Hi everyone, I was born in Kerry but have been in London since childhood so (shamefully ) my Irish is very rusty & I've all but forgotten correct fada placement ...

I'm an author & would like these lines translated (in Munster dialect please):

1. "My dark beauty" -
My friend had the nickname back home of "Dubheasa" & I wanted to use it.
So would my character say: "a Dubheasa" (i.e my dark beauty) when speaking to his beloved?

2. "You taste so sweet" (said during intimacy) -
3. "You are mine" -
4. "You belong to me" -
5. "Oh God" (said during intimacy) (I'm thinking its "a Dia" ?) -
6. I was racking my brains trying to recall some Irish interjections equal to:
"Do you know what I mean?" Are there any? *strokes chin* Hmmm... -

Thanks so much for reading, really looking forward to your replies

6. For this one, the only thing that springs immediately to mind is "An dtuigeann tú?" or "nach dtuigeann tú?" It's early in the morning for me, though, and I haven't had my second cup of coffee...other things may come to mind later!

Totally on a tangent from this response, it occurred to me that this expression might be the origin of the English expression that someone has "twigged to" something. In the 19th century, a large number of Irish words went into the underworld "cant" in England (possibly even the word "cant" itself, from caint), and this looks like a possible example.

1. I would think it would need to be "Duibheasa" (caol le caol). Wait for more input on that. In any case, when addressing her, he'd say "a Dhuibheasa/a Dhubheasa."
-Just to be certain, does Dhubheasa literally translate to "a dark beauty"? If not, what exactly does it mean?
- Could you help me with the pronunciation of this please?

2. Tá blas milis ort (This is literal. Sounds rather odd to my ear, though. Perhaps someone else can think of something more natural to the language).
-Perhaps a sentence with similar sentiments might translate better?
Maybe something like:
You taste like honey,
you taste like berries,
you're delicious,
You're as sweet as honey, etc?

3. Is liomsa thú (again, very literal). I would think that most Irish speakers would add an endearment, at least. "A stór," "A rún," "A thaisce," etc.
- I thought "A rún" meant "a secret" ? Or am I mistaken?

4. Same as above.

5. "A Dhia."

6. For this one, the only thing that springs immediately to mind is "An dtuigeann tú?" or "nach dtuigeann tú?" It's early in the morning for me, though, and I haven't had my second cup of coffee...other things may come to mind later!
- Funnily enough, I was reminded of "An dtuigeann tú?" (i.e: Do you understand me?) by an friend earlier & she said I should use it too

Forgot to add these to my original post How do you say:
7. "My foal, my pigs" -
8. "God help me"' -
9. "God give me strength" - "a Dhia, tabhair dom neart" ? (Am I correct? *fingers crossed*)
10. "Lord God" - "a Thiarna Dhia" ? (Hope I'm right)
11. "Sweet God" -

RE: no.10 - I remember overhearing the priest say it while dismaying over losing lots of money on the horses (when he thought no-one was listening )
he said something similar to: "a Thiarna Dhia!" = ("Lord God!")

Last but not least:
7- "A mhuirnín"
The nuns at school used to call me it & I took it to mean "darling, sweetheart" is that correct?
What's the pronunciation for this please?
Thank you so much!

Really hope I can get some more translations.
Thanks to everyone who's replied so far, especially Redwolf for your translations.

Who knows...There just might be a cameo appearance of a mysterious character named "Redwolf" in my novel, by way of thanks

Just to be certain, does Dhubheasa literally translate to "a dark beauty"? If not, what exactly does it mean?[/color]

2. Tá blas milis ort (This is literal. Sounds rather odd to my ear, though. Perhaps someone else can think of something more natural to the language).

I thought "A rún" meant "a secret" ? Or am I mistaken?

5. "Oh God" (said during intimacy) (I'm thinking its "a Dia"

More like “Blackie”, I think.
- Hmmm... I see so many variations on the meaning of this word that I don't know which one applies now Thanks for your input though.


Tá tú blasta / You're tasty
An-bhlasta /Very tasty
- Ooohh that sounds good, thanks Mick


No, you're not mistaken. But it's also used for darling/sweetheart etc. More or less calling the person a "hidden treasure."
- Gotcha Thanks for clarifying


This is a good question, what do Gaeltacht people say in that situation? I think I'll need to conduct some fieldwork on this topic.

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