What’s the Craic? When you travel to Northern Ireland, you will quickly come across the term “Craic”. But what does it actually mean? Let’s take a closer look! 😉
Phrases you should know before you visit the North of Ireland.
"What's the Craic?" and "Craic" explained
Meaning and origin
The term "Craic" (pronounced "krak" or "kræk") is an integral part of Irish culture. It describes fun, entertainment, news, or simply a good time. Originally, the word comes from Irish, although it is also used in Scottish. Over time, its meaning has evolved and it became popular in Ireland in the 20th century to describe a lively and pleasant atmosphere.
Use in everyday life
“What’s the Craic?” is one of the most common greetings in Northern Ireland and means something like “How are you?” or “What’s happening?”. It is an invitation to share news, gossip, or simply good stories. Here are some examples of how the term is used:
- “What’s the Craic?” – “How are you?” or “What’s happening?”
- “The craic was mighty last night.” – “It was great last night.”
- “Any craic?” – “Anything new?” or “What’s the news?”
The different levels of the "Craic"
In Ireland, there are even different levels of "Craic" that describe the intensity of the fun or entertainment. Here are the six levels of "Craic" that you should know:
- Good Craic – A relatively entertaining evening, nothing special, but not bad either
- Mighty Craic – Better than "Good Craic," a really good evening
- Savage Craic – A great evening with lots of fun stories
- Deadly Craic – Even better than "Savage Craic," an incredibly entertaining evening
- Minus Craic – An evening that went wrong, not entertaining
- The Craic was Ninety – The height of fun, an unforgettable evening, everything was perfect
The term "Craic" is more than just a word; it is an integral part of Irish culture and describes the essence of social life in Northern Ireland.
Everyday examples
To better illustrate the use of “Craic” and “What’s the Craic?”, here are some typical dialogues and situations:
In the Pub:
Person A: "What’s the craic?"
Person B: "Ah, not much. Just having a pint. How about you?"
Person A: "The craic was ninety last night at the party!"
After a concert:
Person A: „How was the concert?“
Person B: „It was deadly craic! The band was amazing, and the crowd was wild.“
At a meeting with friends:
Person A: „Any craic?“
Person B: „Not really, just the usual. But I heard there’s a great gig this weekend.“
“Mighty Craic”
Finally, two other examples:
“She’s great craic when she gets going.” – She’s great when she gets going
“He’s great craic when he has a few pints on him.” – He’s great when he’s had a few beers
Whether you are in a pub, at a concert, or just chatting with friends, “Craic” is always present and helps you better understand and enjoy the local atmosphere.
So, the next time you are in Northern Ireland and someone asks “What’s the Craic?”, you’ll know exactly what they mean and can jump right into the conversation. Have fun and enjoy the “Craic”. 😉
DE