Seanfhocail: Learn 10 Irish Proverbs

One great way to learn Irish is by learning off proverbs, because this way we can learn new vocabulary, sentence structure AND wisdom!! In this video Múinteoir Alanagh will help you to learn 10 Irish proverbs, which we refer to as ‘seanfhocail’.

Seanfhocail: 10 Irish Proverbs

1. Níl aon tinteán mar do thinteán féin. – There’s no hearth like your own hearth (There’s no place like home).

2. Ní neart go cur le chéile. – There’s strength in unity.

3. Ní dhéanfadh an saol capall rása d’asal. – You can’t make a racehorse out of a donkey. (i.e. a leopard can’t change its spots).

4. Tús maith leath na hoibre. – A good start is half of the work.

5. Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh sí. – Praise the youth and they will prosper.

6. Ní bhíonn saoi gan locht. – There’s no wise man without fault.

7. An rud is annamh is iontach. – Rare things are beautiful.

8. Is fearr an tsláinte ná na táinte. – Health is better than wealth.

9. Ní thuigeann an sách an seang. – The well-fed don’t understand the lean.

10. Níor bhris focal maith fiacail riamh. – A good word never broke a tooth (i.e. it doesn’t hurt to be kind).

Thanks for learning these with us! Keep working on your Irish skills, and we look forward to seeing you at one of our Cúrsaí, Comhrá sessions or Ceardlanna!

Bígí páirteach!
Join the online Irish community at LetsLearnIrish.com.
Follow on social media @LetsLearnIrish.

Related Articles

You Won’t Become Fluent in Irish With Duolingo

Despite its popularity, Duolingo has notable limitations compared with live online instruction. Technology can open access and build foundational skills for Irish learners, but it cannot replace the socially-embedded interaction of successful language learning. Recent research strongly suggests that Duolingo is most effective as a supporting tool rather than a standalone solution. App-based learning cannot provide the corrective feedback and sociolinguistic engagement of class instruction, conversation sessions, workshops or book club meetings.