I have a tattoo idea that I am pursuing and wish to translate the phrase "spill blood not whisky". The tattoo itself is not an irish tattoo but something personal which is part of the reason id like the phrase to be translated to Irish. As for a dialect preference, I am not sure. My family comes from Cork so i would assume Munster Irish would be appropriate. Thank you for any help, I'm unsure if I will get the tattoo yet but I would still like to translate the phrase. At the very least I will learn something.

I'm not sure about a literal direct translation like "Doirt fuil ná uisce beatha" although it may be alright.

"It's better to spill blood than whiskey" fits a pattern that you see in Irish often, translated as follows:

"Is fearr fuil a dhoirteadh ná uisce beatha." Or would "Is fearr fuil ná uisce beatha a dhoirteadh" be better? (I prefer this but I would like some other comments on it.)

"uisce beatha" (whiskey) has an alternative "fuisce" although I'm not sure of the usage in this case. It seems interchangeable but let's wait for some commentary from others before you decide to get inked.

Cheers,

Tim

I don't think "ná" is correct here.
B'fhéidir: Doirt fuil seachas uisce beatha



I'd prefer the first: Is fearr fuil a dhoirteadh ná uisce beatha (a dhoirteadh).



I like the alliteration: fuil vs. fuisce.
So I'd use it:

Doirt fuil seachas fuisce.
Is fearr fuil a dhoirteadh ná fuisce. (3 "f" even better)

Thank you for the responses.

understanding that what we say or how we say it in english doesn't always translate directly to another language, which of these would be the more Irish way of saying.

I saw this phrase on a shirt and it resonated with me. I am a US servicemen and have lived a warriors ethos for the last decade. I am no stranger to a fight. Also, a glass of whisky is one of my favorite pleasures in life. Weathers its on the back deck with a book in hand and good cigar, or with a good friend and story to share, or watching my son run and play, I usually have a glass in hand. the phrase will be paired with a skull and crossbones with the skull wearing a Union union forage cap with green boxwood. green boxwood was traditional for soldiers of the NY Irish brigade to wear on their hats into battle. hopeful a clear understanding of the tattoo will help find the right translation.

I like the alliteration too.

Doirt fuil seachas fuisce.

It has a nice ring to it.

Thanks for your comments. Then I would also go with

Doirt fuil seachas fuisce unless the poster wants the longer version.

Cheers,

Tim