Ways to say it
| Irish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Gaeilge | /ˈɡeːlʲɟɪ/ /ˈɡeːl̪ˠənʲ/ (Munster) |
feminine |
| Gaeilge na hÉireann | /ˈɡeːlʲɟɪ n̪ˠə ˈheːɾʲən̪ˠ/ /ˈɡeːlʲɟɪ nˠə ˈheːɾʲən̪ˠ/ |
feminine |
Gaeilge is the noun used to name the Irish language. When you want to refer specifically to the Irish language of Ireland, the form Gaeilge na hÉireann can be used, though it is considered rare.
Which one should you use?
Gaeilge is the term for the language, while Gaeilge na hÉireann is a rarer way to specify the Irish language of Ireland.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When expressing that you are learning the language, the noun may appear as na Gaeilge (of the Irish language) in certain constructions, such as after a preposition or to indicate possession.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈɡeːlʲɟɪ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the adjective Éireannach to refer to the language itself. However, Éireannach means 'Irish' (pertaining to or originating from Ireland or the Irish people) and the correct noun for the language is Gaeilge.
Did you know?
- Historically, Gaeilge was part of a broader linguistic continuum known as Classical Gaelic, which was used by the elite in both Ireland and the Highlands of Scotland.
- The word Gaeilge is actually a descendant of the Old Irish word Goídelc, which was the original name for the language.
- In modern Ireland, you will often see Gaeilge paired with Béarla (English) on official signs, as the state maintains a bilingual policy for public administration.
Examples in context
- Labhraím Gaeilge gach lá.I speak Irish every day.This sentence is useful for describing the frequency of speaking Gaeilge.Tatoeba #3843284 by kemushi69, translation #3843290 by muriloricci
- Tá mé ag foghlaim na Gaeilge.I'm learning Irish.This sentence is useful for describing the process of learning Gaeilge.Tatoeba #4969131 by Choctaw_Irish, translation #5127608 by Barra
- An bhfuil tú ag labhairt Gaeilge?Are you speaking Irish?This sentence is useful for asking if someone is currently speaking Gaeilge.Tatoeba #3944977 by turklehceleri, translation #3944975 by AlanF_US
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Oisín and Siobhán are discussing their language classes.
- OisínAn bhfuil tú ag foghlaim Gaeilge?Are you learning Irish?
- SiobhánTá, tá Gaeilge an-álein.Yes, Irish is very beautiful.
- OisínIs maith liom Gaeilge أيضاً.I like Irish too.
- SiobhánTá Gaeilge an-saolach!Irish is very lively!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “irish” translations and entries Gaeilge, Gaeilge na hÉireann, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Gaeilge, Gaeilge na hÉireann, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
