The "What is this Irish word/phrase in English" thread

deirdremf · 12-03-2012 10:22pm

Worztron wrote: »

How would I say Red Haired As Gaeilge?

Rua.

Really, there are all sorts of tools and dictionaries on the internet for finding out this sort of information.
Why don't you use some of them?

focal.ie
acmhainn.ie
google translate

just to give three.

Or buy yourself a dictionary.

Worztron · 12-03-2012 10:24pm

deirdremf wrote: »

Rua.

Really, there are all sorts of tools and dictionaries on the internet for finding out this sort of information.
Why don't you use some of them?

focal.ie
acmhainn.ie
google translate

just to give three.

Or buy yourself a dictionary.

I tried them but I thought rua is just red?

deise go deo · 13-03-2012 1:58am

Worztron wrote: »

I tried them but I thought rua is just red?

Rua applies to hair, ie, 'Donncha Rua' would mean 'Red Haired Donncha'.

'Madra Rua' is a Fox.

Worztron · 13-03-2012 12:03pm

deise go deo wrote: »

Rua applies to hair, ie, 'Donncha Rua' would mean 'Red Haired Donncha'.

'Madra Rua' is a Fox.

Gotcha. I was wondering as Hair = Gruaig so rua doesn't seem to make sense. Thanks for clarifying that.

deise go deo · 13-03-2012 1:27pm

Worztron wrote: »

Gotcha. I was wondering as Hair = Gruaig so rua doesn't seem to make sense. Thanks for clarifying that.

Think of it this way, Rua = Ginger

An gal gréine · 13-03-2012 4:21pm

deise go deo wrote: »

Think of it this way, Rua = Ginger

Usually, yes.
"I have'nt a red cent" translates as "Níl pingin rua agam".
For The Red Sea we have An Mhuir Rua.

Worztron · 13-03-2012 7:03pm

deise go deo wrote: »

Think of it this way, Rua = Ginger

Ginger = Sinséar

Insect Overlord · 13-03-2012 7:17pm

Synonyms, homonyms, homophones and the difference between literal and figurative uses of language can make translations more complicated than they need to be.

I know that's a very general point, but I think it's important to point out in a thread like this. There can be many ways of translating the same word, especially if the English word has multiple meanings (like "ginger" above).

Worztron · 13-03-2012 7:19pm

Insect Overlord wrote: »

Synonyms, homonyms and the difference between literal and figurative uses of language can make translations more complicated than they need to be.

I know that's a very general point, but I think it's important to point out in a thread like this. There can be many ways of translating the same word, especially if the English word has multiple meanings (like "ginger" above).

I see. Fair point.

_LilyRose_ · 13-03-2012 7:21pm

deirdremf wrote: »

Rua.

Really, there are all sorts of tools and dictionaries on the internet for finding out this sort of information.
Why don't you use some of them?

focal.ie
acmhainn.ie
google translate

just to give three.

Or buy yourself a dictionary.

There's no need to be so harsh! This is what the thread is for after all...

mlumley · 13-03-2012 7:35pm

My sir name is Lumley. It comes from Scotish words, Lum meaning clearing and Ley meaning steam or river. Lumley being a clearing by a stream. If I wanted to say that in Irish, how would I say it? Phonetic spelling would help. Thanks.

franc 91 · 16-03-2012 10:21am

Here's a word I can't find in any of the dictionaries - geafairi (with a 'i' fada at the end) - it comes from a children's rhyme.

Krusader · 16-03-2012 10:34am

franc 91 wrote: »

Here's a word I can't find in any of the dictionaries - geafairi (with a 'i' fada at the end) - it comes from a children's rhyme.

geafar = boss/gaffer

It could be a dialectal version of that, geafairí = bosses
We know how Conamara Irish likes its double plurals

Edit: Just checked `FGB, geafaire = busybody

franc 91 · 16-03-2012 11:17am

Go raibh maith agat, a chara.
You might like to know that it comes from the booklet that goes with the DVD Spraoi le Chéile

Cuitse! Cuistiu! (with a fada on the last 'u')
Rincfidh na cearca é
Cuitse! Cuitsiu! (ditto)
Rince na ngeafairi (fada on the last 'i')
Geafairi oga is geafairi crionna;
Dà mbeadh geafairi eile ann
Bheadh làn ti againn
Cuitse! Cuitsiu (ditto)

Cuitsi, cuitsiu (ditto)
Rince na ngeafairi.

Worztron · 16-03-2012 8:17pm

Is there an Irish word for Ingratiate?

franc 91 · 16-03-2012 8:31pm

To ingratiate oneself with somebody - fabhar duine a tharraingt ort féin (taken from the Collins Pocket Dictionary)

Worztron · 16-03-2012 8:52pm

Are these correct for these 2 islands?

Jersey - Geansaí / Geirsí
Guernsey - Geirsí

franc 91 · 16-03-2012 9:45pm

Geansai (with a fada on the 'i') means Guernsey but it also means a woollen sweater (whereas in English it's a jersey) and it can used to mean an eejit.

An gal gréine · 16-03-2012 9:46pm

mlumley wrote: »

My sir name is Lumley. It comes from Scotish words, Lum meaning clearing and Ley meaning steam or river. Lumley being a clearing by a stream. If I wanted to say that in Irish, how would I say it? Phonetic spelling would help. Thanks.

The Gàidhlig word for stream is sruth, and it's the very same in Irish.
The Gàidhlig word for river is abhainn, and it's the very same in Irish.
The Gàidhlig word 'lom' means bare and it's the very same in Irish.
Are you sure about the meaning of "Ley"?
Lom is pronounced as Lum.

franc 91 · 16-03-2012 9:54pm

Well from what can I see, Lumley isn't Gaelic at all - I suggest that you have a look at this -
http://www.englandsnortheast.co.uk/Surnames.html - and scroll down to Lumley - a placename in County Durham of a noble family and castle.

deirdremf · 16-03-2012 11:14pm

Worztron wrote: »

Ginger = Sinséar

Ginger is a plant from which a spice is made. In Ireland, the word was not traditionally used for hair colour; we used to say "red hair".

The word "sinséar" is an attempt at representing the English word in Irish spelling - it is not a colour for hair in Irish, although you will surely find some learners doing so, as they still are at a low level in the language.

deirdremf · 16-03-2012 11:27pm

_LilyRose_ wrote: »

There's no need to be so harsh! This is what the thread is for after all...

Well, yes ... but would you not expect people to make an effort before asking?
I certainly would. I'd expect people to use this thread to clear up doubts, rather than as the first port of call.

Now Worztron said after my (harsh) comment, that he had tried various other sites, but that was not at all evident from his post. He didn't say he had a difficulty, he just asked for a translation, and gave no indication that he was in a quandry. If he had, I would have replied in quite a different way. My history on this site will show that I have often gone out of my way to help people. However, I believe that the best way to learn a language is to do the work yourself, and I try to put people in the way of doing so.

If you have to constantly spoon-feed someone, they are more than likely to give up long before they can use the language (or any other endeavor) independently. It is tiring for the person giving the help, and in my experience almost always useless in the long run.

Worztron · 17-03-2012 10:47am

franc 91 wrote: »

Geansai (with a fada on the 'i') means Guernsey but it also means a woollen sweater (whereas in English it's a jersey) and it can used to mean an eejit.

So this is correct?

Jersey (island) = Geirsí
Guernsey (island) = Geansaí

Worztron · 17-03-2012 10:53am

deirdremf wrote: »

Ginger is a plant from which a spice is made. In Ireland, the word was not traditionally used for hair colour; we used to say "red hair".

The word "sinséar" is an attempt at representing the English word in Irish spelling - it is not a colour for hair in Irish, although you will surely find some learners doing so, as they still are at a low level in the language.

Ah so Sinséar means the spice?

Worztron · 17-03-2012 10:58am

deirdremf wrote: »

Well, yes ... but would you not expect people to make an effort before asking?
I certainly would. I'd expect people to use this thread to clear up doubts, rather than as the first port of call.

Now Worztron said after my (harsh) comment, that he had tried various other sites, but that was not at all evident from his post. He didn't say he had a difficulty, he just asked for a translation, and gave no indication that he was in a quandry. If he had, I would have replied in quite a different way. My history on this site will show that I have often gone out of my way to help people. However, I believe that the best way to learn a language is to do the work yourself, and I try to put people in the way of doing so.

If you have to constantly spoon-feed someone, they are more than likely to give up long before they can use the language (or any other endeavor) independently. It is tiring for the person giving the help, and in my experience almost always useless in the long run.

Actually I did look elsewhere first. You shouldn't be so quick to judge others.

Insect Overlord · 17-03-2012 1:36pm

Drop the personal argument, all three of you.

FriendXY · 20-03-2012 10:53pm

Hello!

I've being trying to translate the sentence "the free bird flies alone" with different web pages, but the results don't convince me, becouse it is translated to "cuileoga an t-éan saor in aisce ina n-aonar" wich i think means literally "the bird flies free of charge alone". Can someone enlighten me?

Thank you!

thedodger · 20-03-2012 11:46pm

FriendXY wrote: »

Hello!

I've being trying to translate the sentence "the free bird flies alone" with different web pages, but the results don't convince me, becouse it is translated to "cuileoga an t-éan saor in aisce ina n-aonar" wich i think means literally "the bird flies free of charge alone". Can someone enlighten me?

Thank you!

One way is "Eitileann an t-ean saor ina aonar"

But

"Eitileann ean saor ina aonar"

or

"Eitileann ean saor leis fein"

(insert fada on both the e in ean and in fein)

sound better, literally translates as a free bird not the free bird.

ps: cuileog is a fly, the noun.

Krusader · 20-03-2012 11:49pm

Eitlíonn an t-éan saor ina aonar

Worztron · 03-04-2012 10:54am

Which of these is more accurate for Get back on the horse!

Fháil ar ais ar an capall | Fháil ar ais ar an gcapall

Insect Overlord · 03-04-2012 11:19am

Faigh ar ais ar an gcapall.

An gal gréine · 03-04-2012 12:10pm

Gabh ar ais ar an...
Fill ar an..
"faigh"= to obtain

Insect Overlord · 03-04-2012 12:23pm

Good point, "fill" works much better.

Bears and Vodka · 06-04-2012 8:20pm

Seeing as I have my Leaving Cert oral exam in just over a week I shall frequent this thread more!

How would you say ''I was a bit disappointed with the result/grade?''

P. Breathnach · 06-04-2012 9:07pm

subz3r0 wrote: »

...
How would you say ''I was a bit disappointed with the result/grade?''

I wouldn't! Not because I never got poor results, because I got plenty of them. It's just that isn't the way I'd come at it in Irish. I'd say Ní raibh mé ro-shásta leis an dtoradh sin, which I am sure that you will understand.

Worztron · 12-04-2012 11:23am

How would I say these in Irish?

bespeak - focal a chur ar rud?
bespoke - ?

conor.hogan.2 · 12-04-2012 6:49pm

Could you put it in a sentence in English or give it further meaning? Both of them.

Worztron · 12-04-2012 8:23pm

conor.hogan.2 wrote: »

Could you put it in a sentence in English or give it further meaning? Both of them.

Certainly.

"Your actions will bespeak your motives."

As a verb, ‘bespoke’ can be the past tense or past participle of the ‘bespeak’, which can mean ‘to ask for in advance’, ‘to reserve beforehand’, or ‘to show’.

15-04-2012 9:40pm

Conas a déarfá 'eighty children'? Go raibh maith agaibh

Insect Overlord · 15-04-2012 9:50pm

"Ochtó páiste."

An gal gréine · 15-04-2012 10:16pm

Worztron wrote: »

Certainly.

"Your actions will bespeak your motives."

As a verb, ‘bespoke’ can be the past tense or past participle of the ‘bespeak’, which can mean ‘to ask for in advance’, ‘to reserve beforehand’, or ‘to show’.

Léiróidh do bhearta (ghníomhartha) a spreag thú.

Worztron · 26-04-2012 10:06am

I know the Irish word for Camel = Camall/camaill. What is the Irish word for camels?

Are both these correct for Lady/Woman = Bean/ban?

Krusader · 26-04-2012 12:13pm

Worztron wrote: »

I know the Irish word for Camel = Camall/camaill. What is the Irish word for camels?

Are both these correct for Lady/Woman = Bean/ban?

camaill = camels

bean = woman/wife

ban is a prefix banrion queen banphrionsa princess etc.

An gal gréine · 26-04-2012 1:33pm

Ginideach iolra.....Seomra na mban....the ladies loo

Gumbi · 02-05-2012 9:32pm

Crosáidí wrote: »

camaill = camels

bean = woman/wife

ban is a prefix banrion queen banphrionsa princess etc.

It is also the genitive plural of "bean".

Woops, d'éirigh leis an ngal gréine freagra a thabhairt romham

Gumbi · 02-05-2012 9:34pm

Insect Overlord wrote: »

"Ochtó páiste."

Though likely more old-fashioned ceithre fichid páiste works too.

An Cuinneach · 03-05-2012 2:07am

Gumbi wrote: »

Though likely more old-fashioned ceithre fichid páiste works too.

How very French!

Gumbi · 03-05-2012 1:14pm

An gal gréine wrote: »

Offaly for ever.
Uíbh Fhailí go brách is the same.

To be honest, I would prefer to render it as "Up Offaly"

Gumbi · 03-05-2012 1:18pm

P. Breathnach wrote: »

subz3r0 wrote: »

...
How would you say ''I was a bit disappointed with the result/grade?''

I wouldn't! Not because I never got poor results, because I got plenty of them. It's just that isn't the way I'd come at it in Irish. I'd say Ní raibh mé ro-shásta leis an dtoradh sin, which I am sure that you will understand.

In standard Irish, t doesn't get the d like that ( yeah, my terminology sucks! Haha). It's still used in Munster, though. Don't forget the fada on the o.

P. Breathnach · 03-05-2012 3:03pm

Gumbi wrote: »

In standard Irish, t doesn't get the d like that ( yeah, my terminology sucks! Haha). It's still used in Munster, though. Don't forget the fada on the o.

I hadn't even thought about the rules, and I agree that the rules don't require the urú. But my idiosyncratic feel for the language makes me put it there.

The missing fada was simply a lapse in attention.

The "What is this Irish word/phrase in English" thread

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