1.

 “A chara” (uh KHAR-uh): Means “Friend.” This form of address can be used in
everything from formal letter salutations to greeting cards. It is used to address both men
and women.

2. “A stór” (uh STORE): Literally means “my treasure.” Can be used in an affectionate
friendship or as a term of endearment to a child.

3. “A ghrá” (uh GRAWH): Meaning “Love.” A more romantic endearment.

4. “A chroí” (uh KHREE): Meaning “Heart”

5. “A mhuirnín” (uh WUR-neen): Meaning “Darling”

6. “A chuisle” (uh KHUSH-leh): Meaning “Pulse”

7. “A leanbh” (uh LAN-uv): Literally means “my child.” Affectionate term of endearment.

8. “A rúnsearc” (uh ROON-shark): Literally means “secret love” — a very passionate way
of saying “beloved.”

9. “Mo shíorghrá” (muh HEER-ggrawh): Meaning “My Eternal Love” is a more modern
translation of the concept of soul mates.

10. “M’fhíorghrá” (MEER-ggrah): meaning “My True Love” — yet another translation of the
modern soul mate concept.

11. "Is ceol mo chroí thú" (Is cyoal mu khree who): Meaning "you're the music of my
heart". We think that says it all!

A Chara: Means ‘friend’, and can be used to address anyone, in formal or informal

settings.
A Stór: Means ‘my treasure’, usually used to express affectionate friendship, especially for
parent and children relationships.
A Chroí: Means ‘my heart’, a stronger version of the above, meant more for lovers to use.
Mo Ghrá (pronounced ‘graw’): Means ‘my love’, for relationships that are that little bit more
serious!
Mo Cuishle (pronounced ‘coosh-la’): Literally means ‘my pulse’, for the person who makes
your heart beat. Often generally translated as ‘my darling’.
A Thaisce: Means ‘my treasure’, another version of ‘a stór’.
A Chumann: Means ‘my sweetheart’, but is also the word for ‘society’, which can be
confusing!
Mo Shearc (pronounced ‘hark’): Means ‘my love’ Another simple version of ‘mo ghrá’.
Mo Rúnsearc (pronounced ‘roon-hark’): Literally means ‘my secret love’, there is no direct
equivalent in English.
Mo Mhuirnin (pronounced ‘mur-neen’): Means ‘my little darling’ or ‘my dear’, a more
formal phrase.
Mo fhíorghra: (pronounced ‘heer-graw’) Means ‘my true love’, one of the most romantic
phrases around.
Mo shíorghra: Means ‘my eternal love’, sometimes used as a term for ‘soulmates’.
A Ghrá mo Chroí: Means ‘my heart’s beloved’ or ‘the love of my heart’.
A Ghrá Geal: Means ‘my bright love’, often the term used to describe a
boyfriend/girlfriend.
Seanleannán (pronounced ‘shan-lan-awn’): Literally means ‘old love’, or ‘old flame’
A Pheata (pronounced ‘fat-a’): Means ‘a mother’s darling’, for a mother to express
endearment for her children
A chéadsearc (pronounced ‘cade-shark’): Means ‘my first love’, or ‘my one and only’

“Maireann lá go ruaig ach maireann an grá go huaigh”. A day lasts until it’s chased
away, but love lasts until the grave. Or in other words, love lasts forever and overcomes all
obstacles.
“Maireann croí éadrom i bhfad”. A light heart lives longest. Someone who finds lasting
love will live a long and happy life.
“Trí na chéile a thógtar na cáisléain”. In our togetherness, castles are built. In other
words, through love, people can build great lives together.
“Cha robh dithis riamh a’ fadadh teine nach do las eatarra”. Two never kindled a fire
but it lit between them. Or, love and attraction comes naturally to people who are meant to
be together.
“Sliocht sleachta ar sliocht bhur sleachta!” : May you have children and your children
have children.This is more of a blessing, and is still said at many traditional Irish weddings.

Irish terms of endearment (Téarmaí

Muirnéise)
Irish words that used with partners, children and other loved ones.

Endearments for friends, children and lovers

 A stór - my treasure
 A stóirín - my little treasure
 A thaisce - my treasure
 A leanbh - my child
 A pheata - my pet
Endearments for lovers
 A mhuirnín - my darling, my dear
 Mo mhuirnín dílis - my dearly beloved, my own true love
 A ghrá - my love, my dear
 A ghrá mo chroí - my heart's beloved, my darling
 A ghrá geal - my bright love
 A chroí - my heart
 A chuisle - my pulse
 A chuisle mo chroí - pulse of my heart
 A rún - my love (secret, mystery)
 A rún mo chroí - my heart's beloved, my darling
 A chuid - my portion/share
 A stór mo chroí - my heart's treasure
 A chiste is a stór - my cherished love
 A chéadsearc - my first love
 A rúnsearc - my secret love