By Caitríona Ní Chonaill
We all know the common seanfhocal (old Irish proverb) you’re taught in Irish class: “aithníonn ciaróg ciaróg eile” and “is glas iad na cnoic i bhfad uainn”, but there are far more out there than the ones you were given to learn off for essays in school. They also make great Instagram captions for, for instance, your trip to the Gaeltacht, your night out with your friends, or the photo dump you have no idea how to caption but still want to flex your cúpla focal. Here’s a selection (from a book called “Proverbs in Irish” by Gary Bannister) for any grid post you could possibly want to put up:
Ag dul amach:
- Nuair a bhíonn an deoch istigh, bíonn an chiall amuigh – when drink is in, sense is out.
- Lá ar meisce agus lá ag ól uisce – A day being drunk and a day drinking water.
- Sceitheann fíon fírinne – Wine releases the truth/loosens the tongue.
- Spléachadh isteach i bhflaithis Dé an ceol – Music is a glimpse of heaven.
- Oíche aerach agus maidin bhrónach – A fun night and a sad morning.
- Ní thagann an óige faoi dhó choíche – You are only young once.
Frasaí ionsparáideacha:
- Níl tuile ann nach dtránn – There is no flow that does not ebb.
- Níl uasal ná íseal ach thuas seal agus thíos seal – There isn’t nobility or ignobility, but up for a while and down for a while.
- Is ait an mac an saol – Life is a strange business.
- Dá fhada an lá, tagann an tráthnóna – However long the night. The day will come.
- Ní mar a shíltear a bhítear – It is never as you imagine.
- Is olc an ghaoth nach séideann do dhuine éigin – It’s an evil wind that doesn’t blow good for somebody.
- An rud is annamh is iontach – The thing that is rare is wonderful.
- Bíonn súil leis an bhfarraige – The sea offers hope.
- Bí fírinneach duit féin – Be true to yourself.
- Bailíonn brobh beart – Every little counts.
- Tar éis doininne soineann na hoíche – After bad weather comes fine skies.
Cairde:
- Is maith an scáthán súil charad – A friend’s eye is a good mirror.
- Amhail an fíon is fearr, feabhsaíonn cumann le haois – Like the best wine, friendship improves with age.
- Gioraíonn beirt bóthar – Two shorten the road.
- Is fearr cairde ná ór – Friends are better than gold.
- Níl rud níos géire ná teanga mhná – There is nothing sharper than a woman’s tongue.
- An áit a bhíonn mná bíonn caint – Wherever there are women there is talk.
- Inis dom cé hiad do chairde agus neosfaidh me duit cé tú féin – Tell me who your friends are and I’ll tell you who you are.
- Níl aon chara mar sheanchar – There’s no friend like an old friend.
- Ní saol é go cuideachta charad – We cannot have a perfect life without friends.
- An té a bhuailfeadh mo mhadra, buailfeadh sé mé féin! – Love me, love my dog!
Bia:
- Is milis an rud an saol – Life is sweet.
- Bia don chorp, deoch don bheol, comhrá, damhsa agus ceol…- Food for the body, drink for the lips, chat, dancing and good music ( sin iad na rudaí a cheaptar chun go mbeadh saol deas agat).
- Marbh le tae agus marbh gan é – Dead with tea and dead without it.
- Bíonn blas ar an mbeagán – Small amounts are sweer.
Spórt:
- Ní bhíonn an rath ach mar a mbíonn an smacht – There is no success without discipline.
- Ní féidir gach cluiche a thabhairt leat – You can’t win every game.
- Níl pá gan chrá – No pain, no gain.
Grá:
- Maireann lá go ruaig ach maireann an gra go huaigh – A day lasts until it is chased away, but love lasts until the grave.
- Grá inneall na beatha agus tiománaí an tsaoil – Love is the engine of life and it drives the world.
- Uireasa a mhéadaíonn cumha – Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
Taisteal:
- Is aoibheann dul ar cuairt agus is fearr i gcónaí bheith i do thigh féin – It’s nice to go on a visit, but there’s no place better to be than at home.
- Castar na daoine ar a chéile! – People meet each other/ It’s a small world.
- Bíonn siúlach scéalach –Travel broadens the mind.
Sonas:
- Gáire geal an leigheas is fearr – Happy laughter is the best medicine.
- Ná cur an sonas ar athlá! – Don’t postpone joy!
- Níl costas ar chineáltas – Kindness costs nothing.
- Bain spraoi as gach lá agus gach oíche ó imíonn an bheatha ar nós na gaoithe – Enjoy every day and every night since life passes by at the speed of light.
- Glac an saol mar a thagann sé! – Take life as it comes!
- Bia breá, gáire minic, agus an grá gan teorainn! – Eat well, laugh often, love much.