How to say 'I love you' in Irish

It is said that French is the language of love, but I say that Irish is a close second!

Here are some nice terms of affection to use on Lá 'le Vailintín (St. Valentine's Day), or on any day of the year in fact!

Terms of endearment in Irish

The following are all great expressions to use if you want to express affection or love for someone in the Irish language:

A ghrá   / my love        

A stór / my treasure

A mhuirnín / my dear

A chroí / my heart

A ghrá geal mo chroí / bright love of my heart

A chuisle / my pulse (!)

Grá mo chroí thú! / You're the love of my heart

The vocative case

You'll notice that all of the above are preceded by 'a'. This is because, when addressing someone in Irish a particular format must be used. This is called the 'vocative' case.

If you've been learning Irish for a little while you might have also noticed that the word itself has been lenited (i.e. the start of the sound of the word changes - this is marked by the insertion of the letter 'h' into the second position of the word).

This is quite different to English - when addressing someone in English the name used to address the person does not change in any way:

e.g. 'Mary' - when addressing Mary her name doesn't change in any way: 'Hi Mary'!

Now take the same example in Irish:

e.g. 'Máire' - when addressing Máire there is a change: 'Dia duit, a Mháire!'

Now look at the list above again and notice how 'grá' (love) becomes 'a ghrá'; croí (heart) becomes 'a chroí' etc.

(If you find this concept of sound changes, lenition, confusing, ná bí buartha, don't worry! The initial mutations (or sound changes) in the Irish language are covered in the simplest and most straightforward way possible in my Beginner Irish course and you will become familiar with them in no time at all!)

Seanfhocail / Proverbs

There are lots of seanfhocail, or proverbs, about love in Irish, and one of the best known is 'níl leigheas ar an ngrá ach pósadh'. There isn't a cure for love but marriage.

Tá dhá léamh (an-difriúil) air seo!

There are two (very different) interpretations of this proverb!

For the romantics out there....

the only thing to do when true love happens is to get married.

For the less romantic....

the only way to cure (or get rid of) love is to get married.

Marriage proposals in Irish

Here is an equivalent expression in Irish to the question 'would you like to be buried with my people?'

An luífeása le mo mhuintirse?

Would you lie (i.e. be buried) with my people?

(Notice that adding 'sa' to the verb 'luífeá' adds emphasis, would you; and adding 'se' to 'muintir' also adds emphasis to that word: my people).

Another, equally romantic, way to say this is:

Ar mhaith leat a bheith curtha le mo mhuintir?

Would you like to be buried with my people?

I'm mad about you!

Here are a few ways to tell someone that you're crazy about them:

Tá mo chroí istigh ionat

This literally means 'my heart is inside in you'! (a little on the creepy side perhaps: ;-) )

Tá mé craiceáilte i do dhiaidh

This literally means 'I am crazy/cracked in your wake/after you.'

And to finish off...

Tá mé i ngrá leat

I am in love with you

Ná bac leis an bhFraincis!

Never mind French!

Irish really is the language of love!

Bain triail aisti!

Try it out!