noun
1. Lifetime, existence
- saol (masc) / beatha (fem)
- The period during which someone is alive.
- It was one of the best days of my life.
- She spent her life travelling.
- He spent most of his adult life in the army.
Modifiers:
- life ban – He was given a life ban from home matches.
- life membership – She has life membership in the association.
2. Lifestyle
- saol (masc)
- The way a person lives.
- His life is empty.
- It changed my life.
- A life of crime.
- She started a new life in China.
Modifiers:
- Life changes, normal life activities, life choices.
3. Experience
- saol (masc)
- Life as a series of experiences.
- It prepares them for life after school.
- She loves life in the fast lane.
- Student life, city life, fishing life.
4. Living
- saol (masc)
- Everyday existence, or enjoying life.
- Life was good.
- How’s life?
- They’re enjoying life.
5. Fact of being alive
- beatha (fem)
- The state of being alive; human or animal life.
- People’s lives are in danger.
- She brought a new life into the world.
- He lost his life.
6. Destiny / Fate
- saol (masc)
- Life as circumstances or fortune.
- Life has been kind to her.
7. Incarnation / Past & Future Life
- saol (masc)
- She believes she had a past life.
- In my next life I’ll be rich.
8. Living things / Nature
- beatha (fem) / beathra (masc)
- Animal life, sea life, life on Mars.
9. Energy & vitality
- beocht (fem) / brí (fem) / croí (masc)
- Enthusiasm, energy, or spirit.
- He brings life into the music.
- She was full of life.
- The centre brought new life to the community.
10. Machines / Projects / Institutions
- saol (masc) / ré (fem) / fad (masc)
- Duration or functional life.
- Cars have a long life.
- Battery life.
- She’s in the early life of a two-year research project.
11. Passion or devotion
- Music is his life.
12. Law
- príosún saoil
- Life imprisonment.
- He was sentenced to life.
13. Art & Literature
- Life drawing, biography.
- He specialised in life drawing.
- He wrote a life of Yeats.
14. Games / Chance
- saol (masc)
- You have only one life left.
Common Phrases
- anything for a quiet life – I’d do anything for peace.
- to bring sth to life – make it lively or real.
- to come to life – become animated, work, or regain vitality.
- for life – permanently (judges are appointed for life).
- for your life – in danger or desperate effort.
- get a life! – informal: faigh saol duit féin!
- life and limb – putting oneself in danger.
- the life and soul of sth – main source of energy or entertainment.
- life begins at forty – enjoying life later in age.
- life goes on – life continues despite difficulties.
- life is worth living – life has value.
- life’s too short – don’t waste time.
- sb’s life’s work – work done as a lifelong purpose.
- to make life worth living – improve quality or joy of life.
- the man/woman in your life – romantic partner.
- a matter of life and death – extremely serious.
- not on your life – definitely not.
- what a life! – expression of surprise or frustration.
- while there’s life, there’s hope – hope exists as long as one lives.
