What a lovely message. You could say:
"Is grá linn thú, mise agus do bheirt iníon, i gcónaí."
7 Ways to Say 'I Love You' in Irish - Tell Your Loved One You Care in Gaelic
Written by Ciaran Vipond on Jan 06, 2023 | 12 Comments
The Irish language has some truly poetic ways to tell your special someone that you love them, with seven of our faves below. Funny enough, not one of the phrases translates directly as “I love you” but all will leave them in no doubt of your feelings.
Though they may not be direct, these romantic gaelic phrases are sure to sweep your sweetheart off their feet. So have a go at learning them to recite out loud, write them in a card or love letter, or have them engraved on a piece of our lovely jewellery.
Whichever way you choose to deliver one of these seven romantic phrases, they are sure to be impressed.
1. Mo Anam Cara (Mu On-um Kora)
This short phrase 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”.
The ancient Celts believed in a soul that radiated about the body. When two individuals formed a deep bond, their souls would mingle and each person could be said to have found their Anam cara, or “soul friend”. It is this beautiful phrase that inspired our Mo Anam Cara jewellery and is a popular choice for engravings too!
2. A chuisle mo chroí (Mu Kooish-la mu kree) or Mo chuisle (Mu Kooish-la)
You might recognize this one from the movie, Million Dollar Baby. The literal translation of A chuisle mo chroí is "The pulse of my heart" or "My pulse." This might be a little anatomical for some. But anyone who has felt their heart race at the sight of their loved one is sure to identify with the sentiment.
3. 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 feeling of being in love. Perhaps as a result, it pops up in several Irish love songs and ballads with records back to 1855. This phrase also inspired our design for this lovely ring with the phrase encircling the band.
4. Is tú mo ghrá (Iss too mu graw) or “Mo Ghrá thú” (muh graw hoo)
"You are my love" is probably the closest we come to saying “I love you” in Irish.
This is a lovely phrase that would work well as a thoughtful engraving or translated into Ogham. Ogham is an ancient linear script read from the bottom to the top. It is thought to be the first known written language of Ireland!
There are many dialects in Gaelic depending on the part of the country you hail from. “Mo Ghrá thú” (muh graw hoo) has the very same meaning as “Is tú mo ghrá.”
5. Grá go Deo (Graw gu djo)
Translated as "Love Forever" or " Forever Love" this phrase emphasises eternity, an important theme in Celtic culture, represented by the unending Celtic and Trinity Knots.
And the phrase Grá Go Deo is a romantic sentiment to adorn any piece of jewellery but works especially well with beautiful celtic knot designs.
6. 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." We see this phrase as going some way toward capturing the sense of the selflessness of love and can be used for a romantic relationship but also can be used as a phrase for a parents love for a child.
7. 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 'baby-speak' it makes the term even more affectionate.
Feeling Inspired?
Whatever phrase you might choose, any one is sure to impress your Stóirín, your
sweetheart. If you are looking for a romantic gift to match your fine words and are not sure where to start get in touch. We would be delighted to help you find the perfect piece and phrase to sweep them off their feet.
Gaelic Jewellery to Say I Love You
Silver Mo Anam Cara Bangle
£405.00
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Ciaran Vipond
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!
Comments
Hi, I was just wondering what "you are my sunshine, my only sunshine" would be in Irish
Hi Sian, a direct translation is a little tricky. "Is tú solas na gréine, an t-aon solas atá agam" is a good fit for that lovely lyric.
I am having a ring re-set that belonged to my mother, who passed away in 2020. I would love to have a phrase engraved on the ring... I Love You, or an affectionate way to say Loving Mother... or a nice way to remember in Gaelic? Forget me not? What would be a good phrase? Thanks very much.
Hi Melissa, what a lovely thing to do. You might try "Máthair dílis" as an engraving which roughly translates as "faithful mother". Dílis would be a phrase used in memoriam here in Ireland. "A mháthair dhil" is another good one which means "beloved mother."
My Nana was Irish born there and left at 19. She always called us Pet. How do you say it in gaelic? Thanks.
Yvonne
Hi Yvonne. Thanks for reminding us! Pet is a lovely term of endearment that is used in Ireland, especially for children. The gaelic for my pet is "Mo pheata', and pet is just "peata."
I once learnt a phrase, but have since forgotten what the phrase meant. It sounded like "Mah grore (chore but with gr at the start) yeah bar-yeg" and what wondering what it means?
Many thanks for reading my comment,
-Dylan
Hello Dylan, Thanks for your patience as I got one of my colleague's advice on your mystery! Ciaran, our resident Irish speaker, believes you might be remembering “Mo ghrá beag” which means “My little love”. We hope that's helped and wanted to thank you for reading! Cheers, Liz
Hello my grandmother was born in Ireland - she often used a phrase that sounded like “ chin-a-tuse “ and would point to her cheek for a kiss. Would you happen to know the spelling fir this phrase ? Thank you
Hi Denise, We love a good mystery in the workshop! We've consulted our resident Irish speaker Ciaran and he's suggested that your "chin-a-tuse" sounds similar to "sin ar dtús" which roughly translates as "this first" or "that first"- so granny might have been saying give me a kiss first! Hopefully that's helped. Thanks for reading and writing. Cheers, Liz
Ask Gemma
How do you say:
Your two daughters & I love you always.
Theresa, Ashleen, Alexandra
& Shannon Leigh.