The Irish use of the word "After" (when speaking in English)?

Question

I am Scottish but recently moved to Donegal.

I'm a bit confused about the word "after". If I said I was after a cup of tea or after going for a walk, it would mean I wanted a cup of tea or I wanted to go for a walk.

Does it mean something else here?

Answer 1

Welcome to Donegal.We speak English in an Irish manner here.Another ten years and sure,ye won't even notice.Do you be down Gweedore way at all?

Answer 2

'I am after having a cup of tea' or 'I am after going for a walk ' means a recent past tense in Ireland. The use of the word 'after' by the Irish comes from the translation of the Irish language (Gaeilge) to English. To say you had a cup of tea In the Irish language is 'Tá me tar éis cupán té' which literally translates to 'I am after(tar éis) a cup of tea'

Answer 3

No, this is 'I'm after making some tea', and it means 'I have made a cup of tea. It's only of those literal translations from Irish to English, from the Irish: "Ta me tar eis cupan tae a dheananch". I'd do the accents but I'm not allowed on this site.

Did Irish in school ....

Answer 4

you mean after as in to look for, another example of how the irish language has influenced how we speak english here, as both words are the same in irish.

Answer 5

Yeah I use it when "I'm after a fella" haha

P.S. I'm from Kerry

Answer 6

The word "after" here - means at some point later but I do know in Ireland the meaning is "would like" ;-)

Answer 7

if i was to say that i wanted a cup of tea, i would just say i want a cup of tea.

but to say im after a cup of tea i would mean i am only after having a cup of tea.

i actually use "im after" a lot when i speak lol

Answer 8

It doesnt really mean anything, if you take the word out of the sentence it would mean the exact same thing, its like 'I do be working on the weekends' which is 'I work on the weekends' it doesnt mean anything but most people cant stop doing it! Myself included.