03 Feb 12
Here’s a nice word for this Focal Friday – Duine uasal. It simply means gentleman and it’s pronounced – dinna ushill. Lady is then – Bean uasal (pronounced ban ushill). If you’d like to say “Ladies and Gentlemen” you would say – “A dhaoine uaisle” ( ah deeny ooshla). So now you know!
27 Jan 12
In honour of our Brenda – Craiceáilte -meaning cracked or mad and pronounced crack-all-ta.
Sure we’re all a bit craiceáilte now and then, just don’t take out any loans til it passes
01 Nov 11
Rinne mé dearmad!
Pronounced – rinnah may darmad
Means – I forgot! Yes, it’s Tuesday today – I forgot to do my Focal on Friday! Gabh mo leithscéal (sorry!)
21 Oct 11
Cad a thárla?
Pronounced – Cod a harr lah?
Means – What happened? Cad a thárla? Where did the week go?
14 Oct 11
Seisiún – session. As in we had a right seisiún with the guys from DoneDeal last night!
Pronounced – seshooon
Sin é! (that’s it!)
7 Oct 11
Sad news this week with the news of the death of Steve Jobs – this week’s phrase is – Is mór an trua é
Pronounced : Iss moor on true- ah ay
Meaning: it’s a great pity
30 Sep 11
Following our win at the Women in Business Awards this week, this week’s phrase is: Ceann amháin
Pronounced: keeown awawn
Meaning: just one! usually referring to just one pint or other alcoholic beverage
Usage: Are you going for ceann amháin tonight to celebrate?
PS: There is no such thing as ceann amháin!
Enjoy using this one, I do!
23 Sep 11
This Friday’s phrase is : Tóg go bog é
It means: Take it easy! It’s pronounced: Togue guh bug eh
A great one for a Friday, when we should all be thinking about taking it easy for the weekend. This is a good phrase to use instead of goodbye (slán) too.
16 Sep 11
Let’s all have a go at using a new Irish word or phrase every week during the working day – it’s be easy, fun and isn’t it a lovely positive thing to do anyway?
I’ve picked Friday as the day to introduce a word – mostly for reasons of illiteration, but we can go ahead and use them anytime we want!
This week’s phrase is a favourite of mine, it is:
Fadhb ar bith, meaning no problem!
Pronunciation – Fibe air bih (like bit, but without pronouncing the t, as in “would you ever give us a bi’ more time to finish that project”
So, today, when a customer calls with a typically Fridayish request, don’t freak out, just say “Fadhb ar bith” and get on with it:)
Do you have any favourit Irish words or phrases you’d like to include – let me know if you do!
