug OLE | |
| Ag rince (dancing) | ug rin-keh | uh RING-kuh | |
| Ag rith (running) | ug rih | uh RUH | |
| Ag scríobh (writing) | ug scree-ov | uh SHKREE-uv | |
| Ag súgradh (playing) | ug SOOG-ray | uh SOO-gruh | |
| Ag siúl (walking) | ug sh-yool | uh SHOOL | |
| Ag teacht (coming) | ug tackt | uh CHACH*T | |
| Amach (out) | am-ack | uh-MUCH* | |
| Anois (now) | unish | uh-NISH | |
| Anseo (here) | un-shaw | uh-SHUH | |
| Ansin (there) | un-shin | un-SHIN | |
| An bhfuilim? (am I?) | un vwil-im | uh will may | |
| An bhfuilimid? (are we?) | un vwil-i-meedge | uh WILL-uh-mudge | |
| An bhfuil sé? (is he?) | un vwill shay | uh will shay | un will shay |
| An bhfuil sí? (is she?) | un vwill shee | uh will shee | un will shee |
| An bhfuil siad? (are they?) | un vwill shee-ud | uh will SHEE-ud |
un will shee-ud |
| An bhfuil sibh? (are you?/plural) | un vwill shiv | uh will shiv | un will shuv |
| An bhfuil tú? (are you?/singular) | un vwill too | uh will too | un will too |
| An ceacht (the lesson) | un kackt | un KYACH*T | |
| An obair (the work) | un owe-ber | un OH-ber | |
| An peann luaidhe (the pencil) | un payn loo-yeh | un PYAWN LOO-ee | |
| An t-airgead (the money) | un tayr-gyad | un TAIR-uh-gyud | un thar-ged |
| An tsráid (the street) | un trawd | un TRAWDGE | |
| An t-urlár (the floor) | un TER-lawr | un TOOR-lawr | |
| Ar mhaith leat? (would you like?) | ur vah lyat | err WAH lyat | ur why lat |
| Ard (tall) | awrd | ||
| Ba mhaith liom (I would like) | buh vah lyum | buh WAH lyum | ba why lyum |
| Bán (white) | bawn | bawn | |
| Beag (little/small) | byug | ||
| Bocht (poor) | boch*t | ||
| Bris (break) | brish | ||
| Buachaill (boy) | bwuh-ch*ill | BOO-uh-ch*ull | |
| Cailc (chalk) | kalk | ||
| Caillte (lost) | CALL-cheh | KYLE-chuh | |
| Caite (worn out) | CAH-cheh | KAH-chuh | |
| Carr (car) | kawr | ||
| Ceannaigh (buy) | KYAN-nuh | ||
| Críochnaigh (finish) | KREEKH-nuh | ||
| Críochnaithe (finished) | kreeokh-naheh | KREEKH-nuh-huh | |
| Cuir (put) | kwir | ||
| Déanta (done) | JANE-tuh | JANE-tuh | |
| Dearg (red) | JAR-ug | ||
| Deas (nice) | jyas | jass | jass |
| Deisigh (mend) | JESH-uh | ||
| Donn (brown) | down | ||
| Dubh (black) | doov | doo | |
| Dúch (ink) | dooch* | ||
| Duit (to you) | dit | ghwitch | gwitch |
| Dún (shut) | doon | ||
| Ealaintóir (artist) | ale-an-tore | AH-leen-tore | ale-in-chore |
| Éirigh (get up) | EYE-ruh | ||
| Éist (listen) | aysht | ||
| Fan (wait, stay) | fahn | ||
| Faigh (get) | fye | ||
| Féach (look) | faykh | ||
| Fionn (fair haired) | fyun | ||
| Folamh (empty) | folav | FAH-luh | |
| Fraoch (heather) | fray-ukh | freekh | |
| Glas (green) | glus | glahss | |
| Gloine (glass) | glun-yeh | GLIN-yeh | glin-eh |
| Gorm (blue)1 | GOR-um | ||
| Imithe (gone away) | IM-i-heh | IM-uh-huh | |
| Inné (yesterday) | inn-yay | un-YAY | |
| Isteach (in) | ISH-tuck | ish-TUCH* | |
| Ith (eat) | ih | ||
| Láidir (strong) | LAW-jer | ||
| Léigh (read) | lay | ||
| Liath (grey haired) | LEE-uh | ||
| Mór (big/large) | Mowr | more | |
| Múinteoir (teacher) | MOON-chore | MOON-chore | |
| Nigh (wash) | nee | ||
| Nílim (I am not) | neel-im | neel may | |
| Nílimid (we are not) | neel-mid | NEE-lih-midge | |
| Níl sé (he is not) | neel shay | neel shay | |
| Níl sí (she is not) | neel shee | neel shee | |
| Níl siad (they are not) | neel shee-uhd | neel SHEE-ud | |
| Níl sibh (you are not/plural) | neel shiv | neel shiv | |
| Níl tú (you are not/singular) | neel too | neel too | |
| Nua (new) | NOO-uh | ||
| Óg (young) | owg | ohg | |
| Ól (drink) | ole | ole | |
| Oráíste (an orange) | OR-awsh-tuh | ||
| Oscail (open) | OS-kull | ||
| Ramhar (fat) | raw-ur | ROW-er | |
| Rith (run) | ruh | ||
| Rua (red haired) | roo-uh | ROO-uh | |
| Pingin (a penny) | PING-gin | ||
| Punt (a pound) | punt | ||
| Scríobh (write) | sk-REE-uv | SHKREE-uv | |
| Scríofa (written) | sk-REE-fuh | SHKREE-fuh | |
| Scuab (sweep) | SKOO-ub | ||
| Seanduine (an old man) | shan-dineh | SHAN-DIN-uh | |
| Seas (stand) | shass | ||
| Siúil (walk) | shule | ||
| Stad (stop) | stod | ||
| Stróic (tear) | stroke | ||
| Suigh (sit down) | see | ||
| Tabhair dom (give me) | TORE-um | ||
| Tar (come) | tar | ||
| Teigh (go) | chey | ||
| Tóg (take) | tohg | ||
| Táim (I am) | taw-im | taw may | |
| Táimid (we are) | taw-mid | TAW-midge | |
| Tá sé (he is) | taw shay | taw shay | |
| Tá sí (she is) | taw shee | taw shee | |
| Tá siad (they are) | taw shee-uhd | taw SHEE-uh | |
| Tá sibh (you are/ plural) | taw shiv | taw shiv | |
| Tá tú (you are/singular) | taw too | taw too | |
| Uaine (green) | OO-eh-nuh |
*ch Sounds like the end of the Scottish word “loch”
If you’re a beginner, don’t fret too much about Irish Gaelic dialects. Start to learn online today with Bitesize Irish Gaelic.
Daniel Norton said,
May 31, 2007 @ 10:30 pm
How about adding gasúr?
david said,
August 26, 2007 @ 2:12 pm
Thanks alot for the help with irish, it’s been a great help!
Brianne said,
October 18, 2007 @ 10:08 pm
Sláinte mhaith
Thanks!
Sydney said,
November 8, 2007 @ 5:42 am
how exactly do you pronounce Muintir
jennifer o'neill said,
February 4, 2008 @ 9:38 pm
How do you pronouce M’anamchara and Slainte?
Thanks!
Eoin said,
February 4, 2008 @ 11:10 pm
Daniel and Syndey, please ask on our site’s free translation forum.
Lari said,
February 14, 2008 @ 2:17 pm
How can I correctly say “beatha”???
Please, I need this information, it’s very important!
Thanks in advance!
Eoin said,
February 14, 2008 @ 3:38 pm
Lari: please ask on our site’s free translation forum.
JD said,
March 8, 2008 @ 10:04 pm
Hi
Could someone please translate this for me:
Distant flickerings
Greener Scenery
This weather’s bringing it all back again
With big intentions
Faces in condensation
I’m going outside to take it all in
If you listen to Imogen Heap, then you’ll probably recognize it- Its from the song “Headlock”
thanks,
JD
Eoin said,
March 9, 2008 @ 11:27 am
JD: please use our site’s translation forum.
numealinesimpetar said,
March 28, 2008 @ 10:19 am
I would suggest spelling broad consonants underlined & slender ones with a ‘ (accent) after them. Also, we need to write a very short ‘i’ or ‘u’ sound at the end of some words, and the broad glide, which is like a ‘w’ but without rounding the lips.
e.g. ‘aici’ in Munster dialect is like ‘iKI’ with the ‘i’ exactly as in ‘hit’ but without the ‘t’. and ‘acu’ is like ‘aKU’ with the ‘U’ as in the ‘oo’ of ‘look’. “cuid” is like “quid” but without the rounding of the lips. You can feel the word travel from the far back to the front of your mouth as you pronounce it.
JerrysFlame said,
July 29, 2008 @ 6:59 pm
How do you pronounce Seaclaid? Its suppose to be the Irish word for chocolate
amanda said,
October 24, 2008 @ 2:49 am
silly question time… what is the difference between ‘munster’ and ‘connacht’? is it regional? or more like ‘modern’ and ‘traditional’? just confused…lol thanks for any help! ; )
jpo said,
October 30, 2008 @ 1:12 pm
How do you pronounce Fíorghrá
Thanks
sean english said,
December 19, 2008 @ 12:08 am
I need the pronunciation of these words please
nasc
dearthaireach
fuaite
le
fuil
THANK YOU
Andrew said,
February 24, 2009 @ 3:23 am
A while ago I found several translations or variations for I love you, one of them being “Ta mo chroi istigh ionat” I use this variation in writing with my fiancee but would appreciate knowing how to pronounce this phrase. Also is “mo mhuirnin” pronounced the same as the modern derivative “mavourneen”? Any assistance is appreciated.
Joe Curran said,
March 15, 2009 @ 3:01 pm
Having difficulty with the pronunciation of this phrase:
Fad saol agat, gob fliuch, agus bás in Éirinn!
I would like to toast my grandfather (who himself is Irish) for St Patrick’s Day
Randy said,
October 25, 2009 @ 1:00 pm
I think it would also be a good idea to show the pronounciation of these words in their true proper form. This would help those who are learning see how it changes just slightly with different regions. Because one has to remember Universities teach proper pronounciation not every different dialect.
Just a thought anywho,
Sam Ables said,
January 5, 2010 @ 7:30 am
Need to know how to pronounce this.
Agus beimid inár n-aoirí ar do shonsa, a Thiarna, ar do shonsa, tá cumhacht tagtha anuas ó do lámh ionas go gcomhlíonadh ár gcosa do thoil go tapaidh. Sruthóimid ar aghaidh mar abhainn chugat Agus plódaithe le hanamacha a bheidh sí go deo. In ainm an Athar, agus an Mhic, agus an Spioraid Naomh
Ní dhoirtfear fuil neamhchiontach choíche. Ach sruthóidh fuil na n-olc mar abhainn. Leathfaidh an triúr a n-eiteoga dubhaithe agus beidh siad ina chasúr buailte Dé.
Please, Thanks
Tess said,
April 30, 2010 @ 10:24 pm
Would someone PLEASE help me in the correct Gaelic pronunciation of the traditional Irish Blessing? So grateful
Brad Knowles said,
November 10, 2010 @ 9:05 pm
Can you give me the pronunciation of “Tnuthghail”. It’s the name that has been anglicized to “Knowles”. Thanks
Evangeline said,
January 13, 2011 @ 2:20 am
círéib
Katherin said,
October 23, 2011 @ 1:58 pm
hi , please can anybody help me? i need more information about the irish type of pronunciation
Dan Comstock said,
November 9, 2011 @ 5:28 pm
Please help with the pronunciation of “Dia go maith, ach ní rince i mbád beag.” Thank you!
Rosie said,
December 2, 2011 @ 3:50 am
I’m working on a story, and I just want to confirm a few name pronunciations:
Saoirse (SEER-sha was the given pronunciation) meaning freedom
Flannán, a name that means red
Ó Fallamháin (FALL-a-win?) as a surname. That was the one with which I’m having the most trouble.
Rosie said,
December 2, 2011 @ 3:51 am
Oh, and Aodhán. I think it’s just pronounced like “Aiden”, but I’m not certain. Thanks!
Ashley said,
April 3, 2012 @ 1:02 am
how do i pronounce “leathcupla’??
Ruth said,
April 6, 2012 @ 6:42 pm
how do you pronounce “neart”?
Savannah said,
July 10, 2012 @ 11:31 pm
can somebody help me pronounce
” go siorai”? i know its forever but i cant say it! help please”
Makaila said,
February 27, 2013 @ 4:44 pm
Hello! I would like some help with the pronounciation of this phrase: Suaimhneas inmheánach (inner peace)