How to Say I Love You in Irish
Say "tá.", Say "grá.", Say "agam.", Say "duit.", Put it all together.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Say "tá."
This word means "there" or "yes." It is pronounced "tah" (it rhymes with the English word "raw"). -
Step 2: Say "grá."
This word means "love." It is pronounced "grah" (it also rhymes with the English word "raw").
This word is sometimes spelled "ghrá," but the pronunciation is the same. , This word means "I." It is pronounced "UH-gum." The first syllable uses a vowel sound that's a little like a combination of the long a in "raw" and the short u in "hug." The second syllable sounds very similar to the English word "gum." Be sure to put the stress on the first syllable here.
The word is pronounced "UH-gum," not "uh-GUM." Reversing the stresses will make it hard for others to understand you.
This would be like pronouncing the English word "aided" as "ay-DUD" rather than "AY-dud." This word can sometimes be spelled "again," which can be confusing because of the English word spelled the same way.However, the pronunciation is never the same. , This means "you." It is pronounced similarly to the English word "ditch." Use a short i sound (as in "hit") and a ch sound (as in "cheese") at the end of the word.
Depending on the region of Ireland, this word can also sometimes be pronounced as "dit."Some speakers even add a w sound for a pronunciation that resembles "dwitch."
Once you've mastered the pronunciation for each word in the phrase, just say them in order to get "I love you." "Tá grá agam duit" is pronounced (roughly) "Tah grah UH-gum ditch." Though this phrase literally means "There love I you," Irish speakers will understand it as "I love you." However, this isn't always the most common way that this is said in Ireland.
In the section below, you'll learn a few more ways to say that you love someone.
Depending on the region, one of these may be the "normal" way to say it. -
Step 3: Say "agam."
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Step 4: Say "duit."
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Step 5: Put it all together.
Detailed Guide
This word means "there" or "yes." It is pronounced "tah" (it rhymes with the English word "raw").
This word means "love." It is pronounced "grah" (it also rhymes with the English word "raw").
This word is sometimes spelled "ghrá," but the pronunciation is the same. , This word means "I." It is pronounced "UH-gum." The first syllable uses a vowel sound that's a little like a combination of the long a in "raw" and the short u in "hug." The second syllable sounds very similar to the English word "gum." Be sure to put the stress on the first syllable here.
The word is pronounced "UH-gum," not "uh-GUM." Reversing the stresses will make it hard for others to understand you.
This would be like pronouncing the English word "aided" as "ay-DUD" rather than "AY-dud." This word can sometimes be spelled "again," which can be confusing because of the English word spelled the same way.However, the pronunciation is never the same. , This means "you." It is pronounced similarly to the English word "ditch." Use a short i sound (as in "hit") and a ch sound (as in "cheese") at the end of the word.
Depending on the region of Ireland, this word can also sometimes be pronounced as "dit."Some speakers even add a w sound for a pronunciation that resembles "dwitch."
Once you've mastered the pronunciation for each word in the phrase, just say them in order to get "I love you." "Tá grá agam duit" is pronounced (roughly) "Tah grah UH-gum ditch." Though this phrase literally means "There love I you," Irish speakers will understand it as "I love you." However, this isn't always the most common way that this is said in Ireland.
In the section below, you'll learn a few more ways to say that you love someone.
Depending on the region, one of these may be the "normal" way to say it.
About the Author
Marilyn Bailey
Dedicated to helping readers learn new skills in cooking and beyond.
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