The “Dia” Page - Divine Expressions

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Whether you’re a Críostaí, a Págánach, or an Aindiachaí - whether you conceive of Him/Her/It/Them as Hairy Thunderer or Cosmic Muffin - whether or not you even notice you’re saying it - it’s hard to rattle on in Irish for very long without using the D-word.

Here are some of the more common occurences. If you happen to be especially picky, orthodox, or outspokenly PC in a faith where “Dia” just won’t do, merely substitute Dharma (or Karma as needed), Shiva, Bandia, Bríd, Yemanja, Lugh, Allah, Elohim, etc. For the ultra-PC Aindiachaí, the challenge is greater. I recommend either total abstention or substituting “42” in the following:

Irish	Literal Translation	Translation
Dia duit!	[God to-you]	“Hello!”
Dia sa teach!	[God in-the house]	“Hello, everyone here!”
Dia linn!	[God with-us]	“God bless!”(when someone sneezes)
Buíochas le Dia.	[thanks with God]	“Thank God!”(especially useful in discussing the weather, and how it could be worse)
Le cúnamh Dé!	[With help of-God]	“God willing!”
As ucht Dé!	[for sake of-God]	“For heaven’s sake!”
Go bhfóire Dia orainn!	[that may-aid God on-us]	“God help us!”
Nár lige Dia!	[that-not may-allow God]	“Heaven forbid!”
A Dhia!	[O God]	“My God!”

Also, when mentioning the recently deceased, it’s traditional to add a pious wish such as:

Ar dheis Dé go raibh sé/sí.

[on right of-God that may-be (s)he]

“May he/she be at the right hand of God.”

There are many, many other expressions similar to the ones above. Now here are three proverbs to finish off with:

Tá Dia láidir agus tá máthair mhaith aige.	[is God strong and is mother good at-him]	“God is strong and has a good mother.”(i.e. “Rely on God.”)
Is maith le Dia cúnamh.	[tis good with God help]	“God helps those who help themselves.”
Duine á rá agus Dia á dhéanamh.	[man saying it and God doing it]	“Man proposes and God disposes.”