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Irish Greetings: 8 Ways to Say Hello in Irish Gaelic Download Article Plus pronunciation tips for every Irish greeting Co-authored by Jennifer Mueller, JD
Last Updated: October 24, 2025
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Saying Hello in Irish Gaelic
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Regional Irish Greetings
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Other Common Irish Expressions
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This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Jennifer Mueller, JD. Jennifer Mueller is an in-house legal expert at wikiHow. Jennifer reviews, fact-checks, and evaluates wikiHow's legal content to ensure thoroughness and accuracy. She received her JD from Indiana University Maurer School of Law in 2006. This article has been viewed 103,571 times. Learn more...
Since most people in Ireland speak English, you can certainly greet people there while visiting by simply saying "hello." However, if you learn a few words in Irish Gaelic (Gaelige), you'll really charm the locals. The basic way to say "hello" in Irish is dia duit (dee-ah gwit). Some regions also have their unique ways of saying "hello." Beyond merely saying "hello," it's a good idea to learn a few more common Irish expressions to sprinkle into your conversations.[1]XResearch source
Saying Hello in the Irish Language
“Dia duit” (dee-ah gwit) is the most common way to say “hello” among Irish nationals who speak Gaelic. The greeting literally means “may God be with you.”
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Method 1 Method 1 of 3:
Greeting Others in Irish Gaelic
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1 Say dia duit (dee-ah gwit) to greet people in any setting. This phrase literally means "God to you," also interpreted as "May God be with you." Amongst Irish speakers, this is the common way to say "hello" to anyone you meet.[2]XResearch source
This phrase is used as a traditional greeting regardless of your religious beliefs or the religious beliefs of the person you're greeting. However, it's also a Christian blessing.[3]XResearch source
If you're greeting several people at once, the duit becomes daoibh. You would say dia daoibh (dee-ah deev), which literally means "God to you all."
Tip: Even though most people in Ireland also speak English, Irish speakers rarely greet each other with "hello" (spelled haló or heileo in Gaelic) except when answering the phone.
2 Respond to dia duit with dia is Muire duit. Rather than simply saying dia duit in return when someone says it to you, the more common response is dia is Muire duit (dee-ah iss Mwir-eh gwit). This phrase literally means "God and Mary to you."[4]XResearch source
You typically wouldn't need a plural version of this phrase, because even if there were a group of people, your response would only be to the person who spoke.[5]XResearch source
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3 Try mora duit if you want to avoid a greeting with religious implications. If you're not Christian, you may not feel comfortable greeting people with what is essentially a Catholic blessing. Mora duit is an alternative that simply means "morrow to you."[6]XResearch source
The word mora comes from Mór, the name of a Celtic goddess. However, this phrase has largely lost any religious or spiritual significance in modern times.
4 Use aon scéal (ay-uhn shkail) with people you know reasonably well. This phrase literally means "any story?" It's similar to saying "what's up?" in English, so it's appropriate with friends and acquaintances around your age. You might also use it with children or people significantly younger than you, even if you don't know them very well.[7]XResearch source
This is considered a very informal, casual phrase. Even though Irish speakers don't tend to be as formal as many European cultures, it's still a good idea to avoid this phrase in serious or professional contexts.
5 Ask conas atá tú after your initial greeting. In English, you typically would say "how are you" after greeting someone, and Irish is no different. To ask after someone's well-being in Irish, say conas atá tú.[8]XResearch source
In the Western or Connaught Gaelic dialect, you would say cén chaoi a bhfuil tú. Although the pronunciation is different, it means the same thing as conas atá tú.
The response to conas atá tú is tá me go maith (taw may guh maw), which means "I am well."
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Using Regional Greetings
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1 Use "well" as a greeting in the Irish midlands. This greeting is more common with people you know but can be used with anyone. However, you'd generally want to avoid using it with elders or people in a position of authority. It's usually drawn out long and slow, like "weeeeeelllll," and might be followed by the name of the person you're greeting.[9]XResearch source
In Gaelic, this greeting is spelled "bhuel," but pronounced roughly the same as the English word "well."[10]XResearch source
2 Try "ye boy" or "ye girl" in Ulster and Northern counties. "Ye boy" or "yes boy" is a common greeting among men in Northern Irish counties, while you may here "ye girl" among women. The origin of this phrase is unknown, but it is understood as a greeting.[11]XResearch source
You may also hear "hup ye boy ye" or "hup ye girl ye."
3 Say "'bout ye" in Belfast. "'Bout ye" is a shortened version of "how's about ye?" This question is typically used to ask how someone's doing, but it's also used as a greeting on its own. This greeting is most common in Belfast and Northern Ireland.[12]XResearch source
From Dublin to Dursey Island, you'll likely hear "how ya," a phrase similar to "'bout ye." It has the same meaning, in that you're asking how someone's doing, but you're also greeting them at the same time.
Tip: Although "top o' the mornin'" is a stereotypical Irish greeting, it hasn't been used in Ireland in over 100 years. If you use this greeting in the country or around Irish people, they may think you're making fun of them.
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Adding Other Common Irish Expressions
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1 Include polite phrases to show respect and mind your manners. As in any language, respect and politeness are important when speaking Irish, especially if you're talking to someone older than you or in a position of authority. Some polite words and phrases to learn include:[13]XResearch source
Más é do thoil é (maws aye duh hull aye): "please" (literally "if it is your will")
Go raibh maith agat (guh rev mah ah-gut): "thanks" (literally "that there may good at you")
Tá fáilte romhat (taw fall-che row-at): "you're welcome" (in response to thanks; literally "there is a welcome before you"). Tá fáilte romhat is also used as a greeting, particularly if you are welcoming someone into your home.
Pronunciation Tip: The ch sound in Gaelic is a sound that doesn't exist in English. It's similar to the ch in the Scottish word "loch." If you can't pronounce this sound correctly, you can use a "k" sound and you'll likely still be understood.
2 Introduce yourself if someone asks Cad is ainm duit? If you exchange greetings with someone and they ask Cad is ainm duit? (pronounced Cod iss anim gwit?), they are asking you what your name is. A literal translation of the question would be "What is the name to you?"[14]XResearch source
To respond to this question, say your name followed by the phrase is ainm dom (iss anim dum). This means, literally, that your name "is the name to you," but a more accurate translation would be "My name is."
3 Use beagáinín (byug-awn-een) to let people know you only speak a little Irish. After you've introduced yourself, the person might ask youAn bhfuil Gaeilge agat? (pronounced On will Gail-geh ah-gut?), which means "Do you speak Gaelic/Irish?" If you've only learned a few words in phrases, saying beagáinín lets them know you only speak "a little bit" of Irish.[15]XResearch source
You can also say tá cúpla focal agam (taw koop-la fuk-al a-gum). A literal translation of this phrase would be "There is a couple of words at me," but like ''beagáinín, it means that you only speak a little Irish.
4 Say slán leat (slawn lat) when you part ways with someone. This phrase literally means "health/safety with you." However, among Irish speakers, it is used to say "goodbye." This phrase is suitable to use in any context.[16]XResearch source
If you're talking to a friend who you expect to see later, you can also say slán go fóill (lawn guh foal). This phrase literally means "health (or safety) till later," but it is used in the same sense as you would say "see you later" in English.
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Co-authored by: Jennifer Mueller, JD wikiHow Staff Writer This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Jennifer Mueller, JD. Jennifer Mueller is an in-house legal expert at wikiHow. Jennifer reviews, fact-checks, and evaluates wikiHow's legal content to ensure thoroughness and accuracy. She received her JD from Indiana University Maurer School of Law in 2006. This article has been viewed 103,571 times. 9 votes - 67% Co-authors: 7Updated: October 24, 2025 Views: 103,571 Categories: World Languages In other languagesSpanish
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Download Article Plus pronunciation tips for every Irish greeting Co-authored by Jennifer Mueller, JD 
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Co-authored by: Jennifer Mueller, JD wikiHow Staff Writer This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Jennifer Mueller, JD. Jennifer Mueller is an in-house legal expert at wikiHow. Jennifer reviews, fact-checks, and evaluates wikiHow's legal content to ensure thoroughness and accuracy. She received her JD from Indiana University Maurer School of Law in 2006. This article has been viewed 103,571 times. 9 votes - 67% Co-authors: 7 Updated: October 24, 2025 Views: 103,571 Categories: World Languages In other languagesSpanish 
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1 Say dia duit (dee-ah gwit) to greet people in any setting. This phrase literally means "God to you," also interpreted as "May God be with you." Amongst Irish speakers, this is the common way to say "hello" to anyone you meet.[2] 
2 Respond to dia duit with dia is Muire duit. Rather than simply saying dia duit in return when someone says it to you, the more common response is dia is Muire duit (dee-ah iss Mwir-eh gwit). This phrase literally means "God and Mary to you."[4] 
3 Try mora duit if you want to avoid a greeting with religious implications. If you're not Christian, you may not feel comfortable greeting people with what is essentially a Catholic blessing. Mora duit is an alternative that simply means "morrow to you."[6] 
4 Use aon scéal (ay-uhn shkail) with people you know reasonably well. This phrase literally means "any story?" It's similar to saying "what's up?" in English, so it's appropriate with friends and acquaintances around your age. You might also use it with children or people significantly younger than you, even if you don't know them very well.[7] 
5 Ask conas atá tú after your initial greeting. In English, you typically would say "how are you" after greeting someone, and Irish is no different. To ask after someone's well-being in Irish, say conas atá tú.[8] 
1 Use "well" as a greeting in the Irish midlands. This greeting is more common with people you know but can be used with anyone. However, you'd generally want to avoid using it with elders or people in a position of authority. It's usually drawn out long and slow, like "weeeeeelllll," and might be followed by the name of the person you're greeting.[9] 
2 Try "ye boy" or "ye girl" in Ulster and Northern counties. "Ye boy" or "yes boy" is a common greeting among men in Northern Irish counties, while you may here "ye girl" among women. The origin of this phrase is unknown, but it is understood as a greeting.[11] 
3 Say "'bout ye" in Belfast. "'Bout ye" is a shortened version of "how's about ye?" This question is typically used to ask how someone's doing, but it's also used as a greeting on its own. This greeting is most common in Belfast and Northern Ireland.[12] 
1 Include polite phrases to show respect and mind your manners. As in any language, respect and politeness are important when speaking Irish, especially if you're talking to someone older than you or in a position of authority. Some polite words and phrases to learn include:[13] 
2 Introduce yourself if someone asks Cad is ainm duit? If you exchange greetings with someone and they ask Cad is ainm duit? (pronounced Cod iss anim gwit?), they are asking you what your name is. A literal translation of the question would be "What is the name to you?"[14] 
3 Use beagáinín (byug-awn-een) to let people know you only speak a little Irish. After you've introduced yourself, the person might ask youAn bhfuil Gaeilge agat? (pronounced On will Gail-geh ah-gut?), which means "Do you speak Gaelic/Irish?" If you've only learned a few words in phrases, saying beagáinín lets them know you only speak "a little bit" of Irish.[15] 
4 Say slán leat (slawn lat) when you part ways with someone. This phrase literally means "health/safety with you." However, among Irish speakers, it is used to say "goodbye." This phrase is suitable to use in any context.[16] 
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