tá an t-ádh orm
To say "I am lucky" in Irish, use tá an t-ádh orm.
This phrase is used to state that you are experiencing good fortune. If you wish to say "I am very lucky" in an informal context, you can say Tá an t-ádh orm go leor.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "the luck is on me."
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the prepositional pronoun orm (on me) rather than a direct subject-verb construction to express possession of a state or feeling.
Did you know?
- In Irish folklore, luck was often viewed as a tangible substance that could be transferred or 'rubbed off' from one person to another.
- Irish speakers use a similar 'on me' structure for many emotions. To say 'I am afraid', you say tá eagla orm, meaning 'fear is on me'.
- While tá an t-ádh orm describes a state, the phrase go n-éirí an t-ádh leat is used to wish someone luck. It literally means 'may luck succeed with you'.
Examples in context
- Tá an t-ádh orm go leor. Táim fíor-bhuíoch.I am very lucky. I am truly grateful.
- Tá an t-ádh orm inniu.I am lucky today.
Example conversation
Oisín and Aoife are talking about a lottery ticket.
- OisínAoife, d'uagháigh mé an t-uimhir!Aoife, I guessed the number!
- AoifeAn bhfuil túa an t-ádh orm ansin?Are you lucky then?
- OisínTá an t-ádh orm, d'uagháigh mé go beag!I am lucky, I almost guessed it!
- AoifeSin sé, tá an t-ádh ort!That's it, you are lucky!
