Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

€2 a Month €5 a Month One-off amount
Alamy Stock Photo
Tráth na gCeist

Quiz: Can you finish these well-known Irish phrases?

A Dáil spat brought Ireland’s national language into the spotlight this week.
9.31pm, 16 Feb 2025
52.6k
34

IRELAND’S NATIONAL LANGUAGE was in the national spotlight this week during a row between Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin.

During a heated exchange on housing in the Dáil on Wednesday, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said to Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald:

“Tá an Teachta Dála ag insint bréaga arís.”

This translates to: “The TD is telling lies again”. It is not allowed under Dáil rules to state that another member is guilty of “being deceitful”. However, the remark was not picked up by Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy, who does not speak Irish. 

But many Irish cora cainte (turns of phrases), seanfhocail (proverbs or ‘old words’) and just general phrásanna are known to people whether they are fluent in Irish or not. How many do you know? Ar aghaidh linn.

I dtús báire: "An bhfuil cead agam dul go dtí an -"
leithreas
ghealach

cluiche
bosca bruscair
Revolutionary Irish hero Padraig Pearse said, “Tír gan teanga, tír gan -"
fiacla
ainm

anam
bia
"Níl aon tinteán mar do - féin."
thinteáin
tinteán

tinteáin
thinteán
This phrase has the same general meaning as "Don't count your chickens before they hatch" (but is about cows). "An - ite i mbolg na bó"
lao
uibh

sicín
uáin
"Dia dhuit." "Dia is - dhuit."
an Diabhal
Pádraig

Muire
Íosaf
"Anois teacht an - beidh an lá ag dul go síneadh."
earraigh
geimhridh

samhridh
fhómhair
"Is fearr Gaeilge briste ná Béarla -"
briste
grána

blasta
cliste
"Tóg go - é"
crua
bog

eadroim
práinneach
All is not as it seems. "Ní mar a shíltear a -"
bhítear
bhí

bítear
lúitar
“Ciúnas bóthar cailín -”
uisce
fuisce

bána
bainne
Answer all the questions to see your result!
You scored out of !
An tAsal Amaideach
Ní haw!
Share your result:
You scored out of !
An Ragaire Réchúiseach
Is cuma leatsa!
Share your result:
You scored out of !
An siorc sásúil
Ar do sháimhín só
Share your result:
You scored out of !
An cat cliste
Briseann an t-eolas trí shúile an chait
Share your result:
You scored out of !
An Saineolaí
Laoch na nGael
Share your result:

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.
Learn More Support The Journal

Author
View 34 comments
Send Tip or Correction
Close
34 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

    Leave a commentcancel

     
    JournalTv
    News in 60 seconds
    The Journal supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at https://www.presscouncil.ie, PH: (01) 6489130, Lo-Call 1800 208 080 or email: mailto:info@presscouncil.ie