Cúpla Focal: A few words of Irish Language

Birmingham Irish • December 11, 2023

Dia daoibh a chairde! Tá an Nollaig ag teacht!

Christmas is coming!

An Nollaig – Christmas

Oíche Nollag – Christmas Eve

Mí na Nollag – December

Fleasc Nollag – Christmas wreath

Bronntanas/Bronntanais – Present/Presents

Dráma na Nollag – Nativity play

Beannachtaí na Nollag – Christmas greetings

Crann Nollag – Christmas tree

Soilse Nollag – Christmas lights

Pléascóg(a) Nollag – Christmas cracker(s)

Daidí na Nollag/San Nioclás – Santa Claus


Maróg Nollag (le hanlann branda) – Christmas pudding (with brandy sauce)

Im branda – Brandy butter

Císte Nollag – Christmas cake

Dinnéar na Nollag – Christmas dinner


(A tiny bit of grammar – you may have noticed that Nollaig is sometimes spelt Nollag. That’s because it’s in the genitive case after a noun. Also, we tend to say Mí na Nollag for December to save confusion with Nollaig – Christmas)


An Mainséar – The Manger

Aingeal/Aingil – Angel/Angels

Íosagán – Baby Jesus

Muire agus Iósaf – Mary and Joseph

Na Trí Rí – The Three Kings

Ór, túis agus miorr – Gold, frankincense and myrrh

Aoire/Aoirí – Shepherd/Shepherds

 

Réinfhia - Reindeer

Nollaig shona (duit/daoibh) – Happy Christmas (to you singular/plural)

Nollaig faoi shéan agus faoi mhaise – Happy Christmas


Cuileann – Holly

Póg faoin drualus – A kiss under the mistletoe

 

Sneachta – Snow

Fear sneachta – Snowman

Lá Fhéile Stiofáin/Lá an Dreoilín – St Stephen’s Day

 Oíche Chinn Bhliana – New Year’s Eve

Lá Caille (Lá na Bliana Úire) – New Year’s Day

Athbhliain sona sásta – Happy New Year


Nollaig na mBan – Little Christmas/Epiphany/Women’s Christmas

Athbhliain faoi shéan is faoi mhaise – Happy New Year.

 Beannachtaí na bliana úire – New Year greetings


Nollaig shona agus Athbhliain faoi shéan agus faoi mhaise daoibh go leir!

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