If you’ve started learning Irish and find yourself confused by little words like le, ar, or ag, you’re not alone. Irish prepositions might seem small, but they do a lot of heavy lifting in sentences — and they work quite differently than their English counterparts.
This guide offers a friendly and practical breakdown of Irish prepositions. We’ll walk through how they’re used, some of the most common ones to learn first, and tips for getting them right. Whether you’re just starting out or brushing up on grammar, this is for you.
Why Irish Prepositions Deserve Attention
In English, prepositions are pretty straightforward: on the table, with a friend, to the store. But in Irish, they come with their own set of rules — and sometimes even change depending on the person being spoken about.
That’s right — prepositions in Irish “hook onto” pronouns, creating new combined forms. It’s different, but once you get the hang of it, it actually starts to feel intuitive.
Most Common Irish Prepositions (You’ll Use These Daily)
Let’s take a look at some of the most frequently used Irish prepositions and how they’re typically used.
| Preposition | Meaning | Common Usage |
|---|---|---|
| ar | on / at | ar an mbord (on the table) |
| ag | at / have | Tá leabhar agam (I have a book) |
| le | with / by | le mo chara (with my friend) |
| ó | from | ó m’athair (from my father) |
| do | to / for | do mo mháthair (to my mother) |
| faoi | under / about | faoi bhord (under the table), faoi seo (about this) |
| i / in | in | i dteach (in a house) |
Want to learn essential greetings and phrases using these prepositions? Check out our Irish language greetings and phrases guide.
Prepositional Pronouns: The Irish Twist
Here’s where Irish stands out. Instead of saying “with me” as two words, Irish combines them into one word: liom.
Let’s take le (with) as an example:
| Pronoun | With (le) | At (ag) | On (ar) |
|---|---|---|---|
| mé | liom | agam | orm |
| tú | leat | agat | ort |
| sé | leis | aige | air |
| sí | léi | aici | uirthi |
| muid | linn | againn | orainn |
| sibh | libh | agaibh | oraibh |
| siad | leo | acu | orthu |
Example Sentences:
- Tá brón orm. – I am sorry. (Literally “Sadness is on me.”)
- Tá cupán caife agam. – I have a cup of coffee.
- Tá sé ag caint léi. – He is talking to her.
It may seem strange at first, but these expressions are deeply rooted in how Irish speakers describe emotions, ownership, and physical states.
Visual Learner? Think in Pictures
One helpful trick is to imagine the preposition’s meaning as an image.
- Ar means “on” – imagine something sitting on you: Tá eagla orm (I am afraid — fear is on me).
- Ag implies possession or location – like something being at you: Tá madra agam (I have a dog).
- Le is connection – with or alongside someone.
This kind of mental imagery helps you learn faster and remember better.
Expressions You’ll Hear All the Time
Here are some phrases with prepositions that are super common in conversation:
- Tá ocras orm. – I’m hungry.
- Tá grá agam duit. – I love you.
- Tá suim agam i nGaeilge. – I’m interested in Irish.
- Tá sé ag obair liom. – He’s working with me.
- Fáilte romhat. – You’re welcome (literally, “Welcome before you”).
Want to learn more useful phrases like these? Explore our essential Gaelic phrases guide.
Noticing Patterns: A Simple Learning Strategy
You don’t need to memorize dozens of charts. Instead:
- Start with 2–3 prepositions like ar, le, and ag.
- Practice them with different pronouns.
- Use them in real phrases you might actually say.
You’ll soon recognize recurring forms and meanings without even trying too hard.
Want a Smarter Way to Learn?
If memorizing prepositional pronouns feels overwhelming, you’re not alone — but there’s good news.
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More Ways to Boost Your Irish
Once you’ve got the basics of Irish prepositions, you’re well on your way to expressing yourself more naturally. Take the next step:
- 🎓 Irish Language Lessons for Beginners
- 📖 How to Speak Irish: A Complete Beginner’s Guide
- 📚 Learn Irish Vocabulary Online
Extra Insight
Curious how AI can help you learn faster and smarter? Check out this EDUCAUSE article on AI in education to learn more about the future of language learning.
Final Thoughts
Irish prepositions may feel like a twisty puzzle at first — but once you start seeing the patterns, they become second nature. You don’t need to know them all right away. Just start small, practice often, and let the language guide you.
And if you’d like some help along the way, we’re here for you.
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Go n-éirí leat! (Best of luck!)
