Irish Grammar Book

IRISH GRAMMAR BOOK
IRISH GRAMMAR BOOK

Nollaig Mac Congil
Cl I ar-Chonnachta
Indreabhn
Conamara
An Chad Ch l 2004
An Dara Cl 2005
Nol l ai g Mac Congi l 2004
ISBN 1 902420 49 7
Dearadh cldaigh: Pierce Design
Dearadh: Foi reann CI C
Tugann Bord na Leabhar Gaei l ge
taca ocht ai rgi d do Ch l I ar-Chonnachta.
Fai gheann Cl I ar-Chonnachta cabhai r airgi d
n gComhai rl e Eal a on.
Gach ceart ar cosai nt. N cead mhach aon chui d den fhoi l seachn seo a ati rgeadh, a chur
i gcomhad athfhl a, n a tharchu r ar aon bheal ach n sl , b odh si n l ei ctreonach,
mei cni i l , bu nai the ar fhtachi p ei l , ar thai feadad h n ei l e, gan cead a fhi l roi mh r
n bhfoi l si theoi r.
Clchur: Cl I ar-Chonnachta, I nd reabhn, Conamara
Teil: 091-593307 Facs: 091-593362 -phost: ci c@i ol .i e
Priontil: Cl di r Lurgan, I ndreabhn, Conamara
Teil: 091-593251/593157
Bord no
Leobhur
Goei l ge
?arts
council
chomhalrle
eal a on
CONTENTS
Introduction 11
Irish Alphabet 13
Irish Dialects 13
Initial Mutations 14
Leni ti on of Consonants 14
Ecli psis of Consonants and Vowels 14
t before Vowel s and s 15
h before Vowels 15
Basic Guide to Terminology Used in Irish Grammar 16
Consonants 16
Vowel s 16
Sl enderi ng and Broadeni ng 16
Sy ncopati on 17
Word Order in I ri sh Sentences 18
The Definite Article 20
Si ngul ar Form of Article 20
Plural Form of Article 23
General Summary of Forms of the Defi ni te Article 24
When to Use the Defi ni te Article 24
The Doubl e Article 26
Nouns 27
Gender of Nouns 27
The Si ngul ar and Plural of Nouns 29
The Cases of Nouns 30
Decl ensi ons of Nouns 33
First Decl ensi on Nouns 33
Second Decl ensi on Nouns 38
Third Decl ensi on Nouns 42
Fourth Decl ensi on Nouns 45
Fi fth Decl ensi on Nouns 48
I rregular Nouns 51
Geni ti v e Plural of Nouns of all Decl ensi ons 52
Special Geni ti v e Plural of Nouns 53
Ecli psi s of Nouns 54
Leni ti on of Nouns 56
Prepositions 62
Si mple Preposi ti ons 62
ag 64
ar 65
as 67
chui g 68
de 69
do 71
faoi 73
gan 74
i 75
idi r 76
le 77
79
roi mh 80
thar 81
tr 82
um 83
Compound Preposi ti ons 84
Adjectives 86
First Decl ensi on 86
Second Decl ensi on 92
Thi rd Decl ensi on 95
Geni ti v e Plural of all Decl ensi ons 96
Leni ti on of Adjectiv es 97
Possessive Adjectives 99
Preposi ti ons and Possessive Adjectiv es 100
Verbs Requi ri ng Preposi ti on i and Possessi ve Adjectiv es 101
Idiomatic Use of Possessive Adjectives 101
Comparison of Adjectives 102
Adverbs 103
Adverbs of Ti me 103
Adverbs of Di recti on 104
Emphatic Suffixes 106
Pronouns 107
Pronoun as Object of Verbal Noun 107
Pronoun - ea 108
Subject Pronouns 109
Object Pronouns 109
Emphati c Subject Pronouns 110
Emphati c Object Pronouns 110
Demonstratives 111
h Before Vowels - Nouns 113
h Before Vowels - Adjectives etc. 114
t Before Vowels and s 116
The Verb 117
The I mpersonal Form of the Verb 117
The Relative Form of the Verb 117
The I ndependent and Dependent Forms of the Verb 118
The Regular Verb: First Conjugati on and Second Conjugati on 118
The Present Tense 120
The Past Tense 122
The Future Tense 124
The Condi ti onal Mood 126
The Past Habi tual Tense 128
The I mperati ve Mood 130
The Present Subjuncti v e Mood 132
Verbal Adjecti ve / Past Participl e 134
The Verbal Noun 135
A List of Verbs 138
First Conjugati on 138
Second Conjugati on 139
The I rregular Verb 140
The Past Tense 142
The I mperati v e Mood 149
Verbal Adjectiv e / Past Participl e and Verbal Noun 151
The Substanti v e Verb B 152
The Habi tual Present Tense 152
The Past Tense 153
The I mperativ e Mood 154
The Verbal Noun 154
Uses 155
Ecli psis of Verbs 157
Leni ti on of Verbs 158
The Copul a Is 160
Present (and Future) Tense 160
Forms of Copul a w i th Conjuncti ons 161
Past Tense and Condi ti onal Mood 162
Forms of Copul a wi th Conjuncti ons 163
Present Subjuncti v e Mood 164
Usage 165
Con ju n cti on s and Verbal Parti cl es 167
m 167
d 168
Si mple Conjuncti ons 168
Posi ti ve Verbal Particles 168
an 168
ar 169
go 169
gur 169
sula 170
sular 170
c 171
cr 171
Negative Verbal Particles 172
n 172
n 172
n or 173
cha 173
thar 174
nach 174
nr 174
mura 175
murar 175
Relative Clauses 176
Di rect Rel ative Clause 176
Di rect Rel ative Particle (Positi ve) 178
Di rect Rel ative Particle (Negative) 179
Di rect Rel ative Forms of the Copul a 180
I ndi rect Rel ativ e Clause 181
I ndi rect Rel ative Particle (Posi ti ve) 185
I ndi rect Rel ative Particle (Negative) 187
I ndi rect Rel ative Forms of the Copula 188
Numbers 189
Cardi nal Numbers 189
Cardi nal Numbers Foll owed by Nouns 190
Geni ti v e Case and Cardi nal Numbers 191
The Defi ni te Article and Cardi nal Numbers 192
Geni ti v e Case and Defi ni te Article and Cardinal Numbers 192
Cardinal Numbers and Adjectiv es 193
Personal Numbers 194
The Defi ni te Article and Personal Numbers 195
The Geni ti v e Case of Personal Numbers 195
Ordinal Numbers 196
Geni ti v e Case and Ordinal Numbers 197
Varia 198
Forenames 198
Surnames 199
Days of the Week 201
Months of the Year 202
Place-Names 203
Countri es, Conti nents 203
Provinces, Counti es, Ci ti es and Towns 203
Prefixes 206
Idioms 208
Blessings, Farewells, Greetings and Other Occasional Sayings 209
fi n 212
cui d 213
go l eor 213
Ways of Tr ansl ati ng to know 214
Abstract Nouns Formed from Adjecti v es 215
Yes and no i n I ri sh 216
Ways of Tr ansl ati ng can, be abl e 218
Ways of Tr ansl ati ng must, hav e to 219
Ti me 220
Si mi l es 221
Do Tharl ach, fear an chrui nni s.
INTRODUCTION
Si nce I ri sh is a hi ghl y i nfl ected and i di omati c language, it presents a great
chal l enge for learners. In addi ti on, when one consi ders the hi story of the
language, its descent i nto wi del y-di fferi ng dial ects, its rel ease from a
standard, uni fy i ng form for centuri es and the hi story of I rish li teracy, i t is
smal l wonder that Modern Irish Grammar presents major probl ems for those
who engage wi th it at any level. However, I rish Grammar is a malum
necessarium i f the Irish language is to be l earned and used as a preci se and
effecti v e communi cati on tool .
Over the centuri es peopl e have attempted to expl ai n and present Irish
Grammar i n a mul ti pl i ci ty of di fferent manners, dependi ng on thei r own
educati onal background and experi ence, and also that of thei r intended
audi ence. Many of us are fami l i ar wi th the most successful and authori tati v e
of the reference works publ i shed i n the last century, namely, Gramadach na
Gaeilge: an Caighden Oifigiil, Rchrsa Gramadai, and Graimar Gaeilge na
mBrithre Crosta. A l ot of ti me has el apsed si nce those works were first
publ i shed and major changes have si nce occurred i n I ri sh soci ety, i n matters
rel ati ng to the Irish language and to pedagogy in general . Most si gnificantly,
Niall Dnai l l 's Foclir Gaeilge-Barla, whi ch appeared i n 1977, is the si ngle,
l argest and most widely consul ted corpus of authori tati v e Irish i n exi stence.
Consequentl y, thi s shoul d be the one source for I rish grammar.
As one who has taught I ri sh for many decades to many di fferent
audi ences from varying l i ngui sti c backgrounds, wi th di fferent i ntel l ectual
levels and wi th disparate moti v ati on, I bel i eve that, in the case of most
l earners, no effecti v e, text-based teachi ng of any language can be achieved
except through the medi um whi ch they understand. Most students of Irish,
w hether from I reland or from Angl ophone countri es, speak Engli sh and are
educated through that medi um. It is onl y logical that they be taught Irish
through Engli sh. Grammar is, for most learners, hard to digest. To
admi ni ster i t wi th a shov el makes the di gesti on process even more di ffi cul t.
Thi s book therefore is wri tten in Engli sh. There is an Irish v ersi on of it whi ch
appeared i n 2002 and that v ersi on addresses the needs of those who are
educated through or already have a mastery of I rish. The grammati cal rules
contai ned in thi s grammar are based on those contai ned i n Niall Dnai l l 's
Foclir Gaeilge-Barla and are presented i n a clear, conci se and understandabl e
manner i n order to make the materi al as pal atabl e as possible. Thi s
presentati on of I ri sh grammar refl ects the genesis of thi s work, as i t was
ori gi nal l y an integral part of Speakwrite, a successful speech based computer
aid to language l earni ng, whi ch was developed at Nati onal Uni versi ty of
I reland, Galway, a decade ago.
Ba mhai th Horn mo bhui ochas a chur i n il do roi nnt daoi ne a chui di gh l i om
agus an saothar seo ul l mh agam thar na bl i anta: do Mhi chael Bharry
Fl athartha, Fei d hmeannach Teanga, ras Mhi rt n Ui Chad hai n, an
Cheathr Rua (Ol l scoi l na hi reann, Gai l l i mh), d'fhei dhmeannai gh teanga
agus do mhi nteoi r Gaeil ge ei l e i n I onad na Gaei l ge Labhartha, Ol l scoi l na
hi reann, Gai l l i mh agus do Gheari d Casaide, M.A., Pri omh-Ai stri theoi r i
Ranng an Ai stri chi n, Teach Laighean, as a chomhai rl e agus a chui di
maidi r le crsa gramada i gcai theamh na mbl i anta. T m i ontach bui och
fosta d'fhoi reann Chl I ar-Chonnachta as a gcuidi le ri teach an leabhai r
seo. M t aon l ocht ar an ngrai mar seo, m fi n amhi n is ci onta leis, gan
amhras.
Noll aig Mac Congi l
Oll scoil na hEi reann, Gai l l i mh
n.maccongai l @nui gal way.i e
12
GUIDELINES
I RI SH ALPHABET
The basic Irish al phabet consi sts of the fol l owi ng letters:
a b c d e f g h i l m n o p r s t u
The other l etters of the Engli sh al phabet:
j q v w x z
are someti mes used i n foreign l oan words or in mathemati cal or sci enti fi c
termi nol ogy. They nev er undergo any change.
I RI SH DI ALECTS
Although it is an ov ersi mpl i fi cati on of the matter, i t is general l y accepted
that there are three mai n di al ects of spoken I rish:
Ulster, Connaught and Munster.
There are, of course, subdi al ects w i thi n these three but such i nternal
subdi vi sions are not general l y al luded to here.
Some of the major di fferences between these dial ects affect stress and
pronunci ati on but, si nce thi s reference grammar does not i ncl ude any such
di mensi on, they are not referred to.
Major di fferences in forms, grammati cal rules, syntax and i di oms are,
however, hi ghl i ghted.
13
I N I TI A L MUTATI ON S
Under certai n ci rcumstances the i ni ti al l etter of a word i n I ri sh can change
i n one of four ways, dependi ng on what l etter i t is, what precedes i t or what
grammati cal functi on the word to w hi ch it bel ongs serves.
The fol l owi ng is a li st of the four ways and the i ni ti al l etters affected:
lenition of consonants
eclipsis of consonants and vowel s
t before vowel s and s
h before vowel s
These i ni ti al changes or mutati ons are a di sti ncti v e feature of Cel ti c
languages and can pose some di ffi cul ti es i ni ti al l y for l earners of I ri sh.
Lenition
Lenition is the term used to refer to one of the i ni ti al mutati ons of
consonants i n I ri sh. The l ess-correct term aspiration is also used. The Irish
word for l eni ti on is simhi.
Leni ti on affects the fol l owi ng consonants onl y :
b bh
-
ch
d dh
f fh
8
gh
m
-
mh
P
ph
s sh
t th
The remai ni ng consonants cannot be l eni ted. Vowels cannot be leni ted.
Eclipsis
Eclipsis is the term used to refer to another of the i ni ti al mutati ons of both
consonants and vowel s i n I ri sh. The term nasalization is also used.
The Irish word for ecli psi s is ur.
14
Ecli psi s affects the fol l owi ng consonants only:
b mb
gc
d nd
f bhf
g ng
P
bp
t
-
dt
The remai ni ng consonants cannot be ecli psed.
Ecl i psi s affects all vowel s in the same way:
a -> n-a
e - n-e
i - n-i
-> n-o
u - n-u
t before VOWELS and s
t (with hy p hen except when fol l owi ng vowel is a cap i tal l etter) can be
prefi xed to i ni ti al vowel s or s (wi thout hy phen):
t-a tA
t-e tE
t-i tl
t-o to
t-u tu
ts
h before VOWELS
h can be prefi xed to i ni ti al vowel s onl y:
ha
he
hi
ho
hu
Duri ng the course of thi s work frequent reference wi ll be made to these
i ni ti al mutati ons and what causes them.
15
BASIC GUIDE TO TERMINOLOGY USED IN IRISH GRAMMAR
Consonants
Broad and Sl ender Consonants
Each consonant has two qual i ti es i n I ri sh: broad (= non-pal atal i zed, leathan
in I ri sh); slender (= pal atal ized, caol in Irish).
General l y speaking, a consonant is said to be broad i f it is preceded or
fol lowed by a broad vowel (a / , / 6 , u / ) and slender if it is preceded
or fol lowed by a slender vowel (e / , i / i):
pg both p and g are broad,
focal f, and 1are all broad,
feoi l both f and 1are sl ender,
dei fi r d, f and r are all sl ender,
bean b is sl ender and n is broad.
Vowels
Long and Short Vowels
Each vowel has two values in Irish: short and long:
short vowel s: a, e, i, o, u
l ong vowel s: , , , ,
Slendering and Broadening
Slendering means maki ng a consonant slender w hi ch normal l y
entai l s si mply inserti ng an - i - before it:
bd - bi d
asal - asai l
Someti mes, however, thi s involv es a change to the precedi ng vowel (s) as well
al ong the fol l owi ng li nes:
(a )
-* ea -
->
- i - f e a r
->
f i r
-* e a - - i - c e a n n c i n n
- i o - - - i - f i o n n f i n n
(b ) - a - - i - a n i n
- a -
-
- i - b al
-
b i l
-* i a - - i - i a s c isc
16
(c) - o - - - s ol - sl
(d) i n p o l y s y l l a b i c w o r d s (a n d s o m e m o n o s y l l a b i c w o r d s ):
- (e)ach - (a)i gh
bacach
aonach
oi fi geach
bacai gh
aonai gh
oi fi gi gh
bei thi gh - i och - - igh bei thi och -i
[ *n o t e : th e r e a r e s o m e e x c e p ti o n s to th e s e r u l e s .]
Broadening m e a n s m a k i n g a c o n s o n a n t broad w h i c h n o r m a l l y e n ta i l s
s i m p l y r e m o v i n g th e -i - b e f o r e i t:
mthai r
abhai nn
mthar
abhann
Someti mes, however, thi s inv ol v es a change to the precedi ng vowel (s), al ong
the fol l owi ng li nes:
- ei -
- - ea - greim greama
- i - - ea - mil meal a
- i -
-
- ea - bi nn beann
- i - - - a - bi ci r - bi cara
- ui - - - cui d coda
- i - - - o - feadail feadai ol a
Syncopation
Syncopation m e a n s s i m p l y r e m o v i n g o n e o r m o r e v o w e l s o r a s y l l a b l e f r o m
th e m i d d l e o f a w o r d f o r s p e ci f i c g r a m m a ti ca l r e a s o n s .
cabhai r
obair
cabhrach
oi bre
17
Word Order i n I ri sh Sentences
General l y speaking, the word order i n a si mple sentence i n I ri sh is:
object
comp l ement
ad v erb phrase
Verb + Su bject + Other - '
mol ann an mi nteoi r an cai l i n
praises the teacher the girl
t an l go deas
is the day nice
thi ni g Sen inn
came J ohn yesterday
bhi Mi re ti nn
was Mary sick
d'i mi gh an bhean
departed the woman
n o t e : i n Engli sh the normal pattern is:
Su bject + Verb + Other
something
lovely
sold the dog yesterday
I
I t
The man
saw
was
18
The verb i n Irish is preceded by verbal particl es (e.g. negati ve n i , n ,
i nterrogati v e a n , n a c h ), conju ncti ons (e.g. d , m , n u a i r ), interrogati ve
pronouns (e.g. c, ca d ), i nterrogati ve adjecti v es (e.g. c ), interrogati ve
adverbs (e.g. c a th a i n ), rel ati ve parti cl es (e.g. a(r )) etc:
VERB + SUBJECT + OTHER
n i i th e a n n a n ca i l i n f e o i l
not eats the girl meat
a n d t a n n a n f e a r a m a ch ?
?
goes the man out?
m l a n n a n ca t a n b a i n n e
i f
drinks the cat the milk
n u a i r a g h o i d a n g a d a i a n t-a i r g e a d
when stole the thi ef the money
c a g h o i d a n t- r ?
who stole the gol d?
ca d a d i r t a n t-a m a d n ?
what said the fool?
c a th a i n a th i n i g s a b h a i l e ?
when came he home?
Thi s normal word order can someti mes be altered for special reasons, e.g.
emphasi s:
i n n a th i n i g s!
yesterday came he!
ag m a g a d h a b h i si !
j oki ng VVI.S she!
19
THE DEFINITE ARTICLE
There is no indefinite article i n I ri sh. The noun standi ng al one consti tutes
an i ndefi ni te noun:
fear = (a) man bean = (a) woman bi steach = rain
There are two forms of the definite article i n I rish: an and na.
an
na
- is used onl y i n the si ngular
is used i n nom./acc., gen. and dat. cases wi th mascul i ne nouns
__is used i n nom./acc. and dat. cases wi th femi ni ne nouns
is used i n gen. si ngular wi th femi ni ne nouns

is is used always i n the plural wi th mascul i ne and femi ni ne nouns
Mascul i ne Femi ni ne
fear a man bean a woman
an fear the man an bhean the woman
na fir the men na mn the women
SINGULAR FORM OF ARTICLE
Nom./Acc. Singular of the Definite Article
M a s c u l i n e D e f i n i te N o u n s
t- is prefi xed to i ni ti al vowel of mascul i ne nouns; i ni ti al consonants are not
affected:
an cat an t-asal
an bd an t-an
an teach an t-uan
20
Fe m i n i n e D e f i n i t e N o u n s
I ni ti al consonants of femi ni ne nouns are leni ted; i ni ti al vowel s are not
affected:
an bhean an eaglais
an chi sti n an ai sl i ng
an fharrai ge an uirli s
Excep ti ons:
I ni ti al d, t remai n unaffected:
an dal l g an ti ne
t is prefi xed to nouns whose i ni ti al l etter is s fol lowed by a vowel , or si, sn,
sr fol lowed by a vowel .
an tsei l f an tsrn
Genitive Singular of the Definite Article
Ma s c u l i n e D e f i n i t e N o u n s
I ni ti al consonants of mascul i ne nouns are leni ted; i ni ti al vowel s are not
affected:
hata an fhi r ciuasa an asail
cta an mhi c cl ei te an i n
Excep ti ons:
I ni ti al d, t remai n unaffected:
bun an dorai s
bal l ai an ti
t is prefi xed to nouns whose i ni ti al l etter is s fol lowed by a vowel , or si, sn,
sr fol lowed by a vowel :
ci sti n an tsagai rt fad an tsl abhra
21
F e m i n i n e D e f i n i t e N o u n s
Form of the femi n i ne d efi ni te ar ti cl e na
h is prefi xed to i ni ti al vowel of femi ni ne nouns; i ni ti al consonants are not
affected:
hata na mn bun na habhann
solas na ti ne trasna na farraige
Dative Singular of the Definite Article
I ni ti al consonants are ecli psed and i ni ti al vowel s remai n unaffected after the
fol l owi ng preposi ti ons + arti cl e:
ag an, ar an, as an, chui g an, faoi n, leis an, n,
roi mh an, thar an, trid an, um an
ag an ngeata leis an mbata
ar an gcathaoi r n iasc
Excep ti ons: I ni ti al d, t remai n unaffected:
ag an doras ar an ti ne
t is prefi xed to femi ni ne nouns whose i ni ti al l etter is s fol lowed by a vowel ,
or si, sn, sr fol lowed by a vowel :
ar an tsrid n tsei l f
I ni ti al consonants are l eni ted and i ni ti al vowel s remai n unaffected after the
fol l owi ng preposi ti ons + arti cl e: den, don, sa(n):
den bhord sa chi sti n
d on bhuachai l l san fharraige
don uan
Excep ti ons: I ni ti al d, t remai n unaffected:
den di al l ai t d on doras sa ti ne
t is prefi xed to femi ni ne nouns whose i ni ti al l etter is s fol lowed by a vowel ,
or si, sn, sr fol lowed by a vowel :
sa tsrid den tsei l f
22
n o t e : s o m e p r e p o s i ti o n s c o m b i n e w i th th e d e f i n i te a r ti cl e (a n ) i n th e d a ti v e
s i n g u l a r :
de den do - don faoi - faoi n
i - sa (san b e f o r e a v o w e l o r f + v o w e l ) - n
n o t e : the norm in Ulster di al ects of Irish is for all preposi ti ons whi ch are
fol lowed by the dativ e case to affect the i ni ti al l etter of the defi ni te noun i n
exactl y the same way as happens after den, don, sa(n) wi th one smal l
addi ti on, viz. t is prefi xed to femi ni ne nouns and mascul i ne nouns whose
i ni ti al l etter is s fol lowed by a vowel , or si, sn, sr fol lowed by a vowel:
ag an g h e a ta n f h e a r ar an ts a g a r t
n o t e : th e r e a r e o th e r v a r i a ti o n s o f th e a b o v e r u l e s i n d i f f e r e n t d i a l e cts .
PLURAL FORM OF A RTI CLE
Nom./Acc./Dat. Plural Of The Definite Article
Form of th e d efi n i te ar ti cl e na
h is prefi xed to i ni ti al vowel of nouns; i ni ti al consonants are not affected:
na cai t na hasai l
na bid na hi n
sna ti the ar na huai n
Genitive Plural Of The Definite Article
I ni ti al consonants and vowel s are ecli psed:
hatai na bhfear cluasa na n-asal
bai nne na gcat ceol na n-an
teas na dti nte dath na n-l l
23
GENERAL SUMMARY OF FORMS OF TH E DEFI NI TI VE ARTI CLE
Si ngu l ar Pl ural
Masc. Fem. Both Genders
nom. / acc. an an na
gen. an na na
dat. an* an
n at
* Some preposi ti ons combi ne wi th the defi ni te arti cl e (an) in the dative
singul ar:
de -* den do -* don faoi -* faoi n
i -* sa (san before a vowel or f+ vowel ) - n
t The preposi ti on i combi nes wi th the pl ural arti cl e na to give sna.
WHEN TO USE TH E DEFI N I TI VE A RTI CLE
The most common use of the defi ni te arti cl e is to make an i ndefi ni te noun
defi ni te:
fear a man an fear the man
bean a woman an bhean the woman
pi st chi l dren na pi st the chi l dren
uai n lambs na huai n the lambs
It is used wi th the demonstratives seo, sin and d to transl ate the Engli sh
thi s, th at, these and those:
an fear seo this man an cnoc d that (= yonder) hill
an l si n that day na daoi ne si n those people
It is often used wi th the names of countri es, conti nents, rivers and towns:
an Fhrai nc France an Afraic Africa
an I odil I taly an tSi onai nn the Shannon
an Eorai p Europe an Dai ngean Dingle
24
It is general l y used wi th the names of languages:
an Ghaei l ge
an Risis
an Ghearmi ni s
It is general l y used wi th ti tl es:
(the) I rish (language)
(the) Russian (language)
(the) German (language)
an Docht i r Mac Aodha
an tA thai r Peadar
Doctor Me Hugh
Father Peter
It is often used wi th the days of the week and certai n months, festivals and
seasons of the year:
(ar) an Domhnach
an t-earrach
(ar) an Luan
an samhradh
lr na Beal tai ne
an fmhar
an Chi sc
an gei mhreadh
(on) Sunday(s)
spring
(on) Monday(s)
summer
the middle of May
autumn
Easter
winter
I t is used before iomad, iomarca, oi read, uafs, sl uai te, cadta etc:
an i omad airgid too much money
an i omar ca ci l l e too much sense
an oi read si n daoi ne so many people
an t-uafs oi bre a huge amount of work
na sl u ai te daoi ne crowds of people
I t usual ly occurs between c and cad fol lowed by a noun:
cn t-am ? what time is it?
cad an rud si n? what is that thing?
c na daoi ne iad si n? who are those peopl e?
It is someti mes used wi th certai n abstract nouns:
an gr love an ceol musi c
25
It is used before ui l e when i t i sn't preceded by gach:
an ui l e sheachtai n
an ui l e dhui ne
an ui l e fhocal
every week
everybody
every word
n o t e : th e v o w e l o f th e s i n g u l a r , d e f i n i te a r ti cl e i s d r o p p e d w h e n th e l a tte r
m e r g e s w i th c e r ta i n w o r d s w h i c h e n d i n a v o w e l :
THE DOUBLE ARTICLE
Where there occurs a doubl e defi ni te arti cl e i n Engli sh and the second noun
has a geni ti ve rel ati on wi th the fi rst noun, onl y one defi ni te arti cl e - the
second - is permi tted in I ri sh. The first noun is treated as an i ndefi ni te
noun. I n other words, a noun qual i fi ed by a defi ni te noun cannot i tsel f take
a defi ni te arti cl e.
hata an fhi r the hat of the man
bean an ti the woman of the house
mui nti r na cathrach the i nhabi tants of the city
i lr na sride in the mi ddl e of the street
n o t e : thi s rule also appl ies to certai n i nstances where a defi ni te arti cl e occurs
i n I ri sh but not i n Engli sh.
mui nti r na hi reann the people of I rel and
cathracha na Frai nce the cities of France
Thi s rule also appl ies when the second noun is not preceded by the defi ni te
arti cl e but by a possessi ve adjecti v e or gach.
doras gach ti the door of every house
fui nneoga a seomra the windows of her room
cen
den
don
faoi n
n
(c + an)
(de + an)
(do + an)
(faoi + an)
( + an)
26
NOUNS
GENDER OF NOUNS
There are two genders i n I ri sh, masculine and feminine. Those nouns whi ch
are neuter in Engli sh are ei ther mascul i ne or femi ni ne in I ri sh. The obvious
gender of a noun in Engli sh does not necessari l y mean that that noun will
be of the same gender i n I ri sh:
cai l i n meani ng girl is a mascul i ne noun i n I rish,
stail meani ng stal l i on is a femi ni ne noun i n I ri sh.
Because of the great i mportance of the gender of Irish nouns, the gender
must always be establ i shed. The best way to do thi s is to consul t a
dictionary.
G u i d e t o G e n d e r o f N o u n s
The fol l owi ng general gui del i nes may be of some assi stance.
The names of most conti nents, countri es and rivers are feminine.
chun na hAfraice to Africa
chun na Frai nce to France
trasna na Si onai nne across the Shannon
mui nti r na Rise the people of Russia
i lr na Spi nne in the mi ddl e of Spain
['he names of languages are mostly feminine:
an Ghaei l ge
an Fhrai nci s
an Risis
an Spi nni s
I rish
French
Russian
Spanish
Excep ti on:
an Barl a English
27
Ma s c u l i n e N o u n s
The actual endi ng of a noun often gives a good i ndi cati on as to its gender.
Nouns whi ch have the fol l owi ng endi ngs are usually masculine:
- (e)adh cui readh, gei mhreadh, samhradh
- (a)i ceanna , l eabharl anna , scl bha , rna
- n arn, bradn, meascn, cnapn
- ch cl i reach, coi l each, fathach, oi fi geach,
coi mhthi och
- ad bui cad, cad, li pad, paicad
- al bui dal, ospidal , scal
- an an, firan
- el sel, mui nel
- ar coi lar, far, mi nar, pi par
- ir bicir, si inir, ti nci r
- eoi r / i r bdi r, cladi r, fei rmeoir, mi nteoi r
- n bi si n, cai l n, ci l l n, piri n
- (i)ir sai ghdiir, ti l l i i r
- s (broad) bus, cleas, costas, fios
- n botn, col n, oi nni n, pri osn
- r casr, col r, pi cti r, rsr
Fe m i n i n e N o u n s
Nouns w hi ch have the fol l owi ng endi ngs are usually feminine:
- (a)l bi c l , feadal , osna l
- (e)il sbhil , tarrthi l
- (a)il t mei l t, oscai l t
- (a)i nt cai nt, seachai nt
- i nt ti omi nt
- (a) ocht fi l i ocht, eagrai ocht, l i tr ocht, si amsa ocht
- aoi s / s calaois, gaois, mail s, coi c s
- chan athbheochan
- (a)irt bagairt, imi rt
- (e)ach bi steach, gr osach
- (e)acht Gael tacht, gl uai seacht, mal l acht
- il baril
- i nt cani nt
- lann amharcl ann, bi al ann, l eabharl ann
- eog / g bbg, brg, cui nneog, fui nneog
28
TH E SI NGULAR AND PLURAL OF NOUNS
Someti mes i n I rish the si ngu l ar form is used for a pl ural nou n.
The fol l owi ng are some exampl es of the occasi ons when thi s happens:
(i) often after car d i nal numbers:
tr l
f i c h e uai r
s e a c h t n-oi che
c a d cap al l
three days
twenty times
seven nights
a hundred horses
(ii) wi th certai n nouns in the geni ti v e pl ural :
h a ta i n a bhfear the men's hats
ag g l a n a d h n a bhfu i nneog cl eani ng the windows
(i i i ) after c mhad :
c m h a d dui ne?
c m h a d uai r?
(i v ) after is i oma :
i s i o m a fear
i s i o m a u ai r
(v ) after cpl a:
c p l a l
c p l a p i ngi n
how many people?
how many times?
many men
many times
a few days
a few penni es
29
THE CASES OF NOUNS
The noun i n I rish has four cases:
i nominative/accusative
ii genitive
iii dative
iv vocative
(i) Nominative / Accusative
For all practi cal purposes, the nominative and accusative cases are the same
i n I rish.
A noun is said to be in the nominative case i f it is the subj ect of a
sentence/verb:
d'i mi gh an cai l i n abhai l e the gi rl went home
thi ni g an m i n teoi r i steach the teacher came in
d'i th an bhean a bri cfeasta the woman ate her breakfast
A noun is said to be i n the accusative case i f it is the direct object of a verb:
d'i th siad a n d i nnar they ate thei r di nner
cheannai gh s an teach he bought the house
A noun is said to be i n the nominative case when i t is preceded by: gan, go
dti, idi r, n, seachas:
gan an t-airgead without the money
i d i r an bun agus an barr between the bottom and the top
go dti an chi sti n to the kitchen
is fearr anoi s n an t-am si n now is better than that time
dui ne ei le ar fad seachas someone else entirely apart
an fear seo from this man
(ii) Genitive
A noun is usually said to be i n the genitive case i n I ri sh if:
(a) i t is the direct object of a verbal noun:
ag danamh na hoi br e doing the work
ag mol adh na mn prai si ng the woman
ag ceannach di buyi ng a drink
30
(b ) i t i s p r e ce d e d b y a compound preposition o f w h i c h th e f o l l o w i n g
a r e s o m e o f th e m o s t c o m m o n :
ar aghai dh, ar chl , ar feadh, ar fud, ar lorg, ar son, de bharr, de rir,
faoi choi nne, go ceann, i lr, i mease, i ndiaidh, i rith, in aghaidh,
le haghai dh, le l i nn, os ci onn, os coi nne, os comhai r, tar is.
ar feadh an l a e duri ng the day
ar son na h i r e a n n for I rel and
i lr na h o i c h e in the mi ddl e of the night
i ri th na s e a c h ta i n e duri ng the week
tar is an l i n after the l unch
(c) i t i s p r e ce d e d b y s u ch w o r d s as c h u n , tr a s n a , ti m p e a l l , f e a r a c h t,
d l a :
chun na c a t h r a c h to the city
trasna na s r i d e across the street
ti mpeal l na h i te around the place
fearacht f i r u a s a i l in the manner of a gentl eman
dla an sci l by the way
(d ) i t i s p r e ce d e d b y w o r d s w h i ch d e n o te i n d e f i n i te q u a n ti ty s u ch as:
a ln, an iomad, barrai ocht, beagn, cuid, dthai n, go leor, mrn,
n os l, n os m, oiread, roi nnt, s, tui l l eadh e tc:
a ln a i r g i d a lot of money
barrai ocht o i b r e excess work
roi nnt a m a some time
go l eor c o d l a ta enough sleep
(e) i t i s g o v e r n e d b y a n o th e r n o u n w h i c h p r e ce d e s i t (w i th th e a r ti cl e , a
p o s s . a d j. o r g a c h s o m e ti m e s i n te r v e n i n g ). V e r y o f te n th i s i s r e f e r r e d
to as th e ca s e o f p o s s e s s i o n o r o w n e r s h i p , u s u a l l y c o r r e s p o n d i n g to
th e E n g l i s h p o s s e s s i v e 's o r of the:
th e m a n 's c o a t / th e co a t of the m a n :
si opa Sh e i n J ohns shop
cta (na) m n a / the woman's coat
clr u r l i r a floor board
pi ste s c o i l e a school child
fear an ti the man of the house
31
n o t e : a n o u n i s i n th e genitive plural w h e n p r e ce d e d b y th e w o r d s d i s ,
p i r e , d o s a e n :
dis b h a n two women
pire b r g a pai r of shoes
dosaen u i b h e a c h a a dozen eggs
n o t e : the above rul es have been si mpl i fi ed out of necessity. More detail ed
rules concerni ng the above are found el sewhere in thi s grammar.
(iii) Dative
A noun is said to be in the dative case in Irish i f it is preceded by the
fol l owi ng common, si mpl e preposi ti ons:
ag, ar, as, chui g, de, do, faoi , go, i, le, , roi mh, thar, tri, um
ag an n g e a ta at the gate
ar an g c a th a o i r on the chai r
ar mo bheal ach go h i r i n n on my way to I rel and
roi mh an b h f e a r before the man
thar an g c l a i over the fence
(iv) Vocative
A noun, usual ly a person, w hi ch is the object of di rect address (i.e. a
statement, questi on or order) is said to be i n the vocative case:
t m ti nn, a Mhi re
tar anseo, a chara!
dn an doras, a Shei n!
an bhfui l si bh ri dh, a ch ai l i n i ?
an ndearna si bh an obai r fs,
a fheara?
I am sick, Mary
come here, fri end!
close the door, J ohn!
are you ready, gi rl s?
have you done the
work yet, men?
n o t e : a noun i n the v ocati v e case is always preceded by the l eni ti ng parti cl e
a.
32
DECLENSIONS OF NOUNS
There are five decl ensi ons i n I rish and all nouns, wi th the excepti on of a very
few, bel ong to one of these decl ensi ons.
First Declension Nouns
All the nouns i n thi s decl ensi on are mascul i ne and end i n a broad consonant.
They tend to end i n: - n, - ch (masc.), -ad, - al , - an, - ar, - s, - n, - r and
- adh (except when derived from a verb i n the case of the last endi ng).
G e n i t i v e S i n g u l a r
I n the geni ti v e singular, the fi nal consonant is made sl end er w hi ch general l y
means si mpl y i nserti ng an - i - before the fi nal consonant:
bd -> bi d arn - ari n casr - casi r
The noun mac - mi c is an excepti on.
Someti mes maki ng the fi nal consonant sl end er i nv ol v es certai n vowel
changes wi thi n the noun:
(i)
- ea - - i - fear
-
fi r peann - pi nn
- a - - i - bal
-
bi l
- ia - - i - iasc i sc
- i o - - - siol sl mi ol -* mi l
- ach - ai gh bacach bacai gh
- each
-
- i gh
oi fi geach
-
oi fi gi gh
- ioch
- i gh
gai sci och gai sci gh (in polysyllabic words)
n o t e : th e r e a r e e x c e p ti o n s to th e a b o v e r u l e s .
33
The vocative case in the si ngular is usual ly formed in the same way as the
geni ti ve case, rememberi ng that the v ocati v e parti cl e a fol l owed by l eni ti on
must precede the noun:
a fhi r! a oi fi gi gh! a gharsi n!
Col l ecti v e nouns or terms of endearment are not usual ly made sl ender i n the
v ocati v e case:
a phobal ! a str!
F i r s t D e c l e n s i o n - Pl u r a l
There are many ways of formi ng the nom./acc. and dat. plural of first
decl ensi on nouns and the most common are li sted below.
(a) Make the fi nal consonant slender as i n the geni ti v e si ngular:
bd - bi d fear - fi r oi fi geach - oi fi gi gh
n o t e : i t does not necessari l y fol l ow that all those nouns whi ch form thei r
gen. sg. by maki ng thei r fi nal consonant sl ender wi ll form thei r nom. pi. in
the same way.
(b) Add - a to the noun:
ceart cearta l l - l la
(c) Add - t(h)a to the noun:
ceol -* ceol ta cad - cadta glr -* gl rtha
(d) Substi tute - (a) i n certai n nouns endi ng i n -ch and some i n -dh:
beal ach - beal a adach - ada cogadh - cogai
(e) Add - an n a to the noun:
carr - carranna cs -> csanna
V o c a t i v e S i n g u l a r
34
(f) Syncopate a n d ad d - e:
b th a r - * b i th r e d o r a s - d o i r s e
(g) Add - ach a to the noun:
ci nel -* ci nel acha leagan -> l eaganacha
(h) Other irregul ar endi ngs:
ol l amh - ol l na l aoch - l aochra
G e n i t i v e Pl u r a l
The gen. pi. of first decl ensi on nouns is someti mes the same as the nom. sg.
form and, other ti mes, the nom. pi. form. The rules gov erni ng w hi ch form
to use are as fol lows:
When to use nom. sg. form:
(a) wi th nouns whose plural is formed by maki ng the fi nal consonant
sl ender:
asal nom. pi. asai l gen. pi. [na n-]asal
bd nom. pi. bi d gen. pi. | na mjbd
fear nom. pi . fi r gen. pi. [na bh]fear
bacach nom. pi. bacai gh gen. pi. [na mjbacach
(b) wi th nouns whose pl ural is formed by si mpl y addi ng - a to the nom.
sg. form:
cear t nom. pi. cearta gen. pi. [na g]ceart
cl eas nom. pi. cl easa gen. pi. [na gjcl eas
l l nom. pi. l l a gen. pi. [na n-]l l
If the nom. pi. is formed i n any other way, the gen. pi. form will be the same
as the nom. pi. form:
ceol nom. pi. ceol ta gen. pi. | na g]ceol ta
beal ach nom. pi. beal ai gen. pi. [na m]beal ai
bth ar nom. pi. bi thr e gen. pi. [na m]bi thre
35
F i r s t D e c l e n s i o n - V o c a t i v e Pl u r a l
The vocative case in the plural is formed i n the same way as the nom. pi.,
except i n the case of those nouns whose plural is formed by maki ng the fi nal
consonant sl ender. In the l atter case, - a is added to the nom. sg. form:
fear nom. pi. fi r v oc. pi. a
oi fi geach nom. pi. oi fi gi gh voc. pi. a
Gael nom. pi. Gaei l voc. pi. a
36
A L i s t o f C o m m o n F i r s t De c l e n s i o n N o u n s
bhar, adhmad, aerfort, ai ceann, ai nmfhocal , airgead, alt, amadn, amhrn,
aonach, rasn
bacach, bd, ball , banc, bard, bal, bei th och, bi thi nach, bonn, bord,
bthar, botn, bradn, braon, breac, bui dal
cai sl en, capall , carr, cs, cat, cathaoi rl each, ceann, ceantar, ceapachn,
ceardchumann, ceart, ceol , ci nel , cleas, cl i reach, clog, cnoc, cogadh,
coi nni ol l , consan, costas, crann, cumann, cupn
dn, deamhan, dei readh, deontas, di nnar, d on, diracn, domhan, doras,
droi chead, dual gas
adan, eagar, eagras, an, earrach, easpag, ei reaball , ei tl en, eol as
fl , faoi l en, fathach, feachtas, feal samh, fear, far, fei d hmeannach,
fi l eacn, fi ach, fi ntas, figi r, fi l l ten, fi ontar, floras, focal , fochupn, fd,
fol cadn, fol s, fors, friotal
gadhar, Gael, gai sc och, galar, Gal l, galn, garsn, gasr, geall , geal ltanas,
gearn, gei mhreadh, glas, gl i omach, glr, gns, gort, grd
i arnrd, iarratas, iasc, imeal l , ochtar, iol ar, i onad, i ontas, iri sl eabhar
l mhl eabhar, l aoch, l asn, l eabhar, l eabhrn, leagan, l eanbh, largas,
lei bhal , l ei ceann, l eigheas, l ei threas, l ei thscal , li obar, l on, lipad,
l chrann, longfort, l thchl eas
mac, mai rnal ach, maor, marc, marcach, magadh, matn, madar, men,
meatachn, m ghn omh, mi l l i n, mi l sen, m ol , mui l eann
na onn, ni si n, naomh, nal , nod, ns, nuachtn
gnach, oi fi geach, oi l en, oi l enach, oi nni n, ol l amh, ord, orl ach, ospi dal,
stn, othar
pi par, pas, ptrn, peacach, peann, pi cti r, pilar, pl inad, pl ascn,
pl isir, pol l , portach, post, pri onsabal , pr osn, punt
racn, riteas, rann, ri gin, ri al tas, rd, rn, ronnach, rs, rothar, rn
sac, sagart, saghas, saor, saornach, sci l en, scamal l , scannn, scthn,
scal, seabhac, seanfhocal , searrach, sasr, sipal , seol, silar, simlar,
s ol, si onnach, siosr, sl iogn, soi theach, solas, sprt, sreangn, sri an,
sti si n, stt, su ochn
ti bl ad, taifead, tai scen, tai spentas, taobh, tarbh, tarrai cen, teaghl ach,
teal l ach, teampal l , teastas, tei deal , ti nneas, ti onchar, ti onscal ,
ti onscnamh, tobar, toghchn, tom, toradh, tormn, tuarastal , tuiseal,
turas
uachtarn, ual ach, uan, dar, ll, urchar, urlr, rscal
37
Second Decl ensi on Nouns
All the nouns in thi s decl ensi on are feminine (except a few li ke i m, sl i abh
etc.) and end i n a consonant.
I n the genitive si ngul ar, - e is added to the fi nal consonant of the noun
whi ch is first made slender i f it is not already sl ender:
coi ll coi l l e
sil sil e
brg bri ge
cluas cl uai se
gag gi ge
Polysyll abi c words endi ng in - (e)ach become - (a)i:
cai l l each - cai l l i geal ach - geal ai
There are some excepti ons in the second decl ensi on to the usual rules
gov erni ng sl endering.
Se c o n d De c l e n s i o n - Pl u r a l
There are many ways of formi ng the nom./acc. and dat. plural of second
decl ensi on nouns and the most common are li sted below.
(a) Add - a to the noun w i thout otherwi se al teri ng it:
brg -* brga l mh -> l mha
bai ntreach -* bai ntreacha
(b) Add - a after first al teri ng the noun i n some way ei ther by
syncopation, broadening of fi nal consonant or changi ng of i nternal
vowel :
roi nn - ranna sci an - sceana
(c) Add - (e)anna to the noun:
i t - i teanna cei st - cei steanna
fadhb -* fad hbanna
38
(d) Add - to pol ysyl l abi c nouns whi ch end i n a sl ender consonant:
caipeis - cai pei si
seachtai n - seachtai ni
(e) Add - (e)acha to the noun:
fei rm -* fei rmeacha
paidir pai dreacha
rid r i d
i n on - i n onacha
(f) Add - ta / - te to some monosy l l abi c nouns whi ch end in - 1or - n:
tonn tonnta
(g) Other irregular endi ngs:
spir -* spartha
sl iabh - sl i bhte
coi l l coi l l te
foi reann -* foi rne
troigh -* troi the
The gen. pi . of second decl ensi on nouns is someti mes the same as the nom.
sg. form, someti mes the same as the nom. pi . form. The rules gov erni ng
w hi ch form to use are as fol lows:
(i) wi th nouns whose plural is formed by si mply adding - a to the nom.
sg. form:
brg nom. pi. brga gen. pi. [na m]brg
cos nom. pi. cosa gen. pi. [na g]cos
pg nom. pi. pga gen. pi. [na b]pg
If the nom. pi . is formed in any other way, the gen. pi . form will be the same
as the nom. pi . form:
oi fi g nom. pi. oi fi gi gen. pi. [na n-]oi fi gi
pi r c nom. pi. pi rceanna gen. pi. [na b]pi rceanna
39
There are some irregular forms used i n the geni ti v e plural of nouns of the
second decl ensi on; consul t the secti on i n thi s grammar enti tl ed Genitive
Plural of Nouns of all Declensions.
There is no special vocative pl ural form for nouns in the second decl ensi on:
i n i o n a c h a - a i n i o n a c h a !
b a i n tr e a ch a - a b h a i n tr e a c h a !
40
A L i s t o f C o m m o n Se c o n d D e c l e n s i o n N o u n s
abairt, acmhai nn, adharc, agi d, i bhi l , ai dhm, ail l, ai msir, is, aisli ng, it,
aoi r, aoi s, argi nt
bbg, bai ni s, bai ntreach, beach, beai ri c, bi m, bi al ann, bos, brag,
bri ongl i d, brg
cai bi di l , cai nt, cipis, caor, carraig, cearc, ceardl ann, cearng, ci m, ceird,
cei st, ceol choi rm, ci al l , ci l l , ci sti n, cl ann, cl och, cluas, cnmh, coi ci s,
coi l l , coi mhl i nt, ci p, coi r, coi sci m, conspi d, constai c, conti rt, cos,
craobh, creig, cros, cui l eog, ci rt, cul ai th
dall g, dmh, deal bh, deifir, deis, deoi r, di al ann, di gh, duais, di l,
dshrai th
eagl ais, eal a n, eangach, earrid, ei ti c
fadhb, fal l ai ng, feadg, fasg, fei rm, fi acai l , foi reann, foi rm, foraois,
framh, fuai m, fui nneog
gairm, gaoth, gag, geal t, geal tl ann, geasrg, geis, girseach, gluais, glin,
gni s, gri an, gruaig, gual ai nn
i m, i nchi nn, i ni on, iris
Laidi n, l mh, l mhai nn, l mhscri bhi nn, l ann, l ni n, leac, leadg, larid,
leid, l i m, l ei thi d, l i athri d, l i nn, l ong, l uch
mai di n, mal ai rt, meancg, menscoi l , mar, mei theal , mi an, mias, mil seog,
mir, muc
naomhg, nead, neantg, ni mh
obai r, ci d, oi fig, ol l scoi l , rid, otharl ann
paidir, pi rc, pei l, pi st, pi an, pi ngi n, pluais, pl ui d, pg, proi nn
rabhl i d, ral tg, reil ig, rimir, ri nn, roi nn
sai ghead, sil, saotharl ann, sceach, sceal lg, sci an, sci l l i ng, scoi l, scr bhi nn,
seachtai n, seamrg, seanai msir, seift, seoid, sig, si l id, slat, sl iabh,
sl uasaid, spir, spng, srid, srn, stoi rm, sil
tal l ann, tad, teoi ri c, ti oni sc, tr, t4onn, trei bh, tri th, troi gh, tuai ri m,
tuai ri sc
uachtarl ann, uaigh, uai mh, uair, ubh, ui l l i nn, uirl is
vaimpi r, veist
41
Thi r d Decl ensi on Nouns
The nouns in thi s decl ensi on are mascul i ne and femi ni ne, end in a
consonant and tend to i ncl ude most pol ysyl l abi c nouns w hi ch end i n:
- il, - il, - ail, - i nt, - cht, - ir, - eoi r, - ir, - i r
G e n i t i v e Si n g u l a r
I n the genitive si ngular, - a is suffixed to the fi nal consonant whi ch is also
broadened:
n o t e : i n th e ca s e o f th o s e n o u n s w h i c h e n d i n - i n t, th e f i n a l - 1 i s d r o p p e d ,
a n d i n th e ca s e o f th o s e w h i c h e n d i n - i rt, th e f i n a l - 1 b e c o m e s - th :
T h i r d D e c l e n s i o n - Pl u r a l
There are many ways of formi ng the plural of thi rd decl ensi on nouns and
the most common are li sted below.
not e: some fi nal consonants are someti mes broadened before a plural
endi ng is added.
(a) Add - (a)i to most pol ysyl l abi c nouns whi ch end in:
bdir
sai ghdi i r
fei rmeoi r
crios
bdra
sai ghdi ra
fei rmeora
creasa
cani nt -* canna bagairt - bagartha
- ir, - eoi r, - ir, - ir, - cht, - i nt, - irt
pi nti r
fei rmeoir
dochti r
cani nt
ci l ocht
pi nti r
fei rmeoi r
dochti r
cani nt
ci l ochta
42
(b) Add - an n a to the noun:
am - amanna bl th -> bl thanna
(c) Add - ach a to femi ni ne, pol ysyl l abi c nouns whi ch end in the sl ender
consonants - 1, - n, - r:
bari l - barl acha oni r - onracha
(d) Add - ta to monosy l l abi c nouns whi ch end i n broad (masc.) or sl ender
(fem.) -1 and - n:
bl i ai n -* bl i anta gl eann - gl eannta
(e) Other irregular endings:
bas - basa mi n - mi nte
sl i ocht -> sl eachta
To fi nd out w hi ch form of the noun is used i n the geni ti v e plural of nouns
of the thi rd decl ensi on, consul t the secti on i n thi s grammar enti tl ed
Genitive Plural of Nouns of all Declensions.
There is no special vocative plural form for nouns in the thi rd decl ensi on:
fei rmeoi ri -> a fhei rmeoi ri !
sai ghdi i r - a shaighdi i r!
43
A L i s t o f C o m m o n T h i r d D e c l e n s i o n N o u n s
acht, admhi l , ai di acht, ai steoi r, ai steoi reacht, al ti r, am, anam, th,
athbheochan
bdi r, bagairt, bai l i theoi r, bai nci r, banr on, bari l, beannacht, bas, bl th,
bl i ai n, buachai l l , buai teoi r, bi stir, bunai theoi r, bunreacht
ci l ocht, cai nteoi r, Cisc, cani nt, cath, ceacht, ceannai theoi r, cei mi ceoi r,
c os, ci th, cl i rseoi r, cl rai theoi r, cl di r, coi mi si ni r, comhd hi l ,
comhl acht, conrai theoi r, cosl acht, crios, cruth, cui d, cumhacht, cuspir,
custai mi r
Dil, damhsi r, dath, deachti r, deacracht, d fhosta ocht, di fr ocht, d ol ai m,
doltir, d ospi reacht, dl odi r, dochti r, drma ocht, dream, droi m
acht, eacnama ocht, agir, eagra ocht, eas, i feacht, ei sceacht, i steoir,
Eoraip
fth, feag, feal snacht, fi dearthacht, fei rmeoir, fei theoi r, feoi l , fi acl ir,
fi l ocht, f on, fl ai th, foclir, foghl ai meoi r, foi l si theoi r, forbai rt, fosti r
Gaeil geoir, Gael tacht, gamhai n, gl eann, gl uai seacht, grei m, guth
iargl tacht, i arracht, i arrthi r, iasacht, i meacht, i mreoir, i nneal ti r, obai rt,
oca ocht, i omai theoi r, i ontri l
l eacht, l acht, l achti r, leictreoi r, l i ri theoi r, l i rmheas, l i theoi r, li os,
li tr ocht, l och, l ocht, listi r, l uach, lus
mi stres, mal l acht, marfi r, matamai ti ceoi r, meadaracht, measni r,
mei cneoi r, mei sceoi r, mil , m ri al tacht, m thui sci nt, modh, mi n, mol ti r,
mui l l eoi r, mi nteoi r
ni si ntacht, neacht, neamhri al tacht, nuacht
oi dhreacht, oi l i i nt, ol l nacht, oni r, sti r
pai si ni r, pei leadir, pi nti r, pobl acht, pol ai teoi r, pol ai t ocht
racht, rmh, rmha ocht, rang, rs, reacht, ral teol a ocht, ri teoir, riarthi r,
ri nceoi r, ri ocht, roth, rud
saighdi ir, scth, scal a ocht, scol i reacht, scread, scr bhneoi r, scrdaitheoi r,
sealbhir, seanmi r, si oc, s ochi n, siopadir, si i nir, si l i r, sl i ocht,
snmhi r, sos, sprionlir, sruth, strainsir
tbhacht, tagairt, til l iir, tai ri sci nt, tai rngreacht, taom, tarracir, teagasci r,
teangeol a ocht, teas, tei cneoi r, tei cneol a ocht, ti theoi r, ti nci r, ti n,
tosai theoi r, trad, troi d, tuarasci l , tui smi theoi r
uacht, uai readir, ucht, i ni r
v ta ocht
44
Fou rth Decl ensi on Nouns
The nouns i n the fourth decl ensi on are mostly mascul i ne, and incl ude
di mi nuti v es endi ng in - i n, most of the nouns whi ch end in a vowel , and
some other nouns.
Si n g u l a r
The endi ngs of nouns of thi s decl ensi on undergo no change in any case in
the singular:
iascaire - lascai re croi - croi cai l i n - cai l i n
Pl u r a l
There are many ways of formi ng the pl ural of fourth decl ensi on nouns and
the most common are l i sted below.
(a) Add - (a)i to nouns whi ch end in - i n, - a, - *e:
cai l i n - cai l i n! pi opa - pi opai piste -* pi st
*n o t e : - i replaces - e.
(b) Add - (i )the to nouns w hi ch end i n - *( a) , - aoi , - :
oi bri oi bri the draoi draoi the
rna rnai the fi nn fi nni the
*n o t e : - (a)i the replaces - ( a) .
Excepti ons:
dli - d l the ri - r the
(c) Add - nna to nouns whi ch end i n - , - e, - , - eo, -, - ia, - ogha,
- ua, - ao:
tr tr n n a r o g h a r o g h a n n a
f l e f l e n n a b u a b u a n n a
c c n n a
(d) O th e r i r r e g u l a r e n d i n g s :
a i n m -> a i n m n e a c h a m i s ti r - m i s tr
b r u a ch - * b r u a c h a
45
To fi nd out w hi ch form of the noun is used i n the geni ti v e pl ural of nouns
of the fourth decl ensi on, consul t the secti on i n thi s grammar enti tl ed
Genitive Plural of Nouns of all Declensions.
There is no special vocative plural form for nouns in the fourth decl ensi on:
c a i l i n i - a c h a i l i n i ! b a n a l tr a i - a b h a n a l tr a i !
46
A L i s t o f C o m m o n Fo u r t h D e c l e n s i o n N o u n s
achai ni , acra, aguisi n, ai cme, ai gne, ail ti re, ai nm, ai nmhi , ai nti n, Aire,
amhrna , ancai re, aoi , ateangai re, aturnae
b, bi d n, bai l e, bal l a, banchi l e, barra, bata, bearna, bi l e, bia, bil l e,
bl adhai re, bl i re, bosca, bri cfeasta, bri osca, bruach, buama, bui ll e
caife, cai l i n, crta, c, ceanna , ceapai re, ci l , cei rn n, ceo, cigire, ci ne,
ci nsi re, ci p n, ci ste, cla , cleasai, cl , club, cl ui che, cnai pe, cne, cn,
ccai re, coi n n, coi s , coi ste, col i ste, comhartha, comhr, comrda,
contae, cri sc n, c, cige, ci nne
dalta, damhsa, dta, deora, d l l eachta, dsle, dornl ai , draoi , dri mire,
druga, dui lce, duga, dui ne
eachtra, eala, earra, eascai ne, easna, ei te, eol a
fai che, fi nne, farraige, fasta, fi le, fi li re, fi r n, fia, fil e, fle, fgra, foi nse,
forai nm, frsa, freagra
gadai, gai rdn, gire, gla, gariste, garda, garra, g, geata, gioll a, giota,
gl ao, gl oi ne, gn, gn, gri nne, grua, gna, gunna, guta
hal l a, hata
iarla, iarsma, i ascaire, i nscne, iomai re, i omna , i onada , i onsa , ispn
lai ge, l ampa, l na, lao, laoi , lasta, l eabharl anna , lana, li ne, l eoi thne, li ne,
li osta, l i st n, l ui bheol a
macal l a, machai re, madra, misti r, mla, mangai re, masl a, mi anra, ml e,
mi ni sti r, monca , muga, mui nchi l l e, mnl a
n, ni a, nta
oi br , o che, oi de, oi dhre, ori ste, osna
pi ste, pna, pariste, peaca, parla, peata, pi an, pi obai re, pi onta, p opa,
p osa, pl anda, pl ta, pl ean, pl ei dhce, poi nte, pol asa , pota, prta,
pri onsa, profa
rabharta, rca, ril le, reachtai re, ral ta, ri mse, r, ribe, ri nce, rba, roll a,
rotha , ruai nne, ri t n, rnai
sai neol a , sampl a, saothrai , scl a, scata, scal a, sci orta, scl bhai , scol ire,
scuai ne, sealgai re, seancha , seandui ne, seans, seic, seilf, se, seomra,
si c n, si oll a, si opa, sl abhra, sl, slua, sni the, sonra, spiaire, spota, stbla,
stara, stua, suil ce
tbhai rne, tbl a, tai bhse, ti l l e, tirge, tai sme, taoi de, teachta, teachtai re,
tacs, tama, teanga, tarma, tei cneol a , ti arna, ti ne, ti onscl a , tl, toi t n,
tr, trthnna, trada, tri mhse, tui l l e, tubai ste, turcai
uisce, uncai l , unsa, rscala
veai n, varsa, vta
47
Fi fth Decl ensi on Nouns
The nouns in the fi fth decl ensi on are mostly femi ni ne and end in a sl end er
consonant or a vowel .
In the geni ti v e si ngular, the nouns of thi s decl ensi on end in a broad - ch,
- d, - (n)n, - r after undergoi ng i nternal changes i n many i nstances to end in
a broad consonant:
cathai r
traei n
athai r
abhai nn
monarcha
Pl u r a l
There are many ways of formi ng the pl ural of fi fth decl ensi on nouns and the
most common are li sted below.
(a) Add - (e)acha after maki ng appropri ate i nternal changes i n many
i nstances:
cathai r -* cathr acha traei n -* traenacha
athai r -> ai thr eacha
(b) Add - na /- ne to those femi ni ne nouns w hi ch end i n a vowel i n the
nom. sg. and - n in the gen. sg.:
comharsa - comharsana monarcha - monarchana
ceathri i -* ceathrna
(c) Add - i di to those mascul i ne nouns w hi ch end i n a broad - d i n the
gen. sg.:
fi che -* fi chi d i caoga -* caogai di
(d) Other irregular endings:
cara - cai rde caora -* caoi ri gh
cathrach
traenach
athar
abhann
monarchan
48
To find out whi ch form of the noun is used in the geni ti ve pl ural of nouns
of the fi fth decl ensi on, consul t the secti on in thi s grammar enti tl ed Genitive
Plural of Nouns of all Declensions.
There is no special vocative plural form for nouns i n the fi fth decl ensi on:
cairde - a chairde!
mi threacha - a mhi threacha!
49
A L i s t o f C o m m o n F i f t h D f x l e n s i o n N o u n s
abhai nn, Albain, athai r
beoir, brthai r
ci n, caora, cara, carcair, cathai r, cathaoi r, ceathr, comharsa,
cori n, crin
dearthir, dl e, draei n
eochai r
faocha
grin
i nneoi n, ionga, i thi r
l acha, lir, lasair, l thai r
l easmhthai r, litir, l oi nni r
mai ni sti r, mthai r, meabhai r, m threoi r, monarcha
namhai d, nathai r, Noll aig
oi ti r
pearsa, pr omhchathai r
riai l
seanathai r, siocair, sir, stiir
traei n, treoi r, triai l
ui mhi r
IRREGULAR NOUNS
There are certai n nouns, both mascul i ne and femi ni ne, whi ch do not bel ong
to any decl ensi on. The fol l owi ng is a l i st of the most i mportant of these,
thei r gender, thei r geni ti ve si ngular and pl ural forms.
Si ngul ar Pl ural
Nomi nati v e Geni ti v e All Cases
dei rfir (f.) dei rtear dei rfi racha
deoch (f.) di d eochanna
Dia (m.) D Di the
l (m.) lae l aeth anta
l eaba (f.) leapa l eapacha
mi (f.) mi osa mi onna
teach (m.) ti ti the
n o t e : th e n ou n bean is ev en more i rregul ar:
bean (f.) m n m n (gen. pi . ban )
More irregular nouns:
meangadh
scrd
s ni
tal amh
tarrai ngt
51
GEN I TI VE PLURAL OF NOUNS OF ALL DECLENSI ONS
The noun in the gen. pi someti mes uses its nom. sg. form, and someti mes
uses its nom. pi . form. The rul es gov erni ng w hi ch form to use are as fol lows:
(i) wi th nouns whose pl ural is formed by maki ng the fi nal consonant
sl ender:
asal nom. pi. asai l gen. pi. [na n-]asal
bd nom. pi. bi d gen. pi. [na m]bd
fear nom. pi. fi r gen. pi. [na bh] fear
bacach nom. pi. bacai gh gen. pi. [na mjbacach
(i i ) wi th nouns whose plural is formed by si mply adding -a to the nom.
sg. form:
brg nom. pi. brga gen. pi. [na m]brg
bos nom. pi. bosa gen. pi. [na mjbos
fu i nneog nom. pi. fui nneoga gen. pi. [na bh[ fu i n neog
52
SPECI AL GEN I TI VE PLURAL OF NOUNS
Some nouns have a special geni ti ve plural form whi ch can onl y be used in
the geni ti v e pl ural. The fol l owi ng is a compl ete list:
n o m . s g . n o m . p i . g e n . p i .
blemish a i n i m h a i n i m h e a i n e a m h
woman b e a n m n b a n
peak b i n n b e a n n a b e a n n
drop d e o i r d e o r a d e o r
loss d i th d i o th a d i o th
desire d i l d i l e d l
art e a l a i n e a l a i o n a e a l a i o n
knee g l i n g l i n e g l n
jewel s e o i d s e o d a s e o d
eye s i l s i l e S1
The fol l owi ng nouns have the same special forms for both the genitive
singular and genitive plural:
sheep
neighbour
periwinkle
duck
nom. sg.
caora
comharsa
faocha
l acha
gen. sg. / pi .
caorach
comharsan
faochan
l achan
n o t e : a n u m b e r o f o th e r n o u n s s o m e ti m e s u s e s p e ci a l genitive plural f o r m s
i n c o l l o q u i a l s p e e ch o r i n s p e ci a l ci r cu m s ta n ce s :
bl i ai n
cara
namhai d
Also, b doesn't change its endi ng in gen. sg. / pi.
53
ECLI PSI S OF NOUNS
The i ni ti al l etter of the noun is ecli psed:
(a) after the defi ni te article:
i . in the dativ e si ngular (i n case of i ni ti al consonants onl y) when
preceded by the si mple preposi ti ons ag, ar, as, chu i g, faoi , le, ,
roi mh, thar, tri , um:
except when i ni ti al is d or t whi ch remai n unaffected.
ag an bh fear at the man
as an gci sti n out of the kitchen
ar an mbu s on the bus
n teach from the house
i i . i n th e geni ti v e pl ural :
ceol na n-an the song of the birds
rogha na mban the women's choice
hatai na bhfear the men's hats
(b) after the preposi ti on i:
i gci sti n
i d teach
in a kitchen
in a house
n o t e : i becomes i n before i ni ti al v owel s, d h and bh u r :
i n ui sce
i n bh u r mbosca
i n i t ei l e
i n d h i onad
in water
in your (pi .) box
in another pl ace
in two venues
(c) i n certai n fixed phrases:
ar gcul
go bh fi os dom
ar nd i gh
c bh fi os dom?
ar dts
behi nd
to my knowledge
of course
how do I know?
firstly
54
(d) after the pl ural possessive adjecti v es r, bhur, a (i ncl udi ng when they
are fol lowed by dh):
r b p i s te
b h u r g cu i d a i r g i d
a b p i n n
b h u r d h n g e a ta
r d h g ca r r
(e) after the numeral s seac
our child
your (pi .) money
thei r pens
your (pi .) two gates
our two cars
, ocht, naoi and dei ch:
s e a c h t n - u a i r e seven hours
n a o i m b u s ni ne buses
o c h t g c a t ei ght cats
d e i c h b p i n g i n e ten pence
55
LENI TI ON OF NOUNS
1 The i ni ti al consonant of the noun (excepti ng i ni ti al d- / 1- / s-) is leni ted
after the d efi ni te ar ti cl e when the noun is:
(a) femi ni ne, si ngular and in the nom./acc. case:
fei ci m an bhean I see the woman
t an fharrai ge ag tr the sea is ebbi ng
las s an ti ne he lit the fire
(b) mascul i ne, si ngular and i n the gen. case:
hata an fhi r the man's hat
ag mol adh an bhuachal l a prai si ng the boy
ag dnadh an dorai s closing the door
(c) mascul i ne or femi ni ne, singular, i n the dat. case and preceded by d en/
d on / sa(n):
den chrann of / off the tree
san fharrai ge in the sea
don chai l i n to the girl
sa teach in the house
2 The i ni ti al consonant of all nouns (sg./pl ., masc./fem.) is l eni ted after:
(a) the v ocati v e parti cl e a:
a bhuachai l l ( )! boy(s)! a fheara! men!
a phi st ! chi l dren! a mhthai r! mother!
(b) the possessi ve adjecti v es mo, do, a (3rd sg. masc.):
mo chapal l my horse
a theach his house
do dhi nnar your di nner
(c) ui l e:
an ui l e dhui ne every person
gach u i l e sheachtai n every week
56
(d) the si mpl e preposi ti ons de, do, faoi , mar, , roi mh, tri , um in all
ci rcumstances and, on certai n occasi ons, * ar, gan, i di r, thar :
rud a bhai nt de dhui ne
tabhai r do chai l n ei le !
ag obai r faoi thal amh
fuai r m mar bhronntanas
theach go teach
roi mh mhai di n
tri bhal l ai an ti
um thrthnna
ar bharr an ti
gan phi ngi n
ag tai steal i d i r thi ortha
th ar bhal l a na scoi le
to take somethi ng from a person
give it to another girl!
working underground
I got it as a present
from house to house
before morni ng
through the walls of the house
in the evening
on the top of the house
without a penny
travelling between countries
over the wall of the school
* To ascertai n when these four preposi ti ons l eni te a fol l owi ng noun
and when not, consul t the rel ev ant preposi ti on i n the preposi ti on
secti on of thi s grammar.
3 The i ni ti al consonant of the noun is l eni ted after the fol l owi ng numerals:
(a) aon and chad (excepti ng i ni ti al d- / t- / s-):
(b) d h (unl ess preceded by the possessi ve adjecti v es a (3rd si ng. fem. &
3rd pi .), r & bhur):
(c) tri , cei thr e, ci g, s when the si ngul ar form of the noun is used:
aon fhear amhi n
an chad ghasr
one man
the fi rst boy
d h chapal l
dh theach
two horses
two houses
tr i charr tr i charr three cars c i g dhoras five doors
cei th r e cheacht four lessons s theach six houses
(d) bei rt:
bei r t phi st
bei r t fhei rmeoi ri
two children
two farmers
57
4 The i ni ti al consonant of the noun is l eni ted when it is preceded by all
forms of the copul a, viz ba, ar, gur, n or, nr etc. i n the past tense and
condi ti onal mood:
ba d hochti r he was a doctor
n or chl adhai re i she was not a coward
ar shagart ? was he a pri est?
nr ghada ? wasn't he a thi ef?
5 The i ni ti al consonant of surnames is l eni ted after:
(i) Ni & Ui (ii) *Mhi c, Mhig, Nic & Nig:
teach Shei n Ui Bhri ai n J ohn O'Brien's house
Ci t Ni Bhri ai n Kate O'Brien
carr Pheadair Mhi c Dhui bhi r Peter Me Dyer's car
airgead Bhri d Nic Coi nni gh Bridget Me Kenzie's money
* n o t e : no l eni ti on i n case of i ni ti al & g wi th these four.
6 The i ni ti al consonant of a personal name or the name of a p l ace is
l eni ted when i t is di rectl y governed by a compound preposi ti on or has a
geni ti ve rel ati onshi p wi th a precedi ng noun:
i l thai r Shei n in J ohn's presence
cathai r Dhoi re Derry City
os comhai r Mhi re in front of Mary
sri deanna Chorcai the streets of Cork
bean Shamai s J ames's wife
contae Shl i gi gh county Sligo
7 The i ni ti al consonant of an i ndefi ni te noun or verbal noun i n the
geni ti ve case governed by another noun w hi ch i mmedi atel y precedes i t is
l eni ted when the first noun is *femi ni ne and si ngular (unl ess i t is i n the
gen. case) or *plural and ends in a sl end er consonant:
dlaoi ghruai ge a lock of hai r
srid mhargai dh a market street
cul ai th bhri d n a tweed sui t
aimsir shamhrai dh summer weather
bhai r chai nte topics of conversation
i sc mhara sea fish
l eabhai r Ghaei l ge I rish books
tui rse shl eye fatigue
n o t e *: There are many excepti ons to thi s rule and the fol l owi ng are the most
common:
58
(a) When the first noun ends i n d, n, t, 1, s, and the second begi ns wi th
d, s, t, there is no l eni ti on:
bi d seoi l sailboats
bean ti housewife
poi ll deatai gh smoke-holes
(b) When the first noun is an abstr act nou n, there is no l eni ti on:
saoirse cai nte freedom of speech
fai rsi nge cumhachta extent of power
i ge dui ne one's youth
i l l eacht mn a woman's beauty
(c) When the fi rst noun denotes qu anti ty , e.g bar r ai och t, brei s, cui d,
easpa, i omar ca, there is no l eni ti on:
an i omarca codl ata too much sleep
breis mi sni gh extra courage
barrai ocht cai nte too much talk
easpa ci l l e lack of sense
(d) When the second noun is qual i fi ed by an adjecti v e or otherwi se
qual i fi ed, there is no l eni ti on:
oi che gaoi the mi re a ni ght of great wind
sci an coi se dui bhe a black handl ed knife
(e) When a part of a person's or ani mal 's body or a part of any thi ng is
i nvolv ed, there is no l eni ti on:
cui sle dui ne a person's pul se / vein
cluas cupi n a cup's handl e
cos pi ste a child's leg
aghai dh mn a woman's face
(f) When a col l ecti v e nou n precedes a noun in the geni ti ve plural , there
is no l eni ti on:
scuai ne caorach a flock of sheep
ti n b a herd of cattle
59
(g) When the noun i n the geni ti ve case is the agent or subject, there is
no l eni ti on:
bi reach b lowing of cows
beannacht bai ntri a widow's blessing
(h) When an i ndefi ni te noun fol lows a verbal noun whi ch is preceded by
a preposi ti on, there is no l eni ti on:
ag cogai nt mi l sei n chewing a sweet
ag tgi l bal l a bui l di ng a wall
Excep ti ons: ag gabhi l cheoi l / fhoi nn, ag fil bhi s
(i) When the noun i n the geni ti v e case i ndi cates the ownershi p or
purpose of someone or somethi ng, there is no l eni ti on:
cul ai th fir a man's suit
brg pi ste a child's shoe
(j) When the noun i n the geni ti v e case is i n apposi ti on (i.e. defi nes the
meani ng of the noun precedi ng it) and refers to a person, there is no
l eni ti on:
bai ntreach fir a widower
l ei bi de mn a foolish woman
(k) When an i ndefi ni te noun (not a personal noun or name of a pl ace) is
preceded by a compound preposition, there is no l eni ti on:
i lthai r mi nteora in the presence of a teacher
in aghaidh dui ne agai nst someone
n o t e : th e r e a r e n u m e r o u s e x c e p ti o n s to th e a b o v e r u l e .
8 The i ni ti al consonant of the noun is l eni ted when it is a compound word
and has affi xed to i t l eni ti ng prefixes or other words except when final
and i ni ti al d, n, t, 1, s cl ash:
seanfhear
seandui ne
corrdhui ne
banti arna
bunchi os
leasdearthir
aonmhac
an old man
an old person
an occasional person
a lady
ground rent
a stepbrother
an only son
60
The i ni ti al consonant of an abstract noun is l eni ted when i t is preceded
by the special parti cl e a:
a bhoi r be a l abhai r si
a shaoi re at s!
a d heacra a bh s
so angrily di d she speak
how cheap it is!
considering how di ffi cul t it was
PREPOSITIONS
Preposi ti ons in Irish fall i nto two categori es:
1 si mple preposi ti ons whi ch are general l y termed p rep osi ti ons
2 comp ou nd p rep osi ti ons
SIMPLE PREPOSITIONS
Preposi ti ons i n I rish can be divi ded i nto three categori es accordi ng to the
case w hi ch fol lows them.
(a) A few preposi ti ons are fol lowed by the nomi nati v e case, e.g. gan, go
dti , i di r, seachas:
gan an t-airgead without the money
go dti an chathai r to the city
seachas an bhean sin other than that woman
(b) Most preposi ti ons are fol lowed by the dativ e case, e.g. ag, ar, as,
chui g, de, do, faoi , go, i, le, , roi mh, thar , tr i , um:
ag an mbord at the table
ar an ngeata on the gate
amach as an i t seo out of this pl ace
(c) The fol l owi ng preposi ti ons are fol l owed by the geni ti v e case, e.g.
chun, dla, fearacht, ti mpeal l , trasna:
chun na cathrach to the city
ti mpeal l na hi te around the pl ace
trasna na habhann across the river
Most preposi ti ons nev er change in form no matter what fol lows them.
Some, however, change in vari ous ways dependi ng on the nature of the word
w hi ch fol lows them, e.g. the d efi ni te ar ti cl e, si ngular or pl ural , possessi v e
ad jecti v es, rel ati v e p arti cl es etc. [This appl ies onl y to category (b) and, even
there, not i n the same way nor to all of them. Some sl i ght excepti ons to thi s
rule are i l lustrated under the respectiv e preposi ti ons.] All thi s i nformati on is
suppli ed wi th each preposi ti on in thi s grammar.
62
Almost all of the preposi ti ons i n category (b) have special personal forms
whi ch are termed prepositional pronouns, i.e. the appropriate pronoun is
joi ned to the preposi ti on rather than kept separate as i n Engli sh, e.g. agam
(at me), agat (at you) etc. These forms are also suppli ed wi th each
preposi ti on i n thi s grammar.
Examples are suppl ied wi th each preposi ti on of some of thei r i di omati c uses
in I rish.
63
3g at
Prepositional Pronouns
agam at me agai nn at us
agat at you (sg.) agai bh at you (pi.)
aige at hi m, it acu at them
aici at her, it
It does not affect the i ni ti al l etter of a fol l owi ng i ndefi ni te noun:
ag bai l e at a town ag cai sl en at a castle
It undergoes no change when fol lowed by the arti cl e or possessi ve adjecti v es:
ag an ngeata / na geatai at the gate / gates
ag a dhoras / doras / ndoras at his / her / their door
The rel ati ve parti cl es a and ar are not normal l y used w i th thi s preposi ti on.
Usage:
I t is used to denote posi ti on, attendance, ti me etc:
t si ag an teach she is at the house
bhi m ag an gci si r I was at the party
ag a seacht a chl og at seven o'clock
It is used wi th the verbal noun to denote acti on i n progress:
t s ag l amh he is readi ng
t s ag ri th he is runni ng
It is used wi th the substanti v e verb to denote possession:
t teach agam I have a house
t airgead agam I have money
It is used to denote possessi on of knowl edge, skil l etc:
t Gaeil ge agam I know I rish
(i.e. how to read, speak and write the language)
t snmh agam I know how to swim
It is often used before a possessi ve adjecti v e, fol lowed by a verbal noun, to
express the direct object pronoun of the verbal noun:
ag mo bhual adh beati ng me
ag do mhol adh prai si ng you
The pl ural preposi ti onal pronouns (agai nn, agai bh, acu) are used when
counti ng peopl e to transl ate of us, of you, of them:
dui ne (bean, fear) againn / agaibh / acu one of us / you / them
trir acu three of them
c mhad acu? how many of them?
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ar on
orm on me orai nn on us
ort on you (sg.) orai bh on you (pi.
air on hi m, it orthu on them
ui rthi on her, it
When fol lowed by an i ndefi ni te noun, ar general l y l eni tes:
ar chrann on a tree ar chathaoi r on a chai r
not e: such phrases as ar gcl are excepti ons.
It does not affect the i ni ti al of a fol l owi ng noun when it forms part of a set
phrase or occurs in references of a general nature:
ar mire mad
ar dei readh last
ar mei sce drunk
ar tai spei nt on display
ar ball later
ar cuai rt on a visit
ar sil going on
ar mai di n in the morni ng
ar cl on the left
ar diol for sale
ar dei s on the right
It undergoes no change when fol l owed by the arti cl e, or possessi ve
adjecti v es, or rel ati ve particl es:
ar an gcrann / na crai nn
ar a chathaoi r / a cathaoi r
ar a gcathaoi reacha
an bord ar a leagtar an mla
an bord ar ar leagadh an ml a
on the tree / trees
on his / her chai r
on thei r chairs
the table on which the bag is pl aced
the table on which the bag was pl aced
65
Usage:
It is used to denote pl ace or posi ti on:
ar an tal amh on the ground
ar charrai g on a rock
It is used wi th the substanti v e verb to denote possession of feel ings,
emoti ons, needs, ai l ments etc:
I am sleepy
I have a cold
I am afrai d
what is wrong with you?
I am hungry
t codl adh orm
t sl aghdn orm
t eagl a orm
cad t ort?
t ocras orm
It is used w i th di fferent verbs to conv ey a wi de range of meani ngs:
breathnai gh air!
dh ol m ar phunt
l ean ort!
d'fhach m air
iarr air !
bhi si ag freastal air
thei p orai nn
look at it!
I sold it for a pound
conti nue!
I looked at it
ask hi m for it!
she was attendi ng it
we fai l ed
It is used to denote ti me:
ar a hocht a chl og
ar an l i ri the sin
ti ocfai dh s ar mai di n
at eight o'clock
on that parti cul ar day
he will come in the morni ng
66
asam out of me asai nn out of us
asat out of you (sg.) asai bh out of you (pi .)
as out of hi m, it astu out of them
ai sti out of her, it
as i t out of pl ace as gl oi ne out of / from a glass
It undergoes no change when fol l owed by the arti cl e, or possessi ve
adjecti v es, or rel ati ve particl es:
as an bpi rc / na pi rceanna out of the field / fields
as a theach / teach / dteach out of his / her / thei r house
as a n-l tar out of which is drunk
Usage:
I t is used wi th pl ace-names to denote ori gi n, di stance etc:
is as Gai l l i mh he is from Galway
mi l e as Doire a mile from Derry
It is used to denote language medi um:
abai r as Barl a say it in English
t s scri ofa as Gaei l ge it is written in I rish
I t is used w i th di fferent verbs to conv ey a wi de range of meani ngs:
doc m as an l eabhar I pai d for the book
d'i ri gh m as an obai r I gave up the work
bai nfi dh m tri ai l as I 'll try it
as out of, from
Pr ep osi ti onal Pronou ns
67
C h u i g to, towards
chugam to tne chugai nn to us
chugat to you (sg.) chugai bh to you (pi .)
chui ge to hi m, it chucu to them
chui ci to her, it
chui g i t to(wards) a pl ace
chui g dui ne to(wards) a person
chui g an teach / na ti the to (wards) the house / houses
chui g a athai r / hathai r / n-athai r to(wards) his / her / their father
The rel ati ve parti cl es a and ar are not normal l y used wi th thi s preposi ti on.
Usage:
I t is used to denote di recti on:
chui g an si opa to(wards) the shop
chui g an gci sti n to(wards) the kitchen
I t is used i n conju ncti on wi th parti cul ar adjecti v es to conv ey a range of
meani ngs:
go mai th chui g an nGaei l ge good at I rish
go mai th chui g sl aghdn good for a cold
68
d e from, off, of
di om from / off me di nn from / off us
di ot from / off you (sg.) dibh from / off you (pi .)
de from / off hi m, it di obh from / off them
di from / off her, it
When fol l owed by an i ndefi ni te noun, de l eni tes:
bui l l e de bhata a blow of a stick
bai n de dhui ne ei l e take it off someone else
It becomes d' before vowel s and fh fol lowed by a vowel :
a l ei thi d d'amadn such a fool
ri be d'fhasg an fhi r a hai r of the man's beard
I t combi nes w i th the si ngular defi ni te arti cl e to give den:
d en bhord off I of the table
den chrann off / of the tree
It combi nes wi th the possessi ve adjecti v es a (hi s/i ts (masc.), her/i ts (fem.),
thei r) and r (our) to give d, dr:
d athai r / hathai r / n-athai r from his / her / their father
d r gcl ann from our family
It combi nes wi th the rel ati ve parti cl es a and ar to give d and dr:
an t-bhar d ndantar the materi al from which it is made
gach uair dr chui mhni gh m air each time I thought of it
It combi nes wi th the i ndi rect rel ati ve forms of the copul a ar(b)(h) to give
dar(b)(h):
fear d arb ai nm Sen a man called J ohn
c dar dobh th? from whom are you descended?
69
I t combi nes wi th the parti cl e a w hi ch is used wi th abstract nouns to express
degree to give d:
d laghad little as it is
d fheabhas good as it is
d ol cas bad as it is
Usage:
I t is used to denote di sconti nuati on, breaki ng off, removal etc:
tg den chathaoi r ! lift it off the chai r!
bai n di ot do chta! take off your coat!
I t is used to denote a pi ece, quanti ty or porti on of somethi ng:
cuid den airgead some of the money
dui ne de na daoi ne one of the people
It is used to descri be means or manner:
de phl i mp with a bang
i ri gh de l im! j ump up!
It is used wi th certai n adjecti v es to conv ey a range of meani ngs:
bran den obai r tired of the work
tui rseach den saol world-weary
It is used w i th di fferent verbs to conv ey a wi de range of meani ngs:
stad si den l she stopped dri nki ng
leanfar den obai r the work will be conti nued
70
d o to, for
dom to me di nn to us
dui t to you (sg.) daoi bh to you (pi .)
d to hi m, it di bh to them
di to her, it
When fol lowed by an i ndefi ni te noun, do l eni tes:
do d hui ne to a person do mhadra to a dog
It becomes d' before vowel s and fh fol lowed by a vowel :
cngarach d'i t ei l e near another pl ace
tabhai r d'fhear ei le ! give it to another man!
I t combi nes wi th the si ngul ar defi ni te arti cl e to gi ve don:
d on bhuachai l l to the boy
d on chai l i n to the girl
thei r) and r (our) to give d, dr:
d athai r / hathai r / n-athai r to his / her / thei r father
d r gcl ann to our family
It combi nes w i th the rel ati ve parti cl es a and ar to give d and dr:
an t d d tu gann/ the person to whom he gives/
dr thu g s an t-airgead gave the money
Usage:
I t is used to denote proxi mi ty or rel ati onshi p:
cngarach don chathai r near the city
is cara dom he is a fri end of mi ne
It is often used i n certai n i nterrogatory phrases, often wi th the copula:
cad is ai nm di? what is her name?
crb as dui t? where are you from?
It is often used i n greeti ngs of all sorts:
Dia duit! God save you / Hello!
oi che mhai th dui t! good night (to you)!
71
I t is often used i di omati cal l y w i th the su bstanti v e v erb:
t gr agam d I love hi m
t trua aige di bh he pities them
bi go mai th di! be good to her!
It is often used before a possessi ve adjecti v e, fol l owed by a verbal noun, to
express the object pronoun of the verbal noun:
do mo bhual adh beati ng me
do do mhol adh prai si ng you
I t is used wi th di fferent verbs to conv ey a wi de range of meani ngs:
bheannai gh m di I greeted her
tabhai r d an peann! give hi m the pen!
d'i ni s si scal dom she told me a story
oi reann s dui t it suits you
d'ordai gh m d stad I ordered hi m to stop
72
f a o i under, beneath, about
fm under me fi nn under us
ft under you (sg.) fi bh under you (pi.)
faoi under hi m, it fthu under them
fi thi under her, it
When fol lowed by an i ndefi ni te noun, faoi l eni tes:
faoi bhord under a table
faoi bhrn grieving
I t combi nes wi th the si ngul ar defi ni te arti cl e to give faoi n:
faoi n gcathaoi r under the chai r
faoi n gcarr under the car
It combi nes wi th the possessi ve adjecti v es a (hi s/i ts (masc.), her/i ts (fern.),
thei r) and r (our) to give faoi na, faoi nr :
faoi n a ai nm / hai nm / n-ai nm fi n under his / her / thei r own name
faoi n r n-ai nm fi n under our own name
I t combi nes w i th the rel ati ve parti cl es a and ar to give faoi na and faoi nar:
an charrai g faoi na l u onn s the stone under which it lies
an charrai g faoi nar luigh s the stone under which it lay
Usage:
It is used wi th the su bstanti v e v erb to denote i ntenti on or purpose:
t fm dul abhai l e I i ntend to go home
cad t ft? what are you up to?
It is used wi th abstract nouns to denote state:
faoi smacht restrai ned
faoi l nseol in ful l swing
I t is often used i di omati cal l y wi th the substanti v e verb and another
preposi ti onal pronoun:
t thas orm faoi si n I am happy about that
t ni re orm faoi si n I am ashamed of that
It is used i n various i di omati c phrases wi th di fferent meani ngs:
faoi l thai r at present
faoi dh twice
faoi n tuath in the country-side)
faoi n Aoi ne by Friday
thug s fogha fthu he made a l unge at them
chui r s faoi san i t he stayed in the pl ace
73
g a n without
For all persons, gan fol lowed by appropri ate pronouns:
gan m without me
gan t without you (sg.)
gan without hi m, it
gan i without her, it
gan muid / si nn
gan si bh
gan iad
without us
without you (pi.
without them
I t l eni tes i ni ti al b, c, *f, g, m, p of i ndefi ni te/unqual i fi ed nouns/v erbal nouns
whi ch stand al one:
gan chl ann
gan phi ngi n
gan fhei dhm
gan mhai th
gan chorrai
Excep ti on: gan fth without reason
without a family
without a penny
aimless
useless
motionless
I t does not l eni te when fol lowed by a dependent nomi nal or verbal phrase
or clause:
gan cl ann ar bi th
gan pi ngi n l ena ai nm aige
gan mai th d laghad
abair leis gan corrai
abair leis gan punt a chai theamh
without any family
without a penny to his name
without any good at all
tell hi m not to move
tell hi m not to spend a pound
I t is fol lowed by the n omi n ati v e case and nev er undergoes any change no
matter what fol lows it:
gan an t-airgead
gan an bhean
gan a chead
without the money
without the woman
without his permission
Usage:
I t is used wi th the verbal noun to i ndi cate an i ndi rect command:
abai r leis gan bogadh! tell hi m not to move!
iarr air gan stad! ask hi m not to stop!
It is used to express a wish:
gan m sa bhai le!
gan muid l i nn fi n!
i f only I were at home!
i f only we were alone!
74
i in
onam
i onat
ann
inti
in me
in yon (sg.)
in hi m, it
in her, it
onai nn
i onai bh
i ontu
in us
in you (pi.)
in them
When fol l owed by an i ndefi ni te noun, i ecli pses consonants and becomes i n
before vowel s, bhur, d h and ti tl es of books etc:
i mbd
i gcarr
i n ui sce
i n bhu r seasamh
i n d h i t
i n Comhar
in a bout
in a car
in water
standi ng up (pi .)
in two places
in Comhar
Before the si ngul ar defi ni te arti cl e, i t combi nes wi th the arti cl e to become sa
before consonants and san before vowel s and f fol lowed by a vowel :
sa phi rc in the fi el d sa nead in the nest
san uisce in the water san fharraige in the sea
Before the pl ural defi ni te arti cl e, i t combi nes wi th the arti cl e to become sna:
sna ti the in the houses sna pi rceanna in the fields
thei r), and r (our) to give i na, i nr:
i n a charr / carr / gcarr in his / her / their car
i n r dteach in our house
It combi nes wi th the rel ati ve parti cl es a and ar to give i na and i nar:
an teach i na gcna onn an chl ann the house in which the family lives
an teach i nar chnai gh an chl ann the house in which the family lived
Usage:
It is used wi th the possessi ve adjecti v e to denote cl assi fi cati on, condi ti on,
state etc:
t si i na bai ni steoi r she is a manager
t siad i na gcodl adh they are asleep
75
i d i r between (partl y . . . partly; both . . . and)
For all persons i n the si ngular, i d i r fol l owed by appropri ate pronouns:
idir m between me (and...) eadrai nn between us
idir t between you (sg.) (and...) eadrai bh between you (pi.)
idir between hi m, it (and...) eatarthu between them
idir i between her, it (and...)
I t l eni tes the i ni ti al l etter of the fol l owi ng noun except i n certai n phrases
contai ni ng agus:
idi r dhaoi ne / phi rceanna / mhn between people / fields /women
idi r Ciarrai agus Corcai gh between Kerry and Cork
idi r ghi re agus ghol hal f l aughing, hal f crying
idir bheag agus mhr both smal l and big
idir fhi r agus mhn both men and women
idi r an bun agus an barr between the bottom and the top
idi r na ti the between the houses
idi r a bhai l e agus an chathai r between his home and the city
It is fol lowed by the nomi nati v e case:
idir an chi sti n agus an seomra between the kitchen and the room
Usage:
It is used to denote di stance or ti me:
idir uai reanta i theachi n between eati ng hours
idir Gai l l i mh agus Doire between Galway and Derry
I t is used to denote di fference or shari ng:
ai thi nt idir phi st to distinguish between chi l dren
roi nn eatarthu share it between them
I t is used wi th agus to express partly...partly and both...and:
idir shgradh is dirre hal f in jest, hal f in earnest
idi r bhuachai l l i is chai l i ni both boys and girls
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l e with
Horn with me l i nn with us
leat with you (sg.) l i bh with you (pi.)
leis with hi m, it leo with them
li with her, it
When fol lowed by an i ndefi ni te noun l e prefi xes h to i ni ti al vowel s:
le hairgead with money le hi mni with worry
Before the defi ni te arti cl e, sg. & pi ., i t becomes l ei s:
leis an bhfear with the man
leis na fir with the men
It combi nes w i th the possessi ve adjecti v es a (hi s/i ts (masc.), her/i ts (fem.),
thei r) and r (our) to give l ena, l enr:
l ena aghai dh for him
l ena haghai dh for her
l ena n-aghai dh for them
l enr ml a with our bags
It combi nes wi th the rel ati ve parti cl es a and ar to give l ena and l enar:
an tslat l ena mbuail tear an madra the stick with which the dog is beaten
an tslat l enar buai leadh an madra the stick with which the dog was
beaten
Usage:
It is used wi th the verbal noun to express purpose, obl i gati on, expectati on:
t an chi sti n le gl anadh the kitchen has to be cl eaned
t obai r le danamh there is work to be done
t s le hi meacht anoi s he is due to leave now
It is used wi th the copul a to denote ownershi p:
is l i omsa it is mi ne
is le Sen an teach J ohn owns the house
c leis ? who owns it?
an leatsa an carr? is the car yours?
77
It is used wi th certai n verbs to denote conti nued acti on:
It
as
ag canadh leis si ngi ng away
ag caoi neadh li crying away
i mi r leat! play away!
is used to denote equati on i .e. to express that somethi ng is as .. . adj
chomh mr le cnoc as big as a hill
chomh bog le hi m as soft as butter
I t is used wi th the copul a to conv ey opi ni ons, feel i ngs etc:
is fuath l i om I hate hi m / it
ba bhre l i om si n I would love that
is deas l i om I think it is nice
b'fhearr leis deoch he would prefer a dri nk
is mai th l i om I like
I t is used to denote conti nuous spaces of ti me:
t s anseo le bl i ai n he is here for a year now
t si ar shil le tamal l she is gone a while / for some time
i st leis! listen to hi m!
cui di gh l i om! help me!
i mi gh leat! go away!
thai ti n s li she liked hi m / it
d'i ri gh li she succeeded
bhuai l m leis I met hi m
l abhai r s l i om he spoke to me
cui r leis an scal! add to the story!
scaoi l eadh urchar leis a shot was fi red at him
abair leis fanacht! tell hi m to wait!
ni or lig m leis I di dn't let hi m get away with it
cui r dei readh leis! fini sh it!
fanfai mi d l eat we'll wait for you
chuai gh s le leigheas he studi ed medi ci ne
78
from
uaim
uai t
uaidh
uai thi
from me
from you (sg.)
from hi m, it
from her, it
uai nn
uai bh
uathu
from us
from you (pi.)
from them
When fol lowed by an i ndefi ni te noun, l eni tes:
ths go dei readh
d hui ne go dui ne
from start to finish
from person to person
It combi nes wi th the si ngular defi ni te arti cl e to give n:
n i t seo
n mbean
from this pl ace
from the woman
It combi nes wi th the possessi ve adjecti v es a (hi s/i ts (masc.), her/i ts (fern.),
thei r) and r (our) to give n a, nr:
I t combi nes w i th the rel ati ve parti cl es a and ar to give na and nar:
an t-athai r na dtgann / nar thg s an ns si n
the father from whom he takes / took that habi t
Usage:
I t is used wi th the su bstanti v e v erb / the verb teastai gh to express need or
want:
cad t (ag teasti l ) uai t? what do you want?
theastai gh uai dh si n a dhanamh he wanted to do that
I t is used after certai n adjecti v es to conv ey a range of meani ngs:
saor chi n tax-free
sl n chonti rt safe from danger
na athai r
na hathai r
na n-athai r
nr n-athai r
from his father
from her father
from their father
from our father
79
r oi mh before, in front of
romham before me
romhat before you (sg.)
roi mhe before hi m, it
roi mpi before her, it
romhai nn before us
romhai bh before you (pi.)
rompu before them
When fol lowed by an i ndefi ni te noun, r oi mh l eni tes:
roi mh dhei readh before (the) end
roi mh mhai di n before morni ng
I t undergoes no change when fol lowed by the arti cl e or possessi ve adjecti v es:
roi mh an teach before the house
roi mh na ti the before the houses
roi mh a bhri cfeasta before his breakfast
roi mh a bri cfeasta before her breakfast
roi mh a mbri cfeasta before thei r breakfast
Usage:
It is often used i di omati cal l y, often w i th other preposi ti onal pronouns, to
conv ey a range of meani ngs:
t eagl a orm roi mhe I am afrai d of him
bhi doi cheal l ort roi mhe you resented him
t fi l te romhat you are welcome
80
th a r past, over, across
tharam past me tharai nn past us
tharat past you (sg.) tharai bh past you (pi .)
thai ri s past hi m, it tharstu past them
thai rsti past her, it
When fol lowed by an i ndefi ni te noun, th ar general l y l eni tes:
thar chnoc over a hill
thar gheata past a gate
It does not affect the i ni ti al of a fol l owi ng noun when it forms part of a set
phrase or occurs i n references of a general nature:
thar brid (passing) by
thar ci onn excel l ent
thar muir, thar si le across the sea
I t undergoes no change w hen fol l owed by the arti cl e or possessi ve adjecti v es:
thar an teach past the house
thar na ti the past the houses
thar a chai sl en past his castle
thar a cai sl en past her castle
thar a gcai sl en past thei r castle
The rel ati ve parti cl es a and ar are not normal l y used w i th thi s preposi ti on.
Usage:
I t is used to transl ate more than:
thar na tri sci r more than sixty (l i t. the three scores)
thar a bhei th fial very generous
I t is used wi th compari sons:
thar aon dui ne ei l e above all people
ni ai thni m oi che thar l I cannot distinguish night from day
81
tr through
tr om through me tri nn through us
tri ot through you (sg.) tri bh through you (pi.)
trid through hi m, it tri othu through them
tri thi through her, it
When fol lowed by an i ndefi ni te noun, tr i l eni tes:
tri bhal l a through a wall
tri dhearmad by (a) mistake
Before the singular defi ni te arti cl e i t becomes tri d:
tri d an bpi rc through the field
thei r) and r (our) to give tr na, tr nr :
tr i n a fhai l l i through his negligence
tr i n a fai l l i through her negligence
tr nr bhfai l l i through our negligence
tr i na bhfai l l i through thei r negligence
It combi nes wi th the rel ati ve parti cl es a and ar to give tr i n a and tr i nar :
an t-urlr tri na si leann / the floor through which the water leaks
an t-urlr tri nar shil an t-ui sce the floor through which the water leaked
Usage:
It is used in vari ous adverbial phrases to conv ey di fferent meani ngs:
thi ni g m trid I survived
tri na chi l e muddl ed, confused
I t is used to express the reason, cause or medi um of somethi ng:
tri thai sme by acci dent
tri Bharla in English
82
u m about, at
umam about me umainn about us
umat about you (sg.) umaibh about you (pi.)
uime about hi m, it umpu about them
uimpi about her, it
When fol l owed by an i ndefi ni te noun, um l eni tes i ni ti al c, d, f, g, s, t:
um Chisc
um Nollaig
um thrthnna
at Easter
at Christmas
in the evening
I t undergoes no change w hen fol l owed by the arti cl e, or possessi ve
adjecti v es, or rel ati ve parti cl es:
um an teach
um a mheatacht
an fth um a bhfgfaidh
an fth um ar fhg s an teach
about the house
about his cowardice
the reason why he will leave the house
the reason why he left the house
Usage:
It is used wi th di fferent verbs to conv ey a range of meani ngs:
bhuail si uime
ghabh s uime
she met him
he got dressed
83
COMPOUND PREPOSITIONS
A compound preposi ti on consi sts of a si mpl e preposi ti on fol l owed by a noun
and is usually fol lowed by the geni ti v e case. The fol l owi ng is a li st of the
more common compound preposi ti ons:
ar aghai dh opposite
ar chl behi nd
ar feadh duri ng
ar fud throughout
ar lorg looking for
ar ns like
ar son for the sake of
ar ti about to
de bharr as a result of
de rir according to
de thai rbhe because of
faoi choi nne for (the purpose of)
faoi dhi n to meet
go ceann to the end of
i bhfei ghi l in charge of
i dteannta along with
i gcai theamh duri ng
i gcoi nne against
i lr in the mi ddl e of
i lthai r present at, in the presence of
i mease among
i ndiaidh after
i rith duri ng
i n aghaidh against
i n it in pl ace of
i n adan against
in i meacht duri ng
le coi s along with
le haghai dh for
le hais beside
le l i nn duri ng
os ci onn above
os coi nne opposite, in front of
os comhai r opposite
tar is after
84
Examples
ar chl an ti
de bharr na hoi bre
faoi dhi n an dochtra
i bhfei ghi l an ti
i gcai theamh an lae
i n adan na gaoi the
i lr na habhann
i mease na ndaoi ne
i ndi ai dh na cai nte
i ri th an lae
le haghai dh na coi se ti nne
os ci onn an dorais
os coi nne na mban
os comhai r na ti ne
tar is na troda
behi nd the house
as a resul t of the work
to fetch the doctor
mi ndi ng the house
duri ng the day
against the wind
in the mi ddl e of the river
among the people
after the talk
duri ng the day
for the rainy day (idiom)
above the door
in front of the women
in front of the fire
after the fight
85
ADJECTIVES
The adjecti v e agrees i n number, gender and case (but not necessari l y in
decl ensi on) wi th the noun i t qual i fi es and also usual l y fol lows it.
All adjecti v es bel ong to one of the thr ee decl ensi ons.
FIRST DECLENSION
Thi s decl ensi on consi sts of adjecti v es whi ch end i n a broad or sl ender
consonant except those endi ng i n - (i )il and some endi ng i n - (a)ir.
Singular - Genitive Masculine
I f the adjecti v e ends i n a sl ender consonant, the endi ng undergoes no
change:
i ri th an lae chi i n duri ng the qui et day
I f the adjecti v e ends in a broad consonant, the endi ng is made sl ender:
hata an fhi r mhi r the big man's hat
bun an phoi l l d hui bh the bottom of the black hole
Certain adjecti v es w hi ch end in a broad consonant do not have thei r endi ng
made sl ender, e.g. most monosy l l abi c words endi ng i n a doubl e consonant
(gann, mall , teann) or - ch(t) (moch, nocht; exception bocht):
ag cai theamh an airgid ghann spendi ng the scarce money
ag bual adh an dui ne nocht beati ng the naked person
Wi th adjecti v es endi ng i n - (e)ach, the endi ng becomes - (a)igh:
ag mol adh an fhi r bhacai gh prai si ng the lame man
86
Singular - Genitive Feminine
I f the adjecti v e ends i n a sl ender consonant, - e is suffixed to it:
barr na l ai nne mi ne the top of the smooth bl ade
cleasa na mn gl i ce the tricks of the clever woman
I f the adjecti v e ends i n a broad consonant, the endi ng is made slender and
- e is suffixed to it:
l ann na sei ne gi re the bl ade of the sharp knife
i lr na farraige mi re in the mi ddl e of the ocean
Certai n adjecti v es undergo syncopation as well as the al terati on menti oned
above:
l ai nn -* i l l e
aoi bhi nn - aoi bhne
domhai n -* d oi mhne
ramhar - rai mhre
uisce na habhann d oi mhne the water of the deep river
Wi th adjecti v es endi ng i n - (e)ach, the endi ng becomes - (a)i:
i lr na coi l l e uai gni in the mi ddl e of the lonely wood
Singular - Vocative
The v ocati v e si ngular of the adjecti v e has the same endi ng as the nomi nati v e
si ngular except i n the case of those adjecti v es w hi ch have a special geni ti ve
si ngular masculine form. I n those cases, the v ocati v e si ngular mascul i ne
form of the adjecti v e usually has the same endi ng as the geni ti v e si ngular
mascul i ne form:
a bhean mhai th!
a bhi thi nai gh bhragai gh!
a fhi r bhi g!
(my) good woman!
(you) lying rogue!
(you) small man!
87
Those adjecti v es w hi ch end i n a broad consonant form thei r pl ural by
suffi xi ng - a:
na fir mhra the big men
Those adjecti v es w hi ch end i n a slender consonant form thei r pl ural by
suffi xi ng - e:
na cai t chi i ne the qui et cats
Certai n adjecti v es undergo syncopation as wel l as the al terati on menti oned
above:
Pl ural
l ai nn i l l e
aoi bhi nn aoi bhne
domhai n
->
d oi mhne
ramhar ramhra
na daoi ne ramhra the fat people
88
Ad jecti v es w i th Mascu l i ne Nouns
Si ngu l ar Pl ural
nom./acc. an mi nteoi r mr na mi nteoi r mra
gen. teach an mhi nteora ti the na mi nteoi r
mhi r mra
dat. leis an mi nteoi r mr leis na mi nteoi r mra
voc. a mhi nteoi r mhi r! a mhi nteoi r mra!
nom./acc. an gada gli c na gadai the gl i ce
gen. cta an ghada ghl i c cta na ngadai the gl i ce
dat. ar an ngada gli c ar na gadai the gl i ce
voc. a ghadai ghli c! a ghadai the gli ce!
nom./acc. an fear bratgach na fir bhratgacha
gen. hata an fhi r bhratgai gh hatai na bhfear
bratgach
dat. don fhear bratgach do na fi r bhratgacha
voc. a fhi r bhratgai gh! a fheara bratgacha!
89
Ad jecti v es w i th Femi ni ne Nouns
Si ngul ar Pl ural
nom./acc.
gen.
dat.
voc.
an mhthai r mhr
teach na mthar mi re
leis an mthai r mhr
a mhthai r mhr!
na mi threacha mra
ti the na mi threacha
mra
leis na mi threacha
mra
a mhi threacha mra!
nom./acc.
gen.
dat.
voc.
an bhean ghl i c
cta na mn gl i ce
ar an mbean ghl i c
a bhean ghli c!
na mn gli ce
ctai na mban gli c
ar na mn gl i ce
a mhn gli ce!
nom./acc. an bhai ntreach
bhratgach
gen. bi a na bai ntr bratga
dat. don bhai ntreach
bhratgach
v oc. a bhai ntreach
bhratgach!
na bai ntreacha
bratgacha
bi a na mbai ntreach
bratgach
do na bai ntreacha
bratgacha
a bhai ntreacha
bratgacha!
90
A Li st of Common Fi rst Decl ensi on Ad jecti v es
O r d i n a r y A d j e c t i v e s :
l ai nn, aoi bhi nn, amh, ard, bn, beag, bi nn, bocht, bodhar, bog, borb,
caoch, caol , ci al l mhar, ci i n, corr, dai ngean, dall , dearg, deas, dil is, domhai n,
donn, dubh, farmhar, fi i n, fi onn, fl i uch, fol amh, fuar, gann, gaofar, garbh,
gearr, glas, gl i c, gorm, greannmhar, seal, li dir, l anmhar, l eathan, l i ath,
mai th, mall , marbh, mi l i s, m n, moch, mr, nocht, ol e, ramhar, ri dh,
sai bhir, searbh, si mh, sl eamhai n, teann, tearc, ti nn, tol l , tur, uasal, r
A d j e c t i v e s t h a t e n d w i t h - (e)ach / - och:
achrannach, aerach, ai steach, amai deach, amhrasach, bacach, bal l ach,
baol ach, bi orach, bratgach, bragach, bri otach, brocach, broghach,
bunsach, cabhrach, cai feach, carthanach, cearnach, ceathach, cei mi ceach,
ci ontach, cl easach, cl i teach, codl atach, coi nn ol l ach, col gach, cramach,
dtheangach, danach, deasl mhach, dei sbhal ach, di sti neach, dreach,
dl eathach, dl i steanach, dochrach, dchasach, eachtrach, eacnama och,
adchasach, i geantach, eol ach, eol a och, fadl ach, fadsaol ach, fai l l och,
fi l teach, fai teach, feal l tach, feargach, feasach, fei l i nach, fi osrach,
f ri nneach, fi rsteanach, gaothach, garach, gn omhach, ochtarach, i ontach,
leadrnach, l ochtach, marfach, meal l tach, ni reach, ni mhneach, ocrach,
pi seogach, p ri nneach, rasnach, sal ach, sci fl eogach, seasmhach,
si nsearach, stadach, suarach, tbhachtach, tai rbheach, tostach, uai gneach
91
SECOND DECLENSI ON
Thi s decl ensi on consi sts of adjecti v es w hi ch end i n - (i)il and some whi ch
end i n - (a)ir.
Genitive Singular
The endi ng of the geni ti ve si ngular mascul i ne of adjecti v es i n thi s decl ensi on
undergoes no change.
I n the case of the geni ti ve si ngular femi ni ne, the fi nal consonant is made
broad and - a is suffixed.
Plural
The fi nal consonant is made broad and - a is suffixed. Thi s endi ng is the
same as that of the geni ti ve si ngular femi ni ne.
92
Ad jecti v es w i th Mascu l i ne Nouns
Si ngul ar Pl ural
nom./acc. an buachai l l i ri mi i l na buachai l l i ri mi l a
gen. obai r an bhuachal l a obai r na mbuachai l l i
i ri mi i l i ri mi l a
dat. faoi n mbuachai l l i ri mi i l faoi na buachai l l i
i ri mi l a
voc. a bhuachai l l i rimiil ! a bhuachai l l i ri mi l a!
nom./acc. an dui ne ci r na daoi ne cra
gen. mac an dui ne chi r mi c na ndaoi ne cra
dat. n dui ne ci r na daoi ne cra
voc. a dhui ne chi r! a dhaoi ne cra!
Adjectives with Feminine Nouns
Si ngu l ar Pl ural
nom./acc. an bhanri on chi l i i l na banri onacha ci l i l a
gen. ras na banr ona ci l i l a rais na mbanri onacha
ci l i l a
dat. leis an mbanri on chi l i i l leis na banri onacha
ci l i l a
voc. a bhanri on chai hui l ! a bhanri onacha cil ila!
nom./acc. an ai nti n chi r na hai nti ni cra
gen. teach na hai nti n cra teach na n-ai nti ni cra
dat. roi mh an ai nti n chi r roi mh na hai nti ni cra
voc. a ai nti n chi r! a ai nt ni cra!
93
A Li st of Common Second Decl ensi on Ad jecti v es
Adjectives that end with - (i )i l :
acadi l, isiil , iti i l , bi l, bl i anti l , brdi l , bunreachti l , ci l i i l ,
ceani l , coi ri i l , comharsani l , compordi l , cro i l , dathi l , deisiil ,
dl thi i l , di ghi i l , agsi l, i ri mi i l , fi l ti i l , fl ai thi i l , fui nni i l , geanil ,
gnail , i nni i l , l aethi l , l eisci il , measil , mei sci i l , mi sni i l , postil ,
spisiil , suimi il , trthi l
Adjectives that end with - (a)i r:
ci r, deacai r, socai r
94
TH I RD DECLENSI ON
Thi s decl ensi on consi sts of adjecti v es w hi ch end i n a vowel . The endi ngs of
adjecti v es i n thi s decl ensi on nev er undergo any change except i n the case of:
(a) bre -* bretha i n gen. sg. fem. and pi.
and
(b) te - teo i n pi.
Adjectives with Masculine Nouns
Si ngul ar Pl ural
nom./acc. an cl i reach dna na cl i ri gh dhna
gen. peann an chl i ri gh dhna pi nn na gclireach dna
dat. don chl i reach dna do na cl i ri gh dhna
v oc. a chl i ri gh dhna! a chl i reacha dna!
Adjectives with Feminine Nouns
nom./acc. an i ni on fhalsa na hi ni onacha falsa
gen. ada na hi ni ne fal sa ada na n-i ni onacha
falsa
dat. n i ni on fhal sa na hi ni onacha falsa
v oc. a i ni on fhalsa! a i ni onacha falsa!
A List of Common Third Declension Adjectives
bal ta, acl a , aibi, aosta, blasta, bmnta, bre, bui , cal ma, ceanndna, ci l l i ,
ci nel ta, ci nnte, cneasta, corcra, crga, crosta, cui , cumhra, dna, dearfa,
diaga, di aganta, eal ai onta, i gi nnte, fada, fai seanta, falsa, fi ata, fi l eata, foi rfe,
gasta, gi nearl ta, gonta, grnna, graosta, iargl ta, l eanbai , li ofa, meata,
m ri al ta, morl ta, mi nte, nata, rial ta, ssta, sona, sothui gthe, spadnta,
tapa, te, teasai , tei bi , teol ai , teoranta, ti ntri , t ornta, uai ne
95
GEN I TI VE PLURAL OF ALL DECLENSI ONS
As i n the case of the geni ti v e pl ural of the noun, the adjecti v e someti mes
uses its nom. sg. form and, at other ti mes, i ts nom. pi. form. Si nce the
adjecti v e agrees wi th the noun i t qual i fi es i n number, gender and case, i t also
agrees w i th the noun i n thi s respect. I f the noun uses i ts nom. sg. form, the
adjecti v e does li kewise and, i f the nom. pi. of the noun is used, the adjecti v e
fol lows suit:
n o m . s g . nom. pi . g e n . p i .
an t-asal mr
an bhrg dhubh
an dui ne mai th
an madra ci i n
an bhean fhi onn
na hasail mhra
na brga dubha
na daoi ne mai the
na madrai ci i ne
na mn fi onna
na n-asal mr
na mbrg dubh
na ndaoi ne mai the
na madrai ci i ne
na mban fi onn
n o te : n o m a tte r w h a t f o r m o f th e a d je c ti v e i s u s e d i n th e g e n . p i ., th e i n i ti a l
c o n s o n a n t i s never l e n i te d .
96
LENTI ON OF ADJECTI VES
1 The i ni ti al consonant of the adjecti v e is l eni ted when the noun it
qual i fi es and w hi ch i mmedi atel y precedes it is:
(a) femi ni ne, si ngul ar and i n the nom./acc., dat. and v oc. cases:
an bhean mhai th (nom./acc.) ar an mbean mhai th (dat.)
don bhean mhai th (dat.) a bhean mhai th! (voc.)
(b) mascul i ne, si ngul ar and i n the gen. and voc. cases:
hata an fhi r mhi r (gen.) a fhi r mhi r! (voc.)
not e: the tendency i n Ulster I rish general l y is to l eni te the i ni ti al consonant
of the adjecti v e i n the dat. sg. w hether the nou n is masc. or fern., e.g. ar an
fhear mhr, ar an bhean mhr, n iascaire bheag, n bh bheag.
(c) i n the pl ural and ends i n a sl ender consonant:
ci nn bheaga (nom./acc.) ar na hasai l dhubha ( dat.)
Summary of (a), (b) and (c)
Si ngu l ar Pl ural
Case Masc. Fem.
nom./acc.
- L L when noun
gen. L - L ends in
dat. - L L sl ender
voc. L L L consonant
n o t e : L = l eni ti on of i ni ti al consonant of adjecti v e.
(d) preceded by the numeral d(h):
d h chapal l dhonna an d shi opa ghnthacha
(e) i n the si ngul ar and preceded by the cardi nal numbers from 3 to 10:
cei th r e chat dhubha seacht mbord ghl ana
97
(f) bei rt:
beirt bheaga an bheirt mhra
(g) preceded by beirt:
an bheirt fhear mhra teach na beirte fear mhra
2 The i ni ti al consonant of the adjecti v e is l eni ted when it is preceded by all
forms of the copul a (viz. ba, ar, gur, nior, nr etc.) i n the past tense and
condi ti onal mood:
ba dheas an l di rt s gur bhre leis i meacht
ar mhai th l eat tae? nr dheas an smaoi neamh ?
nior mhr an cnamh
3 The i ni ti al consonant of the adjecti v e is l eni ted when i t occurs i n the
constructi on idir + adj. +agus + adj. meani ng both:
idir bheag agus mhr both big and small
idir shean agus g both old and young
98
POSSESSI VE ADJECTI VES
mo
do
a
my
your (sg.)
his, its (masc.)_
- All followed by lenition
mo m' and do -> d ' before vowel or f fol l owed by vowel :
mo bhd
m'aghai dh
do chapal l
my boat
my face
your horse
d'adan
a charr
a l l
your forehead
his car
his apple
a teach
a - her, its (fem.)
Prefixes h to vowel s:
her house a hathai r
ar
bhur
a
our
your (pi .)
their _
her father
- All followed by eclipsis
r n-athai r
r dteach
bhur n-ai nmneacha
bhur gcui d airgid
a bhfoi reann
a n-ai nti n
our father
our house
your (pi .) names
your (pi .) money
thei r team
their aunt
PREPOSITIONS AND POSSESSIVE ADJECTIVES
All the si mpl e preposi ti ons w hi ch end i n a consonant (e.g. ag, ar, as, chui g,
roi mh, thar) undergo no change when fol l owed by possessi ve adjecti v es:
ag m'athai r at my father
ar do shrn on your (sg.) nose
as a theach out of his house
chui g a seomra
roi mh r
mbricfeasta
thar bhur ngeata
to her room
before our
breakfast
past your (pi.) gate
The fol l owi ng si mple preposi ti ons whi ch end i n a vowel , i .e. faoi , i , le, , tri
combi ne w i th the 3 sg./pl . and 1 pi. possessi ve adjecti v es (a / r) as fol lows:
3 sg./p l . 1 pi .
faoi faoi na faoi nr
i i na i nr
le l ena l enr
na nr
tri tri na tr nr
note: the si mple preposi ti on i - in before bhu r (2 pi. possessi ve adjecti v e).
In the case of the si mple preposi ti ons de and do, the fol l owi ng happens:
3 sg./pl . 1 pi.
de, do d dr
faoi na chathaoi r
i na haghai dh
l ena gcabhai r
nr gcairde
tr i n a chroi
d hai nneoi n
d gcl ann
under his chai r
in her face
with thei r help
from our fri ends
through his heart
in spite of her
to thei r family
100
VERBS REQUIRING PREPOSITION I
AND POSSESSIVE ADJECTIVES
The verbs i nv ol v ed here are: cod l ad h, cna , d i seacht, l u , seasamh, su
The constructi on required here is:
su bstant. v erb su bject i (prep.) possess, adj. v b. nou n
t m i mo chodl adh
nil t i do chna
bhi s i na dhi seacht
ni raibh si ina lu
bei mi d inr seasamh
bhi odh si bh in bhur sui
an bhfui l siad ina gcodl adh?
IDIOMATIC USE OF POSSESSIVE ADJECTIVES
A fossil ized form of the possessi ve adjecti v e a (3rd sg. masc.) is someti mes
used i n certai n i di omati c phrases:
a chi l e each other a ln a lot, much a thuil leadh more
ni fhaca siad a chi l e le fada
bhi a l n daoi ne i lthai r
ni l siad ann a thui l l eadh
they had not seen each other for a
long time
many people were present
they are not there any more
101
COMPARI SON OF ADJECTI VES
As a general rule, the comparati v e and superl ati ve forms of the adjecti v e are
the same as thei r geni ti v e si ngular femi ni ne forms.
ni os (ni ba + l eni ti on i n past tense/cond i ti onal mood, ni b + l eni ti on before
vowel or f + vowel ) precedes the comparati v e forms, is (ba + l eni ti on i n past
tense/condi ti onal mood, ab + l eni ti on before vowel or f + vowel ) precedes
the superl ati ve forms.
Forms in the present/future tense
posi ti v e comp ar ati v e superl ati v e
gorm ni os goi rme is goi rme
gli c n os gl i ce is gl i ce
l ai nn n os i l l e is i l l e
fairsing ni os fairsinge is fairsinge
bacach n os baca is bacai
uai gneach ni os uai gn is uai gni
ci l i i l ni os ci l i l a is ci l i l a
dathi l ni os dathl a is dathl a
ci r ni os cra is cra
dna ni os dna is dna
bre ni os bretha is bretha
Forms in the past tense/conditional mood
posi ti v e comp arati v e superl ati v e
gorm ni ba ghoi rme ba ghoi rme
gli c ni ba ghl i ce ba ghl i ce
l ai nn ni b'i l l e ab il le
fairsing ni b'fhai rsi nge ab fhai rsi nge
There are some irregul ar forms of whi ch the fol l owi ng are the most common:
posi ti v e comp ar ati v e superl ati v e
beag ni os 1 is 1
fada ni os fai de is fai de
furasta nios fusa is fusa
gearr ni os gi orra is gi orra
mai th ni os fearr is fearr
mr ni os m is m
ol e ni os measa is measa
te ni os teo is teo
102
ADVERBS
The usual way to form an adverb from an adjective is simply to put the
particle go before it:
duine feargach
go feargach
bean i n h ai th
t m go mai th
gasr ci i n
go ci i n
not e: go prefixes h to vowels.
It sometimes happens that the go is dropped:
dh mhile gl an two miles exactly
d i reach in am j ust in time
labhair measar tha ard! speak reasonably loud!
A DVERBS OF TI ME
The following are common adverbs of time which never undergo any
change:
amrach tomorrow
feasta from now on
anois now
fs yet, still
anuraidh last year
go fill yet, still
arir last night
i mbliana this year
aris again
inniu today
ar maidin in the morni ng
inn yesterday
anocht tonight
lithreach immediately
fad long ago
riamh {n)ever
an angry person
angrily
a good woman
I am fi ne
a qui et boy
quietly
103
ADVERBS OF DI RECTI ON
i steach i sti gh amach amui gh
amach out(wards) moti on tann s amach he goes out
amui gh out(side) rest t s amui gh he is outside
i steach in (wards) moti on tagann si i steach she comes in
istigh in (side) rest t si isti gh she is inside
anonn / sail
abhus thal l
anal I
anonn / sail over moti on tann s anonn / sail
thall over rest t s thal l
anall back moti on tagann s anall
abhus here rest t s abhus
he goes over
he is over
he comes back
he is here
thu as
anuas suas
amos si os
thi os
suas
thuas
anuas
sios
thi os
ani os
up(wards)
up
down(wards) (from above)
down(wards)
down
up(wards) (from below)
ri th suas an staighre!
t si thu as san i l ar
thi t l l anuas chrann
si os go hl freann leat!
fan thi os ar i ochtar!
tar ani os as an tobar!
moti on
rest
moti on
moti on
rest
moti on
run up the stairs!
she is up in the attic
an apple fell down off a tree
down to Hell with you!
stay down below!
come up out of the well!
104
TUAISCEART
thu ai d h
N
thu ai d h
aduai dh
si ar
IARTHAR W
th i a r
a n i a r
- soir
E OIRTHEAR
th o i r
a n o i r
d heas
theas
S
aneas
i *
DEISCEART
Exampl es:
rachai mi d soi r Ghai l l i mh go Bail e tha Cl i ath i nni u agus ti ocfai mi d anoi r
ars amrach
we will go east(wards) from Galway to Dublin today and we will return (li t.
come from the east) again tomorrow
rachai mi d thu ai d h Ghai l l i mh go Sl igeach i nni u agus ti ocfai mi d ad uai dh
ars amrach
we will go north{wards) from Galway to Sligo today and we will return (li t.
come from the north) again tomorrow
rachai mi d si ar Bhai l e tha Cl i ath go Gai l l i mh i nni u agus ti ocfai mi d ani ar
ar s amrach
we will go westwards) from Dubl i n to Galway today and we will return
(l i t. come from the west) again tomorrow
rachai mi d dheas Shl i geach go Corcai gh i nni u agus ti ocfai mi d aneas aris
amrach
we will go southwards) from Sligo to Cork today and we will return (lit.
come from the south) again tomorrow
105
EMPHATIC SUFFIXES
Emp hati c su ffi xes are added to nouns and adjecti v es (when preceded by
possessi ve adjecti v es), preposi ti onal pronouns and sy ntheti c forms of the
verb. The vari ous forms they assume are:
1 sg.
2 sg.
sa / - se
sa / - se
1 pi.
3 sg. masc. - san / - sean 2 pi.
3 sg. fem. - sa / - se 3 pi.
- na / - ne (with verb/
adjecti v e/noun)
- e (wi th 1 pi. prep. pron. and
si nn)
- sa / - se
- san / - sean
The broad suffixes ( - sa / - san / - na) are used when the precedi ng
consonant or vowel is broad.
The sl end er suffixes (- se / - sean / - ne / - e) are used when the precedi ng
consonant or vowel is sl ender.
Exampl es:
mo cheannsa
do cheannsa
a cheannsan
a ceannsa
r gci nn-ne
bhur gci nnse
a gci nnsean
mo chi sti nse
do chi sti nse
a chi sti nsean
a ci sti nse
r gci sti n-ne
bhur gci sti nse
a gci sti nsean
mo chos-sa
do chos-sa
a chos-san
a cos-sa
r gcosana
bhur gcosasa
a gcosasan
More exampl es:
mo theachsa
a athai r mrsan
dramarna
is l i nne
mo chai rdese
a bpi st ci i nesean
rachai mi dne amach
si nne a bhi ann
n o t e : a hy p hen precedes these emphati c suffixes when the precedi ng word
ends i n the same consonant as the emphati c suffix:
mo chs-sa r n-oi l en-na a cui s-se
106
PRONOUNS
PRONOUN AS OBJECT OF VERBAL NOUN
I n I rish, a pronoun cannot be used as the di rect object of a verbal noun e.g.
ag d an amh / doing it, ag mol ad h me / prai si ng me, ag bual ad h i ad /
beati ng them.
I nstead, a di fferent constructi on is used, viz. prep. *do / ag + possessi ve
adjecti v e + verbal noun, wi th appropri ate changes and mutati ons.
*n o t e : the preposi ti ons ag and do can i nterchange except i n 3rd sg./pl .
The pattern is as fol lows:
*do / ag mo mhol adh prai si ng me
*do / ag do mhol adh prai si ng you (sg.)
mhol ad h prai si ng hi m, it
mol adh prai si ng her, it
dr / ag r mol adh prai si ng us
do / ag bhu r mol adh prai si ng you (pi.)
mol adh prai si ng them
*n o t e : do m' / do d' before a verbal noun whi ch begi ns wi th a vowel or f +
vowel :
do m'agai rt i mploring me
107
PRONOUN - EA
Thi s is a 3 sg. neuter pronoun w hi ch can only be used wi th the copula.
n o t e : i t does not transl ate the ordi nary it i n Engli sh as that is transl ated by
the mascul i ne or femi ni ne pronouns in Irish.
Usage:
It is often used for purposes of emphasi s, the i nformati on emphasi sed bei ng
pl aced at the head of the sentence fol lowed by the posi ti ve, i ndependent
form of the copul a (i n appropri ate tense), then by ea and then by the subject
(noun, pronoun or other):
mi nteoi r is ea he is a teacher
fal si r is ea na Gaeil the I rish are lazy
thal l i Sasana is ea at s over in Engl and is where he is
It is also used wi th the copul a i n a y es/n o context:
an doras si n? is that a door?
*is ea / ni hea yes / no
an fui nneog i si n? is that a window?
is ea / ni hea yes / no
an amadn Sen? is J ohn a fool?
an leabhar mai th ? is it a good book?
*n o t e : is ea is often contracted to sea i n speech.
108
SUBJECT PRONOUNS
The fol l owi ng pronouns are used when they are the su bject of the verb:
m /
t you (sg.)
s he, it (masc.)
si she, it (fem.)
muid / si nn we
si bh you (pi.)
siad they
n o t e : I ri sh does not need a word for it si nce all objects are ei ther mascul i ne
or femi ni ne and are referred to as he or she. n o t e a l s o : the subject pronoun
is not used wi th sy ntheti c forms of the verb:
chual a m an glr is m a thi ni g i steach
ri nne t is t an t-amadn
danann s an obai r n or i th s an bia
d'l si an deoch ni i meoi dh si anois
All the above can be used wi th the cop u l a except s, si and si ad.
OBJECT PRONOUNS
The fol l owi ng pronouns are used when they are the object of the verb:
me
th
mui d / si nn
si bh
iad
I, me
you (sg.)
he, hi m, it (masc.)
she, her, it (fem.)
we, us
you (pi.)
they, them
chual a s m
chonai c m th
fuai r m
phg m
is me a ri nne e
ai thn m th
is a bh ann
is at ag teacht
All the above can be used wi th the cop u l a except th .
109
EMPHATI C SUBJECT PRONOUNS
mise
tusa
seisean
sise
mui dne / si nne
si bhse
siadsan
you (sg.)
he, it (masc.)
she, it (fem.)
we
you (pi.)
they
chual a mi se
ri nne tusa sin
danann sei sean
d'l si se a deoch fi n
is mi se a thi ni g i steach
is si bhse na hamadi n
ni or i th si ad san an bia
ni mu i d ne a ri nne
All the above can be used wi th the cop u l a except sei sean, si se and si adsan.
EMPHATIC OBJECT PRONOUNS
mise
thusa
ei sean
ise
mui dne / si nne
si bhse
iadsan
I , me
you (sg.)
he, hi m, it (masc.)
she, her, it (fem.)
we, us
you (pi.)
they, them
chual a s mi se
chonai c m thu sa
bhuai l m ei sean
ise a dirt
gabh thu sa amach!
is mu i d ne a ri nne
ai thni m thu sa
is i ad san a bhi ann
ni ei sean a ri nne
luigh thu sa sios!
All the above can be used wi th the cop u l a except thusa.
thu sa is also used instead of an emphati c suffix wi th a verb i n the i mperati v e
mood.
110
DEMONSTRATIVES
seo this (pi . these)
si n that (pi . those)
sid / d that, yon(der) (pi. those, yon(der))
They are used as the di rect object of a tr a n s i ti v e verb (but not of a verbal
noun):
dan si n anois! do that now!
i th seo l i threach! eat this immediately!
n crei d si d! don't believe that!
n o te : to make a demonstrati v e the di rect object of a verbal noun (e .g . doing
this, saying that, prai si ng those), use (fol lowed by appropri ate mutati on
after various 3rd sg., masc. and fem., 3rd pi. poss. adj.) + v e r b a l n o u n +
d e m o n s tr a ti v e :
dhanamh seo
mol adh si n
gci neadh si d
doing this (sg., masc.)
prai si ng that (sg., fem.)
fi ndi ng faul t with those
They are used at the begi nni ng of a phrase or sentence wi th the copula
understood, mostl y to i nd i cate peop l e/thi ngs or for purposes of
hi ghl i ghti ng:
seo () mo mhthai r
si n dei readh anoi s
seo () do sheans
si d (i) an fhi ri nne
this is my mother
that is all now
this is your chance
that is the truth
They are most commonl y used preceded by the defi ni te arti cl e and noun:
an fear seo
an bhean si n
n dui ne d *
na fir seo
na mn si n
na daoi ne d *
this man
that woman
from yonder person
these men
those women
yonder people
n o t e : *d is used instead of si d i n thi s case.
I l l
They are used w i th the 3rd sg./pl . preposi ti onal pronouns w hi ch precede
them:
thai r i s seo
ag c a i n t f i thi si n
ta b h a i r d i bh si d !
r oi mhe seo
l ei s si n
ag d r i or thu si d
t b r n o r m faoi si n
past this
talking about that person (fem.)
give it to them!
before this
with that, thereupon
focusi ng on those
I am sorry about that
They are used wi th the 3rd sg./pl . object and subject pronouns (s ) , (s )i ,
(s )i a d :
t s seo r i d h
c h o n a i c m si n
a n b h f u i l si si n ti n n ?
a n b h f a ca t i si n?
c b h f u i l si ad si d?
i ad si d, a n e a?
this is ready
I saw that (one) (masc.)
is she (emph.) / that one (fem.) sick?
di d you see her (emph.) / that one? ( fem.)
where are they (emph.) / those?
do you mean them (emph.) / those ones?
They are commonl y used after the interrogati v e parti cl es c / ca d fol l owed by
the 3rd sg./pl . object pronouns:
c h i s e o ?
ca d s e o ?
c h i a d s i n ?
who is this? (fem.)
what is this?
who are they?
s e o i s c o m m o n l y u s e d i n th e f o l l o w i n g p h r a s e s :
s e o d h u i t
s e o d h a o i b h
here you are (sg.)
here you are (pi .)
n o t e : th e i n i ti a l o f si n is l e n i te d i n th e p h r a s e s h i n = ago:
f a d a s h i n
s e a c h ta i n s h i n
long ago
a week ago
112
h BEFORE VOWELS
NOUNS
h is prefi xed to i ni ti al vowel s of nouns after:
1 the forms of the arti cl e na:
(a) i n the geni ti v e si ngul ar femi ni ne:
trasna na habhann across the river
ag danamh na hoi bre doing the work
(b) i n the nomi nati v e / accusati ve / dativ e pl ural :
t na hi n i na gcodl adh the birds are sleeping
mharai gh m na hi sc I killed the fish
amui gh ar na hoi l ei n out on the islands
2 the preposi ti ons go and le:
it go hi t from pl ace to pl ace
l e hr agus l e hai rgead with gol d and silver
3 the 3rd si ngular, femi ni ne, possessi ve adjecti v e a:
a hathai r her father
a hi ni on her daughter
4 D i n case of Friday:
D hAoi ne on Friday
5 the negati v e form of the copul a ni i n certai n cases:
ni hi onadh it is no wonder
n hamhi n si n not only that
ni hi onann it is not the same thing
6 i n surnames:
Sen hUi gi nn J ohn Higgins
113
7 The i nterrogati ve c:
c h i t where? c h u a i r ? when?
n o t e : c c a n o n l y b e u s e d w i th a f e w n o u n s .
8 ordi nal numbers except c(h)ad:
a n d ara h i t the second pl ace
a n tr h a s a l the thi rd donkey
9 the cardi nal numbers from 3 unti l 6 w hen the pl ural form of the noun is
used:
tr i h u a i n three lambs
cei thr e h u a i r e four times
ci g h i te a n n a five places
ADJECTIVES, NUMBERS, PRONOUNS
h is prefi xed to i ni ti al vowel s
1 of adjecti v es after c, chomh, l e, go:
c hard ? how high is it?
ch omh hl ai nn leo! how beauti ful they are!
le haon chui di with any help
go hard sa spir high in the sky
2 of cardi nal numbers aon and och t after a (the parti cl e used w i th non-
adjecti v al numeral s) and the defi ni te arti cl e na:
a haon a chl og one o' clock
a hocht n a naoi eight or ni ne
na hocht n-asal the eight donkeys
sneachta na haon oi che the one ni ght snow
3 of num. adjecti v e aon after ni :
ni haon i ontaoi bh he is not to be trusted
ni haon ghai sce it is no great achi evement
ni haon di th n it is no joke
114
4 of pronouns , i , i a d , e a * after c , ni , l e :
c h / h i / h i a d ? who is he / she / are they?
ni h / h i / h i a d / h e a * not he / her / them, no
l e h / h i / h i a d a m h a r to kill hi m / her / them
5 i n phrases:
ni h a n s a
ni h a m h i n
ni h i o n a n n
n i h a m h l a i d h
*onl y wi th ni
it is not difficult
not only
is not the same
not so
6 of verb i n i mperati v e mood after negati v e parti cl e n:
n h l s i n ! don't dri nk that!
n h i th a n t-a r n ! don't eat the bread!
115
t BEFORE VOWELS AND s
After the si ngular defi ni te arti cl e an i n the nom./acc. si ngul ar, t- (with
hy phen except before capi tal l etter) is prefi xed to:
(a) i ni ti al vowel s of mascul i ne nouns:
fei ci m an t-asal
t an t-r sa mhl a
i th an t-im!
t an tAi freann thart
I see the donkey
the gol d is in the hag
eat the butter!
the Mass is over
(b) i ni ti al vowel s of aon, aon, *ocht, ocht, ochtd , ocht (except in
a geni ti v e si tuati on):
an t-aon l / bhean (amhi n)
an t-aon fear / hit
an t-ocht fear / bean
an t-ochtd fear / hi t
an t-ocht fear / hi t
cui r i steach an *t-ocht!
the one day / woman
the fi rst man / pl ace
the eighty men / women
the eightieth man / pl ace
the eighth man / pl ace
put in the eight
* Onl y i n special ci rcumstances
2 After the si ngular defi ni te arti cl e an , t (wi thout hy phen) is prefi xed to
i ni ti al s + vowel , si , sn, sr + vowel :
(a) i n the nom./acc. and dat. cases of femi ni ne, si ngular nouns:
an tsi l seo
uair sa tseachtai n
ar an tsrid
this eye
once a week
on the street
(b) i n the gen. case of mascul i ne, si ngul ar nouns:
teach an tsagairt
doras an tsi opa
(c) i n the gen. case of s, seacht:
the priest's house
the shop door
airgead an ts fear / an ts fir the si xth man's money
i ri th an tseacht mi
(d) i n the gen. case of sei sear, seachtar:
airgead an tsei sear ban
obai r an tseachtar mi nteoi r
duri ng the seventh month
the six womens money
the seven teachers' work
116
THE VERB
The I rish verb has four tenses, present, futu re, past and past conti nu ou s /
h abi tu al / progressi v e ( = i mp erfect).
The I rish verb has three moods (four i f one counts the i nd i cati v e),
i mp erati v e, con d i ti on al and su bju ncti v e.
The I rish verb has three persons and two numbers, 1st sg./pl ., 2nd sg./pl .,
3rd sg./pl .
Person in the verbal form is marked by a sy n th eti c form of the verb, viz. the
subject pronoun is suffixed to the verb, e.g. cui ri m (I put), cui rfi mi d (we will
put), chui rfe (you would put) or by an an al y ti c form of the verb, viz. the
subject pronoun is separate from the verb, e.g. ch u i r i n (I put), cu i r eann
si ad (they put), chu i r fead h si bh (you (pi .) would put).
Sy ntheti c forms of verbs, i n conju ncti on someti mes wi th i ni ti al mutati ons,
i ndi cate person, number and tense. General l y speaking, the anal y ti c forms
of the verb are more wi dely used than the sy ntheti c forms i n Irish and
progressiv ely more so as one proceeds northwards i n I reland.
THE IMPERSONAL FORM OF THE VERB
The I rish verb has an impersonal or passive ( = autonomous) form i n every
tense. Thi s passive form of the verb i ndi cates that somethi ng is done
w i thout speci fyi ng who does it:
l ad h an bai nne ari r the milk was drunk last night
d antar an obai r gach l the work is done every day
THE RELATIVE FORM OF THE VERB
Connaught and Ulster often use a special r el ati v e form of the verb but onl y
i n the present and future tenses.
There are regular verbs i n Irish, ten irregul ar verbs and the two verbs to be,
viz. the substanti v e verb bi and the copul a is.
I rish verbs are usual ly li sted i n di cti onari es under thei r 2nd singular,
i mperati v e forms:
mol bris ith
GENERAL
117
TH E I N DEPEN DEN T AN D DEPEN DEN T FORMS OF TH E V ERB
The independent form of the verb is that w hi ch is used:
(a) when the verb stands al one, i .e. not preceded by any verbal parti cl e:
tar i steach! come i n!
fei ci m I see hi m
thi ni g s i nn he came yesterday
(b) when preceded by (in a posi ti v e context), m, mar (= because), i r
(because), c, cathai n , a (direct rel. part.) etc:
bhi s anseo si nce he was here
m thagann si anoi s i f she conies now
mar t siad ann because they are there
i r d'i mi gh s because he left
The dependent form of the verb is that w hi ch is used after the preverbal
parti cl es ni (or), an / ar, go / gur, nach / nr, sula(r), mura(r), a(r) (indi r. rel.
parti cl e) etc:
n rai bh s anseo
sula dti ocfai dh si
an bhfui l t go mai th?
murar imi gh s
TH E REG U L A R V ERB
There are two conjugations (= categori es) of regular verbs in I rish, viz. the first
conjugati on and the second conjugati on.
The first conjugati on consi sts of verbs:
(a) wi th monosy l l abi c roots:
mol bris
(b) wi th pol ysyl l abi c roots endi ng i n -i l and some other pol ysyl l abi c
verbs:
sbhi l rechti l
he was not here
before she comes
are you well?
unless he left
118
() wi th pol ysyl l abi c roots other than those i n (b):
ti oni l adhl ai c
The second conjugati on consi sts of verbs:
(a) wi th pol ysyl l abi c roots endi ng in - (a)igh:
ceannai gh crui nni gh
(b) wi th pol ysyl l abi c roots endi ng i n- (a)il , - (a)i n, - (a)ir, - (a)i s w hi ch
are syncopated when conjugated:
i mi r i ni s ceangai l
(c) wi th pol ysyl l abi c roots w hi ch are not syncopated when conjugated:
freastai l tarraing
I n the fol l owi ng tabl es, exampl es for each conjugati on consi st of verbs whi ch
end i n broad and sl ender roots:
broad mol ceannai gh
sl ender cui r crui nni gh
119
The Present Tense
F i r s t C o n j u g a t i o n - C a t e g o r y 1 (A )
Broad Sl end er
1 sg. mol ai m cui ri m
2 sg. mol ann t cui reann t
3 sg. mol ann s, si cui reann s, si
l p i . mol ai mi d cui ri mi d
2 pi. mol ann si bh cui reann si bh
3 pi. mol ann siad cui reann siad
Passive mol tar cui rtear
Fi r s t C o n j u g a t i o n - C a t e g o r y 1 (B)
Broad Sl end er
1 sg. rechtl ai m ti omi ni m
2 sg. rechtl ann t ti omi neann t
3 sg. rechtl ann s, si ti omi neann s, s
l p l . rechtl ai mi d ti omi ni mi d
2 pi. rechtl ann si bh ti omi neann si bh
3 pi. rechtl ann siad ti omi neann siad
Passive rechti l tear ti omi ntear
To form the present tense, add - (a)i m, - (a)imi d, - (e)ann t / s / si / si bh /
siad to the root for personal forms and - t(e)ar for the i mpersonal or passive
forms.
There are onl y two sy ntheti c forms of the verb i n the present tense, viz. 1 sg.
- (a)im, 1 pi. - (a)imi d.
not e: the -t- i n rechtiltear is slender.
not e: a rel ati ve endi ng - (e)as (or v ari ant thereof) is wi dely used i n Ulster and
Connaught.
120
The Present Tense
Se c o n d C o n j u g a t i o n - C a t e g o r y 2 (A)
Broad Slender
1 sg. ceannai m crui nni m
2 sg. ceannai onn t cru i nni onn t
3 sg. ceannai onn s, si cru i nni onn s, si
1 pi. ceannai mi d crui nni mi d
2 pi. ceannai onn si bh cru i nni onn si bh
3 pi. ceannai onn siad cru i nni onn siad
Passive ceannai tear cru i nni tear
Se c o n d C o n j u g a t i o n - C a t e g o r y 2 (B)
Broad Slender
1 sg. l abhrai m i mri m
2 sg. l abhrai onn t i mri onn t
3 sg. l abhrai onn s, si i mri onn s, si
1 pi. l abhrai mi d i mri mi d
2 pi. l abhrai onn si bh i mri onn sibh
3 pi. l abhrai onn siad i mri onn siad
Passive l abhrai tear i mri tear
To form the present tense, add - (a)m, - (a)mid, - (a)onn t / s / si / sibh /
siad to the root for personal forms and - (a)itear for the i mpersonal or passive
forms.
There are onl y two sy ntheti c forms of the verb in the present tense, viz. 1 sg.
- (a)im, 1 pi. - (a)imid.
not e: a rel ati ve endi ng - (a)ios (or v ari ant thereof) is wi dely used i n Ulster
and Connaught.
121
The Past Tense
Broad Slender
1 sg. mhol m chui r m
2 sg. mhol t chui r tu
3 sg. mhol s, si chui r s, si
l p i . mhol amar chui reamar
2 pi. mhol si bh chui r si bh
3 pi. mhol siad chui r siad
Passive mol adh cui readh
F i r s t C o n j u g a t i o n - C a t e g o r y 1 (B)
Broad Slender
1 sg. rechti l m thi omi n m
2 sg. rechti l t thi omi n t
3 sg. rechti l s, s thi omi n s, s
l p l . rechtl amar thi omi neamar
2 pi. rechti l si bh thi omi n si bh
3 pi. rechti l siad thi omi n siad
Passive rechtl adh ti omi neadh
To form the past tense, l eni te the i ni ti al consonant of the verb and prefi x d'
i f the i ni ti al l etter is f or a vowel , e.g. d'fhg, dl.
The onl y sy ntheti c form of the verb i n the past tense is 1 pi. - (e)amar and
- (e)adh is the passive endi ng.
In the passive forms, the i ni ti al consonant of the regular verb is never l eni ted
and i ni ti al f and vowel s remai n unaffected, e.g. l adh, fgadh.
122
The Past Tense
Se c o n d C o n j u g a t i o n - C a t e g o r y 2 (A )
Broad Slender
1 sg. cheannai gh m chrui nni gh m
2 sg. cheannai gh t chrui nni gh t
3 sg. cheannai gh s, si chrui nni gh s, si
1 pi. cheannai omar chru i nni omar
2 pi. cheannai gh si bh chrui nni gh si bh
3 pi. cheannai gh siad chrui nni gh siad
Passive ceannai od h cru i nni od h
S e c o n d C o n j u g a t i o n - C a t e g o r y 2 (B)
Broad Slender
1 sg. l abhai r m d'i mi r m
2 sg. labhai r t d'i mi r t
3 sg. labhai r s, si d'i mi r s, si
1 pi. l abhrai omar d 'i mri omar
2 pi. l abhai r si bh d'i mi r si bh
3 pi. l abhai r siad d i mi r siad
Passive l abhrai odh i mri odh
The onl y sy ntheti c form of the verb i n the past tense is 1 pi. - (a)i omar and
- (a)i odh is the passive endi ng.
123
The Future I 'ense
F i r s t C o n j u g a t i o n - C a t e g o r y 1 (A)
Broad Slender
1 sg. mol fai d h m cui rfi d h m
2 sg. mol fai d h t cui rfi d h t
3 sg. mol fai d h s, si cui rfi d h s, si
l p l . mol fai mi d cui rfi mi d
2 pi. mol fai d h si bh cui rfi dh sibh
3 pi. mol fai d h siad cui rfi d h siad
Passive mol far cui rfear
Broad Slender
1 sg. rechtl fai d h m ti omi nfi d h m
2 sg. rechtl fai d h t ti omi nfi d h t
3 sg. rechtl fai dh s, s ti omi nfi d h s, s
1 pi. rechtl fai mi d ti omi nfi mi d
2 pi. rechtl fai d h si bh ti omi nfi d h si bh
3 pi. rechtl fai d h siad ti omi nfi d h siad
Passive rechtl far ti omi nfear
To form the future tense, add - f(a)idh m / t / s / si / sibh / siad, - f(a)imid
to the root for personal forms and - f(e)ar for the passive forms.
There is onl y one sy ntheti c form of the verb i n the future tense, viz. 1 pi.
- f(a)imid.
not e: a rel ati ve endi ng - f(e)as is used i n Ulster and Connaught.
124
The Future Tense
Broad Slender
1 sg. ceanni d h m crui nneoi d h m
2 sg. ceanni d h t cru i nneoi d h t
3 sg. ceanni d h s, s cru i nneoi d h s, s
1 pi. ceanni mi d crui nneoi mi d
2 pi. ceanni d h si bh crui nneoi d h si bh
3 pi. ceanni d h siad cru i nneoi d h siad
Passive ceannfar crui nneofar
Broad Slender
1 sg. l abhri d h m i mreoi d h m
2 sg. l abhri d h t i mreoi d h t
3 sg. l abhri d h s, s i mreoi d h s, s
1 pi. l abhri mi d i mreoi mi d
2 pi. l abhri d h sibh i mreoi dh si bh
3 pi. l abhri d h siad i mreoi d h siad
Passive l abhrfar i mreofar
To form the future tense, add - i dh m / t / s / si / si bh / siad, - i mi d
(broad) and - eoi dh m / t / s / si / si bh / si ad, - eoi mi d (sl ender) to the root
for personal forms and - far or - eofar for the passive forms.
There is onl y one sy ntheti c form of the verb in the future tense, viz. 1 pi.
- i m i d / - e o i m i d .
n o t e : a rel ati ve endi ng - s or - e o s is used i n Ulster and Connaught.
125
The Con d i ti on al Mood
F i r s t C o n j u g a t i o n - C a t e g o r y 1 (A)
Broad Slender
1sg. mhol fai nn chu i rfi nn
2 sg. mhol f chui rfe
3 sg. mhol fad h s, si chui rfead h s, si
1pi. mhol fai mi s chu i rfi mi s
2 pi. mhol fad h si bh chui rfead h si bh
3 pi. mhol fai d i s chui rfi d i s
Passive mhol fai chui rfi
Fi r s t C o n j u g a t i o n - C a t e g o r y 1 (B)
Broad Slender
1 sg. rechtl fai nn thi omi nfi nn
2 sg. rechtl f thi omi nfe
3 sg. rechtl fadh s, si thi omi nfead h
1 P1
rechtl fai mi s thi omi nfi mi s
2 pi. rechtl fadh si bh thi omi nfead h
3 pi. rechtl fai di s thi omi nfi d i s
Passive rechtl fai thi omi nfi
To form the condi ti onal mood, l eni te the i ni ti al consonant of the verb and
prefi x d' i f the i ni ti al l etter is f or a vowel , e.g. d'fhgfadh, d'l fadh.
The personal endi ngs are - f(a)i nn, - f(e), - f(e)adh s / si / si bh, - f(a)i mi s,
- f(a)idis and - f(a)i for the passive forms.
There are four sy ntheti c forms of the verb i n the condi ti onal mood, viz. 1 sg.
- f(a)i nn, 2 sg. - f(e), 1 pi. - f(a)i mi s, 3 pi. - f(a)idi s.
126
Broad Slender
1 sg. chean ni nn chru i nneoi nn
2 sg. cheannf chrui nneof
3 sg. cheannd h s, si chrui nneod h s, s
1 pi. cheanni mi s chru i nneoi mi s
2 pi. cheannd h si bh chru i nneod h si bh
3 pi. cheanni d s chrui nneoi d s
Passive cheannfa chru i nneofa
Se c o n d C o n j u g a t i o n - C a t e g o r y 2 ()
Broad Slender
1 sg. l abhri nn d i mreoi nn
2 sg. l abhrf d 'i mreof
3 sg. l abhrdh s, si d i mreodh s, si
l p l . l abhri mi s d'i mreoi mi s
2 pi. l abhrdh si bh d'i mreod h si bh
3 pi. I abhri d s d i mreoi d s
Passive l abhrfa d i mreofa
To form the cond i ti onal mood, add - i n n , - f , - d h s / s i / s i b h , - i m i s ,
- i d s (broad) and - e o i n n , - e o f , - e o d h s / s i / s i b h , - e o i m i s , - e o i d i s
(sl ender) to the root for personal forms and - f a or - e o f a i for the passive
forms.
There are four sy ntheti c forms of the verb in the condi ti onal mood, viz. 1 sg.
- i n n / - e o i n n , 2 sg. - f / - e o f , 1 pi. - i m i s / - e o i m i s , 3 pi. - i d s /
- e o i d i s .
127
The Past H abi tu al Tense
F i r s t C o n j u g a t i o n - C a t e g o r y 1(A )
Broad Slender
1 sg. mhol ai nn chu i ri nn
2 sg. mhol t chui rte
3 sg. mhol ad h s, si chui read h s, si
1 pi. mhol ai mi s chui ri mi s
2 pi. mhol ad h si bh chui read h si bh
3 pi. mhol ai d i s chui ri di s
Passive mhol tai chui rti
Broad Slender
1 sg. rechtl ai nn thi omi ni nn
2 sg. rechti l te thi omi nte
3 sg. rechtl adh s, si thi omi nead h
1 Pi
rechtl ai mi s thi omi ni mi s
2 pi. rechtl adh si bh thi omi nead h
3 pi. rechtl ai d s thi omi ni d s
Passive rechti l t thi omi nt
To form the past habi tual tense, l eni te the i ni ti al consonant of the verb and
prefi x d' i f the i ni ti al l etter is f or a vowel , e.g. d 'fhgad h, d 'l ad h.
The personal endi ngs are - (a)i nn, - t(e), - (e)adh s / si / si bh, - (a)imi s,
- (a)idis and - t(a)i for the passive forms.
There are four sy ntheti c forms of the verb i n the past habi tual tense, viz. 1
sg. - (a)inn, 2 sg. - t(e), 1 pi. - (a)imis, 3 pi. - (a)idis.
n o t e : the sl ender - 1 - i n rechti l t .
128
Th e Pas t H a b i tu a l Te n s e
Broad Sl end er
1 sg. cheannai nn chr u i nni nn
2 sg. cheanna te chrui nn te
3 sg. cheanna od h s, si chru i nn od h s, si
1 Pi
cheannai mi s chrui nni mi s
2 pi. cheannai od h si bh chru i nni od h si bh
3 pi. cheannai d i s chrui nni d i s
Passive cheannai ti chru i nni ti
Broad Sl end er
1 sg. l abhrai nn d 'i mri nn
2 sg. l abhra te d 'i mri te
3 sg. l abhrai odh s, si d'i mr od h s, si
1 pi. l abhrai mi s d'i mri mi s
2 pi. l abhrai od h si bh d 'i mri od h si bh
3 pi. l abhrai di s d'i mri di s
Passive l abhrai ti d'i mri ti
To form the past habi tual tense, add - (a)i nn, - (a)ite, - (a)i odh s / si / si bh,
- (a)i mi s, - (a)idis to the root for personal forms and - (a)i ti for the passive
forms.
There are four sy ntheti c forms of the verb in the past habi tual tense, viz. 1
sg. - (a)inn, 2 sg. - (a)te, 1 pi. - (a)imis, 3 pi. - (a)idis.
129
The I mp er ati v e Mood
F i r s t C o n j u g a t i o n - C a t e g o r y
1 (A)
Broad Slender
1 sg. mol ai m cui ri m
2 sg. mol cui r
3 sg. mol adh s, si cui readh s, si
l p l . mol ai mi s cui ri mi s
2 pi. mol ai gi cui ri gi
3 pi. mol ai di s cui ri di s
Passive mol tar cui rtear
Broad Slender
1 sg. rechtl ai m ti omi ni m
2 sg. rechti l ti omi n
3 sg. rechtl adh s, si ti omi nead h s, s
l p l . rechtl ai mi s ti omi ni mi s
2 pi. rechtl ai g ti omi ni g
3 pi. rechtl ai d s ti omi ni d i s
Passive rechti l tear ti omi ntear
To form the i mperati v e mood, add - (a)i m, - (e)adh s / si, - (a)i mi s, - (a)igi,
- (a)idis to the root for personal forms and - t(e)ar for the passive forms.
There are four sy ntheti c forms of the verb i n the imperati v e mood, viz. 1 sg.
- (a)im, 1 pi. - (a)imis, 2 pi . - (a)igi, 3 pi. - (a)idis.
n o t e : the - 1 - i n rechti l tear is sl ender.
130
The I mp erati v e Mood
Broad Slender
1 sg. ceannai m cru i nni m
2 sg. ceannai gh crui nni gh
3 sg. ceanna od h s, si cru i nn od h s, si
l p l . ceannai mi s cru i nni mi s
2 pi. ceannai gi crui nni gi
3 pi. ceannai d i s crui nni di s
Passive ceannai tear cru i nni tear
Broad Slender
1 sg. l abhrai m i mri m
2 sg. l abhai r i mi r
3 sg. l abhrai od h s, si i mr odh s
l pl . l abhrai mi s i mri mi s
2 pi. l abhrai gi i mri gi
3 pi. l abhrai di s i mri di s
Passive l abhrai tear i mri tear
To form the i mperati v e mood, add - (a) m, - (a) odh s / si, - (a)i mi s, - (a)igi ,
- (a)i di s to the root for personal forms and - (a)i tear for the passive forms.
There are four sy ntheti c forms of the verb i n the i mperati v e mood, viz. 1 sg.
- (a)im, 1 pi. - (a)imis, 2 pi . - (a)igi, 3 pi. - (a)idis.
131
The Present Su bju ncti v e Mood
s t C o n j u g a ti o n - C a te g o r y 1 (A )
Broad Sl end er
1 sg. - mol a m - cui re m
2 sg. - mol a t - cui re t
3 sg. - mol a s, si - cui re s, si
l pi. - mol ai mi d - cui ri mi d
2 pi. - mol a si bh - cui re si bh
3 pi. - mol a siad - cui re siad
Passive - mol tar - cui rtear
Broad Slender
1 sg. - rechtl a m - ti omi ne m
2 sg. - rechtl a t - ti omi ne t
3 sg. - rechtl a s, s - ti omi ne s, s
l p l . - rechtl ai mi d - ti omi ni mi d
2 pi. - rechtl a si bh - ti omi ne si bh
3 pi. - rechtl a siad - ti omi ne siad
Passive - rechti l tear - ti omi ntear
To form the present subjuncti v e mood, add - a (broad) or - e (sl ender) m /
t / s / si / si bh / si ad, - (a)i mi d to the root for personal forms and - t(e)ar
for the passive forms.
There is onl y one sy ntheti c form of the verb i n the present subjuncti v e
mood, viz. 1 pi. - (a)imi d.
n o t e : the - 1 - in rechti l tear is slender.
132
Se c o n d C o n j u g a t i o n - C a t e g o r y 2 (A )
Broad Sl end er
1 sg. - ceannai m - crui nni m
2 sg. - ceannai t - crui nni t
3 sg. - ceannai s, si - crui nni s, si
1 pi. - ceannai mi d - crui nni mi d
2 pi. - ceannai si bh - crui nni si bh
3 pi. - ceannai siad - crui nni siad
Passive - ceannai tear - cru i nni tear
Se c o n d C o n j u g a t i o n - C a t e g o r y 2 ( B )
Broad Sl end er
1 sg. - l abhra m - i mri m
2 sg. - l abhrai t - i mri t
3 sg. - l abhrai s, si - i mri s, si
1 pi. - l abhrai mi d - i mri mi d
2 pi. - l abhrai si bh - i mri si bh
3 pi. - l abhrai siad - i mri siad
Passive - l abhrai tear - i mri tear
To form the present subjuncti v e mood, add - (a) m / t / s / si / si bh / siad,
- (a)imi d to the root for personal forms and - (a)itear for the passive forms.
There is onl y one sy ntheti c form of the verb i n the present subjuncti v e
mood, viz. 1 pi. - (a)imi d.
133
Verbal A d jecti v e / Past Par ti ci p l e
Add - ta / - te to verbs endi ng i n -1, - n, - s, - ch, - d:
61
Broad
l ta buai l
Slender
buai l te
dn -> dnta si n si nte
las lasta bris bri ste
croch crochta goi d goi dte
stad stadta
Wi th verbs endi ng i n - 1 / - th, remov e the - 1 / - th and add - te / - ta:
ri th - ri te cai th -* cai te l oi t - l oi te at -* ata
Add - tha / - the to verbs endi ng i n - b, - c, - g, - m, - p, - r:
Broad Slender
cum cumtha l oi sc - l oi scthe
ceap ceaptha li g -> l i gthe
fg
fgtha l i m l i mthe
glac
-*
gl actha scai p - scai pthe
lb
-*
l btha
n o t e : th e f i n a l c o n s o n a n t i s m a d e b r o a d i n s o m e ca s e s :
cui r -* cu r tha si il - si l ta
Wi th verbs endi ng i n - bh / - mh, remov e the - bh / - mh and add - fa:
scri obh - scri ofa gabh -> gafa lobh - l ofa
There are some irregular formati ons: ini s -> i nste
Remove the fi nal - gh and add - the
Broad Slender
ceannai gh - ceannai the crui nni gh - crui nni the
athrai gh -* athrai the i mi gh -> i mi the
134
The Verbal Noun
The verbal noun i n I ri sh is most frequentl y used preceded by ag to denote
progressi v e/conti nuous acti on (i.e. to transl ate the - ing suffixed to the verb
i n Engli sh):
ag cai nt
ag 01
ag diol
talking
dri nki ng
selling
ag i steacht
ag ceannach
ag sil
listening
buying
walking
I t is used to transl ate the Engl i sh i nfi ni ti v e to.
object, the constru cti on is as fol lows:
When there is no direct
cai thfi dh m i meach t anoi s
t orm fan ach t
ni mr d dul amach
b'i gean di bh snmh
an bhfui l t ag i arraidh fan acht?
ba bhre Horn bu al ad h leis
I have to go now
I have to wait
he has to go out
they had to swim
do you wish to stay?
I d love to meet him
When there is a di rect object, w hether a noun or pronoun, the constructi on
is as fol lows:
oth er + object + a (l eni ti ng) + v erbal nou n
t s ar ti an obai r a d h anamh
ba mhai th l i om an fear a fh ei cei l
is bre l i om a fh ei cei l gach l
cai thfi dh si an carr a th i omi n t
t ort an chi sti n a ghl anad h
ni mr di nn an si opa a d h nad h
b'i gean di an cat a bhu al ad h
di rt s l i om an t-airgead a
ch ai th eamh
he is about to do the work
I would like to see the man
I love to see hi m every day
she has to drive the car
you have to clean the kitchen
we have to close the shop
she had to beat the cat
he told me to spend the money
When a noun is the di rect object of a verbal noun, that noun is usually i n
the geni ti v e case:
ag danamh na hoi bre doing the work
ag i the an d i n n i r eati ng the di nner
ag scri obh na l i tr each writing the letter
When the di rect object of a verbal noun is a pronoun, a constructi on
i nv ol v i ng the possessi ve adjecti v e is used:
do / ag mo mhol adh prai si ng me
do / ag do mhol adh prai si ng you
135
The Verbal Noun
The most common way to form the verbal noun is si mpl y to add - (e)adh to
the root of the verb:
Broad
mol
dun
ps
mol adh
dnadh
psadh
Sl end er
bris -
ci n -
doi rt -
(Someti mes broadeni ng of the fi nal consonant takes pl ace.)
buai l - bual adh l oi sc -
Other common ways of formi ng the verbal noun:
The same as the root:
diol
01
diol
01
troid
ri th
Broadeni ng the fi nal consonant of the root:
cui r - cur si il
Adding - 1 to the root:
bai n - bai nt roi nn
Adding - (e)amh:
cai th
seas
Adding - (e)an:
li g ->
Adding - (i )i nt:
creid -
cai theamh
seasamh
li gean
crei di i nt
ligh
leag
lean
bri seadh
ci neadh
doi rteadh
l oscad h
troi d
ri th
si l
roi nnt
l amh
l eagan
l ean i nt
136
Adding various other endings:
fg - fgi l fach -
fan - fanacht
Remove the fi nal - (a)igh and add - (i):
Broad Slender
marai gh - mar crui nni gh -
athrai gh - athr bai l i gh -
tosai gh - tos suimi gh
Remove the fi nal - (a)igh and add - (e)ach(t):
ceannai gh ceannach
imi gh - i meacht
fachai nt
crui nni
bai l i
sui mi
137
A L i s t o f V e r b s
adhl ai c, adhai n, aiseag, ai si oc, alp
bac, bci l , bigh, bai n, baist, base, bearr, bi c, biog, blais, bl i gh, bog, borr,
brai th, breac, brag, bris, bronn, bri gh, brui th, buai l , buai gh
cail l, ci n, cai th, cam, can, caoi n, cardil , cam, cas, cealg, ceap, cas, ceil ,
ci nn, ci ondi l , cor, cl eacht, cli s, cl bhuai l , cl o gh, cl scr obh, cni oti l ,
coi med, coi sri c, comhai r, comhl on, cnasc, cri gh, craobhscaoi l , craol ,
creach, creid, cri th, croch, croi th, crom, cros, cruai gh, cri gh, cui r, cum
dall, daor, dearc, dearg, dearmad, di lei l, diol, d on, doi rt, dracht, dn
ag, i st
fg, fisc, fan, fs, fach, fad, feal l, fei l, feoi gh, fil l, fi gh, fi uch, fl i uch, fir,
fori l, fri othi l , fuai gh
gabh, gair, geal, geall , gearr, gi ll , gei t, gin, glac, glan, gl aoi gh, glas, gluais,
goid, goi l, goi ll , goi n, gri gh, gread, grig, guigh
iarr, i ni ch, i nsteal l , i oc
las, lasc, leag, l eigh, lean, l eath, leigheas, ligh, l i m, l eon, lig, li gh, l i on,
l i osti l , l oi c, loisc, l oi t, lom, luaigh, luasc, luigh
mai gh, mair, mirseil , mai th, marci l , meal l , meas, measc, meath, mei l,
mi l l , mr, mch, mi n
nasc, ni gh, nocht
ofri l, oi l, oir, l
paci l , pi oc, pl ab, pl ane, pl igh, pl ch, pg, pol l , ps, preab, pri onti l ,
promh
rcil , rab, reic, reoi gh, riar, ri gh, ri omh, robil , rol l, , ruaig, risc
sbhil , sai ll, saor, scag, scaip, scaird, scai rt, scal l, scaoi l , scar, sceal p, scei th,
sci nn, sciorr, scir, scoi l t, scoi r, scoi th, scrach, scread, scr ob, scr obh,
scuab, seachai d, san, searg, searr, seas, sid, sei nn, si n, s ob, si oc, sii l,
sl acht, sl ioc, slog, smi d, smol , sni gh, sni omh, si nsei l , spril,
speach, spi on, spreag, sprigh, srac, srann, sroi ch, stad, stn, staon,
steal l, stiall , stiir, stol l, strioc, stri c, suaith, suigh, sigh, sunci l
tacht, tai rg, tirg, tai sc, tai spei n, taom, taosc, tsti l , tacht, teagasc,
teann, teil g, ti gh, teip, tei th, ti omi n, ti onl ai c, ti oni l , ti t, tochai s,
tochrai s, tg, togh, tolg, tomhai s, tost, trcht, tri gh, traoi th, trig, triai l,
trial l, troid, troisc, tui g, tui ll , tum
uaim, url aic, sid
F i r s t C o n j u g a t i o n - Ca t e g o r y 1 (a )
138
Se c o n d C o n j u g a t i o n - C a t e g o r y 2 (a )
achtai gh, adhrai gh, admhai gh, agair, ai fri gh, ai msi gh, ai nmni gh, airi gh,
iri gh, ai si ri gh, aistri gh, ai thi n, ai thri s, i ti gh, al tai gh, aontai gh,
athrai gh
bagair, bai l i gh, bnai gh, bsai gh, beachtai gh, beannai gh, beartaigh,
beathai gh, bei ri gh, bi orai gh, bisi gh, bl thai gh, bodhrai gh, bolai gh,
bragnai gh, breathnai gh, brei thni gh, brostai gh, buanai gh, bunai gh
cabhrai gh, ci l i gh, caomhnai gh, ceadai gh, ceal ai gh, ceangai l , ceannai gh,
ceansai gh, ceartai gh, cei sni gh, cei sti gh, ci al l ai gh, cigi l, ci ontai gh,
ci nai gh, cl aochl ai gh, cl rai gh, cl dai gh, codai l , cogai n, coi gi l ,
coi nni gh, ci ri gh, comhai rl i gh, comhl nai gh, comhordai gh,
comhri ti gh, cnai gh, corrai gh, coscai r, cosai n, cothai gh, cothromai gh,
creathnai gh, cri ochnai gh, crui nni gh, cruthai gh, cuardai gh, cui digh,
cui mhni gh, ci sigh, ci ti gh, cl ai gh, cumhdai gh
damhsai gh, damnai gh, dathai gh, deal aigh, deal raigh, dearbhai gh, dei frigh,
dei mhni gh, deonai gh, dibir, d chi l i gh, diri gh, di ul tai gh, dreasaigh,
di si gh, dnmharai gh
eachtrai gh, eagrai gh, al ai gh, eascair, i l i gh, i ri gh, ei sigh, ei ti gh, ei ti l
fadaigh, fi l ti gh, fei sti gh, fi afrai gh, fi osrai gh, foghl ai m, fgair, foi lsi gh,
fol ai gh, freastai l, ful ai ng
gi orraigh, gnthai gh, gni omhai gh, gnthai gh, gortai gh, greamai gh,
gri osai gh
idi gh, i mi gh, i mpi gh, imi r, i nfhei sti gh, ini s, iobair, i ompai gh, iompair,
iomair, i onsai gh, isli gh
labhair, l aghdai gh, l easaigh, l eathnai gh, l irigh, l i ni gh, l i ostai gh, l i trigh,
l ochtai gh
machnai gh, mai si gh, mai stri gh, mal artai gh, mal l achtai gh, maol ai gh,
maothai gh, marai gh, marcai gh, masl ai gh, meabhrai gh, mi ni gh,
mi onnai gh, mi di gh, moi l l i gh, mothai gh, mui rni gh, mnl ai gh, mscail
ni ri gh, naomhai gh, neadai gh, neartai gh, neodrai gh, oi bri gh, oi ri nai gh,
oi rni gh, ordai gh, oscai l
peacai gh, pl andai gh, pl daigh,
rmhai gh, ramhrai gh, reachtai gh, ri mni gh, ri ti gh, ri anai gh, ri ghni gh,
roghnai gh
si nni gh, sal aigh, samhl ai gh, saoirsi gh, saol ai gh, saothrai gh, srai gh,
ssaigh, satail , scanrai gh, scrdaigh, seachnai gh, salaigh, seal bhai gh,
s ni gh, si ol rai gh, si othl ai gh, sl nai gh, sl eamhnai gh, smachtai gh,
smaoi ni gh, snasai gh, socrai gh, soil sigh, soipri gh, soi rbhi gh, sol thrai gh,
sonrai gh, sruthl ai gh
tabhai gh, tagair, tai thi gh, taobhai gh, tapai gh, tarraing, tthai gh,
teagmhai gh, teastai gh, ti mpeal l ai gh, ti oranai gh, ti omsai gh, ti ontai gh,
tochai l , toi l i gh, trai gh, tosai gh, trasnai gh, trasl ai gh, treorai gh,
tri omai gh, truai l l i gh, tui rsigh
uachtai gh, uai sl i gh, ualaigh, daraigh, ui mhri gh, umhl ai gh
139
TH E I RREG U L A R V ERB
There are twelve irregul ar verbs i n I rish i f we i ncl ude the two verbs to be, viz.
the copul a is and the substanti v e bi . A verb is termed irregul ar i f i t does not
retai n the same root i n all tenses. I n addi ti on, some irregul ar verbs have
di fferent dependent forms when preceded by certai n preverbal particl es.
Some of the irregul ar verbs are onl y margi nal l y irregular.
The fol l owi ng is a li st of the irregul ar verbs excl udi ng the two verbs to be (the
2 sg. imperati ve form of the verb is the one giv en here):
bei r
cl oi s / cl ui n
carry / catch / be bom
hear
do / make dan
abair say
get faigh
fei c
i th
see
eat
give tabhai r
tar
ti gh
come
140
The Present Tense
W i th ei ght o f th e s e v e r b s (a l l e x c e p t a b a i r a n d , to a l e s s e r e x te n t, t i g h ),
s i m p l y ta k e th e p r e s e n t r o o t a n d a d d th e n o r m a l e n d i n g s f o r r e g u l a r v e r b s
Category 1 (a).
Beir Dan Feic
1 sg. bei ri m danai m fei ci m
2 sg. bei reann t d anann t fei ceann t
3 sg. bei reann s, si danann s, s fei ceann s, si
1 pi. bei ri mi d d anai mi d fei ci mi d
2 pi. bei reann si bh danann si bh fei ceann si bh
3 pi. bei reann siad danann siad fei ceann siad
Passive bei rtear dantar fei ctear
Ith Tabhair Tar
1 sg. i thi m tugai m tagai m
2 sg. i theann t tugann t tagann t
3 sg. i theann s, si tugann s, s tagann s, si
l pl . i thi mi d tugai mi d tagai mi d
2 pi. i theann si bh tugann si bh tagann si bh
3 pi. i theann siad tugann siad tagann siad
Passive i tear tugtar tagtar
n o t e : i n case of tar and tabhai r, the present roots are tag- and tug-
Faigh Clois / Cluin
1 sg. fai ghi m cl oi si m / cl u i ni m
2 sg. fai gheann t cl oi seann / cl u i neann t
3 sg. fai gheann s, si cl oi seann / cl u i neann s, si
l p l . fai ghi mi d cl oi si mi d / cl u i ni mi d
2 pi. fai gheann si bh cl oi seann / cl u i neann si bh
3 pi. fai gheann siad cl oi seann / cl u i neann siad
Passive fai ghtear cl oi stear / cl u i ntear
Tigh Abair
1 sg. ti m dei ri m
2 sg. tann t dei r t
3 sg. tann s, si dei r s, si
lpl. ti mi d dei ri mi d
2 pi. tann si bh dei r si bh
3 pi. tann siad dei r siad
Passive ti tear dei rtear
n o te : th e f o r m a ti o n o f t i g h i s slightly d i f f e r e n t f r o m th e p r e v i o u s e i g h t
w h i l e th e f o r m a ti o n o f a b a i r i s completely d i f f e r e n t f r o m th e p r e v i o u s n i n e .
n o te : w h e n p r e ce d e d b y th e n e g a ti v e p a r ti cl e n i o r a n y o th e r l e n i ti n g v e r b a l
p a r ti cl e , th e i n i ti a l l e tte r o f th i s v e r b a b a i r i s n o t l e n i te d i n a n y te n s e .
141
The Past Tense
Tabhair Ith
1 sg. thug m d'i th me
2 sg. thug t d'i th t
3 sg. thug s, si d 'i th s, si
l p l . thugamar d 'i theamar
2 pi. thug si bh d'i th si bh
3 pi. thug siad d'i th siad
Passive tugadh i thead h
These two verbs have the same root as i n the present tense and thei r endi ngs
and preverbal parti cl es i n the past tense are the same as those of the regular
verb, Category 1 (a).
Beir Clois / Cluin Tar
1 sg. rug m chual a m thi ni g m
2 sg. rug t chual a tu thi ni g t
3 sg. rug s, si chual a s, si thi ni g s, s
l p l . rugamar chual amar thngamar
2 pi. rug si bh chual a si bh thi ni g si bh
3 pi. rug siad chual a siad thi ni g siad
Passive rugadh chual athas thngthas
These three verbs do not have the same root as i n the present tense and thei r
preverbal parti cl es i n the past tense are the same as those of the regular verb.
Abair Faigh
1 sg. dirt m fuai r m
2 sg. dirt t fuai r t
3 sg. dirt s, s fuai r s, s
l p l . dramar fuai reamar
2 pl. dirt si bh fuair si bh
3 pl. dirt siad fuai r siad
Passive dradh fuarthas
These two verbs do not have the same root as i n the present tense and thei r
preverbal parti cl es i n the past tense are ni, an, go, nach etc. The negati v e
parti cl e ni or any other l eni ti ng parti cl e do not l eni te any of the di rt forms.
The negati v e parti cl e ni ecli pses the fuai r forms.
142
I nd ep end ent Depend ent
Form Form
Tigh Tigh
1 sg. chuai gh m - deachai gh m
2 sg. chuai gh t - deachai gh t
3 sg. chuai gh s, si - deachai gh s, si
1 pi. chuamar - deachamar
2 pi. chuai gh si bh - deachai gh si bh
3 pi. chuai gh siad - deachai gh siad
Passive chuathas - deachthas
Dan Dan
1 sg. ri nne m - dearna m
2 sg. ri nne t - dearna t
3 sg. ri nne s, si - dearna s, si
l p l . ri nneamar - dearnamar
2 pi. ri nne si bh - dearna si bh
3 pi. ri nne siad - dearna siad
Passive ri nneadh - dearnadh
Feic Feic
1 sg. chonai c m - faca m
2 sg. chonai c tu - faca t
3 sg. chonai c s, si - faca s, si
l p l . chonai ceamar - facamar
2 pi. chonai c si bh - faca si bh
3 pi. chonai c siad - faca siad
Passive chonacthas - facthas
The three verbs abov e do not have the same root as i n the present tense and
thei r preverbal parti cl es i n the past tense are ni, an, go, nach etc.
143
The Future Tense
Beir Dan Feic
1sg. barfai dh m d anfai d h m fei cfi d h m
2 sg. barfai dh t danfai dh t fei cfi d h t
3 sg. barfai dh s, s d anfai d h s, s fei cfi d h s, si
1pl. barfai mi d d anfai mi d fei cfi mi d
2 pl. barfai d h si bh danfai d h si bh fei cfi d h si bh
3 pl. barfai dh siad danfai d h siad fei cfi d h siad
Passive barfar danfar fei cfear
Ith Tabhair Tar
1sg. osfai dh m tabharfai d h m ti ocfai d h m
2 sg. osfai d h t tabharfai d h t ti ocfai d h t
3 sg. osfai dh s, s tabharfai d h s, s ti ocfai d h s, si
l p l . osfai mi d tabharfai mi d ti ocfai mi d
2 pl. osfai d h si bh tabharfai d h si bh ti ocfai d h si bh
3 pl. osfai dh siad tabharfai d h siad ti ocfai d h siad
Passive osfar tabharfar ti ocfar
n o t e: when preceded by the negati v e parti cl e ni or any other l eni ti ng verbal
particl e, the i ni ti al l etter of abair is not leni ted.
1 sg.
2 sg.
3 sg.
l p l .
2 pl.
3 pl.
Passive
Tigh
rachai d h m
rachai d h t
rachai dh s, si
rachai mi d
rachai dh si bh
rachai dh siad
rachfar
Clois / Cluin
cl oi sfi dh / cl u i nfi d h m
cl oi sfi dh / cl u i nfi d h t
cl oi sfi dh / cl u i nfi d h s, si
cl oi sfi mi d / cl u i nfi mi d
cl oi sfi dh / cl u i nfi d h si bh
cl oi sfi dh / cl u i nfi d h siad
cl oi sfear / cl ui nfear
Abair
d arfai d h m
d arfai d h t
darfai dh s, s
darfai mi d
darfai dh si bh
darfai dh siad
darfar
not e: onl y the fol l owi ng verb has separate i ndependent and dependent
forms i n the future and onl y the fol l owi ng verb is ecli psed when preceded by
ni .
144
Form Form
Faigh Faigh
1 sg. gheobhai d h m - bhfai ghi d h m
2 sg. gheobhai d h t - bhfai ghi d h t
3 sg. gheobhai d h s, si - bhfai ghi d h s, si
l p l . gheobhai mi d - bhfai ghi mi d
2 pi. gheobhai d h si bh - bhfai ghi d h si bh
3 pi. gheobhai d h siad - bhfai ghi d h siad
Passive gheofar - bhfai ghfear
n o t e : all the above irregul ar verbs have the same future endi ngs (except i n
case of rach-, gheobh- and -faigh- w hi ch have no - f - except i n the passive)
as the regular verb, Category 1 (a).
n o t e : the verbs cl oi s / cl ui n, fei c, dan have the same root i n the future as in
the present tense whereas all the other irregular verbs have a di fferent root.
145
Beir Dan Feic
1sg.
bharfai nn d hanfai nn d 'fhei cfi nn
2 sg.
bharf dhanf d 'fhei cfe
3 sg.
bharfad h s, si d hanfad h s, si d 'fhei cfead h s,
1pl.
bharfai mi s dhanfai mi s d 'fhei cfi mi s
2 pl.
bharfad h si bh d hanfad h si bh d 'fhei cfead h sib
3 pl.
bharfai d s d hanfai di s dfhei cfi di s
Passive
bharfa dhanfai d 'fhei cf
Ith Tabhair Tar
1sg.
d ' osfai nn thabharfai nn th i ocfai nn
2 sg.
d' osf thabharf thi ocf
3 sg.
d' osfadh s, s thabharfad h s, s thi ocfad h s, s
l p l .
d' osfai mi s thabharfai mi s thi ocfai mi s
2 pl.
d' osfadh si bh thabharfad h si bh thi ocfad h si bh
3 pl.
d' osfai d s thabharfai di s thi ocfai d s
Passive
d' osfa thabharfa thi ocfa
n o t e : when preceded by the negati v e parti cl e ni or any other l eni ti ng verbal
parti cl e, the i ni ti al l etter of the verb abair is not l eni ted i n any tense.
Tigh Clois / Cluin Abair
1 sg. r achai nn chl oi sfi nn/ch l u i nfi nn d arfai nn
2 sg. rachf chl oi sfe/ chl u i nfe darf
3 sg. rachadh s, si chl oi sfead h/ chl u i nfead h s, s darfadh s, s
1 pl- rachai mi s chl oi sfi mi s/chl u i nfi mi s darfai mi s
2 pi. rachadh si bh chl oi sfead h/chl u i nfead h si bh darfadh si bh
3 pl. rachai d s chl oi sfi d i s/chl ui nfi d i s darfai di s
Passive rachfa chl oi sfi / chl u i nfi darfai
n o t e : onl y the fol l owi ng verb has separate i ndependent and dependent
forms i n the condi ti onal mood and onl y the fol l owi ng verb is ecl i psed when
preceded by ni.
146
Form Form
Faigh Faigh
1 sg. gheobhai nn - bhfai ghi nn
2 sg. gheof - bhfai ghfe
3 sg. gheobhad h s, si - bhfai ghead h s, si
l p l . gheobhai mi s - bhfai ghi mi s
2 pl. gheobhad h si bh - bhfai ghead h si bh
3 pl. gheobhai d i s - bhfai ghi di s
Passive
gheofai - bhfai ghfi
not e: all the abov e irregul ar verbs have the same condi ti onal endi ngs (except
i n case of rach gheobh - and - fai gh - w hi ch have no - f - except i n the 2
sg. and passive) as the regular verb, Category 1 (a).
n o t e : the verbs cl oi s / cluin, fei c, dan have the same root i n the condi ti onal
as i n the present tense whereas all the other irregular verbs have a di fferent
root.
147
The Past H abi tual Tense
Beir Dan Feic
1 sg. bhei ri nn d hanai nn d 'fhei ci nn
2 sg. bhei rte dhant d 'fhei cte
3 sg. bhei readh s, si dhanadh s, s d 'fhei cead h s, si
l p l . bhei ri mi s d hanai mi s d 'fhei ci mi s
2 pl. bhei readh si bh dhanadh si bh d 'fhei cead h si bh
3 pl. bhei ri di s dhanai d s d 'fhei ci d s
Passive bhei rti dhanta d 'fhei ct
Ith Tabhair Tar
1 sg. d 'i thi nn thu gai nn thagai nn
2 sg. d'i te thugt thagt
3 sg. d 'i thead h s, si thugadh s, s thagadh s, s
l p l . d 'i thi mi s thugai mi s thagai mi s
2 pl. d 'i thead h si bh thugadh si bh thagadh si bh
3 pl. d 'i thi di s thugai d s thagai d s
Passive d'i ti thugta thagta
Tigh Clois / Cluin
1 sg. thi nn chl oi si nn / chl ui ni nn
2 sg. thi te chl oi ste / chl u i nte
3 sg. thad h s, s chl oi sead h / chl u i nead h s, s
1 pl. thi mi s chl oi si mi s / chl u i ni mi s
2 pl. thad h si bh chl oi sead h / chl u i nead h si bh
3 pl. thi d s chl oi si d s / chl ui ni d s
Passive thi t chl oi st / chl u i nt
Abair Faigh
1 sg. dei ri nn dfhai ghi nn
2 sg. dei rte d 'fhai ghte
3 sg. dei readh s, s d'fhai gheadh s, si
1 pl. dei ri mi s d'fhai ghi mi s
2 pl. dei readh si bh d 'fhai gheadh si bh
3 pl. dei ri d s d'fhai ghi d s
Passive dei rt d'fhai ght
The past habi tual tense is based on the present root. All of these irregular
verbs, wi th the possible excepti on of ti gh, have the same endi ngs as the
regular verb, Category 1 (a).
n o t e : when preceded by the negati v e parti cl e ni or any other l eni ti ng verbal
parti cl e, the i ni ti al l etter of the verb abair is not l eni ted i n any tense.
148
The I mp erati v e Mood
Beir Dan Feic
1 sg. bei ri m danai m fei ci m
2 sg. beir dan fei c
3 sg. bei readh s, si danadh s, s fei ceadh s, si
1 pl. bei ri mi s danai mi s fei ci mi s
2 pl. bei ri gi danai g fei ci gi
3 pl. bei ri di s danai d s fei ci d s
Passive bei rtear dantar fei ctear
Ith Tabhair
1 sg. i thi m tugai m tagai m
2 sg. i th tabh ai r tar
3 sg. i thead h s, si tugadh s, s tagadh s, si
1 pl. i thi mi s tugai mi s tagai mi s
2 pl. i thi gi
tugai gi tagai gi
3 pl. i thi di s tugai di s tagai d s
Passive i tear tugtar tagtar
: the 2 sg. forms of tar and tabhair.
Tigh Clois / Cluin
1 sg. ti m cl oi si m / cl ui ni i n
2 sg. ti gh cl oi s / cl ui n
3 sg. tad h s, si cl oi seadh / cl u i nead h s, si
l pl . ti mi s cl oi si mi s / cl ui ni mi s
2 pl. ti g cl oi si gi / cl ui ni g
3 pl. ti d s cl oi si di s / cl ui ni di s
Passive ti tear cl oi stear / cl u i ntear
Abair Faigh
1 sg. abrai m fai ghi m
2 sg. abair faigh
3 sg. abradh s, si fai gheadh
l p l . abrai mi s fai ghi mi s
2 pl. abrai gi fai ghi gi
3 pl. abrai di s fai ghi d s
Passive abai rtear fai ghtear
149
Beir Dan Feic
1 sg.
- bei re m - dana m - fei ce m
2 sg.
- bei re t - dana t - fei ce t
3 sg.
- bei re s, si - dana s, s - fei ce s, si
l p l .
- bei ri mi d - danai mi d - fei ci mi d
2 pl.
- bei re si bh - dana si bh - fei ce si bh
3 pl.
- bei re siad - dana siad - fei ce siad
Passive - bei rtear - dantar - fei ctear
Ith Tabhair Tar
1 sg.
- i the m - tuga m - taga m
2 sg.
- i the t - tuga t - taga t
3 sg.
- i the s, si - tuga s, s - taga s, si
l p l .
- i thi mi d - tugai mi d - tagai mi d
2 pl.
- i the si bh - tuga si bh - taga si bh
3 pl.
- i the siad - tuga siad - taga siad
Passive
- i tear - tugtar - tagtar
Tigh Clois / Cluin
1 sg.
- t m - cl oi se / cl ui ne m
2 sg.
- t t - cl oi se / cl ui ne t
3 sg.
- t s, s - cl oi se / cl ui ne s, si
lpl.
- ti mi d - cl oi si mi d / cl u i ni mi d
2 pl.
- t si bh - cl oi se / cl ui ne si bh
3 pl.
- t siad - cl oi se / cl ui ne siad
Passive
- ti tear - cl oi stear / cl ui ntear
Abair Faigh
1 sg.
- dei re m - fai ghe m
2 sg.
- dei re t - fai ghe t
3 sg.
- dei re s, s - fai ghe s, si
1 pl.
- dei ri mi d - fai ghi mi d
2 pl.
- dei re si bh - fai ghe si bh
3 pl.
- dei re siad - fai ghe siad
Passive
- dei rtear - fai ghtear
n o t e : a l l these irregul ar verbs, wi th the excepti on of ti gh, have the same
endi ngs as the regular verb, Category 1 (a).
150
The I rregu l ar Verb
Verbal Ad jecti v e / Past Parti ci p l e Verbal Noun
abair ri te abair r
beir bei rthe beir brei th
clois cl oi ste clois cl oi stei l
cl ui n - cl ui nte cl ui n cl ui nsti n
dan danta dan danamh
faigh -> fai ghte faigh fi l
fei c fei cthe fei c fei cei l
i th i te ith i the
tabhai r tugtha tabhai r tabhai rt
tar tagtha tar teacht
ti gh d u l ta ti gh dul
151
THE SUBSTANTIVE VERB B (TO BE)
The Present Tense
Posi ti v e Negati v e After parti cl es
an / go / nach etc.
1 sg. ti m / t m n l i m / ni l m - bhfui l i m / - bhfui l m
2 sg. t t ni l t - bhfui l t
3 sg. t s, s ni l s, s - bhfui l s, si
l p l . ti mi d ni l i mi d - bhfui l i mi d
2 pl. t si bh ni l si bh - bhfui l si bh
3 pl. t siad ni l siad - bhfui l siad
Passive tthar n l tear - bhfui l tear
n o t e : th e negati v e parti cl e ni is i ncorp orated i n to th e negati v e forms.
The Habitual Present Tense
The substanti v e verb, uni que among Irish verbs, has a special habi tual
present tense (present conti nuous tense) w hi ch serves to i ndi cate (repeated)
conti nuous acti on i n the present tense:
Posi ti v e Negati v e After parti cl es
an / go / nach etc.
1 sg. bi m - bhi m - mbi m
2 sg. bi onn t - bhi onn t - mbi onn tu
3 sg. bi onn s, si - bhi onn s, si - mbi onn s, si
l p l . bi mi d - bhi mi d - mbi mi d
2 pl. bi onn si bh - bhi onn sibh - mbi onn si bh
3 pl. bi onn siad - bhi onn siad - mbi onn siad
Passive bi tear - bhi tear - mbi tear
n o t e : a rel ati ve, i ndependent endi ng - i o(nn)s is wi dely used in Ulster and
Connaught.
152
The Past Tense
Posi ti v e After particl es
ni / an / g o / nach etc.
1 sg. bh i m - raibh m
2 sg. bh t - raibh t
3 sg. bh s, si - rai bh s, si
l p l . bhi omar - rabhamar
2 pl. bhi si bh - raibh sibh
3 pl. bhi siad - rai bh siad
Passive bhi othas - rabhthas
The Future Tense
Posi ti v e After negati ve After particl es
parti cl e ni an / go / nach etc.
1 sg. bei d h m - bhei d h m - mbei d h ra
2 sg. bei dh t - bhei d h t - mbei d h t
3 sg. bei dh s, si - bhei d h s, si - mbei d h s, si
1 pl. bei mi d - bhei mi d - mbei mi d
2 pl. bei d h si bh - bhei d h si bh - mbei d h si bh
3 pl. bei d h siad - bhei d h siad - mbei d h siad
Passive bei fear - bhei fear - mbei fear
n o t e : a rel ati ve, i ndependent endi ng - e a s is wi dely used i n Ulster and
Connaught.
The Conditional Mood
Posi ti v e After negati v e
parti cl e ni
After parti cl es
an / go / nach etc.
1 sg. bhei nn - bhei nn - i nbei nn
2 sg. bhei fe - bhei fe - mbei fe
3 sg. bhead h s, si - bhead h s, si - mbead h s, si
l p l . bhei mi s - bhei mi s - mbei mi s
2 pl. bhead h si bh - bhead h si bh - mbeadh si bh
3 pl. bhei d i s - bhei d i s - mbei di s
Passive bhei fi - bhei fi - mbei fi
153
The Past H abi tu al Tense
Posi ti v e After negati ve
parti cl e ni
After particl es
an / go / nach
1 sg. bhi nn - bhi nn - mbi nn
2 sg. bh te - bh te - mb te
3 sg. bh odh s, si - bhi odh s, si - mbi odh s, si
1 pl. bhi mi s - bhi mi s - mbi mi s
2 pl. bhi odh si bh - bhi odh si bh - mbi odh si bh
3 pl. bhi di s - bhi di s - mbi dis
Passive bhi ti - bhi ti - mbi ti
The The Present
I mperati v e Su bju ncti v e
Mood Mood
1 sg. bi m - rai bh m
2 sg. bi - raibh t
3 sg. bi od h s, si - rai bh s, si
l p l . bi mi s - rabhai mi d
2 pl. bi gi - rai bh si bh
3 pl. bidis - rai bh siad
Passive bi tear - r abhthar
The Verbal Noun is bheith
154
The Su bstanti v e Verb Bi - Uses
t carr agam I have a car
ni l cat agat you don't have a cat
an bhfui l pi ngi n aige? has he got a penny?
an raibh peann ai ci ? di d she have a pen?
bhi sos fada agai nn we had a long break
ni rai bh saoire agaibh you had no holiday
bei dh beagn airgid acu they will have a little money
bei dh an leabhar ag Sen J ohn will have the book
It is used i di omati cal l y wi th the phrase a fhi os (li t. its knowl edge) + ag to
transl ate the Engli sh verb to know:
t a fhi os agat si n you know that
ni rai bh a fhi os agam faoi I di dn't know about it
I t is used wi th the preposi ti on i fol l owed by the appropriate possessive
adjecti v e to i ndi cate that a noun or pronoun is another noun. Such a use is
someti mes referred to as cl assi fi catory:
t m i mo mhi nteoi r I am a teacher
ni l t i do gharda you are not a guard
bhi Sen i na chl adhai re J ohn was a coward
bhi Mi re i na dochti r Mary was a doctor
t siad ina gcl easai the they are tricksters
I t is used wi th the verbal nou n to denote conti nuous acti on:
It is used al ong wi th the preposi ti on ag to transl ate the Engli sh verb to have:
t s ag obai r he is working
bhi s ag i the he was eati ng
It is used wi th various preposi ti ons to i ndi cate posi ti on or l ocati on:
bhi s ar an mbord it was on the table
ni l s faoi n l eaba it is not under the bed
bei dh siad san abhai nn they will be in the river
I t is used wi th ch omh fol l owed by an adjecti v e to transl ate the equati ve,
i.e. as . . . (adj.) . . . as:
t s chomh mr le cnoc it is as big as a hill
t s chomh ramhar le muc he is as fat as a pig
155
It is used wi th ar fol lowed by noun(s) and the superl ati ve of the adjecti v e to
transl ate the constructi on the +(adj. + - est) + noun, or one of the {adj. +
- est) + noun:
t s ar an duine is cli ste sa rang he is the cleverest in the class
bhi s ar an bpiste ba shalai ansi n he was the dirtiest child there
t s ar (dhui ne de) na daoi ne is he is one of the best people in the class
fearr sa rang
ni l si ar (bhean de) na mn is il le she is not one of the most
beauti ful women
It is used to i ndi cate a poi nt/uni t/speci fi c notati on of ti me, measurement,
wei ght and pri ce:
t s a naoi a chl og it is ni ne o'clock
t si dei ch mbl i ana d'aoi s she is ten years old
t s cl och mhechai n it weighs a stone
t s slat ar lei thead it is a yard in width
bhi s cig pi ngi ne it cost five pence
I t is used wi th go fol lowed by an adjecti v e to form an adverb:
t s go bre i nni u it is fi ne today
bhi s go mai th i nn he w as well yesterday
t an aimsir go dona the weather is awful
It is used w i th vari ous preposi ti onal pronouns fol lowed by the verbal noun
to conv ey a variety of meani ngs:
bhi orthu i meacht they had to leave
t agam le jab a dhanamh I have to do a job
bhi faoi fanacht ann he i ntended to stay there
I t is used wi th the adverb ann to denote exi stence:
bhi fear ann fad there was a man once
t aimsir bhre ann the weather is great
156
ECLI PSI S OF VERBS
The i ni ti al l etter of the verb is ecli psed:
(a) after the fol l owi ng parti cl es and conjuncti ons: an, go,
nach, c, d, mura, sula:
an bhfu i l t go mai th?
abai r l i om go dti ocfai dh t
nach gcl oi seann t m?
c n-i theann t do chui d bia?
d n-i meod h s, bhei nn ssta
mura bhfui l t ssta leis sin,
biodh agat!
cri ochnai gh an obair sula bhfga
t an teach!
are you well?
tell nte that you will come
don't you hear me?
where do you eat your food?
i f he left, I would be happy
i f you're not happy with that, so
be it!
finish the work before you leave
the house!
n o t e : an d o e s n o t e cl i p s e i n i ti a l v o w e l s :
an l ann t bai nne? do you dri nk milk?
(b) after the i ndi rect rel ati ve parti cl e a:
an fear a bhfu i l an t-airgead aige
cad faoi a mb onn t ag cai nt?
an fear a ndeachai gh a mhac
go Sasana
cn i t a d tann si?
cn chaoi a bhfu i l t?
cn fth a ndearnadh si n?
fan mar a bhfu i l t!
the man who has the money
what do you talk about?
the man whose son went to
Engl and
where does she go?
how are you?
why was that done?
stay where you are!
n o t e : also i ncl uded i n thi s category are a (= all that) and d (< de/do + a):
si n a bhfaca m an oi che sin
an dui ne is crga d bhfui l ann
that is all I saw that night
the bravest person there is
The i ni ti al l etter of the irregul ar verb fai gh is ecli psed after the negati ve
parti cl e ni i n the cond i ti onal mood, the future and past tenses:
ni bhfai ghi d h si
ni bhfai gheadh s
ni bhfuai r m
she won't get
he woul dn't get
1di dn't get
157
LENI TI ON OF VERBS
The i ni ti al consonant of the verb is leni ted:
(a) in i ndependent forms i n the past and past habitual tenses as wel l as
i n the conditional mood:
chui r m chui ri nn chui rfi nn
Excepti ons:
the above menti oned tenses of the verb abair; the past tense of faigh; the past
passive of all verbs except i n the case of the irregul ar forms bhi othas,
chonacthas, chual athas, chuathas, thngthas
di rt m
dei ri nn
darfai nn
fuai r m
mol adh
(b) after the di rect rel ati ve parti cl e a and the fol l owi ng parti cl es and
conjuncti ons, most of w hi ch requi re the di rect rel ati ve parti cl e a:
*cad / card cathai n, *c, cn uair, conas, m, mar (= as, how),
nuaii; :
cad a cheapann t?
cathai n a thi ocfai d h s?
c a dhanann an obair?
cn uair a fhi l l fi d h s?
conas a dhanfai dh s ?
m thagann s i n am
mar a thui gi mi d uil i g
nuai r a fhgann si an bail e
cheapann t sin
Excep ti ons: as i n (a)
n o t e: except when fol l owed i mmedi atel y by a preposi ti onal pronoun.
what do you thi nk?
when will he come?
who does the work?
when will he return?
how will he do it?
i f he comes on time
as we all understand
when she leaves home
si nce you think that
158
(c) after the negati v e parti cl e ni:
ni chui reann / chui rfi dh / chui rfeadh / chui readh
Excepti ons:
all tenses of the verb abair:
ni dei r / dei readh / darfai dh / darfadh / di rt
the future and past tenses and condi ti onal mood of the verb faigh (ecl ipsi s
i nstead):
ni bhfai ghi d h / bhfuai r / bhfai gheadh
(d) after the parti cl es nior, char, ar, gur, nr, cr, murar, sular and the
i ndi rect rel ati ve parti cl e an
ni or
char
ar
gur
nr
cr
murar
sular
chui r
dhn
mharai gh
159
THE COPULA IS
The copul a has two mai n tenses, viz. the present whi ch is also used for the
future and the past whi ch also serves for the conditional mood. There are
also a few present subjunctive forms of the copul a.
Present (and Future) Tense
Affirmative Negative
Interrogative
I ndependent
Dependent
i s n i an n a c h
g u r (*b ) n a c h
Relative
Direct
I ndi rect
i s
a r (*b )
n a c h
n a c h
*n o te : th e f o r m s w h i c h e n d i n b a r e usually u s e d b e f o r e w o r d s b e g i n n i n g
w i th a v o w e l .
n o t e : u n l i k e i n th e ca s e o f o th e r v e r b s , n o s e p a r a te v e r b a l p a r ti cl e s (n e g a ti v e ,
i n te r r o g a ti v e e tc.) a r e u s e d w i th th e co p u l a b u t a r e i n s te a d i n co r p o r a te d i n to
th e v a r i o u s f o r m s o f th e co p u l a .
n o t e : n i p r e f i x e s h to th e p r o n o u n s , i , i ad , e a a n d to a d je cti v e s a n d s o m e
n o u n s w h i c h b e g i n w i th a v o w e l .
160
Forms of Copul a w i th Con ju n cti on s
c cr (*b) crb as ? where is he from?
do d ar(*b) fear darb ai n m Sen a man called J ohn
m
->
ms ms f or i f it is true
mura mu r a(*b) mura mi ste l eat i f you don't mi nd
-*
S s a r i n n e since he di d it
*n o t e : th e f o r m s w h i c h e n d i n b a r e usually u s e d b e f o r e w o r d s b e g i n n i n g
w i th a v o w e l :
t a fhi os agam gurb Samas a dhanann an obair
I know that it is J anies who does the work
161
I ndependent
Dependent
Relative
Di rect
Indi rect
Past Tense and Conditional Mood
Interrogative
ba / b'
gur(bh)
ni or(bh)
nr(bh)
ar(bh) nr(bh)
ba / ab
ar(bh)
nr(bh)
nr(bh)
162
Forms of Copul a w i th Con ju n cti on s
c
-
cr (bh ) cr bh as ? where was he from?
c cr (bh ) cr bh ? who was she?
d d mba d mba l i om i f it were mi ne
do
-
d ar (bh) fear d arbh ai n m Pl a man called Paul
m m ba m b'fh or si n i f that was true
mura
->
mu r ar (bh ) murar bhr ag i f it wasn't a lie
ba b'fh ear r l eat si nce you preferred it
n o t e : th e f o r m s w h i c h e n d i n b h a r e u s e d b e f o r e w o r d s b e g i n n i n g w i th a
v o w e l o r f h f o l l o w e d b y a v o w e l :
t a f h i o s a g a m g u r b h f h e a r r l e i s i m e a c h t
I know that he would prefer to go
n o t e : th e a f f i r m a ti v e , i n d e p e n d e n t f o r m b a - b ' b e f o r e v o w e l s (e x c e p t , i ,
i a d , e a ) o r f h f o l l o w e d b y a v o w e l :
b 'a i t l i o m s i n I thought that strange
b 'f h e a r r l i o m i m e a c h t I would prefer to leave
Th e a f f i r m a ti v e , d i r e ct r e l a ti v e f o r m b a - > a b b e f o r e v o w e l s o r f h f o l l o w e d b y
a v o w e l :
a n b h e a n a b i l l e the most beauti ful woman
a n l a b f h e a r r the best day
n o t e : th e p a s t a n d c o n d i ti o n a l f o r m s o f th e co p u l a l e n i te :
b a / n i o r / ar e tc. b h r e a n d u i n e ?
he was / wasn't, was he e tc. a great person?
163
Present Su bju ncti v e Mood
Affi rmati v e Negati v e
g u r a (*b ) n r a (*b )
n o te : th e f o r m s w h i c h e n d i n b a r e usually u s e d b e f o r e w o r d s b e g i n n i n g
w i th a v o w e l :
g u r a b a m h l a i d h d u i t! the same to you!
164
Usage
The mai n use of the copul a is to i ndi cate that a noun or pronoun is or is not
another noun
cl assi fi catory:
or pronoun. Such a use is someti mes referred to as
is buachai l l (mai th)
ni daoi ne bochta iad
an amadn ?
crei di m gur cl easai
is fei rmeoi ri iad na fir sin
d mba mise thusa
is i reannach
he is a (good) boy
they are not poor people
is he a fool?
I believe he is a trickster
those men are farmers
i f I were you
he is an I ri shman
When fol l owed i mmedi atel y by the preposi ti on le, i t is used to i ndi cate
ownershi p:
an leat an l eabhar?
ni l i om an t-airgead
nach le Mi re ?
do you own the book?
the money is not mi ne
isn't it Mary's?
It is used to emphasi se any part of a sentence. I n such cases, the i nformati on
emphasi sed is pl aced at the start of the sentence i mmedi atel y after the
copul a:
is Sen a chuai gh amach J ohn went out
an abhai l e a chuai gh s?
nach t a ri nne ?
nach ti nn at si?
ni leatsa an t-airgead
ba bhre an fear
di d he go home?
di dn't you do it?
i sn't she sick?
the money isn't yours
he was a fi ne man
It is used i n comparati v e and superl ati ve constructi ons:
is fearr Sen n Samas
is Mi re is ige
ba iad ab fhearr
J ohn is better than J anies
Mary is the youngest
they were the best
It is used w i th a vari ety of words (nouns, adjecti v es, substantiv es) fol lowed
by the preposi ti on le to transl ate a great range of meani ngs:
is cui mhi n l i om
is mai th l i om
is cuma l i om
is mi an li om
is di gh l i om
is oth li om
is fuath li om
I remember
I like
I don't care
I wish
I think
I regret
I hate
165
When c is used wi thout a verb, the copul a is understood but not wri tten
when i t is fol l owed i mmedi atel y by an object pronoun, the defi ni te arti cl e or
seo, si n, sid:
c (h) si n? who is that?
cn bhean (i) seo? who is this woman?
c hiad na daoi ne si n? who are those peopl e?
When cad is used w i thout a verb, the copul a is understood but not wri tten
when i t is fol lowed i mmedi atel y by ;
what is that?
what time is it?
what good is it?
cad si n?
cad an t-am ?
cad an mhai th ?
166
CONJUNCTIONS AND VERBAL PARTICLES
M
I t is used mainly wi th the present and past i ndi cati v e tenses. When one
wi shes to express a future meani ng after m, the present form of the verb is
used:
m thagann s amrach i f he comes tomorrow
When one wi shes to express the future tense of the substanti v e verb after m,
the present habi tual form of the verb is used:
m bh onn s i l thai r amrach i f he is present tomorrow
It l eni tes excep t:
(a) t: m t an ceart aige
(b) those forms of the irregul ar verb abair w hi ch begi n wi th d:
m deir / dei readh / di rt s
(c) fuai r: m fuair s (i.e. past tense only of faigh)
(d) the past passive of all the regular verbs and of some of the
irregular verbs:
m cui readh, m mol adh, m fgadh, m tugadh
It is fol lowed by the i ndependent form of the verb and, i n the case of those
verbs begi nni ng w i th a vowel or f w hi ch are preceded by d' i n the past tenses,
the d' remai ns unaffected:
m d 'l /d'l ad h s m d'fhan/d'fhanad h s
m chui reann/chui readh/chui r s m d hnann/d hnad h/dhn s
I t combi nes w i th the copul a is to give ms:
ms mai th l eat ms fi or
167
D
I t is used onl y wi th the condi ti onal or past subjuncti v e. I t ecli pses and is
fol l owed by the dependent form of the verb:
d mbeadh s i f he were
d gceanndh s i f he bought / were to buy
d n-l fadh s i f he drank / were to drink
d bhfgfadh s i f he left / were to leave
SIMPLE CONJUNCTIONS
The fol l owi ng is a l i st of conju ncti ons commonl y used i n I ri sh:
mar / n / i r for
i r is t a ri nne for it is you who di d it
n ti ocfai dh an l sa dei readh for the day will finally come
mar d bhfei cfi nn for i f I had seen him
POSITIVE VERBAL PARTICLES
An
I t is used wi th all verbs i n all tenses excep t:
(a) the imperati ve and present subjuncti v e moods
(b) the past tense of all regular verbs and the irregul ar verbs beir, cl oi s /
cl ui n, i th, tabhai r, tar.
I t ecli pses and takes the dependent form of the verb:
an gcui reann / gcui rfi dh / gcui readh / gcui rfeadh s?
an ndanann / ndanfai dh / ndanadh / ndanfadh / ndearna s?
an bhfgann / bhfgfai dh / bhfgadh / bhfgfadh s?
an l ann / l fai dh / l adh / l fadh s?
n o t e: an does not ecli pse verbs whose i ni ti al is a vowel :
an l ann t? an i mreoi dh t?
168
Ar
I t l eni tes and takes the dependent form of the verb:
a r chui r si ? a r fhg si? a r l si? a r i th si?
n o t e : i t d o e s n o t l e n i te th e i n i ti a l c o n s o n a n t o f th e p a s t p a s s i v e o f r e g u l a r
v e r b s o r o f th e i r r e g u l a r v e r b tabhai r:
a r cui readh? a r tugadh?
I t is used only i n the past tense wi th all regular verbs and wi th the irregul ar
verbs beir, cl oi s / cl ui n, i th, tabhai r, tar.
Go
I t is used w i th all verbs i n all tenses excep t:
(a ) the i mperati v e mood
(b) the past tense of all regular verbs and the irregular verbs beir, cl oi s /
It ecl i pses and takes the dependent form of the verb:
go gcui reann / gcui rfi dh / gcui readh / gcui rfeadh / gcui re s
go ndanann / ndanfai dh / ndanadh / ndanfadh / ndearna / ndana s
go bhfgann / bhfgfai dh / bhfgadh / bhfgfadh / bhfga s
go n-l ann / n-l fai dh / n-l adh / n-l fadh / n-l a s
Gur
gur chui r si gur fhg si gur l si gur ith si
n o t e : it does not l eni te the i ni ti al consonant of the past passive of regular
verbs or of the irregular verb tabhai r:
gur cui readh gur tugadh
169
Sula
(a) the imperati ve mood
I t ecli pses and takes the dependent form of the verb:
sul a gcui reann / gcui rfi dh / gcui readh / gcui rfeadh / gcui re s
sul a ndanann / ndanfai dh / ndanadh / ndanfadh / ndearna / ndana s
sul a bhfgann / bhfgfai dh / bhfgadh / bhfgfadh / bhfga s
sul a n-l ann / n-l fai dh / n-l adh / n-l fadh / n-l a s
Sular
I t is used only i n the past tense w i th all regular verbs and wi th the irregular
su l ar chui r si sul ar fhg si sul ar 61 si su l ar i th si
v e r b s o r o f th e i r r e g u l a r v e r b ta b h a i r :
sul ar cui readh su l ar tugadh
170
C
(a) the imperati v e and the present subjuncti v e moods
(b) the past tense of all regular verbs and the irregular verbs beir, cl oi s /
I t ecl i pses and takes the dependent form of the verb:
c gcui reann / gcui rfi dh / gcui readh / gcui rfeadh s?
c nd anann / ndanfai dh / ndanadh / ndanfadh / ndearna s?
c bhfgann / bhfgfai dh / bhfgadh / bhfgfadh s?
c n-l ann / n-l fai dh / n-l adh / n-l fadh s?
Cr
It is used only i n the past tense wi th all regular verbs and wi th the irregul ar
It l eni tes and takes the dependent form of the verb:
cr chui r si? cr fhg si? cr l si? cr i th si?
cr cui readh? cr tugadh?
171
N
I t is used only w i th the imperati v e mood.
I t prefi xes h to i ni ti al vowel s.
n mol ! don't prai se! n fg! don't leave!
n hi th! don't eat!
N i
It is used w i th all verbs i n all tenses excep t:
(a) the i mperati v e and present subjuncti v e moods
ni chui reann / chui rfi dh / chui readh / chui rfeadh s
ni d hanann / dhanfai dh / dhanadh / dhanfadh / dhearna s
n fhgann / fhgfai dh / fhgadh / fhgfadh s
ni l ann / l fai dh / l adh / l fadh s
Excepti ons:
I t ecli pses the irregul ar verb faigh i n the future, condi ti onal and past tenses:
ni bhfai ghi dh / bhfai gheadh / bhfuai r s
I t does not affect those forms of the irregular verb abair w hi ch begi n wi th d:
ni deir / darfai dh / dei readh / darfadh / di rt s
NEGATI VE VERBAL PARTI CLES
172
Nor
n i o r c h u i r si n o r f h g si n o r l si n i o r i th si
n i o r m o l a d h n i o r tu g a d h
Cha
There exi sts i n Ulster I ri sh, most frequentl y nowadays i n North and West
Donegal , a negati v e parti cl e cha.
It is used wi th all verbs i n all tenses excep t:
(a ) the i mperati v e and the present subjuncti v e moods
(c) the future tense. To transl ate a future meani ng, the present tense
of the verb is used and, in the case of the substanti v e verb, the
present habi tual tense.
It l eni tes i ni ti al b, c, f, g, m, p, s. It becomes chan before i ni ti al vowel s or f.
It takes the dependent form of the verb:
ch a chui reann / chui readh / chui rfeadh s
ch an fhgann / fhgadh / fhgfadh s
ch an l ann / l adh / l fadh s
n o t e : i t must be stressed here that i n the various Ulster di al ects i n w hi ch cha
is used, di fferent rules often appl y concerni ng i ni ti al mutati ons fol l owi ng it.
173
Char
c h a r c h u i r si c h a r f h g si c h a r 61 si c h a r i th si
v e r b s o r o f th e i r r e g u l a r v e r b ta b h a i r .
c h a r m o l a d h c h a r tu g a d h
I t is used only i n the past tense wi th all regular verbs and w i th the irregul ar
verbs beir, cl ui n, i th, tabhai r, tar.
Nach
(a) the imperati ve and present subjuncti v e moods
It ecli pses and takes the dependent form of the verb:
n ach gcui reann / gcui rfi dh / gcui readh / gcui rfeadh s
n ach ndanann / ndanfai dh / ndanadh / ndanfadh / ndearna s
n ach bhfgann / bhfgfai dh / bhfgad h / bhfgfadh s
n ach n-l ann / n-l fai dh / n-l adh / n-l fadh s
Nr
I t is used i n the past tense wi th all regular verbs and w i th the irregular verbs
beir, cl oi s / cl ui n, i th, tabhai r, tar. I t is also used wi th the present subjuncti v e
mood. It l eni tes and takes the dependent form of the verb:
n r chui r si n r fhg si nr l si n r i th si nr fhei ce t!
n o t e : i t does not l eni te the i ni ti al consonant of the past passive of regular
verbs or of the irregular verb tabhai r:
nr cui readh nr tugadh
174
Mura
(a) th e i m p e r a ti v e m o o d
(b) th e p a s t te n s e o f a l l r e g u l a r v e r b s a n d th e i r r e g u l a r v e r b s b e i r , cl o i s /
c l u i n , i th , ta b h a i r , tar .
It ecli pses and takes the dependent form of the verb:
mu r a g c u i r e a n n / g cu i r f i d h / g cu i r e a d h / g cu i r f e a d h / g cu i r e s
mura n d a n a n n /n d a n f a i d h /n d a n a d h /n d a n f a d h /n d e a r n a /n d a n a s
mu r a b h f g a n n / b h f g f a i d h / b h f g a d h / b h f g f a d h / b h f g a s
mura n - l a n n / n - l f a i d h / n - l a d h / n - l f a d h / n - l a s
n o t e : i t c o m b i n e s w i th th e co p u l a to b e c o m e m u r a (m u r a b b e f o r e v o w e l s ) i n
th e p r e s ./f u t. te n s e s a n d m u r a r (m u r a r b h b e f o r e v o w e l s ) i n th e co n d . m o o d
a n d p a s t te n s e .
It is used w i th all verbs i n all tenses excep t:
Murar
I t is used only i n the past tense wi th all regular verbs and wi th the irregular
mu r ar chui r si mu r ar fhg si murar l si murar i th si
verbs or of the irregul ar verb tabhai r:
mu r ar cui readh murar tugadh
175
RELATIVE CLAUSES
DI RECT RELATI VE CLAUSE
A direct rel ati ve clause occurs when the noun at the begi nni ng of the
sentence (= the anteced ent) is the subject of the verb in the fol l owi ng
rel ati ve clause.
nou n (subj.) + dir. rel . part. + v erb + (other):
a n f e a r a b h u a i l a n c a t the man who hi t the cat
a n b h e a n a l a n n a n ta e the woman who dri nks the tea
n a d a o i n e a i m i o n n a b h a i l e the people who go home early
g o l u a th
A direct rel ati ve clause occurs when the noun at the begi nni ng of the
sentence (= the anteced ent) is the di rect object of the verb i n the
fol l owi ng rel ati ve clause.
nou n (obj.) + dir. rel . part. + v erb + subj. + (other):
a n ch u l a i th a c h e a n n a i g h m the suit (which) I bought
a n t-a i r g e a d a c h a i th i m g a ch l the money (which) I spend every
day
a n cl u i ch e a f h e i cf i m i d a m r a ch the game (that) we will see
tomorrow
3 After a m , l , o i c h e , b l i a i n or other nouns denoti ng ti me,* ei ther an
i ndi rect or di rect rel ati ve clause can be used:
cn l a th a g a n n / d ta g a n n s? (on) which day does he come?
cn bhl i ai n a / ar th a r l a s s i n ? (in) what year did that happen?
cn t-am a ch o n a i c / b h f a ca t ? when did you see hi m?
*n o t e : a f te r u ai r , a d i r e ct r e l a ti v e cl a u s e i s al w ay s u s e d :
cn u ai r a th i o c f a i d h s ? when will he come?
176
4 After c / c mhad, c fhad, cathai n, cn uair, conas, nuai r and mar
(like, how, as), the fol l owi ng rel ati ve clause is direct:
c mhad dui ne a bhi ann? how many people were there?
cath ai n a thi ocfai d h s anseo? when will he come here?
cn u ai r a fhei cfi dh t ? when will you see hi m?
conas a dhanfai dh s si n? how will he do that?
n u ai r a cheapai m an l i athri d when I catch the hall
ri th s mar a bhead h capall ann he ran like a horse
c fhad a chai theann t ansi n how long do you spend there
gach l? every day?
5 When the i nterrogati v e parti cl es c, cad / card are fol l ow ed
i mmedi atel y by a rel ati ve parti cl e, the fol l owi ng rel ati ve clause is direct.
c a chuai gh amach anois beag? who went out a while ago?
cad a d hanfai dh s leis an what will he do with the money?
airgead?
c a bhri s an fhui nneog? who broke the window?
6 After an abstract noun, the fol l owi ng rel ati ve clause is usually direct:
bhi i ontas orm a l aghad obai r a r i nn e s
I was amazed at the little amount of work (that) he did
chui r s eagl a orm a u ai gni a bh i an ch oi l l
it fri ghtened me how lonely the wood was
t a fhi os agam a fheabhas a d 'i r i gh l eo
I know how well they got on
c mh i n i ce a th an n t ann?
how often do you go there?
is i onadh l i om a d heacra at s
I am amazed at how di ffi cul t it is
177
Di r ect Rel ati v e Par ti cl e (Posi ti v e)
a
I t is used i n all tenses (except pres. subj. & impv.) w i th all verbs. I t l eni tes
the i ni ti al consonant of all verbs excep t:
(a ) t (n o t e : a i s j o i n e d to th e p r e s e n t te n s e o f th i s v e r b , e .g . at)
(b) all tenses of verb abair
(c) the past tense of the verb faigh
(d) the past passi v e of all v erbs except the i rregul ar bhi othas,
chonacthas, chual athas, chuathas, thngthas
(e) verbs preceded by d' i n the past tenses and i n the cond i ti onal mood.
an fear at i na chna anseo
an t a d ei r / d ei read h / d ar fai d h / d arfad h / d i rt si n
an bhean a fu ai r an t-airgead
an madra a bu ai l ead h i nn
an pi ste a d 'fhg / d 'fhg(f)ad h an teach go l uath
an cat a d 'i th (ead h ) / d 'i osfad h a dhi nnar
n o t e : After cad () / card fol l owed by t and dei r, the dir. rel . part, a is
dropped:
After conas, fol lowed by t, the dir. rel . part, a is also dropped:
cad () t aige?
cad () dei r t?
card t ort?
what has he?
what do you say?
what is wrong with you?
conas t si bh? how are you (pl.).7
178
Di r ect Rel ati v e Par ti cl e (Negati v e)
Nach
I t is used i n all tenses (except pres. subj. & i mpv.) wi th all verbs except the
past tense of all regular verbs and the irregular verbs beir, cl oi s / cl ui n, i th,
tabhai r, tar.
an fear n ach gcui reann / gcui rfi dh / gcui readh / gcui rfeadh an madra amach
an mi sti r n ach ndanann / ndanfai dh / ndanadh / ndanfadh / ndearna
an obai r
na daoi ne n ach bhfgann / bhfgfai dh / bhfgadh / bhfgfadh an teach
na pi st n ach n-l ann / n-l fai dh / n-l adh / n-l fadh an bai nne
Nr
verbs bei r, cl oi s / cl ui n, i th, tabhai r, tar. I t l eni tes and takes the dependent
form of the verb:
an piste dna nr chui r si amach
an scoi l nr fhg si nuai r a bhi si g
an bai nne nr l siad
an di nnar nr i th t
n o t e : i t does not l eni te the i ni ti al consonant of the past passive of regul ar
verbs or of the irregul ar verb tabhai r.
an t-airgead nr cai theadh sa si opa
ni fi i steacht leis an bhfear nr mol adh
chai th m amach an bi a nr tugadh do na madrai
179
Di rect Rel ati v e Forms of th e Copul a
n o t e : th e r e i s n o r e l a ti v e p a r ti cl e f o r a n y f o r m o f th e co p u l a i n a n y te n s e .
Pr e s e n t / F u t u r e T e n s e
Affi rmativ e Negative
is nach
sin () an rud is mai th l i om si n rud n ach ceart a r
sin ceacht is furasta a dhanamh si n scal n ach ceart a lua
si n fear i s si ne n si n dn n ach cui mhi n l i om
Mi re is ai nm dom
dan ceacht ar bi th i s mi an leat
is Peadar an buachai l l is dna
fei ci m an t is athai r dui t
Pa s t T e n s e / C o n d i t i o n a l M o o d
Affirmativ e Negative
ba / *ab nr(bh)
si n rud ba mhai th l i om a fhei cei l rud nr cheart a lua
an rud ab fhusa a dhanamh scal nr bh fh or
an t ab athai r di
n o t e : the affi rmati ve, di rect rel ati ve form ba -> ab and negati v e nr -* nrbh
before vowel s or fh fol lowed by a vowel :
an bhean ab i l l e, an l ab fhearr, an rud n r bh fhi or.
n o t e : the past and condi ti onal forms of the copul a also l eni te:
ba / ab / nr(bh) srl. rud nr cheart a r
180
I N DI RECT RELATI VE CLAUSE
1 When the interrogati v e parti cl es c, cad / card are fol lowed immediately
by a preposi ti onal pronoun or compound preposi ti on, the fol l owi ng
rel ati ve clause is i ndi rect.
c d a d tu gtar an t-airgead?
cad / card l ei s a n gl antar ?
cad / card faoi a mbi onn si bh
ag magadh?
c l ei s a rai bh t ag damhsa?
c i n a aghai d h a mbei d h si bh
ag i mi rt?
to whom is the money gi ven?
with what is it cl eaned?
about what do you j oke? / are
you j oking?
with whom were you danci ng?
agai nst whom will you play / be
pl ayi ng?
When the rel ati ve parti cl e expresses the meani ng all that, the fol l owi ng
rel ati ve clause is i ndi rect:
si n a bhfu i l le r agam leat
d'l s a bhfu ai r s arir
cai thfi dh m a bhfai ghi d h m
uaidh
tar is a nd earna m ar do shon!
that is all I have to say to you
he drank all he got last night
I 'll spend all I 'll get from him
after all I did for you!
n o t e : gach s ta n d i n g a l o n e c a n a l s o p r e ce d e th e r e l a ti v e p a r ti cl e w i th n o
c h a n g e o f s ta tu s o f th e i n d i r e c t r e l a ti v e cl a u s e b u t i f gach i s f o l l o w e d b y a
n o u n , th e r e l a ti v e cl a u s e th e n b e co m e s d i r e ct, e x c e p t w h e n f o l l o w e d b y
d a(r ):
gach a bhfu i l le r aige
(gach rud at le r aige)
gach a bhfai ghi d h t
(gach rud a gheobhai d h t)
gach ar 61 m
(gach rud a d 'l m)
gach pi ngi n d bhfu ai r s
all he has to say
all you will get
all I drank
every penny he got
gach uai r dr chu i mhni gh s air every time he remembered it
181
3 After the phrases a n i t / c n i t / c h i t a (r ), a n c h a o i / c n c h a o i a(r ),
a n d i g h / c n d i g h a(r ), a n f th / c n f th a (r ), ca d ch u i g e / tu i g e a (r ),
the fol l owi ng rel ati ve clause is usually i ndi rect:
s i n ( ) an it a bhfuil a n d o ch a r
cn it a bhfuil a n d e a cr a c h t?
c hit ar chaill s i a n f i n n e ?
an chaoi a ndeirtear s i n
cn chaoi a bhfuil t?
an digh a ndantar a n
o b a i r a n s e o
cn digh ar irigh leis
sa s cr d ?
cn fth nach ndanf s i n ?
cad chuige a bhfuil t ag r i th ?
that is where the harm is
where is the difficulty?
where di d she lose the ring?
the way that is said
how are you?
the way the work is done here
how did he perform in the
exam?
why woul dn't you do that?
why are you runni ng?
After a m , l , o i c h e , b l i a i n or other nouns denoti ng ti me/
i ndi rect or direct rel ati ve clause can be used:
ei ther an
cn l a thagann / dtagann s ? (on) which day does he come?
cn bhliain a / ar tharla s s i n ? (in) what year did that happen?
cn t-am a chonaic / bhfaca t ? when did you see hi m?
not e: * after u a i r , a direct relative clause is always used:
cn uair a thiocfaidh s ? when will he come?
5 An i ndi rect rel ati ve clause occurs i n the fol l owi ng si tuati on in an Irish
sentence:
noun +ind. rel. part. +verb + poss. adj. +noun +other
an fear a bhfuil a i n i o n s a n o th a r l a n n
the man whose daughter is in the hospital
s i n (i ) an bhean a ndeachaigh a m a c l e l e i g h e a s
that is the woman whose son studi ed medi ci ne
c b h f u i l a n s c a n n n a bhfaca m a th s ?
where is the film, the begi nni ng of which I saw?
a n b u a c h a i l l ar maraiodh a a th a i r
the boy whose father was killed
not e: the poss. adj. agrees in number and gender with the noun at the
begi nni ng of the sentence (= the anteced ent).
Thi s type of rel ati ve clause is i ntroduced i n Engli sh by whose, of which.
182
6 An i ndi rect rel ati ve clause occurs i n the fol l owi ng si tuati on i n an I ri sh
sentence:
nou n + i nd . rel . part. + v erb + nou n + prep, pron:
an fear a d tu gai m an t-airgead d
the man to whom I give the money
na poi l l a d tagann na coi ni ni astu
the holes out of which the rabbits come
an bhean a r ai bh m ag cai nt li
the woman with whom I was talking
an chi sti n a mbi on n na pi st i n ti
the kitchen in which the chi l dren are
n o t e : the prep. pron. at the end of the sentence agrees i n number and gender
wi th the nou n at the begi nni ng of the sentence (= the anteced ent).
A v ari ant of thi s i ndi rect rel ati ve cl ause is also used:
nou n + {* prep. + i nd .r el .p ar t.) + v erb + nou n + other:
na fir l ena r ai bh m ag cai nt
the men with whom I was talking
an chi sti n as a d tagann na pi st
the kitchen out of which the chi l dren come
an t-stn i n a mbi on n siad ag l
the hotel in which they drink
an bord ar a bhfu i l an cupn
the table on which the cup is
* Someti mes the prep, and indi r. rel. part, merge e.g. lena(r), i na(r),
someti mes not, e.g. as a(r), ar a(r) etc.
183
7 When an object pronoun referri ng to the noun at the begi nni ng of the
sentence is i nserted at the end of the sentence to avoid ambi guity, the
rel ati ve clause is i ndi rect:
an gasr ar bhu ai l an mi nteoi r
the boy whom the teacher beat
an mol ti r a gci neann go l eor daoi ne
the referee whom many people bl ame
8 An i ndi rect rel ati ve clause fol lows the adverb mar w hen i t means where:
fan mar a bhfu i l t!
stay where you are!
gheobhai dh t iad mar ar ch u i r t iad
you'll get them where you put them
184
I n d i r ect Rel ati v e Par ti cl e (Posi ti v e)
a
I t is used i n all tenses (except pres. subj. and impv.) wi th all verbs except the
tabhai r, tar.
an bata a mbuai l i m / mbu ai l i nn / mbuai l fi d h m / mbu ai l fi nn an madra leis
an dui ne a nd anann / nd anad h / ndanfai d h / nd anfad h s coi nne l eis
an cupn a n -l an n / n-l ad h / n-l fai d h / n-l fad h si an bai nne as
ar
It is used only in the past tense wi th all regular verbs and wi th the irregul ar
an bosca ar ch u i r m i bhfol ach ann
the box in which I hi d it
an fear ar mhar ai gh a mhac an capall
the man whose son killed the horse
an mhthai r ar i th a hi ni on a cui d mi l sen
the mother whose daughter ate her sweets
na daoi ne ga ar fhg a dtui smi theoi ri an tal amh acu
the young people whose parents left them the land
185
not e: it does not lenite the initial consonant of the past passive of either
the regular verb or of the irregular verb tabhair.
an fear ar maraiodh a mhac
the man whose son was killed
an cupn ar ladh an t-uisce as
the cup out of which the water was drunk
an bhean ar tugadh drochde d fear
the woman whose husband was abused
186
I n d i r ect Rel ati v e Parti cl e (Negati v e)
nach
It is used i n all tenses (except pres. subj. and impv.) wi th all verbs except the
tabhai r, tar.
It ecl i pses and takes the dependent form of the verb:
an fear nach mol tar / mol tai / mol far / mol fai a mhac
an mi sti r n ach d tu gann / dtugad h / d tabhar fai d h /
d tabhar fad h na pi st a cheart d
na daoi ne nach bhfanann / bhfanad h / bhfanfai d h / bhfanfad h si leo
an seomra n ach n -i th i m / n -i th i n n / n-i osfai d h m / n-i osfai nn
an bi a ann
nr
an pi ste dna nr chui mhni gh si air
the bold chi l d whom she di dn't remember
an scoi l nr fhg si a cui d fui nneog ar oscai l t
the school whose windows she di dn't leave open
an cupn n r l siad aon deoch as
the cup out of which they di dn't drink
verbs or of the irregul ar verb tabhair.
an teach nr fgadh solas lasta ann
the house which was left unl i t
an bh nr marai odh a lao
the cow whose cal f wasn't killed
an fear bocht nr tugadh cabhai r d
the poor man who wasn't hel ped
187
n o te : th e r e i s no r e l a ti v e p a r ti cl e f o r a n y f o r m o f th e co p u l a i n a n y te n s e .
Pr e s e n t / F u t u r e T e n s e
I nd i r ect Rel ati v e Forms of th e Copul a
Affirmative
ar(*b)
sin fear ar fuath leis a chl ann
sin bean arb amhrna i a hi ni on
sin gasr ar pei leadir mai th
Negative
nach
sin mi nteoi r nach mai th leis a
ghlr fi n
sin fear nach Sasanai gh iad a
mhui nti r
seo imreoir arb eol d na rialacha
n o t e : th e f o r m e n d i n g i n b i s th e o n e u s e d b e f o r e w o r d s b e g i n n i n g w i th a
v o w e l .
Pa s t T e n s e / C o n d i t i o n a l M o o d
Affirmative
ar(*bh)
si n deacracht ar cheart dri
ui rthi
si n bean arbh amhrna i a
hi ni on i na hi ge
an t arbh eol d an fhi ri nne
Negative
nr(*bh)
fear nr Shasanai gh iad a
ghaol ta go lir
fil e nrbh fhi a chui d
fi l i ochta a fhoghl ai m
n o t e : th e f o r m s w h i c h e n d i n bh a r e u s e d b e f o r e w o r d s b e g i n n i n g w i th a
v o w e l o r fh f o l l o w e d b y a v o w e l .
188
NUMBERS
CARDINAL NUMBERS
The fol l owi ng are the forms of numeral s used when they are not fol lowed
(i mmedi atel y) by a noun:
1 a haon 11 a haon dag
2 a d 12 a d dhag
3 a tri 13 a tri dag
4 a ceathai r 14 a ceathai r dag
5 a ci g 15 a ci g dag
6 a s 16 a s dag
7 a seacht 17 a seacht dag
8 a hocht 18 a hocht dag
9 a naoi 19 a naoi dag
10 a dei ch
n o t e : a precedes all those numbers and prefi xes h to aon and ocht. The
i ni ti al of d a g is l eni ted after d.
20 fi che 21 fi che a haon
22 fi che a d 23 fi che a tri
30 tri ocha 31
tri ocha a haon
40 dai chead 41 dai chead a haon
50 caoga 51 caoga a haon
60 seasca 61 seasca a haon
70 seacht 71 seacht a haon
80 ocht 81 ocht a haon
90 ncha 91 ncha a haon
100
cad 101 cad a haon
1,000 mil e 1,001 mi l e a haon
1,000,000 mi l l i n
189
['he fol l owi ng are the forms of numeral s used when they are fol lowed
i mmedi atel y by a noun:
1 aon bhd amhi n
aon l eni tes i ni ti al b, c, f, g, m, p. It does not l eni te i ni ti al d, t, s.
2 dh bhd
Leni tes and is fol l owed by si ngular noun.
Card i nal Numbers Fol l ow ed by Nouns
3 tri
4 cei thre
5 ci g
6 s
bhd / uan
bi d / huai n
These nu mbe^ can be fol lowed by si ngular or plural of noun except i n case
of bl i ai n, ceann, cl oi geann, fi che, uaii^ pi ngi i i , sci l l i ng, seachtai n, ubh whi ch
require thei r (special) pl ural forms to be used: -Se* 4Loi /c
tri bl i an a, cei thre ci n n , ci g cl oi gne, s fi ch i d etc.
If the si ngular noun is used, the i ni ti al consonant is l eni ted. If the plural
noun is used, there is no l eni ti on but h is prefi xed to i ni ti al vowel s:
7 seacht
8 ocht
9 naoi
10 dei ch
mbd / n-uan
mbi d / n-uai n
These numbers can be fol lowed by si ngular or plural of noun except in case
of bl i ai n, ceann, cl oi geann, fi che, uair, pi ngi n, sci l l i ng, seachtai n, ubh whi ch
require thei r (special) plural forms to be used:
seacht n-uai re, ocht bp i ngi ne, naoi sci l l i nge,
dei ch seachtai ne, dei ch n-u i bhe etc.
I ni ti al consonants and vowel s are always ecli psed w hether the si ngul ar or
plural noun is used.
11-19 The pattern is the same as for 1- 10 except that dag is pl aced
after the noun:
aon bhd dag, dh bhd dag, tr bhd dag, cei thre uan dag etc.
n o t e : th e i n i ti a l o f dag i s l e n i te d w h e n th e p r e ce d i n g n o u n i s s i n g u l a r a n d
e n d s i n a v o w e l o r i s p l u r a l a n d e n d s i n a s l e n d e r c o n s o n a n t (e x ce p t c i n n ):
tri chl ui che dhag seacht n-uai n
20 fi che
30 tri ocha
40 dai chead
50 caoga
60 seasca
70 seacht
80 ocht
90 ncha
100 cad
1,000 mil e
1,000,(0
mi l l i i 'rn
21 l eabhar is fi che
22 dh l eabhar is fi che
23 tri l eabhar is fi che
34 cei thre leabhar is tri ocha
45 ci g l eabhar is dai chead
capall
teach
Genitive Case and Cardinal Numbers
1 l uach aon bhi d amhi n 11 l uach aon bhi d dag
2 l uach dh bhd 20 l uach fi che bd
3
l uach tri bhd 30 l uach tri ocha bd
4 l uach cei thre bhd 100
l uach cad bd
5 l uach cig bhd 1,000 l uach mi l e bd
6 l uach s bhd 1,000,000 l uach mi l l i n bd
7 l uach seacht mbd
8 l uach ocht mbd
9 luach naoi mbd
10 l uach dei ch mbd
n o t e : onl y in the case of 1 , 1 1 , 2 1 etc. is the noun put i n the geni ti ve case.
191
The Defi ni te Arti cl e and Card i nal Numbers
1 an t-aon bhd / chi sti n / asal amhi n
2 an d bhd / chi sti n / asal
3 na tri bhd / chi sti n / asal
4 na cei thre bhd / chi sti n / asal
5 na ci g bhd / chi sti n / asal
6 na s bhd / chi sti n / asal
7 na seacht mbd / gci sti n / n-asal
8 na hocht mbd / gci sti n / n-asal
9 na naoi mbd / gci sti n / n-asal
10 na dei ch mbd / gci sti n / n-asal
20 an fi che fear / ci sti n / asal
30 an tri ocha fear / ci sti n / asal
100 an cad fear / ci sti n / asal
1,000 an mi l e fear / ci sti n / asal
Genitive Case and Definite Article and Cardinal Numbers
1 airgead an aon fhi r / na haon mhn amhi n
2 l uach an d chapal l / an d bh
3 l uach na dtri chapal l / bh
4 l uach na gcei thre chapal l / bh
5 l uach na gcig chapal l / bh
6 luach na s chapal l / bh
7 l uach na seacht gcapal l / mb
8 l uach na n-ocht gcapal l / mb
9 l uach na naoi gcapal l / mb
10 l uach na ndei ch gcapal l / mb
20 l uach an fi che capall / b
30 l uach an tri ocha capall / b
70 l uach an seacht capal l / b
100 l uach an chad capal l / b
1,000 l uach an mhi l e capall / b
1,000,000 luach an mhi l l i n capall / b
n o t e : i ni ti al f and s are not l eni ted.
192
Card i nal Numbers and Ad jecti v es
1 aon chapal l mr / bh mhr amhi n
2 dh chapal l mhra / bh mhra
3 tri chapal l mhra / bh mhra
4 cei thre chapal l mhra / bh mhra
5 ci g chapal l mhra / bh mhra
6 s chapal l mhra / bh mhra
7 seacht gcapal l mhra / mb mhra
8 ocht gcapal l mhra / mb mhra
9 naoi gcapal l mhra / mb mhra
10 dei ch gcapal l mhra / mb mhra
n o t e : w h e n th e p l . f o r m o f th e n o u n i s u s e d i n a b o v e , th e u s u a l r u l e s f o r
l e n i ti o n o f a d je cti v e s i n p l . a p p l y :
s cl ui chi gearra naoi gcapai ll mhra
11 aon chapal l dag mhra / bh dhag mhra
20 fi che capal l mr / b mhr
100 cad capal l mr / b mhr
193
PERSONAL NUMBERS
1 dui ne amhi n
2 bei rt bhan / fhear / phi st
Lenites and is followed by the genitive plural.
3 trir
4 ceathrar
5 ci gear
6 seisear
7 seachtar
8 ochtar
9 naonr
10 dei chni r
No lenition but is followed by the genitive plural.
11 aon dui ne dhag
12 dhrag
13 tri dhui ne dhag
14 cei thre dhui ne dhag
15 ci g dhui ne dhag
16 s dhui ne dhag
17 seacht ndui ne dhag
18 ocht ndui ne dhag
19 naoi ndui ne dhag
20 fi che dui ne
fear
ban
pi st
194
The Defi ni te Arti cl e and Personal Numbers
1 an dui ne amhi n
2 an bhei rt bhan / fhear / phi st
Leni tes and is fol l ow ed by th e geni ti v e pl ural .
3 an triur
4 an ceathrar
5 an ci gear fear
6 an seisear ban
7 an seachtar pi st
8 an t-ochtar
9 an naonr
1 ar H m r h n i r i r
No l en i ti on but is fol l ow ed by the geni ti v e pl ural .
The Genitive Case of Personal Numbers
1 mla (an) dui ne
2 achrann (na) beirte
3 si th (an) triir
4 diol (an) c(h)eathrai r
5 i t (an) c(h)i gi r
6 coi ste (an) (t)seisir
7 teach (an) (t)seachtai r
8 cor (an) ochtai r
9 dthai n (an) naoni r
10 le haghai dh (an) dei chni ui r
The personal number is always i n the geni ti v e case and subject to the normal
rules gov erni ng a noun i n the geni ti v e case w hen preceded by another
defi ni te or i ndefi ni te noun or geni ti v e i ntroduci ng word or phrase.
195
ORDI NAL NUMBERS
1st an chad bhean / chat / asal [pl. na chad daoi ne]
cad is leni ted after the def. art. i n all cases, sg. and pl ., except someti mes
in the dat. sg. when i t is ecli psed. I t l eni tes i ni ti al b, c, f, g, m, p.
2nd an dara bean / cat / hasal
3rd an tri bean / cat / hasal
4th an ceathr bean / cat / hasal
5th an ci gi bean / cat / hasal
6th an s bean / cat / hasal
7th an seacht bean / cat / hasal
8th an t-ocht bean / cat / hasal
9th an nao bean / cat / hasal
10th an dei chi bean / cat / hasal
The i ni ti al consonant of the noun is not l eni ted but h is prefi xed to i ni ti al
vowel s
11th an t-aon bean / cat / hasal dag
12th an dara bean / cat / hasal dag
196
Geni ti v e Case and Ord i nal Numbers
1st hata an chad fhi r / na chad mhn
pl. l uach na chad uan
cad is l eni ted after the def. art. in all cases, sg. and pl ., except someti mes
i n the dat. sg. when i t is ecli psed. I t l eni tes i ni ti al b, c, f, g, m, p.
2nd teach an
teach an
3rd teach an
teach an
4th teach an
teach an
5th teach an
teach an
6th teach an
teach an
7th teach an
teach an
8th teach an
teach an
9th teach an
teach an
10th teach an
teach an
197
VARIA
FORENAMES
Like other nouns, forenames of men and women are ei ther mascul i ne or
femi ni ne and bel ong to the various decl ensi ons:
Masc. Sen J ohn Peadar Peter
Brian Brian Samas J ames
Fem. Mi re Mary Brid Bridget
There are usual ly onl y two possible i n fl ected forms of forenames, i .e. the
v ocati v e and the geni ti v e.
Vocative Case
The v ocati v e case is preceded by the v ocati v e parti cl e a whi ch l eni tes:
a Mhi re! a Shei n! a Eoghain!
The endi ng of the v ocati v e case of forenames is the same as i n the
nomi nati v e case except wi th 1st decl ensi on names. I n the case of the latter,
the v ocati v e endi ng is the same as the geni ti ve si ngul ar endi ng:
a Shei n! a Pheadai r! a Bhri ai n! a Shamai s!
a Mhire! a Bhrid! a Chr osti r!
Geni ti v e Case
The geni ti v e endi ngs of forenames fol l ow the usual pattern for geni ti v e case
endi ngs i n the vari ous decl ensi ons:
teach Pheadai r
si opa Shamai s
l mh Bhr de
l eabhar Chr ostra
b Laoi s
cos Liam
cta N i mhe
Peter's house
J ames's shop
Bridget's hand
Christopher's book
Lucy's cow
William's foot
Niamh's coat
198
SURNAMES
The most common surnames i n I ri sh are those i ntroduced by and Mac.
The most frequentl y used forms of mascul i ne and femi ni ne surnames are the
v ocati v e and geni ti ve forms.
A few exampl es of and Mac surnames, mascul i ne and femi ni ne, in the
vari ous cases will i l l ustrate thei r treatment:
Masculi ne
Sen Briain
a Shei n Ui Bhriai n! (voc.)
teach Shei n Ui Bhri ai n (gen.)
Peadar hAodha
a Pheadair Ui Aodha! (voc.)
teach Pheadair Ui Aodha (gen.)
Femi ni ne
Mire Ni Bhriain
a Mhire Ni Bhriain! (voc.)
teach Mhire Ni Bhriain (gen.)
Mire Ni Aodha
a Mhire Ni Aodha! (voc.)
teach Mhire Ni Aodha (gen.)
Peadar Mac Coi nni gh Mire Nic Coinnigh
a Pheadair Mhi c Coi nni gh! (voc.) a Mhire Nic Coinnigh! (voc.)
teach Pheadai r Mhi c Coi nni gh (gen.) teach Mhire Nic Coinnigh (gen.)
does not affect a fol l owi ng consonant but prefi xes h to vowel s.
Ui and Ni do not affect a fol l owi ng vowel but l eni te a fol l owi ng consonant.
Nic and Mhi c do not affect a fol l owi ng vowel but l eni te a fol l owi ng
consonant (except and g).
n o t e : th e f o l l o w i n g u s a g e w i th ti tl e s :
an Dochti r Briai n an Dochti r Sen Briain
teach an Dochtra Ui Bhriain (gen.) teach an Dochtra Sen Briain (gen.)
a Dhochti r Ui Bhriain! (voc.) a Dhochti r Sen Briain! (voc.)
When one wants to refer to someone by surname, w i thout usi ng a ti tl e or
forename e.g. O'Bri en, the MacMahons, one common way of doi ng thi s is
to use a special form of the surname, usual ly preceded by the defi ni te article.
To get thi s form, add - (e)(a)ch / - och (sg.) to the nomi nati v e form of those
surnames w hi ch are preceded by or Mac wi th necessary adjustments where
required:
Conai re - an Conai reach
Cadhai n - an Cadhnach
Mui rcheartai gh -* an Mui rcheartach
199
The same formati on is used wi th surnames endi ng i n - i r / - i l or preceded
by de except that the de is dropped and broadeni ng of the fi nal consonant
usual ly occurs:
de Brn -* an Brnach
de Bui tl i r -* an Bui tl arach
Ruisil -> an Ruisalach
Ris an Riseach
Those surnames w hi ch are preceded by nothi ng and have an adjecti v al
endi ng undergo no change:
Breathnach -> an Breathnach
Caomhnach -* an Caomhnach
200
DAYS OF TH E WEEK
an Luan Monday D Luain
an Mhi rt Tuesday D Mi rt
an Chadaoi n Wednesday D Cadaoi n
an Dardaoi n Thursday Dardaoin
an Aoi ne Friday D hAoi ne
an Satharn Saturday D Sathai rn
an Domhnach Sunday D Domhnai gh
n o t e : D i s always f o l l o w e d b y th e g e n i ti v e ca s e , i s nei
i ncorporated i nto the noun i n the case of Dardaoin
Usage:
Preceded by article: when si mpl y l i sti ng day(s): an Luan, an Mhirt:
ar an Luan
i nni u an Luan
an Luan i na dhi ai dh sin
on a I the Monday, on Mondays
today is Monday
the following Monday
Preceded by D: (on is understood):
D Luain (seo chugai nn / seo cai te / seo a chuai gh thart)
(on) Monday (next / last)
ar mai di n D Luai n
oi che D Cadaoi n
Wi thout article or D:
fan go Cadaoi n
o che Chadaoi n
Luan Csca
Aoi ne (an) Chasta
Luan go Domhnach
on Monday morni ng
on Wednesday night
wait unti l Wednesday
Wednesday night
Easter Monday
Good Friday
from Monday unti l Sunday
n o t e : i t c a n b e s e e n f r o m th e a b o v e th a t th e r e c a n s o m e ti m e s b e a n o v e r l a p
o f u s a g e .
201
MONTHS OF TH E YEAR
Eanir (m) J anuary mi Eani r
Feabhra (f) February mi Feabhra
Mrta (m) March mi an Mhrta
Aibren (m) April mi Aibrei n
Beal tai ne (f) May mi na Beal tai ne
Mei theamh (m) J une mi an Mhei thi mh
I i l (m) J uly mi Mil
Lnasa (m) August mi Lnasa
Men Fmhai r (m) September mi Mhen Fmhai r
Deireadh Fmhai r (m) October mi Dhei readh Fmhai r
Samhai n (f) November mi na Samhna
Noll aig (f) December mi na Nol l ag
n o te : March, May, J une, November a n d December h a v e a ttr a cte d th e
definite article w h e n u s e d i n th e g e n i ti v e ca s e a b o v e .
Dates wri tten i n Engli sh as: 1st J anuary, 4th May etc. are transl ated i n I rish
as: 1 Eanir, 4 Beal tai ne. The name of the month remai ns unaffected. I t is
not necessary to i ncl ude after the number except i n statutory i nstruments:
an 2 l seo de Bheal tai ne, 2004
202
PLACE-NAMES
COUNTRIES, CONTINENTS
Eire (f) I rel and mui nti r n a hi reann
Albai n (f) Scotl and mui nti r na hAlban
Sasana (m) Engl and mui nti r Shasana
an Bhreatai n Bheag (f) Wales mui nti r n a Breatai ne Bige
n o t e : I rel and and Scotl and hav e attracted the defi ni te arti cl e when used i n
the geni ti v e case above. The defi ni te arti cl e is not used wi th these countri es
i n any other case.
An Fhrai nc (f) France
An Eorai p (f) Europe
An Ghearmi n (f) Germany
An Afrai c (f) Africa
An Spi nn (f) Spain
An Ris (f) Russia
An I odi l (f) I taly
Mei ri ce (m) America
An si l ti r (f) Netherl ands
Na Sti t Aontai the (m.pl .) The United States
An Danmhai rg (f) Denmark
n o t e : the names of most countri es and conti nents are femi ni ne and most of
them are preceded by the defi ni te arti cl e i n al l i nstances.
PROVINCES, COUNTIES, CITIES AND TOWNS
ci ge Chonnacht
ci ge Laighean
ci ge Mumhan
ci ge Uladh
ci ge (m)
contae (m)
cathai r (f)
gs. ~
gs. -
gs. - thrach
(the province of) Connanght
(the province of) Leinster
(the province of) Munster
(the province of) Ulster
~ pl. - gi province
~pl. - tha county
~ pl. - thracha city
203
Cige Chonnacht:
Contae na Gai l l i mhe
Contae Liatroma
Contae Mhai gh Eo
Contae Ros Comi n
Contae Shl igi gh
County Galway
County Leitrim
County Mayo
County Roscommon
County Sligo
Cuige Laighean:
Contae Bhai l e tha Cl i ath
Contae Cheatharl ach
Contae Chi l l Chai nni gh
Contae Chi l l Dara
Contae Chi l l Mhanti n
Contae na hl armhi
Contae Laoi se
Contae Loch Carman
Contae an Longfoi rt
Contae L
Contae na Mi
Contae Ui bh Fhail i
County
County
County
County
County
County
County
County
County
County
County
County
Dubl i n
Carlow
Kilkenny
Kildare
Wicklow
Westmeath
Laois
Wexford
Longford
Louth
Meath
Offaly
Cige Mumhan:
Contae Chi arrai
Contae an Chl i r
Contae Chorcai
Contae Lui mni gh
Contae Phort Lirge
Contae Thi obrai d rann
County Kerry
County Clare
County Cork
County Limerick
County Waterford
County Tipperary
Cige Uladh:
Contae
Contae
Contae
Contae
Contae
Contae
Contae
Contae
Contae
Aontroma
Ard Mhacha
an Chabhi n
Dhoi re
an Din
Dhn na nGal l
Fhear Manach
Mhui neachi n
Thi r Eoghain
County
County
County
County
County
County
County
County
County
Antri m
Armagh
Cavan
Derry'
Down
Donegal
Fermanagh
Monaghan
Tyrone
204
Some pl ace-names (counti es, ci ti es, towns, rivers) are always preceded by
the defi ni te arti cl e:
an Dai ngean Dingle
an mai gh Omagh
an tSi onai nn the Shannon
an Cabhn Cavan
na Gl eannta (pl.) Glenties
Some pl ace-names are preceded by the defini te article onl y in the genitive case:
Gai l l i mh Galway
mui nti r na Gai l l i mhe the people of Galway
n o t e : c o n ta e and c a th a i r are both fol lowed by l eni ti on and the geni ti ve case
where appl i cabl e. Nouns or adjecti v es d enoti ng nati onal i ty or other
rel ati onshi p wi th conti nents, countri es, provi nces and someti mes counti es
and towns are often formed from the names of the pl aces (often wi th certai n
adjustments to the endi ng of the pl ace-names), always end i n - (e )(a )ch /
- o c h and, where a noun is i nvol ved, are mascu l i ne.
Adjecti v es Nouns
I rish i reannach an I rish person
French Francach a French person
Spanish Spi nneach a Spani ard
English Sasanach an English person
European Eorpach a European
Asian iseach an Asian
Ulster Ul tach an Ulster person
Munster Mui mhneach a Munster person
Galway Gai l l mheach a Galway person
Kerry Ci arrai och a Kerry person
THE GENITIVE CASE OF PLACE-NAMES
I f the pl ace-name is preceded by the defi ni te arti cl e, the normal rules for a
defi ni te noun i n the geni ti v e case apply:
an tl ml each Mr - gs. pobal an I ml i gh Mhi r
na Gl eannta - gpl. pobal na nGl eanntach
an Ri nn - gs. pobal na Ri nne
an Chi l l Mhr -* gs. pobal na Ci l l e Mi re
205
PREFIXES
Prefixes are affi xed to words (nouns, adjecti v es and verbs) in order to change
or modi fy thei r meani ng.
Some prefi xes are used to negate the ori gi nal meani ng:
meas respect d i mheas disrespect
aontas uni on easaontas disuni on
cl reputation mi chl u bad reputation
Some prefi xes are used to emphasi se or i ntensi fy the ori gi nal meani ng:
mai th good an-mhai th very good
mol adh prai se ard mhol ad h great prai se
bocht poor fi or bhocht very poor
Some prefi xes are used to conv ey the meani ng reasonable, moderately,
somewhat:
sl i nte heal th breacshl i nte fai r heal th
mei sce inebriation bogmhei sce slight inebriation
Other prefi xes are used to transl ate very speci fi c meani ngs:
ban femal e banti ar na lady (i.e. femal e lord)
ri king ri theaghl ach royal househol d
n o t e : th e s e p r e f i x e s u s u a l l y l e n i te th e i n i ti a l c o n s o n a n t o f th e w o r d to w h i c h
th e y ar e a f f i x e d e x c e p t w h e n th e p r e f i x e n d s i n d , n , t, 1, s a n d th e f o l l o w i n g
w o r d s ta r ts w i th d , t, s:
an-dui ne seandui ne banti arna i ndanta
caol droi m ard trthnna i osteocht
Some prefi xes hav e thei r fi nal consonants made broad or slender
dependi ng on the qual i ty of the i ni ti al of the fol l owi ng word:
anai thni d but ai neol ach
deasl mhach but dei sbhal ach
206
Some prefi xes undergo other changes dependi ng on the fi nal qual i ty of the
prefi x and the i ni ti al qual i ty of the fol l owi ng word:
ati ti m = ath + thi ti m (-th + th- -* t)
cnasc = comh + nasc (comh + n- -* c(i ))
dbhu = dubh + bhui
(dubh - d except before vowel & fh + vowel )
Common Intensive Prefixes an-, sean(-) and r(-)
an- meani ng very, great is prefi xed to nouns or adjecti v es.
sean(-) meani ng old, great is prefi xed to nouns, adjecti v es and verbs.
r(-) meani ng over, too, is prefi xed to nouns, adjecti v es and verbs.
There is always a hy phen between an- and the fol l owi ng word.
It l eni tes except i n case of d, t, s.
There is usual ly no hy phen between sean(-) and the fol l owi ng word.
I t l eni tes except i n case of d, t, s.
There is no hy phen after r(-) except when the fol l owi ng word begi ns wi th
a vowel . It l eni tes.
Exampl es:
an-mhai th very good an-ghaofar very windy
an-fhear a great man an-l a great day
an-dna very bold an-ti ne a great fire
seanbhean an old woman seandi cheal l best effort
seanchai te anti quated seanaoi s old age
rdhchas presumption rghearr over-cut (vb.)
rbheag too small r- seal too low
Excep ti ons are:
sean-ai nti n sean-Ghal l
sean-am sean-ghai neamhchl och
sean-ancai re sean-ns
sean-ard sean-Samhai n
sean-Bheal tai ne sean-Ti omna
207
IDIOMS
I DI OMS I NVOLVING SUBSTANTI VE VERB + PREPOSI TI ONAL PHRASE
t amhras orm I am doubtful
t thas ort you are happy
t brd air he is proud
t brn ui rthi she is sorry
t dei fi r orai nn we are in a hurry
t ad orai bh you (pE) are j ealous
t eagl a orthu they are afrai d
t fai t os orm I am afrai d
t fearg ort you are angry
t i mn air he is worried
t i ontas ui rthi she is surpri sed
t ni re orai nn we are ashamed
t ocras orai bh you (pl .) are hungry
t tart orthu they are thirsty
t ti nneas orm I am sick
t a fhi os agam I know
t bari l agat you have an idea
t di l aige he likes
t sil ai ci she hopes
I DIOMS I NVOLVING COPULA AND PREPOSI TI ONAL PHRASE
is aoi bhi nn li om I love
is bre leat you like, you love
is ceart d he should, it is right for him
is ci r di she shoul d, it is right for her
is deacair l i nn we fi nd it diffi cul t
is fidir l i bh you (pl.) can
is mai th leo they like
is mi an l i om I wish (to) / 1 i ntend (to)
is oth leat you regret
208
BLESSINGS, FAREWELLS, GREETINGS
AND OTHER OCCASIONAL SAYINGS
It has l ong been recogni sed that the Irish language is parti cul arl y ri ch in
formal blessings, greeti ngs, curses etc., w hi ch are used on every possible
occasi on. Many of them i l l ustrate a strong rel igi ous ori gi n and, for that
reason, cannot be easi l y transl ated. The fol l owi ng is a l i st of the most
common and the occasi ons w hen they are used. I n many i nstances, the verb
w hi ch expresses the wi sh is dropped i n col l oqui al speech for the sake of
brevity.
When one meets someone, the form of address general l y used is:
(go mbeannai ) Dia *dui t (sg.) / *daoi bh (pl.)!
Hello! li t. (May) God bless you!
bail Dhia ort!
God prosper you!
* not e: i n speech thi s i ni ti al d is pronounced as i f i t were l eni ted.
The reply to thi s greeti ng is general ly:
(go mbeannai ) Dia is Muire *dui t (sg.) / *daoi bh (pl.)!
Hello! l i t. (May) God and Mary bless you!
gurab duit! the same to you!
When enteri ng a house/pl ace, the enteri ng address can be any of the
fol l owi ng:
(go mbeannai ) Dia anseo! God bless (all) here!
bai l Dhi a anseo! God bless (all) here!
Dia sa teach! God bless all in this house!
When departi ng, the farewell di rected at those remai ni ng is:
sl n agat (sg.) / agaibh (pl .)! Good-bye!
The farewell di rected at those departi ng is:
sln l eat (sg.) / sl n l i bh (pl .)! Good-bye!
209
The normal greeti ng di rected at someone engaged i n work is:
bai l Dhi a ar an obair! God bless the work!
General greeti ngs or expressi ons of goodwil l i ncl ude:
sl i nte (mhr) / seo do shl i nte /
sl i nte agus saol (chugat)!
heal th (and long l ife) to you! / Cheers!
nr lagai Dia thu / si bh!
dh mr ort / orai bh!
go n-i r an t-dh leat!
go soi rbhi Dia dui t / daoi bh!
Dia l i om / leat / l i nn!
go ngntha Dia dui t / daoi bh!
rath D ort / rath Dhia ort /
go gcuire Dia (an) rath ort / orai bh!
more power to you!
good luck to you!
good luck be with you!
I wish you Godspeed!
God bless me / you / us!
may God prosper you!
- (sayi ng goodbye to someone)
God prosper you!
The greeti ng expressed to someone who has just acqui red/purchased
somethi ng whi ch is new to hi m / her e.g. a car, a suit, a di sti ncti on:
go maire t (is go gcai the t) ! may you live to enjoy (and wear)
it!
Other sayi ngs or expressi ons i ncl ude:
beannacht D ort / orai bh!
beannacht D l eat / l i bh!
Di a r sbhil !
le do thoi l / ms do thoi l
go rai bh mai th agat / agaibh!
God bless you!
God speed you!
God save us!
please / i f you please
thank you!
The reply to thi s last expressi on of thanks is:
go ndana a mhai th dui t / daoi bh! you are welcome!
The expressi on used on heari ng of a death is:
go ndana Dia a mhai th air! (may) God rest his soul!
210
The normal Engli sh greeti ng How are you? is rendered i n the various Irish
di al ects as fol lows:
Cad e mar ta tu? Ulster
Cn chaoi a bhfui l t? Connaught
Conas t t? Munster
There are even further v ari ati ons of the above i n the vari ous dial ects.
Answer:
t m go mai th, sl n a bhei dh /
bheas t
Other popul ar phrases i ncl ude:
fi l te romhat!
cad mi l e fi l te romhat!
bui ochas do Dhia / le Dia!
I am fi ne, thanks
you are welcome!
a hundred thousand welcomes to you!
thanks be to God!
211
FIN
When fi n is used after pronouns, preposi ti onal pronouns, nouns or verbs,
i t means -sel f I -selves.'
m fi n / t fi n
fi n a ri nne
t a fhi os acu fi n
di rt s fi n
tabhai r di bh fi n
an gasr fi n a d 'i th
danfai mi d fi n
mysel f/ yoursel f
she hersel f di d it
they themselves know it
she hersel f said it
give it to themselves
the boy hi msel f ate it
we ourselves will do it
Fin nev er undergoes any change.
When fi n is preceded by a possessi ve adjecti v e + noun, i t means own:
mo chl ann fi n
i mo theach fi n
tri mo choi r fi n
is mo bhari l fi n
my own family
in my own house
through my own faul t
it is my own opinion
When used adverbiall y, i t means even, only:
m thagann s anoi s fi n
m t an t-airgead fi n aige
ag Dia fi n at a fhi os
d ndarfa si n fi n l i om
i f he comes even now
even i f he has the money
God only knows
i f I were only told that
212
CUID
By i tsel f cu i d is a femi ni ne nou n meani ng a part, portion or share.
When used i n conju ncti on wi th the si mpl e preposi ti on d e i t transl ates a part
of, some of:
cu i d d e n o b a i r some of the work
cu i d d e n a d a o i n e some of the people
cu i d d e n a m some of the time
cu i d d e n a i r g e a d some of the money
not e: to translate some of+ pron., use cu i d + correct prepositional pronoun
form of ag:
cu i d a g a i n n / a cu some of us / them
When preceded by a possessi ve adjecti v e and fol l owed by the geni ti v e case,
i t serves as a form of possessi ve adjecti v e:
m o ch u i d o i b r e my work
d o ch u i d a d a i g h your clothes
a g cu i d a i r g i d thei r money
d o ch u i d c a i n te your talk
b h u r g cu i d a m a your (pl .) time
not e: wi th some nouns, one may not use the poss. adj. al one but the poss.
adj. + cu i d :
m o ch u i d a i r g i d my money
GO LEOR
Thi s phrase, meani ng enough, plenty, a lot of can be used al one, before or
after a noun*, after an adjecti v e etc:
f a d a g o l e o r long enough
g g o l e o r young enough
g o l e o r o i b r e * enough / a lot of work
g o l e o r a m a * enough / a lot of time
a i r g e a d g o l e o r enough money
t g o l e o r d a n ta enough / a lot is done
* note: when a noun follows g o l eo r , it is in the gen. case.
213
WAYS OF TRANSLATING TO KNOW
When one wi shes to say that one knows someone or is acquai nted wi th
someone, the constructi on is as fol lows:
t ai thne ag A ar A knows
t ai thne mhai th agam ar Shen I know J ohn well
When one wi shes to say that one knows a l anguage or how to perform
certai n skills, the constructi on is as fol lows:
t Gaeil ge / Barl a / Frai nci s agam I know I rish / English / French
t snmh agam I know how to swim
When one si mpl y wants to say that one knows somethi ng i n general , the
usual constructi on is:
su bstanti v e v erb + poss. adj. a (3rd sg. masc. l eni ti ng) + fhi os + ag:
t a fhi os agam si n I know that
an bhfuil a fhios agat go bhfuil s ti nn? do you know that he is sick?
ni l a fhi os aige aon rud faoi si n he knows nothi ng about that
When one wi shes to say that one knows or has detail ed knowl edge of
somethi ng, the constructi on commonl y used is:
t eol as ag A ar rud i gi n A knows somethi ng
t eol as ar an gci nel si n oi bre agam I know that ki nd of work
an bhfuil aon eolas ar an gcathai r agat? do you know the city at all?
The constructi on: t m eol ach ar an gci nel si n oi bre / an bhfui l t eol ach
ar an gcathai r? can be used as wel l.
214
ABSTRACT NOUNS FORMED
FROM ADJECTIVES
Many abstract nouns hav e one form w hi ch is the same as the
comparati v e/superl ati v e form (= gen.
adjecti v e from whi ch it is formed:
direach
gear
gorm
dubh
ci r
is i onadh l i om a d hi ri at an
bthar seo
d ghi re an sci an is amhl ai dh
is i feachta i
is cuma li om a ghoi rme at an spir
si ng. fem. form, usual ly) of the
diri
gi re
goi rme
d ui bhe
cra
I am surprised at how
straight this road is
the sharper the kni fe is,
the more effective it is
1don't care how bl ue the sky is
Many other abstract nouns have two forms, one of whi ch is the same as the
comparati ve/superl ati ve form (= gen. si ng. fem. form, usuall y) of the adjectiv e
from w hi ch it is formed and the other is that same comparativ e/superl ati ve
form wi th endings, usually, - (a)cht / - ocht suffixed:
fearil
->
fearl acht
uasal u ai sl eacht
mi sni i l
-*
mi sni l acht
cal ma cal macht
te
-
teocht
Many abstract nouns have the form w hi ch is the same as the gen. si ng. fem.
form of the adjecti v e from whi ch i t is formed to whi ch is added the endings
- (a)s:
mai th mai theas
crua -> cruas
bi nn -* bi nneas
Some abstract nouns have compl etel y irregular forms and the most common
of these are:
beag
->
l aghad
fada
-
fad
iomai l i acht
maith feabhas
mr
->
rnad
215
YES AND NO IN IRISH
Unl i ke Engli sh and many other languages, there are no si mple words i n Irish
for yes and no whi ch can be used i n every context. I n I ri sh, to transl ate these
one normal l y repeats the posi ti v e (to express yes) or negati v e (to express no)
form of the verb used i n aski ng the questi on except i n the case of the copul a:
an rachai dh t ann?
will you go there?
r achai d h / ni rachai d h
yes / no
ar cheannai gh s ?
di d he buy it?
ch eannai gh / ni or chean nai gh
yes / no
nach bhfui l s ann?
isn't he there?
t / ni l
yes / no
nach n-i theann siad lla?
don't they eat apples?
i theann / ni i th ean n
yes / no
an dti ocf l i om?
would you come with me?
th i ocfai n n / ni th i ocfai n n
yes / no
an i mri onn si bh pei l?
do you pl ay football?
i mr i mi d / ni i mri mi d
yes / no
an gcna onn t anseo?
do you live here?
cn a m / n i ch n a m
yes / no
I f the verb used i n the answer to express y es/no has a speci al sy ntheti c form,
that is the form whi ch is normal l y used. I f not, the anal y ti c form wi thout a
p ronou n is used.
n o t e : th e co p u l a i s o n e v e r b w h i c h c a n n e v e r s ta n d a l o n e to tr a n s l a te y es/no:
an mai th leat tae?
do you like tea?
is mai th / ni mai th
yes / no
nach cui mhi n leat si n?
don't you remember that?
is cu i mhi n / ni cu i mhi n
yes / no
216
n o t e : th e f o l l o w i n g e x a m p l e s w i th th e co p u l a w h i c h a l w a y s r e q u i r e a
p r o n o u n ( / i / ea / iad) i n th e r e p l y i n th e f o l l o w i n g c o n te x ts :
an mi nteoi r (Sen)?
is he (J ohn) a teacher?
i s e a / n i h e a
yes / no
an ceol ti r (mai th) i?
is she a (good) musi ci an?
i s e a / n i h e a
yes / no
nrbh amhrnai the mai the iad?
weren't they good singers?
b a e a / n i o r b h e a
yes / no
bean mhai th is ea i, nach ea?
she is a good woman, isn't she?
i s e a / n i h e a
yes / no
an Sen an mi nteoi r?
is J ohn the teacher?
i s / n i h
yes / no
arbh i Mi re an t-amhrna ?
was Mary the singer?
b a i / n i o r b h i
yes / no
an doras si n?
is that a door?
i s e a / n i h e a
yes / no
an fui nneog i si n?
is that a window?
i s e a / n i h e a
yes / no
217
WAYS OF TRANSLATING CAN, BE ABLE
[ABILITY, CAPABILITY]
The set phrase in ann used wi th the substanti v e verb bi can often transl ate
can, be able:
t m i n ann an obair a dhanamh I can do the work
t Sen i n ann aire a thabhai rt d fi n J ohn is able to look after hi msel f
The word balta used wi th the substanti v e verb bi can often transl ate can, be
abl e:
t m bal ta an obai r a dhanamh I can do the work
t Sen bal ta an chl och a thgi l J ohn is abl e to lift the stone
Vari ati ons of the phrase tagann le / tig le fol l owed by the appropri ate subject
can often transl ate can, be abl e:
ni th i g l i om sil go d reach I cannot walk straight
ni thi ocfad h le Sen sin a dhanamh J ohn would not be able to do that
The word fidir used w i th the cop u l a and often le + subject can be used to
transl ate can, be able v eeri ng towards possibility:
is fi di r sin a dhanamh gan mhoi l l that can be done without delay
is fi d i r si n a chruth go hasca that can easily be proved
is fi d i r li om sin a dhanamh I can do that
When one wi shes to express that one can read/wri te a l anguage or is abl e to
perform certai n skills, the constructi on is as fol lows:
t Gaeil ge / Barla / Frai nci s agam I can speak / write I rish /
English / French
t snmh agam I can swim
t radharc na sl agam I can see
218
WAYS OF TRANSLATING MUST, HAVE TO
[NECESSITY, OBLIGATION]
One can use the substanti v e verb bi (with appropri ate tense) fol lowed by the
appropri ate form of the preposi ti on ar to transl ate must, have to:
t orm i meacht I have to go
bhi ar na pist dul a lui go luath the children had to go to bed early
ni bhei dh ui rthi ioc as an mbil e she will not have to pay for the meal
The auxi li ary verb cai th (used al most enti rel y i n the present and future
tenses) is used to transl ate must, have to:
cai th fi d h t fanacht anseo you must remai n here
cai th fi d h siad an doras a they must close the door after them
dhnadh i na ndi ai dh
The phrase n mr (with appropri ate tense) fol lowed by the appropriate form
of the preposi ti on do (where subject is required) is used to transl ate must,
have to:
ni mr d i bh an madra a choi nnei l sa teach
they have to keep the dog in the house
ni mr do dhui ne a bhei th cramach
one must be careful
The phrase is i gean (with appropriate tense) fol lowed by the appropriate
form of the preposi ti on do (where subject is required) is used to transl ate
must, have to:
b'i gean d i meacht go luath he had to leave early
is i gean d om an obai r a dhanamh I have to do the work now
anoi s
n o t e : many of the above constructi ons are i nterchangeabl e.
219
TIME
When desi gnati ng uni ts of ti me, the cardi nal numbers are used:
1 a haon a chl og one o'clock
2 a d a chl og two o'clock
3 a tri a chl og three o'clock
4 a ceathai r a chl og four o'clock
5 a ci g a chl og five o'clock
6 a s a chl og six o'clock
7 a seacht a chl og seven o'clock
8 a hocht a chl og eight o'clock
9 a naoi a chl og ni ne o'clock
10 a dei ch a chl og ten o'clock
11 a haon dag a chl og eleven o'clock
12 a d dhag a chl og twelve o'clock
t s a tr i a c h l o g a n o i s it is three o'clock now
th i n i g s ag / ar a c i g (a c h l o g ) he came at five (o'clock)
n o t e : one can use ei ther ag or a r to transl ate the Engli sh at when referring
to ti me.
As i n Engli sh, the a c h l o g meani ng o'clock may be omi tted:
c e a th r c h u n / g o d ti a c i g
l e a th u a i r ta r i s / i n d i a i d h a s
c n t-a m / ca d a n t-a m a t s?
b e i d h m a n n ar m a i d i n
th i n i g s i tr th n n a
b h i s i ad a n n a r i r
ar a n m e n o i c h e
u m n i n
u m th r th n n a
n o t e : more adverbs of ti me.
a quarter to five
hal f past six
what time is it?
I 'll be there in the morni ng
she came in the eveni ng
they were there last night
at mi dni ght
at noon
in the eveni ng
cn u ai r a d 'i m i g h s i b h ?
cn l a t a n n ?
cn bh l i ai n a r u g a d h ?
when di d you leave?
what day is it?
what year was she born?
n o t e : for i nformati on on what type of clause fol lows desi gnati ons of ti me,
consul t secti on on rel ati ve clauses i n thi s grammar.
220
SIMILES
chomh haoi bhi nn le l samhraidh
chomh haosta leis an gceo
chomh hai geanta le meannn gabhai r
chomh haerach le geal bhan
chomh bn le bai nne
chomh beo le breac
chomh bodhar le cl och
chomh bragach leis an di abhal
chomh bi nn le cl i rseach
chomh bu le buachal n
chomh ci i n le l uch
chomh cosil le dh scadn
chomh crua le hadharc rei the
chomh ci ortha le ceann sagai rt
chomh crui nn le fi nne
chomh caol le ri be do chi nn
chomh cro i l le fui seog
chomh domhai n leis an bhfarrai ge
chomh dubh le si che
chomh dearg le fui l
chomh deas le bl th
chomh di onmhar le buidal
chomh do-mharai the le cat
chomh hadrom le cl ei te
chomh heol ach le saoi
chomh fabhtach leis an bhfarrai ge
chomh fada le l samhrai dh
chomh fai rsi ng le seangi n
chomh fi i n le fia
chomh fl i rseach le gai neamh na tr
chomh fal sa le hasal
chomh foi ghneach le cat
chomh fol amh le feadg
chomh fol l i n le bradn
chomh fuar le si oc
chomh fi or leis an soiscal
chomh geal leis an sneachta
chomh gasta leis an ngaoth
chomh gar le creamh
chomh gli c le fear dli
chomh glan le hui sce
chomh goi rt leis an bhfarrai ge
chomh hi onrai c leis an ngrian
221
chomh hi nneal ta le bean iarl a
chomh li dir le capall
chomh l i gthe le c
chomh ln le teach faire
chomh l uath le giorria
chomh lfar le breac
chomh macnta le hai ngeal
chomh marbh le corp
chomh mil is le mil
chomh mi n le si oda
chomh neamhchoi reach le l eanbh baiste
chomh ndrtha le hui sce an tsruthi n
chomh pol l ta le grta
chomh ramhar le muc
chomh ri ghi n le seanasal
chomh saothrach le beach
chomh ssta le pi obai re
chomh sean leis na cnoi c
chomh searbh le searbhn
chomh sl eamhai n le heascann
chomh stuama le sagart
chomh suai mhneach le rei lig
chomh te le ti ne
chomh ti ubh le cl ocha sneachta
chomh ti ri m le snaoi s
chomh huasal le ri
222

Irish Grammar Book

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Irish Grammar Book

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IRISH GRAMMAR BOOK

IRISH GRAMMAR BOOK

is used i n gen. si ngular wi th femi ni ne nouns

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