Tús Úr: New Beginnings in January
Welcome to our guide about new beginnings in January! As beginner Irish speakers, you'll learn the vocabulary and phrases to express your plans, goals, and hopes for the year ahead. Let's discover how to talk about fresh starts in Irish.
Essential January Vocabulary
Let's start with key words for new beginnings:
Tús úr (toos oor) = Fresh start/New beginning
Eanáir (an-awr) = January
Sprioc (spruck) = Goal
Plean (plan) = Plan
Athrú (ah-roo) = Change
Feabhas (fou-as) = Improvement
Cleachtadh (clakh-ta) = Practice/Habit
Dul chun cinn (dul hun kin) = Progress
Practice phrase: Ba mhaith liom tús úr a dhéanamh. (Ba wah lum toos oor a yay-nam) = I would like to make a fresh start.
Setting Goals and Resolutions
Common phrases for setting and discussing goals:
Expressions of Intent:
Is mian liom... (iss meen lum) = I want to...
Tá sé ar intinn agam... (taw shay er in-chin a-gum) = I intend to...
Ba mhaith liom... (ba wah lum) = I would like to...
Time Phrases:
I mbliana (ih mlee-ana) = This year
Gach lá (gakh law) = Every day
Gach seachtain (gakh shak-tan) = Every week
Ó Eanáir ar aghaidh (oh an-awr er eye) = From January onwards
Practice sentence: Is mian liom Gaeilge a fhoghlaim i mbliana. (Iss meen lum gway-il-ga a oh-lim ih mlee-ana) = I want to learn Irish this year.
Common January Activities
Let's learn about typical January activities:
Aclaíocht (ak-lee-okht) = Exercise
Léitheoireacht (lay-hore-okht) = Reading
Staidéar (sta-dare) = Study
Coigilt (cug-ilt) = Saving (money)
Eagrú (ag-roo) = Organizing
Glanadh (glan-a) = Cleaning
Practice dialogue: A: Cad atá ar intinn agat i mbliana? (Kad a-taw er in-chin a-gut ih mlee-ana?) = What do you intend to do this year? B: Ba mhaith liom níos mó aclaíochta a dhéanamh. (Ba wah lum nees moh ak-lee-okh-ta a yay-nam) = I would like to do more exercise.
Planning and Organization
Vocabulary for planning and organizing:
Féilire (fay-lir-a) = Calendar
Liosta (lis-ta) = List
Am (om) = Time
Sceideal (shked-ul) = Schedule
Eagrú (ag-roo) = Organization
Ord (ord) = Order
Practice sentence: Tá mo fhéilire nua eagraithe agam. (Taw muh ay-lir-a noo-a ag-ree a-gum) = I have organized my new calendar.
A Story About New Beginnings
Here's a short story using our new vocabulary:
"Ar maidin Dé Luain in Eanáir, dhúisigh Seán go luath. 'I mbliana,' ar seisean, 'déanfaidh mé athruithe móra.'
Scríobh sé a chuid spriocanna síos ina fhéilire nua: aclaíocht gach lá, Gaeilge a fhoghlaim, agus airgead a choigilt.
'Is féidir liom é seo a dhéanamh,' ar sé, ag féachaint ar an liosta. 'Tús maith, leath na hoibre!'
Thosaigh sé láithreach - chuaigh sé ag siúl, d'fhoghlaim sé deich bhfocal nua, agus chuir sé airgead i dtaisce."
Translation: "On Monday morning in January, Seán woke up early. 'This year,' he said, 'I will make big changes.'
He wrote his goals down in his new calendar: exercise every day, learn Irish, and save money.
'I can do this,' he said, looking at the list. 'A good start is half the work!'
He started immediately - he went for a walk, learned ten new words, and put money aside."
Motivation and Encouragement
Encouraging phrases for the new year:
Is féidir leat! (Iss fay-dir lat) = You can do it!
Maith thú! (Mah hoo) = Well done!
Lean ort! (Lan urt) = Keep going!
Tús maith, leath na hoibre! (Toos mah, lah na hib-ra) = A good start is half the work!
Ná géill! (Naw gay-il) = Don't give up!
Practice phrase: Lean ort, tá ag éirí go maith leat! (Lan urt, taw egg eye-ree guh wah lat) = Keep going, you're doing well!
Progress Tracking
Vocabulary for tracking progress:
Dul chun cinn (dul hun kin) = Progress
Feabhas (fou-as) = Improvement
Ag forbairt (egg for-birt) = Developing
Ag fás (egg faws) = Growing
Ag foghlaim (egg foh-lim) = Learning
Practice sentence: Feicim feabhas gach lá. (Fek-im fou-as gakh law) = I see improvement every day.
Remember to use these phrases as you work on your own new year goals. Focusing on progress rather than perfection will help you maintain your momentum throughout January and beyond.
Bain tairbhe as do thús úr! (Ban tar-va ass duh hoos oor!) = Make the most of your fresh start!
Caoimhe, OLS Community Manager - Irish