go raibh maith agat a athair
To say "thank you father" in Irish, use go raibh maith agat a athair.
This phrase is used to express gratitude specifically to a priest.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase go raibh maith agat a athair literally translates to "may good be at you, father".
Which one should you use?
You might also use Tá mé buíoch duit, a athair to say "I am thankful to you, father". You can use Go raibh maith agat, a athairín, which means "Thank you, dear father".
Did you know?
- The word maith in the phrase is closely related to the Welsh word 'mad' and the Breton word 'mad', both of which also mean 'good'.
- The expression go raibh maith agat uses the subjunctive mood, which in this context functions as a way to express a wish or a prayer for the person.
- In different Irish dialects, the way one handles relative particles and prepositions can change entirely, such as using 'go' instead of 'a' in Munster Irish.
Examples in context
- Tá mé buíoch duit, a athair, as an moladhI am thankful to you, father, for the advice.
- Míle buíochas, a dhaiḋí, as an bhronntanas iontachA thousand thanks, dad, for the wonderful gift.
Example conversation
Conor and Aoife are leaving a church after speaking with a priest.
- ConorGo raibh maith agat a athair.Thank you, father.
- AoifeNíl aon fhadais ann, a Chonaire.It was no trouble, Conor.
- ConorBeidh muid ag teacht arís an athraj.We will come again next Sunday.
- AoifeTá mé ag súil libh, a Aoife agus a Chonaire.I look forward to seeing you, Aoife and Conor.
