ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam
masculine
The phrase 'rest in peace' in Irish is expressed as ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. Wiktionary also lists ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.
Meaning: blessing or expression of hope (verb)
Ways to say it
| Irish | Note |
|---|---|
| ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam | masculine |
| ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam | feminine |
This expression is a blessing or expression of hope.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of two parts: ar dheis Dé, which means 'at the right hand of God' and go raibh a anam, which means 'may his/her soul be'.
How does it change in a sentence?
You should use the form ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam when referring to a deceased man. The form ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam is used when referring to a deceased woman.
Did you know?
- While the phrase uses the word ar for 'at', this tiny word is a complex linguistic puzzle that combines elements of three different Old Irish prepositions meaning 'in front of', 'on', and 'after'.
- The phrase evokes the biblical concept of the 'right hand', which symbolizes the place of highest honor and favor in the presence of God.
- The structure of the phrase relies on the subjunctive mood, making it an expression of a wish or a prayer rather than a simple statement of fact.
Example sentences for Irish are not verified yet.
Example conversation
Conor and Saoirse are discussing a mutual friend who passed away.
- ConorTá brón mór anois faoi an fear sin.There is great sadness now about that man.
- SaoirseBa fear uasal é, i ndáiríre.He was a noble man, indeed.
- ConorAr dheis Dé go raibh a anam.May his soul rest in peace.
- SaoirseÁmen, go raibh a shaoil suaimhneasach.Amen, may his life be peaceful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rest in peace” translations and entries ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam, ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Dé, ar, ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam, dé, CC BY-SA 4.0.
