le do thoil
/lʲɛd̪ˠ(ə)ˈhɔlʲ/
In Irish, "please" can be expressed as le do thoil or más é do thoil é.
Meaning: interjection to make a polite request (intj)
Ways to say it
| Irish | IPA |
|---|---|
| le do thoil | /lʲɛd̪ˠ(ə)ˈhɔlʲ/ |
| más é do thoil é | /ˌmˠɑː ʃeː d̪ˠə ˈhilʲ eː/ (Cois Fharraige) /ˌmˠaː ʃeː d̪ˠə ˈhɔlʲ ə/ (Ulster) |
The phrase is used as an interjection to make a polite request. You may also use the informal expression Mas éasca leatsa, which translates to "if it's easy for you".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase más é do thoil é is a conditional construction that literally translates to "if it be your will".
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The form más é do thoil é functions as a conditional construction within a sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
/lʲɛd̪ˠ(ə)ˈhɔlʲ/
Did you know?
- The preposition le in the phrase le do thoil originates from the Proto-Celtic word for 'side', implying that the request is made 'at your side' or 'with your side'.
Examples in context
- Abair, le do thoil.Speak, please.This example shows how to use le do thoil to ask someone to speak.Tatoeba #7801577 by eo_as, translation #1497506 by Luornu
- Déan mise cupán tae, más é do thoil é.Please make me a cup of coffee.This sentence demonstrates the use of más é do thoil é when requesting a drink.Tatoeba #625534 by niq, translation #62223 by Swift
- Le do thoil ná cuir oighear i mo dheoch.Please, don't put ice in my drink.This example uses le do thoil to make a negative request regarding a drink.Tatoeba #10926500 by janTuki, translation #12480083 by reubsboyd
- An bhféadfá cabhrú liom le seo, mas éasca leatsa?Could you please help me with this, if it's easy for you?
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Niamh asks Cian to pass her the salt at dinner.
- NiamhAn féidir leat an salann a thabhairt dom, le do thoil?Can you pass me the salt, please?
- CianSeo é, a Niamh.Here it is, Niamh.
- NiamhGo raibh maith agat.Thank you.
- CianTá fáilte romhat.You're welcome.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “please” translations and entries le do thoil, más é do thoil é, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries do, le, le do thoil, más, más é do thoil é, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
