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!