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Wednesday 25 December, 2024
Wednesday 25 December, 2024
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11 things we all said in our Irish oral and what we actually meant
IT’S A RITE of passage that every Irish person goes through — the Leaving Cert Irish oral.
As we all know, the Irish oral doesn’t so much resemble an actual conversation as it does a mash-up of weird Irish proverbs and filler phrases.
Like…
1. “Bhí an aimsir ar fheabhas, buíochas le Dia”
Translation: The weather was lovely, thanks be to God.
Actual translation: Yeah, I just casually dropped a “buíochas leDia” on you mid-convo. I’m practically fluent.
2. “Táimid ar mhuin na muice”
Translation: We’re on the pig’s back.
Actual translation: We’re mildly pleased with ourselves, but I’m going to exaggerate for the purposes of this oral.
3. “Bhí an trá dubhledaoine!”
Translation: The beach was black with people!
Actual translation: I didn’t even go to the beach. I was just determined to get “dubhledaoine” in there somewhere.
4. “Creid é nó na creid é”
Translation: Believe it or not
Actual translation: Sit tight, I’m about to blow your goddamned mind with some Irish.
5. “Bhí an ghrian ag scoilteadh na gcloch!”
Translation: The sun was splitting the stones!
Actual translation: BOOM, ANOTHER PROVERB. (It actually rained.)
6. “Gan aon dabht ar bith”
Translation: Without any doubt at all
Actual translation: I’m trying to waste time while also sounding like I know what I’m talking about.
7. “Táim craiceáilte faoi ceol”
Translation: I’m crazy about music!
Actual translation: I’ve reached my “is maith liom” quota and now I sound weird :(
8. “Agus rudaí mar sin”
Translation: And such/and things like that
Actual translation: I’m dying on my arse here.
9. “I mo thuairim pearsanta féin…”
Translation: In my own personal opinion…
Actual translation: I’m just inserting extra words here, while I try desperately to remember what my opinion is.
10. “Sin ceist mhaith…”
Translation: That’s a good question.
Actual translation: I hadn’t bloody prepared that, you hoor.
11. “Níl suim dá laghad agam”
Translation: I haven’t the faintest interest…
Actual translation: MOVE ON, PLEASE.
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dia duit Gaeilge Irish irish oral Leaving Cert