About this phrase

The literal meaning of gabh mo leithscéal is take my excuse but its actual meaning is excuse me.

The phrase is constructed as follows:

• Gabh is the imperative mood, second person, singular of the regular verb gabh, meaning take.
• Mo is a possessive adjective that means my.
• Leithscéal is a masculine noun that means excuse, apology.

Other ways of saying excuse me

Gabh mo leithscéal is not the only way to express this sentiment:

• The phrase gabhaim pardún agat, pronounced, roughly, gom paardoon ogot, has currency in Munster.

Incorrect uses

Avoid gaelicising the idiomatic use of 'excuse me', current in some English dialects, as a substitute for the more straightforward 'what?'.