How to Say "Will you marry me" in Irish?
Written by Ciaran on Nov 14, 2025 | 0 Comments
It’s Engagement season and we know there are more than a few romantic proposals being planned for the holidays this year. One question we are regularly asked by nervously excited folks thinking of proposing is how bring an Irish touch to the event or even, how to say “will you marry me?” the Irish way
How to ask someone to marry you in Irish?
You could say "An bpósfaidh tú mé?" - Will you marry me? This is pronounced "An bows-hee too may?"
Or you can go oldschool and say "Ar mhaith leat bheith curtha le mo mhuintir?" - Would you like to be buried with my people? A little dark perhaps, we did warn you we are a practical bunch. But this proposal certainly makes the “til death do us part” part of marriage very seriously!
How to Propose the Irish way
Of course there are as many ways to add an Irish touch when you ask your beloved to marry you as there unique love stories in the world! Some choose an Irish ring, others a romantic Irish location, and others still combine these two and add a cúpla focal (a few Irish words) in too! Below are a few more Irish phrases that can be used for a proposal with Celtic flair.
Irish terms of endearment
A beautiful Irish term of endearment, a few fine Irish words, will never go astray in a proposal. And there are quite a few to choose from:
- Mo Anam Cara (pronounced Muh On-um Kara): This isn't perfect Irish, but it builds on the idea of an Anam Cara, a "soul friend" and roughly translates as “My Soul Mate” or “My Soul Friend.”
- A chuisle mo chroí (Ah Kooish-la mu kree) or Mo chuisle (Mu Kooish-la) - You might recognize this one from the movie, Million Dollar Baby. The literal translation is "the pulse of my heart" or "my pulse" for mo chuisle.
- Grá Geal Mo Chroí (Graw gee-yal mu kree) - Translated as "shining" or "bright love of my heart" this is a beautiful phrase with a wonderful lightness that eloquently captures the wonderful warm feeling of being in love. If you prefer to keep it short and sweet you could also just say Mo Chroí (mu kree) or “my heart”
- Is tú mo ghrá (Iss too mu graw) or “Mo Ghrá thú” (muh graw hoo) "You are my love," and again you can shorten it to Mo Ghrá (muh graw) - my love if you want to get to the point.
- You can also build it up - Mo fhíorghra (Mu heer-graw) means “my true love” or Mo shíorghra (mu seer-gra) for “my eternal love.”
- Mo Shearc (mu hark) is another way to say my love or Mo Rúnsearc (pronounced 'roon-hark'): Literally means 'my secret love',
- Tá mo chroí istigh ionat (Taw mu kree iss-chig un-it) - Another phrase that might be a little anatomical for some, it roughly translates as "my heart is in you."
- An Seanleannán (an sean-len-aun) is one for couples that have history, roughly translates as “My old flame”
- Is tú mo stóirín (Iss too mu stor-een) - This translates as "You are my (little) sweetheart". The “-ín” at the end of Stóirín makes the word stór (sweetheart) diminutive. But rather than it being a cutesy 'baby-speak' it makes the term even more affectionate.
- Sticking with the diminutive, Mo Mhuirnin (mu- mur-neen) translates as “my little darling.” or my dear.
- Very apt for a proposal, Is tú mo rogha (Iss too mu row-ah) which means “You are my chosen one.”
- Or a slightly manic Tá mé craiceáilte i do dhiaidh - 'I am crazy after you' might be just the thing.
- And of course there is the very matter of fact - Tá mé i ngrá leat - I am in love with you
Irish “old words” on love
Irish “old words” known as seanfhocail are phrases that pass down wisdom with a fair sprinkling of humor too. Many suit the occasion well and might serve you well written in a note. Or if we are getting ahead of ourselves, a wedding vow:
- "Maireann lá go ruaig ach mireann an grá go huaigh." This translates as A day lasts until it's chased away, but love lasts until the grave. Perhaps a little bleak for some but it certainly lets your partner know you are committed and that your love will endure for a lifetime
- “Giorraíonn beirt bóthar” This translates as ‘Two people shorten a road.’ Exactly as it sounds this is expressing that life is easier with two. Practical and romantic in a very Irish way.
- “Trí na chéile a thógtar na cáisléain.” This one is ‘Together, castles are built.’ Again we Irish are nothing if not practical expressing how people working in union can build a great life together.
How did you fare?
So there you have it. How to ask "Will you marry me?" in Irish with a sprinkling of fine words and old words to add colour should you want it. If you are planning a proposal we would be more than happy to help. And of course we are always delighted to hear how you got on! Send us an email or drop us a comment below.
We’ve been privileged over the years to be involved in many, many, proposals and to hear all the unique and beautiful ways our friends around the world ask that all important question.
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Ciaran
My Irish Jeweler
Born in Co. Antrim and reared in Dublin, I was fascinated with Gaelic culture from an early age. I suppose it's not surprising given my mother inherited a grá for the Irish language from my grandfather, an Irish school headmaster. And that grá continues! My brother and sister are now Gaelic teachers here in Ireland, my niece is an award winning Irish dancer, and I proudly work to share Irish culture through our Irish and Celtic Jewelry at My Irish Jeweler!
I love researching and reading about the history of Irish design. It's at the core of what we do here at My Irish Jeweler. I find much of it so interesting that I have to share what I find. I hope you enjoy it!
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