Geata na Scoile: The School Gate

Nothing happened at school today. Nothing at all. Ten minutes later, quite a lot happened.

1. Cén chaoi a raibh an scoil? (How was school?)
Ceart go leor. (Fine.)

2. Cad a rinne sibh? (What did ye do?)
Faic. (Nothing.)

3. Faic ar bith? (Nothing at all?)
Faic ar bith. (Nothing at all.)

4. Bhuail Seán an múinteoir le liathróid! (Seán hit the teacher with a ball!)
Faic ar bith, an ea? (Nothing at all, is it?)

Phrases worth stealing

• Cén chaoi a raibh an scoil?: How was school? Connacht form. Munster: Conas a bhí an scoil? Ulster: Cad é mar a bhí an scoil?
• Ceart go leor.: All right, fine. Two words that answer almost any question ever asked of you.
• Faic ar bith.: Nothing at all. Faic is nothing; ar bith drives it home. The standard reply of children everywhere.
• An ea?: Is that so? The copula’s little question tag, useful for expressing polite disbelief.