Tá brón orm
[t̪ˠɑː ˈbˠɾˠoːnˠ ɔɾˠəmˠ]
In Irish, 'I am sad' is expressed as Tá brón orm.
This phrase is used to state that you are feeling sorrow or unhappiness. However, in many contexts, it is more commonly used to mean 'I am sorry' when you are expressing regret or apologizing.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'Is sorrow on me'.
Did you know?
- In traditional Irish poetry, sorrow is often personified as a physical guest or a burden that visits the speaker, mirroring the structure of Tá brón orm.
- While English speakers 'feel' sadness, the Irish construction implies that sorrow is a weight or something that is 'on' you, suggesting a more externalized sense of emotion.
- Because Tá brón orm is the standard way to say 'I am sorry', using it to express genuine sorrow can sometimes sound like a formal apology for a mistake rather than a description of your mood.
Examples in context
- Tá brón mór ormI am greatly sad
- Tá brón thar barr ormI am deeply sad
- Tá brón orm anois.I am sad now.
- Tá brón orm faoin scéal sin.I am sad about that news.
Example conversation
Oisín and Siobhán are talking about a lost pet.
- OisínTá brón orm faoi an madra.I am sad about the dog.
- SiobhánTá brón orm chomh maith, a Oisín.I am sad as well, Oisín.
- OisínAn mbeidh sé ceart go luath?Will it be okay soon?
- SiobhánTá súil agam go mbeidh.I hope it will be.
Sources
- Pronunciation from the Wiktionary entry tá brón orm.
