In Blog

Ah, Dublin! The home of Oscar Wilde, Guinness, U2, Europe’s largest walled park and, of course, DIFC. Our wonderful city is a vibrant, beautiful place to study abroad and one of the friendliest cities in the world. But, one thing that often catches out our new students is the Dublin accent!

Arriving in Dublin to study abroad can be a daunting process – particularly when you hear the local Dublin accent which sounds nothing like the English you’ve learned in school. You’ve heard Irish accents in Hollywood movies – easy enough to understand, right?! Well, what you’ll soon learn is that none of these accents come close to the true Dublin accent and the unique slang phrases used. Rest assured, Dubliners are speaking English – but it’s their own signature brand of ‘Dublinese’ which can have you reaching for your dictionary.

So, to help give you a head start, we’ve put together our simple guide of the main sayings you’ll come across in your travels around Dublin.

Everyday Dublin Sayings

What’s the story? / Story? / What’s the Craic?How are you?
Cop onHave some sense
Craic (crack)Fun
GrandOK
RapidCool
The jaxThe toilet/bathroom
I was scarletI was embarrassed
The craic was 90It was good fun
Go ask me bollixI am not answering that question
C’mere til I tell yaLet me tell you a story
It’s banjaxedIt is beyond repair
I’m delira for youI’m very happy for you

Dubliners Describing Someone

Yer manThat man
Yer wanThat woman
An aul wanAn old woman
An aul fellaAn old man
EejitIdiot
PlonkerA foolish person
CulchieA person from the country
A birdA girl

 

And finally, you will probably here ‘yoke’ said…a lot! This can quite possibly be referring to absolutely anything – it could be used as follows “pass us that thing, you know, the yoke over there.”

Now, if you remember these few phrases in your travels around Dublin, you’ll find it a lot easier to understand what’s happening around you. But, you must be warned, venture out of Dublin and there will be a whole different set of slang phrases used from county to county!

Here’s a short video to help explain the wonder of the Irish accent around the island of Ireland.

Guide to Irish Accents

Video courtesy of Facts

 

Recommended Posts

Start typing and press Enter to search

Picture of the ocean, with islands and green fields - text - 12 things you'll discover about Ireland