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    You are at:Home » News » Culture » Top 10 best Irish words that don’t exist in English
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    Top 10 best Irish words that don’t exist in English

    Mairéad Ní GhráinneBy Mairéad Ní GhráinneJanuary 13, 2022No Comments5 Mins Read
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    Ara, isn’t the Irish language just beautiful? Don’t believe us? Check out our list of the top ten best Irish words that don’t exist in English.

    You may have learned how to say ‘hello’ and ‘how are you?’ in Irish before.

    Still, if you really want to impress the locals, why not learn the most unique vocabulary of all?

    Stay tuned because we are counting down the top ten best Irish words that don’t exist in English.

    10. Duileasc – a tasty snack

    Duileasc is a tasty snack.
    Credit: Instagram / @blathnamara

    You might have heard about ‘dillisk’, the anglicised version of this word. For those who don’t know, duileasc is a type of edible seaweed.

    It is a salty snack that’s high in protein and vitamins.

    In rural Ireland, local people grind duileasc down into a hot drink called ‘cairigín’ (carageen), which is their ‘cure-all’ for colds and flu.

    9. Maint – everyone’s worst nightmare

    Maint is one of the best Irish words that don't exist in English.
    Credit: Flickr / Nenad Stojkovic

    Maint, pronounced ‘mon-th’, is a deep cut in the hair made accidentally by a barber. We hope that you have never experienced a maint.

    This word was so horrifying that we just had to include it in our countdown of the top ten best Irish words that don’t exist in English.

    8. Citeóg – one of the best Irish words that don’t exist in English

    Everyone knows a Citeóg.
    Credit: Pixabay / athree23

    The word ‘citeóg’, pronounced ‘Ki-thoge’, means ‘left-handed person’.

    During our school days, such people were widely believed to be creative and intelligent. Hands up if you’re a citeóg!

    7. Deoram – a handy measure word for alcohol

    One of the Irish words that don't exist in English is Deoram.
    Credit: Pixabay / k_newman

    Deoram (‘jo-rum’) is the Irish word for a mouthful of liquor. This word might pop up during last orders at the bar, so keep it in mind for your next visit to a rural pub.

    We have included this word on our countdown of the top ten best Irish words that don’t exist in English because we love how oddly specific it is!

    6. Sliotar – the hurling ball

    Sliotar is one of our favourite Irish words.
    Credit: Pixabay / Dominik_Alexander_1977

    A ‘Sliotar’ (‘shli-thur’) is the small ball used in a game of hurling. Hurling is one of our national sports born from ancient Gaelic origins.

    You don’t know excitement until you’ve seen a sliotar launched into the air at a tremendous speed!

    5. Lios – a word from Irish folklore

    Lios is one of the Irish words that don't exist in English.
    Credit: stocksnap.io

    A lios, pronounced like ‘liss’, is a fort where fairies dwell. It is normally located in a field or on marshy land.

    In the past, children were told to stay away from these fields because, according to folklore, meddling with fairies could lead to terrible consequences.

    Although believing in fairies isn’t common anymore, many people in the countryside, whether speaking in Irish or in English, will still use the word ‘lios’ when referring to such fields.

    4. Poitín – an Irish drink

    Poitín is an Irish drink.
    Credit: commons.wikimedia.org

    Poitín (poteen) is a strong alcoholic drink from Ireland that’s usually made from potatoes. Like cairigín, it is known to cure the common cold.

    Its taste is comparable to ‘soju’ from Korea, ‘saké’ from Japan, ‘baijiu’ from China, or ‘moonshine’ from the USA.

    The Micil Distillery in Galway makes a fine poitín that we suggest you try while travelling in Ireland!

    3. Bodhrán – the musical instrument

    Bodhrán is one of the best Irish words that don't exist in English.
    Credit: commons.wikimedia.org

    This word, pronounced like ‘bow-ron’, is a traditional musical instrument found in Ireland.

    The bodhrán is a frame drum with one side made from goatskin while the other side is hollow.

    The musician fits their hand inside the hollow side of the drum while beating on the goatskin side with a small drumstick.

    Be sure to keep an eye out for bodhráns at your next Irish music session!

    2. Bithiúnach – the worst (or best) insult you can receive

    Bithiúnach is a common Irish insult.
    Credit: imdb.com

    Bithiúnach is pronounced ‘bi-hoon-ach’ with a throaty ‘ch’ sound at the end.

    A bithiúnach is a big ‘animal’ of a man. We are curious to know what kind of behaviour would earn someone this label!

    1. Ara – one of the best Irish words that don’t exist in English

    Ara tops our list of best Irish words that don't exist in English.
    Credit: Tourism Ireland

    “Ara, no, not at all,” said every Irish person ever. You will often hear this word in English conversation even though the word comes from Irish originally.

    ‘Ara’ does not have an accurate translation in English. Some reckon it’s our way of saying ‘but’, ‘now’, ‘then’, or ‘really’.

    However, none of these translations truly express the meaning of ‘ara’. We think ‘ara’ is similar to the use of ‘alors’ in French.

    ‘Ara’ is often used at the start of a sentence to show you are about to declare something or that you are on the verge of changing the subject entirely.

    Still confused? Ara, sorry about that. At least now you are an expert on the top ten best Irish words that don’t exist in English!

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    Mairéad Ní Ghráinne

    Mairéad Ní Ghráinne is a writer, lover of languages, and native Irish speaker from Connemara, County Galway. Having studied Irish, French, Creative Writing, and Childcare, it comes as no surprise that Mairéad is passionate about all things creative, whether playing the fiddle at a local trad session or painting Irish landscapes inspired by her travels. Although travelling has led her to live in Italy, France, and China, she loves nothing more than coming home to Ireland's west coast with a pen and fresh notebook on hand.

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