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 Post subject: Simple Tattoo: "Live"
PostPosted: Wed 26 Feb 2014 2:11 am 
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Joined: Wed 26 Feb 2014 1:49 am
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Hello there!

I am looking for a little insight on some of the very limited knowledge I have for a small tattoo.
What I really want is (preferably) a one-two word translation for the verb -to live. I mean this more as in
the experience of living, not as in simply surviving.

I've seen varying information on how there isn't
any direct translation for that, but then I've also seen some people saying that 'beo' means 'live'-however I've also seen
it translated as 'life' as well. Any information would be extremely helpful!

I do plan on also consulting a Gaelic to English Dictionary as well because I want to have as much information on this
before going ahead with the tattoo, so if anyone also has a recommendation for a quality dictionary that would be much appreciated!

Thank you!


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PostPosted: Wed 26 Feb 2014 2:27 am 
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Joined: Sun 28 Aug 2011 8:44 pm
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Location: Santa Cruz Mountains, California, USA
mksellars wrote:
Hello there!

I am looking for a little insight on some of the very limited knowledge I have for a small tattoo.
What I really want is (preferably) a one-two word translation for the verb -to live. I mean this more as in
the experience of living, not as in simply surviving.

I've seen varying information on how there isn't
any direct translation for that, but then I've also seen some people saying that 'beo' means 'live'-however I've also seen
it translated as 'life' as well. Any information would be extremely helpful!

I do plan on also consulting a Gaelic to English Dictionary as well because I want to have as much information on this
before going ahead with the tattoo, so if anyone also has a recommendation for a quality dictionary that would be much appreciated!

Thank you!


OK...first things first. I'm actually going to recommend that you NOT consult a dictionary without a fluent Irish speaker sitting next to you. Irish works very, very differently from English, and if you try to figure things out on your own, you're going to get yourself into trouble...guaranteed.

Especially do not consult a "Gaelic/English Dictionary," as that will only give you information on Scottish Gaelic. The English name for the Irish language is "Irish."

Next, "beo" means "live" as in rhyming with "hive." Another way to say it is "alive." It's an adjective, not a verb.

"Live" as in the sense of "live your life to the fullest" can't be expressed by a single verb in Irish.

There are several options, the simplest and shortest being "Bí Beo!," meaning "Be alive!"

A more natural way to express it, though, would be:

Bain ceol as an tsaol!: Reap music from life!

Wait for more.

Redwolf


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PostPosted: Thu 27 Feb 2014 7:04 am 
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Joined: Wed 26 Feb 2014 1:49 am
Posts: 2
Thank you so much for your input!
I actually like Bí Beo a lot!

When you say the longer phrase is a more natural way to express it however, does that mean that Bí Beo is an unusual or unnatural phrase?

Also I know that in most languages some words have multiple meanings, are there other meanings for beo apart from live/alive that would cause the phrase to be misinterpreted?

Thanks again


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PostPosted: Sat 01 Mar 2014 6:17 am 
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Joined: Sun 04 Sep 2011 11:02 pm
Posts: 1583
I've split your second request off into its own thread.

I'd say that Bí beo comes across a bit stiltedly for what you want, something like "Be alive!"
One possibility is Bí i do bheatha. Literally it means "Be in your life", but the real meaning is more like "Live your life with gusto".

_________________
I'm not a native (or entirely fluent) speaker, so be sure to wait for confirmations/corrections, especially for tattoos.


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