Gaelic Lessons

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dm - Chan fhaodar na leasanan seo ath-riochdachadh gun chead bhon ghdar

dm - These lessons may not be reproduced without permission from the author
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LESSON 1
Part 1 - The Present Tense of the Verb TO BE
Like all verbs in Gidhlig there is only one form for all persons. For a positive statement in
the present tense this is Tha. Just add the subject to it, either a pronoun or a noun.
The pronouns combine with the verb Tha as follows;
Tha mi - I am Tha sinn - we are
Tha thu - you are Tha sibh - you are
Tha e - he Is Tha iad - they are
Tha i - she is
Sibh - You, plural. Also singular for formal situations as a mark of respect.
Thu - You, singular only. Informal form.
Similarly with nouns;
Tha am fear .. - The man is ..
Tha an l .. - The day is ..
Adjectives
Adjectives can be used following the verb To Be. The adjective is the same for all subjects;
Feminine subject Tha i fuar - She is cold
Plural subject Tha iad fuar - They are cold
Masculine subject Tha Calum fuar - Calum is cold
NEW WORDS
Adjectives
beag - small blth - warm
fliuch - wet fuar - cold
leisg - lazy, reluctant, loath mr - big, large
sgth - tired tioram - dry
trang - busy snog - nice
toilichte - pleased, happy
Nouns
l - day fear - male, man
Pronouns
mi - I, me sinn - we, us
thu - you (singular, familiar) sibh - you (plural, formal)
e - he, him, it iad - they, them
i - she, her, it
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EXERCISE 1 Translate into English
1. Tha mi sgth
2. Tha iad trang
3. Tha i fuar
4. Tha iad blth
5. Tha sinn leisg
6. Tha sibh tioram
EXERCISE 2 Translate into Gidhlig
1. We are cold
2. You are small
3. They are big
4. I am lazy
5. He is busy
6. She is tired
Part 2. A bhith - To be
All verbs have what is known as an independent form; for the verb To Be this is Tha, which
as you saw above is used to form positive statements. All verbs have another form, the
dependent ; this is used to form the negative statement and interrogatives (question forms).
For the present tense of the verb To Be;
independent - tha dependent - bheil
Tha for positive statements:
Tha e fuar - It is cold
Chan eil for negative statements:
Chan eil e fuar - It is not cold
A bheil ? for asking a question (interrogative)*:
A bheil e fuar? - Is it cold?
Nach eil ? for a negative question (negative interrogative):
Nach eil e fuar? - Is it not cold?*
* In addition you will also find the form Am bheil ? and in spoken Gidhligboth are frequently
contracted to Eil ? This is the form always used for a negative statement and question.
1. A bheil thu sgth?
2. Nach eil i fliuch?
3. Chan eil iad trang
4. Chan eil sinn fuar
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5. Nach eil iad leisg?
6. A bheil sibh fuar?
1. I am not cold
2. Are you warm?
3. Are you not warm?
4. Is she tired?
5. Are they pleased?
6. Isn't she nice?
7. He isn't dry
8. We aren't lazy
L E S S O N 1 : A N S W E R S 1
1 . I a m t i r e d
2 . T h e y a r e b u s y
3 . S h e / i t i s c o l d
4 . T h e y a r e w a r m
5 . W e a r e l a z y
6 . Y o u a r e d r y
1 . T h a s i n n f u a r
2 . T h a t h u / s i b h b e a g
3 . T h a i a d m r
4 . T h a m i l e i s g
5 . T h a e t r a n g
6 . T h a i s g t h
1 . A r e y o u t i r e d ?
2 . I s n ' t s h e w e t ?
3 . T h e y a r e n ' t b u s y
4 . W e a r e n ' t c o l d
5 . A r e n ' t t h e y l a z y ?
6 . A r e y o u c o l d ?
1 . C h a n e i l m i f u a r
2 . A b h e i l t h u / s i b h b l t h ?
3 . N a c h e i l t h u / s i b h b l t h ?
4 . A b h e i l i s g t h ?
5 . A b h e i l i a d t o i l i c h t e ?
6 . N a c h e i l i s n o g ?
7 . C h a n e i l e t i o r a m
8 . C h a n e i l s i n n l e i s g
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LESSON 2
Part 1 - Some Simple Adverbs
The adjective uabhasach - terrible/awful is often used to convey the meaning very when
used with another adjective:
Tha e uabhasach mr - He is awfully big
Tha e uabhasach fliuch - It is terribly wet
Similarly the words gl - very and ro - too are used with adjectives to emphasise qualities.
The two words gl and ro lenite* the following adjective whenever possible:
Tha iad gl mhr - They are very big
Tha e ro fhuar - It is too cold*
As you can see lenition means the introduction of a letter h after the first letter of the
adjective. This always results in a slight change in sound at the beginning of the adjective.
However, words beginning with l , n, r, sg, sp, st or a vowel cannot be lenited in their spelling.
L, n and r are affected, but only in their pronunciation.
Another useful little word is cho - so. It is used like gl and ro, but luckily you do not have
to worry about leniting the next word:
Tha thu cho snog - You are so nice
NEW WORDS
Adjectives
rd - tall, high uabhasach - terrible, awful, very
Adverbs
cho - so gl - very
ro - too, excessively
Conjunctions
ach - but agus - and
1. Tha am fear gl thrang
2. Tha an l gl fhliuch
3. Nach eil am fear rd?
4. A bheil i ro fhuar?
5. A bheil thu uabhasach sgth?
6. Tha e ro bheag
7. Tha sin uabhasach
8. Tha mi fuar agus fliuch
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1. I am so cold
2. The man is very lazy
3. Isn't she awful?
4. We are too tired
5. They're not very wet
6. He isn't too pleased
7. She isn't wet but she is cold
8. They're not so nice
Part 2 - Past Tense of the Verb TO BE
The independent form is Bha, the dependent form is Robh. Like the present tense these are
used to provide the four distinct forms of the past tense of the verb To Be:
Bha for positive statements:
Bha e fuar - It was cold
Cha robh for negative statements:
Cha robh e fuar - It was not cold
An robh ? for asking a question (interrogative):
An robh e fuar? - Was it cold?
Nach robh ? for a negative question (negative interrogative):
Nach robh e fuar? - Wasn't it cold?
Saying Yes and No
Gidhlig has no single word for yes or no. The positive or negative forms of the verb need to
be used in responding to a question.
In the present tense:
A bheil thu fliuch? - Are you wet? Chan eil - No Tha - Yes
Nach eil iad rd - Aren't they tall? Chan eil - No Tha - Yes
In the past tense:
An robh sibh trang? - Were you busy? Cha robh - No Bha - Yes
Nach robh i leisg? - Wasn't she lazy? Cha robh - No Bha - Yes
1. Bha iad gl thoilichte
2. Cha robh i ro shnog
3. An robh iad sgth? Cha robh
4. A bheil i tioram? Tha
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5. Nach robh am fear leisg?
6. Bha iad trang agus toilichte
7. Bha an l fliuch ach blth
8. An robh thu blth? Bha
9. Nach eil iad snog? Chan eil
1. The man wasn't tired
2. Aren't you warm? No
3. Wasn't she very wet? Yes
4. Am I not nice? Yes
5. She wasn't busy, she is lazy
6. He was too tall
7. We were very pleased
8. The day wasn't so warm
9. They weren't terribly pleased, were they? No
1 . T h e m a n i s v e r y b u s y
2 . T h e d a y i s v e r y w e t
3 . I s n ' t t h e m a n t a l l ?
4 . I s i t / s h e t o o c o l d ?
5 . A r e y o u t e r r i b l y t i r e d ?
6 . I t / h e i s t o o s m a l l
7 . T h a t ' s a w f u l
8 . I a m c o l d a n d w e t
1 . T h a m i c h o f u a r
2 . T h a a m f e a r g l l e i s g
3 . N a c h e i l i u a b h a s a c h ?
4 . T h a s i n n r o s g t h
5 . C h a n e i l i a d g l f h l i u c h
6 . C h a n e i l e c h o t o i l i c h t e
7 . C h a n e i l i f l i u c h , a c h t h a i f u a r
8 . C h a n e i l i a d c h o s n o g
1 . T h e y w e r e v e r y p l e a s e d
2 . S h e w a s n ' t t o o n i c e
3 . W e r e t h e y t i r e d ? N o
4 . I s i t / s h e d r y ? Y e s
5 . W a s n ' t t h e m a n l a z y ?
6 . T h e y w e r e b u s y a n d c o n t e n t
7 . T h e d a y w a s w e t b u t w a r m
8 . W e r e y o u w a r m ? Y e s
9 . A r e n ' t t h e y n i c e ? N o
1 . C h a r o b h a m f e a r s g t h
2 . N a c h e i l t h u / s i b h b l t h ? C h a n e i l
3 . N a c h r o b h i g l f h l i u c h ? B h a
4 . N a c h e i l m i s n o g ? T h a
5 . C h a r o b h i t r a n g , t h a i l e i s g
6 . B h a e r o r d
7 . B h a s i n n g l t h o i l i c h t e
8 . C h a r o b h a n l c h o b l t h
9 . C h a r o b h i a d u a b h a s a c h t o i l i c h t e , a n r o b h ? C h a
r o b h
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LESSON 3
The Nominative Case of Nouns
This is the basic form used when the noun is either the subject or the direct object in a
sentence.
E.g. in English:
boy as subject The boy is cold
boy as direct object I saw the boy
There is no word for a or an in Gidhlig. All indefinite nouns are simply entered without an
article. Nouns are considered to be either masculine or feminine, you will see these in the
NEW WORDS and Vocabulary sections as either (m) or (f) respectively:
doras (m) - door eaglais (f) - church
balach (m) - boy leabaidh (f) - bed
taigh (m) - house caileag (f) - girl
Masculine Nouns
The masculine nominative nouns have the definite article as an t- before a vowel; am before
words beginning with b, f, m, or p; and an in all other instances:
An t-ran - The song An t-each - The horse
Am balach - The boy Am peann - The pen
An duine - The man An semar - The room
The omission of the initial t- is not uncommon in colloquial speech
Feminine Nouns
Feminine nominative nouns beginning with b, f, m, p, c or g are all lenited with the definite
article a' (or an with lenited f). Words beginning with sl, sn, sr or s+vowel have the definite
article as an t-. In all other instances the definite article is an:
A' chaileag - The girl An fhearg - The anger
An t-snthad - The needle An t-sth - The peace
An abhainn - The river An litir - The letter
The good news is that all nominative nouns, whether masculine or feminine, beginning with d,
t, l, n, r, sg, sm, sp or st all have their definite articles as an:
An leabhar (m) - The book An lmh (f) - The hand
An sgthan (m) - The mirror An sgian (f) - The knife
An nead (m) - The nest An nighean (f) - The daughter
Plurals
The nominative plural definite article in all cases is na:
Na taighean (m) - The houses Na caileagan (f) - The girls
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Don't worry too much just now about the plurals. Remember you can find the other forms
ofthe nouns in the Vocabulary section.
NEW WORDS
Adjectives
falamh - empty geur - sharp
glan - clean osal - low
salach - dirty teth - hot
Nouns
balach (m) - boy bta (m) - boat
doras (m) - door duine (m) - person, husband
each (m) - horse gille (m) - lad
lr (m) - floor leabhar (m) - book
loch (m) - loch nead (m) - nest
ran (m) - song peann (m) - pen
rathad (m) - road semar (m) - room
sgthan (m) - mirror taigh (m) - house
teine (m) - fire abhainn (f) - river
caileag (f) - girl eaglais (f) - church
fearg (f) - anger lmh (f) - hand
leabaidh (f) - bed litir (f) - letter
nighean (f) - girl, daughter oidhche (f) - night
sgian (f) - knife sgoil (f) - school
sth (f) - peace snthad (f) - needle
1. Chan eil an sgoil gl ghlan
2. Tha an eaglais fuar
3. An robh an sgian geur? Cha robh
4. A bheil an litir mr? Chan eil
5. Tha am peann tioram
6. Nach eil an loch osal? Tha
7. Tha an t-snthad gl gheur
8. Bha an nead falamh
9. A bheil an semar blth? Chan eil
10. Cha robh an t-ran snog
1. Was the book small? No
2. The lad is terribly tired
3. Is the door dry?
4. The floor wasn't wet
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5. The mirror isn't clean

6. The peace was nice (good)
7. Wasn't the house empty? Yes
8. The fire was hot
9. The hand was wet
10. Isn't the night cold? Yes
11. The bed wasn't clean
12. The girl wasn't too happy
13. The anger was great
1 . T h e s c h o o l i s n ' t v e r y c l e a n
2 . T h e c h u r c h i s c o l d
3 . W a s t h e k n i f e s h a r p ? N o
4 . I s t h e l e t t e r b i g ? N o
5 . T h e p e n i s d r y
6 . I s n ' t t h e l o c h l o w ? Y e s
7 . T h e n e e d l e i s v e r y s h a r p
8 . T h e n e s t w a s e m p t y
9 . I s t h e r o o m w a r m ? N o
1 0 . T h e s o n g w a s n ' t n i c e
1 . A n r o b h a n l e a b h a r b e a g ? C h a r o b h
2 . T h a a n g i l l e u a b h a s a c h s g t h
3 . A b h e i l a n d o r a s t i o r a m ?
4 . C h a r o b h a n l r f l i u c h
5 . C h a n e i l a n s g t h a n g l a n
6 . B h a a n t - s t h m a t h
7 . N a c h r o b h a n t a i g h f a l a m h ? B h a
8 . B h a a n t e i n e t e t h
9 . B h a a n l m h f l i u c h
1 0 . N a c h e i l a n o i d h c h e f u a r ? T h a
1 1 . C h a r o b h a n l e a b a i d h g l a n
1 2 . C h a r o b h a ' c h a i l e a g r o t h o i l i c h t e
1 3 . B h a a n f h e a r g m r
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LESSON 4
Introduction to Adjectives
You saw in Lesson 1 that adjectives can be used predicately, following the verb To Be. The
adjective never changes in this situation:
Masculine noun Tha am balach beag - The boy is small
Feminine noun Tha a' chaileag beag - The girl is small
Plural nouns Tha na balaich beag - The boys are small
Tha na caileagan beag - The girls are small
However, an adjective must agree in both case and gender with the noun it directly
describes. This is called the attribute position. For nominative (basic) forms of nouns these
are as follows:
Masculine singular (no change in adjective) Gille mr - A big lad
An gille mr - The big lad
Feminine singular (lenite adjective if possible) Caileag mhr - A big girl
A' chaileag mhr - The big girl
Plural nouns (add -a or -e to adjective) * Gillean mra - Big lads
Na gillean mra - The big lads
Caileagan mra - Big girls
Na caileagan mra - The big girls
All adjectives with initial consonant quality can be lenited except those beginning with l, n,
r, sg, sm, sp or st. For example, caileag mhr, caileag bheag but caileag sgth.
* The ending follows the Gidhlig spelling rule. For example, if a syllable ends in a narrow
vowel (i.e. i or e) then the following syllable must begin with a narrow vowel. Similarly if a
syllable ends in a broad vowel (i.e. a, o or u) then the following syllable must begin with a
broad vowel. Hence mr >> mra, glic (wise) >> glice.
The adjectives seo - this/these and sin - that/those never change in any position:
Masculine
an gille seo - this lad an gille sin - that lad
an gille mr seo - this big lad an gille mr sin - that big lad
na gillean seo - these lads na gillean sin - those lads
na gillean mra seo - these big lads na gillean mra sin - those big lads
Feminine
a' chaileag seo - this girl a' chaileag sin - that girl
a' chaileag bheag seo - this small girl a' chaileag bheag sin - that small girl
na caileagan seo - these girls na caileagan sin - those girls
na caileagan beaga seo - these small girls na caileagan beaga sin - those small girls
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As nouns have either masculine or feminine gender in Gidhlig. So when you want to describe
something using its pronoun you must refer to it by either e or i for masculine and feminine
nouns respectively. Both mean it:
Masculine pronoun Tha an semar fuar - The room is cold Tha e fuar - It is cold
Feminine pronoun Tha an eaglais fuar - The church is cold Tha i fuar - It is cold
NEW WORDS
Adjectives
dearg - red dona - bad
fada - long goirid - short
gorm - blue, verdant green math - good
inntinneach - interesting seo - this
sin - that tinn - ill, sick
r - new
Pronouns
e - it (masculine subject) i - it (feminine subject)
1. Chan eil an sgoil mhr cho glan
2. Tha an eaglais bheag ln
3. An robh an sgian r geur? Cha robh
4. Bha am peann gorm tioram
5. Tha an litir seo inntinneach
6. Bha an taigh sin falamh
7. Tha an snthad gheur salach
8. Tha an gille dona sin leisg
9. An robh an semar beag blth? Cha robh
10. Cha robh a' chaileag bheag tinn
1. Was the small book wet? No
2. The long river was very dirty
3. Was the new door dry?
4. The short floor was wet
5. That dirty mirror isn't new
6. The long peace was good
7. Was the house not empty? Yes
8. The hot fire was very good
9. That red hand is wet
10. The long night was cold
11. The blue boat isn't full
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12. The bad girl wasn't pleased

13. That man is dry and warm
14. That long loch was high
1 . T h e b i g s c h o o l i s n ' t s o c l e a n
2 . T h e s m a l l c h u r c h i s f u l l
3 . W a s t h e n e w k n i f e s h a r p ? N o
4 . T h e b l u e p e n w a s d r y
5 . T h i s l e t t e r i s i n t e r e s t i n g
6 . T h a t h o u s e w a s e m p t y
7 . T h e s h a r p n e e d l e i s d i r t y
8 . T h a t b a d l a d i s l a z y
9 . W a s t h e s m a l l r o o m w a r m ? N o
1 0 . T h e l i t t l e g i r l w a s n ' t i l l
1 . A n r o b h a n l e a b h a r b e a g f l i u c h ? C h a r o b h
2 . B h a a n a b h a i n n f h a d a g l s h a l a c h
3 . A n r o b h a n d o r a s r t i o r a m ?
4 . B h a a n l r g o i r i d f l i u c h
5 . C h a n e i l a n s g t h a n s a l a c h s i n r
6 . B h a a n t - s t h f h a d a m a t h
7 . N a c h r o b h a n t a i g h f a l a m h ? B h a
8 . B h a a n t e i n e t e t h g l m h a t h
9 . T h a a n l m h d h e a r g s i n f l i u c h
1 0 . B h a a n o i d h c h e f h a d a f u a r
1 1 . C h a n e i l a m b t a g o r m l n
1 2 . C h a r o b h a ' c h a i l e a g d h o n a t o i l i c h t e
1 3 . T h a a m f e a r s i n t i o r a m a g u s b l t h
1 4 . B h a a n l o c h f a d a s i n r d
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LESSON 5
Introduction to the Simple Prepositions
To help recognise trends the Simple Prepositions are best placed into distinct groups:
Group 1
aig - at air - on
aig doras - at a door air leabaidh - on a bed
aig an doras - at the door air an leabaidh - on the bed
gun - without mar - as, like
gun ch - without a dog * mar dhuine - like a man *
gun an c - without the dog mar an duine - like the man
* mar and gun lenite indefinite nouns except those beginning with l , n, r, sg, sm, sp or st .
(You probably recognise these exceptions from Lesson 4 ).
Group 2
These prepositions all lenite an indefinite noun except those beginning with l , n, r, sg, sm, sp
or st .
All combine with the singular definite article an.
The definite article an loses its initial a; e.g. bho + an >> bhon.
bho/o - from de - of, off
bho leabhar/o leabhar - from a book de theine - of fire
bhon leabhar/on leabhar - from the book den teine * - of the fire
dha/do - to fo - under, below
dha taigh/do thaigh - to a house fo thruinnsear - under a plate
dhan taigh/don taigh - to the house fon truinnsear - under the plate
mu - about ro - before
mu dhealbh - about a picture ro thubaist - before a accident
mun dealbh - about the picture ron tubaist - before the accident
tro - through
tro dhoras - through a door
tron doras - through the door
* den often appears as dhen in both the spoken and written language.
dha does not lenite the following indefinite noun. do is the preferred preposition with the
indefinite noun.
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do has the special reduced form a (a dh' before a vowel) when used before placenames:
a Ghlaschu - to Glasgow a dh'Inbhir Nis - to Inverness
Group 3
These prepositions have separate forms for definite and indefinite nouns. The prepositions
assume a final s before definite articles.
(s - with definite noun) - from, out of ann an (anns - with definite noun) - in
taigh - out of a house ann an leabaidh - in a bed
s an taigh - out of the house ann am bta - in a boat *
anns an leabaidh - in the bed
gu (also: gus - with definite noun) - to, until le (leis - with definite noun) - with, by
gu taigh - to a house le leabhar - with a book
gun taigh (also: gus an taigh) - to the house leis an leabhar - with the book
ri (ris - with definite noun) - to, at, against
ri sgthan - against a mirror
ris an sgthan - against the mirror
* Use ann am for nouns beginning with b, f, m or p
Simple prepositions are often the second element in a complex preposition. The first element
never changes in this group:
faisg air leabhar - near a book faisg air an leabhar - near the book
An Idiomatic Use of ann
One important idiomatic use of ann is where it denotes presence or existence or when
something is happening:
Tha Calum ann - Calum is present/Calum is here
Bha mi ann? - I was present/I was there
Tha cilidh ann a-nochd - There is a ceilidh on tonight
NEW WORDS
Conjunctions
ach - however
Nouns
c (m) - dog dealbh (m) - picture
rm (m) - room, free space taigh-sta (m) - hotel
truinnsear (m) - plate
sgeilp (f) - shelf sgeul (f) - story
tubaist (f) - accident toit (f) - smoke
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Placenames
Dn ideann - Edinburgh Glaschu - Glasgow
Inbhir Nis - Inverness Sternabhagh - Stornoway
Prepositions
(s - with definite noun ) - from (place), out of
aig - at air - on
ann an (anns - with definite noun ) - in bho/o - from
dha/do - to de - of, off
fo - under, below gu (gus - with definite noun ) - to, until
gun - without le (leis - with definite noun ) - with, by
mar - as, like mu - about
ri (ris - with definite noun ) - at, against
ro - before tro - through
cmhla ri(s) - together with cuide ri(s) - together with
faisg air - near seachad air - past
thairis air - across
1. An robh thu anns an eaglais?
2. Tha an gille anns an rm
3. Cha robh duine aig an doras
4. A bheil thu aig an sgoil? Tha
5. Bha i tinn agus cha robh i aig an sgoil
6. Tha mi gl bhlth faisg air an teine
7. Bha iad ris an doras
8. Bha sinn ri sgeilp
9. Nach robh sibh air an leabaidh?
10. Tha e Inbhir Nis
11. Bha iad bhon taigh tron oidhche
12. Nach eil an c fon leabaidh?
13. Bha i cmhla ris an duine
14. Tha a' chaileag air an lr cuide ri c
15. Bha leabhar ann
1. The man is busy on the road
2. There is a girl in a boat on the river
3. He is from Stornoway
4. She was in school however he was not
5. Are they not from Edinburgh?, No
6. She is from Glasgow and he is from Edinburgh
7. They were in the hotel, however I was at home
8. We weren't very hot at the fire
9. There is a letter from that girl (nighean)
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1 . W e r e y o u i n ( t h e ) c h u r c h ?
2 . T h e b o y i s i n t h e r o o m
3 . T h e r e w a s n o - o n e ( a m a n ) a t t h e d o o r
4 . A r e y o u a t ( t h e ) s c h o o l ? Y e s
5 . S h e w a s i l l a n d w a s n ' t a t s c h o o l
6 . I a m v e r y w a r m n e a r t h e f i r e
7 . T h e y w e r e a t ( a g a i n s t ) t h e d o o r
8 . W e w e r e a t ( a g a i n s t ) a s h e l f
9 . W e r e y o u n o t o n t h e b e d ?
1 0 . H e i s f r o m I n v e r n e s s
1 1 . T h e y w e r e ( a w a y ) f r o m h o m e t h r o u g h t h e n i g h t
1 2 . I s t h e d o g n o t u n d e r t h e b e d ?
1 3 . S h e w a s ( a l o n g ) w i t h t h e m a n
1 4 . T h e g i r l i s o n t h e f l o o r ( t o g e t h e r ) w i t h a d o g
1 5 . T h e r e w a s a b o o k t h e r e
1 . T h a a m f e a r t r a n g a i r a n r a t h a d
2 . T h a c a i l e a g a n n a m b t a a i r a n a b h a i n n
3 . T h a e S t e r n a b h a g h
4 . B h a i a n n s a n s g o i l a c h c h a r o b h e
5 . N a c h e i l i a d D n i d e a n n ? C h a n e i l
6 . T h a i G l a s c h u a g u s t h a e D n i d e a n n
7 . B h a i a d a n n s a n t a i g h - s t a , a c h b h a m i a i g a n t a i g h
8 . C h a r o b h s i n n g l t h e t h a i g a n t e i n e
9 . T h a l i t i r a n n b h o n n i g h e a n s i n
1 0 . B h a e a n n s a n d e a l b h d e n s g e u l s i n
1 1 . B h a a n s e m a r s a l a c h l e i s a n t o i t
1 2 . B h a a m b a l a c h a n n s a n t a i g h
1 3 . C h a n e i l r m f a l a m h a n n s a n t a i g h s e o
10. He was in the picture of that story
11. The room was dirty with the smoke
12. The boy was in the house
13. There isn't an empty room in this house
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LESSON 6
The Dative Case of Nouns
The Dative Case is the form of a noun found after the simple prepositions
Features in Common with the Nominative Case
Dative plural nouns are identical to nominative plural nouns, and the plural definite article
remains na:
Masculine plural nouns balaich - boys
na balaich - the boys
le balaich - with boys
leis na balaich - with the boys
Feminine plural nouns bthan - shops
na bthan - the shops
ann am bthan - in shops
anns na bthan - in the shops
The Dative Singular Case of Masculine Nouns
The Indefinite Noun
The dative indefinite noun is identical to the nominative indefinite noun:
Nominative Indefinite Singular Dative Indefinite Singular
brd - table air brd - on a table
leabhar - book le leabhar - with a book
The Definite Noun
The masculine dative singular noun undergoes identical initial changes as the feminine
nominative singular definite nouns (see Lesson 5).
The definite article of nouns beginning with d, t, l, n, r, sg, sm, sp or st is identical to the
nominative definite nouns. Combined forms of the definite article with the simple
prepositions bho, de, do, fo, mu, ro and tro are maintained:
Nominative Definite Singular Dative Definite Singular
an doras - the door tron doras - through the door
an sgoilear - the pupil leis an sgoilear - with the pupil
an taigh - the house aig an taigh - at the house
The definite article of dative nouns beginning with a vowel drop the t- of the nominative
definite article. Combined forms of the definite article with the simple prepositions bho, de,
do, fo, mu, ro and tro are maintained:
an t-ran - the song leis an ran - with the song
an t-rlar - the floor fon rlar - under the floor
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Dative nouns beginning with sl, sn, sr or s+vowel have t- added to the definite article.
Combined forms of the definite article with the simple prepositions bho, de, do, fo, mu, ro
and tro are maintained:
an sel - the sail air an t-sel - on the sail
an semar - the room anns an t-semar - in the room
an sneachd - the snow leis an t-sneachd - with the snow
an saoghal - the world mun t-saoghal - about the world
Nouns beginning with b, f, m, p, c or g all lenite in the dative. Combined forms of the
definite article with the simple prepositions bho, de, do, fo, mu, ro and tro are maintained,
but with all other simple prepositions the definite changes to a' except for nouns beginning
with f:
am brd - the table air a' bhrd - on the table
fon bhrd - under the table
am feasgar - the evening anns an fheasgar - in the evening
den fheasgar - of the evening
am monadh - the moor air a' mhonadh - on the moor
dhan mhonadh - to the moor
am pipear - the paper anns a' phipear - in the paper
bhon phipear
an c - the dog air a' ch - on the dog
mun ch - about the dog
an gille - the boy ris a' ghille - to the boy
ron ghille - before the boy
NEW WORDS
Adjectives
bidheach - beautiful bragha - lovely
ciin - calm donn - brown
luath - fast mall - slow
stoirmeil - stormy uaine - green
Nouns
achadh (m) - field allt (m) - burn (stream)
aran (m) - bread baile (m) - town
bainne (m) - milk bogsa (m) - box
brd (m) - table cilidh (m) - ceilidh
cladach (m) - shore cnoc (m) - hill
falt (m) - hair feasgar (m) - evening
feur (m) - grass fiadh (m) - deer
gleann (m) - glen gual (m) - coal
iasg (m) - fish m (m) - butter
monadh (m) - moor, mountain ran (m) - song
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pipear (m) - paper rn (m) -seal

saoghal (m) - world sel (m) - sail
sgoilear (m) - pupil, scholar sneachd (m) - snow
sruth (m) - stream uisge (m) -water
rlar (m) - floor
1. Tha caileag bhidheach anns a' phipear ann
2. Tha an c donn beag ann fon bhrd sin
3. An robh sibh air a' mhonadh? Bha
4. Tha an t-m air an aran gl mhath
5. Bha rn ann air a' chladach
6. Tha an gleann sin bragha air l ciin
7. Bha e uabhasach stoirmeil anns an fheasgar
8. Chan eil uisge ann anns an t-sruth
9. Tha teine math teth ann bhon ghual seo
10. An robh e luath leis an t-sel?
11. Bha sth ann tron t-saoghal
12. Tha am bainne bhon fhiadh sin uabhasach math?
13. Nach eil aran r anns a' bhocsa ann? Tha
14. Bha an duine, leis a' ch, cho mall air a' chnoc
15. Tha taigh ann thairis air an t-sruth
1. The dog is in the box under the table
2. There is (some) coal in the stream
3. Brown hair is very beautiful
4. I was on the road to the town
5. A day on the moor is good for you(dhut)
6. The floor was wet with water
7. There is green grass in the field
8. The new house is near the fast burn
9. The shore is past the moor
10. Are they not going to the ceilidh in the town? No
11. There are no fish in the burn (There is not a fish in the burn)
12. The table in that room is very nice
13. There was water under the table
14. The boat was under sail
15. There was a seal in the water, and on the shore
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1 . T h e r e i s a b e a u t i f u l g i r l i n t h e p a p e r
2 . T h e s m a l l b r o w n d o g i s u n d e r t h a t t a b l e
3 . W e r e y o u o n t h e m o o r ? Y e s
4 . T h e b u t t e r o n t h e b r e a d i s v e r y g o o d
5 . T h e r e w a s a s e a l o n t h e s h o r e
6 . T h a t g l e n i s l o v e l y o n a c a l m d a y
7 . I t w a s r e a l l y s t o r m y i n t h e e v e n i n g
8 . T h e r e i s n o w a t e r i n t h e s t r e a m
9 . T h e r e i s a g o o d h o t f i r e f r o m t h i s c o a l
1 0 . W a s h e q u i c k w i t h t h e s a i l ?
1 1 . T h e r e w a s p e a c e t h r o u g h ( o u t ) t h e w o r l d
1 2 . T h e m i l k f r o m t h a t d e e r i s v e r y g o o d ?
1 3 . I s n ' t t h e r e f r e s h b r e a d i n t h e b o x ? Y e s
1 4 . T h e m a n , w i t h t h e d o g , w a s s o s l o w o n t h e h i l l
1 5 . T h e r e i s a h o u s e t h e r e o v e r t h e s t r e a m
1 . T h a a n c a n n s a ' b h o g s a f o n b h r d
2 . T h a g u a l a n n a n n s a n t - s r u t h
3 . T h a f a l t d o n n g l b h i d h e a c h
4 . B h a m i a i r a n r a t h a d d h a n b h a i l e
5 . T h a l a i r a ' m h o n a d h m a t h d h u t
6 . B h a a n l r f l i u c h l e u i s g e
7 . T h a f e u r g o r m a n n a n n s a n a c h a d h
8 . T h a a n t a i g h r f a i s g a i r a n a l l t l u a t h
9 . T h a a n c l a d a c h s e a c h a d a i r a ' m h o n a d h
1 0 . N a c h e i l i a d a ' d o l d h a n c h i l i d h a n n s a ' b h a i l e ?
C h a n e i l
1 1 . C h a n e i l i a s g a n n s a n a l l t a n n
1 2 . T h a a m b r d a n n s a n t - s e m a r s i n g l s h n o g
1 3 . B h a u i s g e a n n f o n b h r d
1 4 . B h a a m b t a f o s h e l
1 5 . B h a r n a n n a n n s a n u i s g e , a g u s a i r a ' c h l a d a c h
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LESSON 7
The Dative Singular Case of Feminine Nouns
Features in Common with the Nominative Singular Nouns
The definite article and definite nouns are identical tonominative singular definite nouns
(see Lesson 3).
Features in Common with the Dative Singular Masculine Nouns
Combined forms of the definite article with the simple prepositions ending in a vowel bho,
de, do, fo, mu, ro and tro are identical to dative singular masculine nouns (see Lesson 6).
Additional Features of Dative Singular Feminine Nouns
Additionally, feminine dative singular nouns show a variety of internal modifications. These
changes are the same for both definite and indefinite feminine singular nouns. The general
principle is to make the final vowel of a word narrow, i.e. an i. This practice is known as
slenderisation.
In spoken Gidhlig the internal modifications of the dative singular are frequently not used;
the nominative form sufficing, particularly when the noun is indefinite. However, they are
used in formal speech and show less erosion in the written language.
To help you recognise the changes they are best placed into distinct types. The nominative
definite singular noun is given as a reference point.
Type 1
In monosyllabic nouns a letter i is inserted after the last broad vowel after a change in the
final broad vowel.
Most common changes are a >> oi and o >> ui:
Nominative Definite Singular Dative Definite Singular Dative Indefinite Singular
a' chas - the leg air a' chois - on the leg air cois - on a leg
an long - the ship air an luing - on the ship air luing - on a ship
Type 2
In both mono- and polysyllabic nouns a letter i is inserted after the broad vowel a:
an lmh - the hand air an limh - on the hand air limh - on a hand
a' mharag - the pudding leis a' mharaig - with the pudding le maraig - with a pudding
an t(i)n - the rump air an tin - on the rump air tin - on a rump
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Type 3
In polysyllabic nouns the final vowel group ea will change to ei.
Most common change is the ending -eag >> -eig:
a' chaileag - the girl aig a' chaileig - at the girl aig caileig - at a girl
an uinneag - the window ris an uinneig - against the window ri uinneig - against a
window
Type 4
The vowel group ea will change to i:
a' chailleach - the old woman dhan chaillich - to the old woman do chaillich - to an old woman
a' chearc - the hen fon chirc - under the hen fo chirc - under a hen
Type 5
In monosyllabic nouns the diphthong ia will change to i:
a' ghrian - the sun fon ghrin - under the sun fo ghrin - under a sun
Type 6
In monosyllabic nouns the diphthong o will change to i:
a' chr och - the boundary aig a' chr ch - at the boundary aig cr ch - at a boundary
Type 7
There is no change when the noun ends in a vowel or -chd, or if the last vowel is already an i:
a' chaora - the sheep fon chaora - under the sheep fo chaora - under a sheep
an naidheachd - the news leis an naidheachd - with the news le naidheachd - with news
a' chilidh - the ceilidh aig a' chilidh - at the ceilidh aig cilidh - at a ceilidh
In a very few cases the dative is irregular or shows no change:
a' bhth - the shop anns a' bhth - in the shop ann am bth - in a shop
a' bhean - the wife leis a' mhnaoi - with the wife le mnaoi - with a wife
NEW WORDS
Adjectives
dubh - black geal - white
olc - evil sbhailte - safe
Conjunctions
oir - for, because
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Nouns
The datives are given in this lesson. For others see the Vocabulary section.
bth (f) - shop cailleach, caillich (f) - old woman
caora (f) - sheep cas, cois (f) - leg,foot
cearc, circ (f) - hen, chicken cilidh (f) - ceilidh
croch, crch (f) - end, boundary feannag, feannaig (f) - crow
fearg, feirg (f) - anger Gdhlig (f) - Gidhlig language
grian, grin (f) - sun lmh, limh (f) - hand
madainn (f) - morning muir (f) - sea
naidheachd (f) - news poit (f) - pot
sgeulachd (f) - story, tale slat, slait (f) - rod, wand
sgiath, sgith (f) - wing, shield srid (f) - street
t(i)n, tin (f) - rump, backside ine (f) - time, spell
uinneag, uinneig (f) - window
EXERCISE 1 Translate into English (In brackets are common spoken forms. These should
not be written)
1. Tha an litir seo dhan chaillich (dhan chailleach)
2. Bha a' ghrian blth anns a' mhadainn
3. Nach robh iad aig a' mhuir tron oidhche? Bha
4. Bha i anns an leabaidh tron mhadainn
5. Bha sgeul mun chaileig (mun chaileag) sin anns an naidheachd
6. Tha a' Ghidhlig gl inntinneach, nach eil?
7. Bha sgeulachd inntinneach anns an litir
8. Tha an nighean ris an uinneig (ris an uinneag) oir tha a' ghrian blth
9. Bha slat fhada r ann anns a' bhth
10. Tha bth r ann air an t-srid sin
11. Nach robh iad ine fhada anns a' bhaile
12. Tha an sgeulachd ghoirid seo anns a' Ghidhlig
13. Bha an c donn air an fheur ris a' ghrin (ris a' ghrian)
14. Bha sgiath dhonn air a' chirc (air a' chearc)
1. The old woman was in the shop in the morning
2. She was at the shop along with the girl
3. The girl was safe under the shield
4. The evil hand was on the wand
5. I wasn't at the window in the morning
6. He was in bed through the night
7. He was red with anger
8. The chicken is in the pot
9. The black sheep (sing.) is very hot under the sun
10. Weren't you at the ceilidh? Yes, I was there a short spell
11. The dog was near the girl
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1 . T h i s l e t t e r i s f o r t h e o l d w o m a n
2 . T h e s u n w a s w a r m i n t h e m o r n i n g
3 . W e r e t h e y n o t a t ( t h e ) s e a t h r o u g h t h e n i g h t ? Y e s
4 . S h e w a s i n ( t h e ) b e d d u r i n g ( t h r o u g h ) t h e m o r n i n g
5 . T h e r e w a s a s t o r y a b o u t t h a t g i r l i n t h e n e w s
6 . G i d h l i g i s v e r y i n t e r e s t i n g , i s n ' t i t ?
7 . T h e r e w a s a n i n t e r e s t i n g s t o r y i n t h e l e t t e r
8 . T h e g i r l i s a t t h e w i n d o w b e c a u s e t h e s u n i s w a r m
9 . T h e r e w a s n e w l o n g ( f i s h i n g ) r o d i n t h e s h o p
1 0 . T h e r e i s a n e w s h o p o n t h a t s t r e e t
1 1 . W e r e n ' t t h e y a l o n g t i m e i n ( t h e ) t o w n ?
1 2 . T h i s s h o r t s t o r y i s i n G i d h l i g
1 3 . T h e b r o w n d o g o n t h e g r a s s w a s ( e x p o s e d ) t o t h e
s u n
1 4 . T h e h e n h a d a b r o w n w i n g ( l i t . T h e r e w a s a b r o w n
w i n g o n t h e h e n )
L E S S O N 7 : A N S W E R S 2 ( I n b r a c k e t s a r e c o m m o n
s p o k e n f o r m s . T h e s e s h o u l d n o t b e w r i t t e n )
1 . B h a a ' c h a i l l e a c h a n n s a ' b h t h a n n s a ' m h a d a i n n
2 . B h a i a i g a ' b h t h c m h l a r i s a ' c h a i l e i g ( r i s a '
c h a i l e a g )
3 . B h a a ' c h a i l e a g s b h a i l t e f o n s g i t h ( f o n s g i a t h )
4 . B h a a n l m h o l c a i r a n t - s l a i t ( a i r a n t - s l a t )
5 . C h a r o b h m i a i g a n u i n n e i g ( a i g a n u i n n e a g ) a n n s a '
m h a d a i n n
6 . B h a e a n n s a n l e a b a i d h t r o n o i d h c h e
7 . B h a e d e a r g l e f e i r g ( l e f e a r g )
8 . T h a a ' c h e a r c a n n s a ' p h o i t
9 . T h a a ' c h a o r a d h u b h g l t h e t h f o n g h r i n ( f o n
g h r i a n )
1 0 . N a c h r o b h t h u a n n a i g a ' c h i l i d h ? B h a , b h a m i a n n
i n e g h o i r i d
1 1 . B h a a n c f a i s g a i r a ' c h a i l e i g ( a i r a ' c h a i l e a g )
1 2 . T h a f e a n n a g a n d u b h , a c h t h a s g i a t h g h e a l a i r a n
f h e a n n a i g s i n ( a i r a n f h e a n n a g s i n )
1 3 . T h a a n n i g h e a n f l i u c h o i r b h a i a n n s a ' m h u i r
1 4 . B h a a n s g e u l a c h d u a b h a s a c h a i g a ' c h r c h ( a i g a '
c h r o c h )
12. Crows are black, but there is a white wing on that crow
13. The girl is wet because she was in the sea
14. The story was terrible at the end
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LESSON 8
Verbal Nouns, the Present Participle, and the Infinitive
Verbal Nouns
Verbal nouns, like other nouns,are either masculine or feminine (although the vast majority
are masculine). Here are some basic guidelines to gender of verbal nouns:
Masculine the word ends in -adh (the most common ending) sgrobhadh - writing
the last vowel is broad i.e. either a, o or u ceannach - buying
Feminine the word ends in -achd coiseachd - walking
the last vowel is narrow i.e. either e or i seinn - singing
The verbal nouns are used in the same way as they are in English:
anns an sgrobhadh - in the writing
seinn mhath - good singing
le coiseachd - by walking
The Present Participle
The present participle is formed from the verbal noun by adding either ag or a' .The ag is
placed before a verbal noun beginning with a vowel, and a' in all other cases.
The present participle is used in much the same way as in English to convey a continuous
action in the present tense:
Tha mi ag obair - I am working
A bheil sibh a' cluich? - Are you playing?
Chan eil e a' sgrobhadh - He isn't writing
Bha iad a' fuireach - The were staying
An robh iad a' seinn - Were they singing?
Cha robh mi ag ithe - I wasn't eating
In spoken Gidhlig the a in a' and ag is hardly pronounced, particularly if the preceding word
ends in a vowel:
Written Pronounced
Tha e ag iarraidh Tha e kiarraidh
Tha mi a' coiseachd Tha mi coiseachd
Using the present participle and the past tense of the verb To Be conveys a continuous
action in the past:
Bha mi a' seinn - I was singing
An robh e ag l? - Was he drinking?
Cha robh iad a' dol - They were not going
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There are a number of common Present Participles that do not always express continuous
actions:
Present Participles Action
ag iarraidh - wanting Tha mi ag iarraidh airgead - I want some money
Bha mi ag iarraidh airgead - I wanted some money
ag obair - working Tha mi ag obair ann am banca - I am working in a bank/I work
in a bank
Bha mi ag obair ann am banca - I was working in a bank/ I
worked in a bank
a' creidsinn - believing Tha mi a' creidsinn sin - I believe that
Bha mi a' creidsinn sin - I believed that
a' smaointinn - thinking Tha e a' smaointinn - He is thinking/He thinks
Bha e a' smaointinn - He was thinking/He thought
a' ciallachadh - meaning Tha e a' ciallachadh - It means
Bha e a' ciallachadh - It meant
Infinitives
The infinitive is formed from the verbal noun preceded by a. This a is the remains of the
preposition do (meaning to) and like do will lenite an initial consonant whenever possible.
Lenition of initial consonant after the preposition a:
a bhith - to be a dhol - to go
a chluiche - to play a sheinn - to sing
a thogail - to build, to lift
Lenited fh is silent and like verbal nouns beginning with a vowel lenition is marked by adding
dh ' immediately after the preposition a:
a dh'fhuireach - to stay a dh'ithe - to eat
a dh'l - to drink
Verbal nouns beginning withl , n,r,sg,sm,sp or st cannot be lenited in writing:
a leughadh - to read a nighe - to wash
a ruith - to run a sgrobhadh - to write
As in English it is possible to convey the future tense by using the verbal noun a' dol - going
followed by an infinitive:
Tha mi a' dol - I am going
Tha mi a' dol a sheinn aig a' chilidh - I am going to sing at the ceilidh
Tha mi a' dol a cheannach leabhar - I am going to buy a book
Tha mi a' dol a dh'fhaicinn an duine - I am going to see the man
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The present participle iarraidh is followed by the verbal noun. Three exceptions to this rule
are with a thighinn - to come , a dhol - to go and a bhith - to be :
Tha mi ag iarraidh coiseachd air an fheur - I want to walk on the grass
Tha i ag iarraidh a dhol dhan phirc - She wants to go to the park
Tha e ag iarraidh a thighinn dhachaigh - He wants to come home
Tha iad ag iarraidh a bhith trang - They want to be busy
NEW WORDS
Conjunctions
no - or
Nouns
airgead (m) - money, silver banca (m) - bank
rd (m) - hammer talla (m) - hall
pirc (f) - park
Placenames
Dun Deagh - Dundee Obar Dheathain - Aberdeen
Peairt - Perth Portrgh - Portree
Struighle - Stirling Tairbeart - Tarbert
Verbs
The first element is the verb root (equivalent to the second person imperative) followed by
the verbal noun.
bruidhinn, bruidhinn (ri) - speak (to) buail,bualadh - strike
ceannaich, ceannach (do) - buy (for) cluich, cluiche - play
coisich, coiseachd - walk cuir, cur - put, place
fg, fgail - leave faic, faicinn - see
fuirich, fuireach (ri) - stay, wait (for) iarr, iarraidh (air) - want, ask (for)
iasgaich, iasgach - fish ionnsaich, ionnsachadh - learn
ith, ithe - eat leugh, leughadh (ri) - read (to)
leum, leum - jump, leap obraich, obair - work, operate
l, l - drink rach, dol - go
ruith, ruith - run seinn, seinn - sing
sgrobh, sgrobhadh (gu) - write (to) till, tilleadh - return
tog, togail - build , lift tisich, tiseachadh (ri) - start, begin (to)
1. An robh sibh ag iarraidh seinn aig a' chilidh? Bha
2. Bha a' chaileag a' cluich leis a' ch
3. Chan eil iad a' fuireach ann an Struighle
4. Tha mi a' leughadh pipear aig an uinneig
5. Chan eil iad a' tilleadh gus a' mhadainn
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6. A bheil sinn a' dol dhan talla? Tha
7. Bha an gille ag iasgach aig a' mhuir
8. Nach robh thu a' ruith air an rathad? Cha robh
9. Nach eil i ag obair aig an taigh?
10. Tha i ag iarraidh sgrobhadh gun fhear sin
11. Tha mi ag iarraidh a dhol gu Dun Deagh
12. Tha iad a' cur iasg ann an uisge
13. Bha iad ag ithe mun bhrd
14. Tha Miri a' dol a dh'ithe anns an taigh-sta
1. He was speaking to (ri) Calum
2. The car is not starting
3. He was learning Gidhlig
4. I want to go to the park with the dog
5. Do you want to return to the beginning
6. The bad boy was running in (air) the street
7. Was it wet or dry on the moor? It was wet and cold
8. They stay in Perth, but they are from () Portree
9. I am going to buy a new book with the money
10. He was striking with the hammer
11. I am going to leave Tarbert because I am going to Aberdeen
12. The fish (na h-isg) were leaping out of (a-mach s) the water
1 . W e r e y o u w a n t i n g t o s i n g a t t h e c e i l i d h ? Y e s
2 . T h e g i r l w a s p l a y i n g w i t h t h e d o g
3 . T h e y d o n ' t l i v e ( s t a y ) i n S t i r l i n g
4 . I a m r e a d i n g a p a p e r a t t h e w i n d o w
5 . T h e y a r e n ' t r e t u r n i n g u n t i l ( t h e ) m o r n i n g
6 . A r e w e g o i n g t o t h e h a l l ? Y e s
7 . T h e b o y w a s f i s h i n g a t ( t h e ) s e a
8 . W e r e y o u n o t r u n n i n g o n t h e r o a d ? N o
9 . I s s h e n o t w o r k i n g a t h o m e ( t h e h o u s e ) ?
1 0 . S h e w a n t s t o w r i t e t o t h a t m a n
1 1 . I w a n t t o g o t o D u n d e e
1 2 . T h e y a r e p u t t i n g a f i s h i n w a t e r
1 3 . T h e y w e r e e a t i n g a r o u n d ( a b o u t ) t h e t a b l e
1 4 . M i r i i s g o i n g t o e a t i n t h e h o t e l
1 . B h a e a ' b r u i d h i n n r i C a l u m
2 . C h a n e i l a n c r a ' T i s e a c h a d h
3 . B h a e a g i o n n s a c h a d h G i d h l i g
4 . T h a m i a g i a r r a i d h a d h o l d h a n p h i r c l e i s a ' c h
5 . A b h e i l s i b h a g i a r r a i d h t i l l e a d h d h a n t i s e a c h a d h
6 . B h a a m b a l a c h d o n a a ' r u i t h a i r a n t - s r i d
7 . A n r o b h e f l i u c h n o t i o r a m a i r a ' m h o n a d h ? B h a e
f l i u c h a g u s f u a r
8 . T h a i a d a ' f u i r e a c h a n n a m P e a i r t , a c h t h a i a d
P o r t r g h
9 . T h a m i a ' d o l a c h e a n n a c h l e a b h a r r l e i s a n a i r g e a d
1 0 . B h a e a ' b u a l a d h l e i s a n r d
1 1 . T h a m i a ' d o l a d h ' f h g a i l T a i r b e a r t o i r t h a m i a '
d o l g u O b a r D h e a t h a i n
1 2 . B h a n a h - i s g a l e u m a - m a c h s a n u i s g e
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LESSON 9
The Future Tense of the Verb TO BE
The independent form of the future tense of the verb to be is Bidh (or Bithidh for more
emphatic usage) and the dependent is Bi (or Bith for more emphatic usage). As with the
present and past tenses (Lesson 1 and Lesson 2) these are used with the dependent particles
Cha, Am and Nach to provide the four forms of the verb:
Bidh - for positive statements
Bidh e fuar - It will be cold
Bidh tu fuar - You will be cold
Cha bhi - for negative statements *
Cha bhi e fuar - Itwill not be cold
Am bi? - for asking a question (interrogative)
Am bi e fuar? - Willit be cold?
Nach bi? - for a negative question (negative interrogative)
Nach bi e fuar? - Will it not be cold?
* Note that Cha always lenites the following word if possible, thus Cha bhi.
The second person singular becomes tu after the regular future tense ending -idh. This
rule is often broken when using the short form of the verb To Be, so Bidh thu is often
found.
Saying Yes and No
The pattern is the same for the present and past tenses. You need to use the positive or
negative forms of the verb in the future tense:
Am bi thu a' dol dhan chilidh? - Will you be going to the ceilidh? Bidh - Yes
Cha bhi - No
Repeated Present and Continuous Future Tenses
The Future Tense of the verb To Be with a present participle conveys either a continuous
future action or a repeated present action. The meaning is understood from the context:
Bidh mi ag isteachd ris an ridio feasgar - I will be listening to the radio in the evening
Bidh mi ag isteachd ris an ridio feasgar - I (usually) listen to the radio in the evening
Bidh mi ag irigh aig seachd uairean - I will be getting up at seven o'clock
Bidh mi ag irigh aig seachd uairean - I (habitually) get up at seven o'clock
NEW WORDS
Adjectives
gach - each
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Nouns
L na Sbaid (m) - The Sabbath meadhan (m) - middle, mid
meadhan-l (m) - mid-day meadhan-oidhche (m) - midnight
Pronouns
thusa - emphatic form of thu -you
Verbs
irich, irigh - arise, get up ist, isteachd (ri) - listen (to)
1. Bidh mi a' dol dhan chilidh. Am bi thusa?
2. Cha bhi an c a' fuireach anns an taigh
3. Nach bi iad a' seinn anns a' bhaile? Bidh
4. Am bi thu ag obair anns a' bhth? Cha bhi
5. Bidh sinn a' dol a dh'iasgach air an loch
6. Cha bhi an gille a' dol dhan eaglais L na Sbaid
1. I go to bed (to the bed) at midnight
2. I shall be staying at home on Sunday
3. We shall be buying that house
4. Do you go to the park every evening? Yes
5. He will not be playing at the ceilidh
6. Will they not be staying until the morning?
1 . I ' l l b e g o i n g t o t h e c e i l i d h . W i l l y o u ?
2 . T h e d o g w o n ' t b e s t a y i n g i n t h e h o u s e
3 . W o n ' t t h e y b e s i n g i n g i n ( t h e ) t o w n ? Y e s
4 . W i l l y o u b e w o r k i n g i n t h e s h o p ? N o
5 . W e ' l l b e g o i n g f i s h i n g o n t h e l o c h
6 . T h e b o y w o n ' t b e g o i n g t o c h u r c h o n S u n d a y
1 . B i d h m i a ' d o l d h a n l e a b a i d h a i g m e a d h a n - o i d h c h e
2 . B i d h m i a ' f u i r e a c h a i g a n t a i g h L n a S b a i d
3 . B i d h s i n n a ' c e a n n a c h a n t a i g h s i n
4 . A m b i s i b h a ' d o l d h a n p h i r c g a c h f e a s g a r ? B i d h
5 . C h a b h i e a ' c l u i c h a i g a ' c h i l i d h
6 . N a c h b i i a d a ' f u i r e a c h g u s a ' m h a d a i n n ?
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LESSON 10
More Adverbs
The simplest way to form an adverb is by placing the word gu before an adjective:
luath - quick Bha e a' ruith gu luath - He was running quickly
math - good A bheil thu gu math? - Are you well?
slaodach - slow Bha iad a' coiseachd gu slaodach - They were walking slowly
But many adverbs are not derived from adjectives:
Bidh mi aig an sgoil a-mireach - I will be at school tomorrow
Bha e a' dol dhachaigh - He was going home(ward)
Adverbs are best placed into distinct categories
Adverbs of Manner:
mar seo - thus, so Bidh e ag obair mar seo - It works like this
slaodach - slow Bha iad a' coiseachd gu slaodach - They were walking slowly
Adverbs of Place:
an siud - yonder Tha i a' fuireach an siud - She lives over there
Adverbs of Time:
an-drsta - just now Tha i a' dol dhan bhth an-drsta - She is going to the shop just now
The word for - true can precede adjectives in the same way as cho, gl and ro (see
Lesson2) and except for cho they all lenite the adjective whenever possible:
for - true Tha e ag obair for mhath - He is working extremely well
cho - so Chan eil e a' danamh cho math - He is not doing so well
gl - very Tha mi gl mhath - I am very well
ro - too, excessively Bha i ag obair ro chruaidh - She was working too hard
cho - so Bha iad a' ruith cho slaodach - They were running so slowly
NEW WORDS
Adjectives
cruaidh - hard deanadach - diligent, industrious, hard-working
for - true luath - fast, quick
slaodach - slow uile - all
Adverbs
air fad - altogether, wholly, entirely air leth - separately
gu dearbh - indeed gu lir - entirely
gu ler - enough idir - at all
chile - one another, together
mar seo - like this, thus mar sin - like that, thus
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ma-t, ma-th - then dhachaigh - home(ward)

sos - down(wards) shos - down (in position)
a-nos - up (from below) a-nuas - down (from above)
suas - up(wards) shuas - up(in position)
an seo - here an sin - there
an siud - yonder thall - over there
an siud 's an seo - here and there thall 's a-bhos - here and there
a-steach - in (motion) a-staigh - inside
a-mach - out (motion) a-muigh - outside
a dh'aithghearr - soon a-mireach - tomorrow
am-bliadhna - this year an-drsta - just now
an-d - yesterday a-nis - now
a-nochd - tonight a-raoir - last night
an-uiridh - last year a-rithist - again
chaoidh /a-chaoidh - ever (future tense) cheana - already
daonnan - always fhathast - still, yet
gu brth - forever mar th - already
a-riamh/a-riamh - ever (past & perfect tenses) roimhe - before, previously
1. Tha e daonnan aig an sgoil, ach chan eil e ag obair gu math
2. Cha robh mi a-riamh toilichte ag obair aig muir
3. Bha e shuas anns an leabaidh
4. Gidhlig gu brth
5. Anns a' mhadainn an-diugh bha iad anns a' phirc
6. Bha mi anns a' bhaile an-d. A-mireach bidh mi a' dol dhan eaglais
7. Tha mi a' dol dhachaigh a-nis
8. Bidh sinn aig an taigh a-nochd
9. A bheil sibh fhathast sgth? Tha gu dearbh
10. Nach eil iad daonnan trang?
11. An-uiridh bha sinn ann an Inbhir Nis, am-bliadhna bidh sinn ann am Portrgh.
12. Nach eil Miri agus Calum a' bruidhinn ri chile?
13. A bheil i a' fuireach cmhla ri Seumas? Chan eil idir, tha iad a' fuireach air leth
14. Am bi thu a' dol sos an t-srid? Bidh an drsta
1. Were you ever in Glasgow? Yes
2. You will never work in this town
3. They are working together well enough
4. I stay here, Mrag stays there, and Niall stays over yonder
5. I am going out to a ceilidh. Are you? No, I'm staying in
6. We were working there before
7. There was a man working over there yesterday
8. He will be running over the moor tomorrow
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9. They were all together here yesterday

10. Are you going fishing (to fish) then? No I was fishing this morning already
11. The girl was playing outside on the street
12. Were you out running last night? Yes
13. He was walking home from the ceilidh
14. She was forever eating
L E S S O N 1 0 : A N S W E R S 1
1 . H e i s a l w a y s a t ( t h e ) s c h o o l , b u t h e i s n o t w o r k i n g
w e l l
2 . I w a s n e v e r h a p p y w o r k i n g a t s e a
3 . H e w a s u p i n ( t h e ) b e d
4 . G i d h l i g f o r e v e r
5 . T h i s m o r n i n g t h e y w e r e i n t h e p a r k
6 . I w a s i n ( t h e ) t o w n y e s t e r d a y . T o m o r r o w I w i l l b e
g o i n g t o ( t h e ) c h u r c h
7 . I a m g o i n g h o m e n o w
8 . W e w i l l b e h o m e ( a t t h e h o u s e ) t o n i g h t
9 . A r e y o u s t i l l t i r e d ? Y e s i n d e e d
1 0 . A r e t h e y n o t a l w a y s b u s y ?
1 1 . L a s t y e a r w e w e r e i n I n v e r n e s s , t h i s y e a r w e w i l l b e
i n P o r t r e e
1 2 . A r e M i r i a n d C a l u m n o t s p e a k i n g t o o n e a n o t h e r ?
1 3 . D o e s s h e s t a y w i t h S e u m a s ? N o t a t a l l , t h e y s t a y
a p a r t
1 4 . W i l l y o u b e g o i n g d o w n t h e s t r e e t ? Y e s j u s t n o w
L E S S O N 1 0 : A N S W E R S 2
1 . A n r o b h t h u a - r i a m h a n n a n G l a s c h u ? B h a
2 . C h a b h i t h u a g o b a i r a c h a o i d h a n n s a ' b h a i l e s e o
3 . T h a i a d a g o b a i r c m h l a m a t h g u l e r
4 . T h a m i a ' f u i r e a c h a n s e o , t h a M r a g a ' f u i r e a c h a n
s i n , a g u s t h a N i a l l a ' f u i r e a c h a n s i u d t h a l l
5 . T h a m i a ' d o l g u c i l i d h . A b h e i l t h u s a ? C h a n e i l ,
T h a m i a ' f u i r e a c h a - s t a i g h
6 . B h a s i n n a g o b a i r a n s i n r o i m h e
7 . B h a f e a r a g o b a i r t h a l l a n s i n a n - d
8 . B i d h e a ' r u i t h t h a i r i s a i r a ' m h o n a d h a - m i r e a c h
9 . B h a i a d u i l e c m h l a a n s e o a n - d
1 0 . A b h e i l t h u a ' d o l a d h ' i a s g a c h m a - t ? C h a n e i l , b h a
m i a g i a s g a c h m a d a i n n a n - d i u g h c h e a n a
1 1 . B h a a n n i g h e a n a ' c l u i c h a - m u i g h a i r a n t - s r i d
1 2 . A n r o b h t h u a - m u i g h a ' r u i t h a - r a o i r . B h a
1 3 . B h a e a ' c o i s e a c h d d h a c h a i g h b h o n c h i l i d h
1 4 . B h a i a - r i a m h a g i t h e
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LESSON 11
The Conditional Tense of the Verb TO BE
The independent form of the verb is Bhiodh (or Bhitheadh for more emphatic usage), and
the dependent form Biodh (or Bitheadh for more emphatic usage). As with the other tenses
the dependent forms are used with the dependent particles Cha, Am and Nach to provide
the four forms of the verb. There are, however separate forms for the 1st person singular -
Bhithinn, and 1st person plural Bhiomaid (or Bhitheamaid for more emphatic usage):
Bhithinn/Bhiodh/Bhiomaid - for positive statements
Bhithinn fuar - I would be cold
Bhiodh tu /e/i/sibh/iad fuar - You/he/she/you/they would be cold
Bhiomaid fuar - We would be cold
Cha bhithinn/Cha bhiodh/Cha bhiomaid - for negative statements
Cha bhithinn fuar - I would not be cold
Cha bhiodh tu/e/i/sibh/iad fuar - You/he/she/you/they would not be cold
Cha bhiomaid fuar - We would not be cold
Am bithinn?/Am biodh?/Am biomaid? - for asking a question (interrogative)
Am bithinn fuar? - Would I be cold?
Am biodh tu/e/i/sibh/iad fuar? - Would you/he/she/you/they be cold?
Am biomaid fuar - Would we be cold?
Nach bithinn?/Nach biodh?/Nach biomaid? - for a negative question (negative
interrogative)
Nach bithinn fuar? - Would I not be cold?
Nach biodh tu/e/i/sibh/iad fuar? - Would you/he/she/you/they not be cold?
Nach biomaid fuar - Would we not be cold?
This form is becoming less common, and particularly in spoken Gidhlig is being replaced by
the more regular Bhiodh sinn etc
The second person singular thu changes to tu in the conditional tense
Note that Cha always lenites the following word if possible, thus Cha bhithinn/Cha
bhiodh/Cha bhiomaid
Saying Yes and No
The pattern is the same as the other tenses you have met. You need to use the positive or
negative forms of the verb in the conditional tense:
Am biodh tu toilichte le sin? - Would you be happy with that? Bhiodh - Yes
Cha bhiodh - No
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Repeated Past and Continuous Conditional Tenses
The conditional tense of the verb To Be with a present participle conveys either a
continuous conditional action or a repeated past action. The meaning is understood from the
context:
Bhithinn ag obair anns an sgoil - I would be working in the school
Bhithinn ag obair a h-uile l - I (usually) worked every day
Cha bhiodh iad a' dol dhan sgoil - They wouldn't be going to school
Cha bhiodh iad a' dol dhan sgoil a h-uile l - They (usually) didn't go to school every day
NEW WORDS
Adjectives
a h-uile - every (before noun) cinnteach - certain
cofhartail - comfortable sona - happy
Nouns
m (m) - occasion, time balla (m) - wall
bodach (m) - old man cat (m) - cat
cise (m) - cheese cta (m) -coat
crodh (m) - cattle gual (m) - coal
preas (m) - cupboard, press solas (m) - light
cathair (f) - chair
1. Bhithinn a' dol dhan chilidh a-mireach
2. Cha bhiodh iad a' dol dhan bhaile idir
3. Bhiodh an cat daonnan aig an teine
4. Am biodh e ag obair air a' bhta? Bhiodh
5. Cha bhithinn uabhasach toilichte
6. Nach biodh iad sona a' cluich air a' chladach?
7. Bhiodh m ann air a' bhrd agus cise anns a' phreas
8. Bhiodh an crodh air a' mhonadh aig an m sin
1. There would be coal on the fire and a light in the room
2. I would be cold outside without a coat
3. It would be nice (good) and warm at the fire
4. He would not be long running up the street
5. Wouldn't they be singing in the hall tonight? No
6. We would certainly be returning to the hotel
7. It would be dry and warm in the morning
8. I would not be comfortable in that chair
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L E S S O N 1 1 : A N S W E R S 1
1 . I w o u l d b e g o i n g t o t h e c e i l i d h t o m o r r o w
2 . T h e y w o u l d n ' t b e g o i n g t o ( t h e ) t o w n a t a l l
3 . T h e c a t w o u l d f o r e v e r ( a l w a y s ) b e a t t h e f i r e
4 . W o u l d h e b e w o r k i n g o n t h e b o a t ? Y e s
5 . I w o u l d n ' t b e t e r r i b l y p l e a s e d
6 . W o u l d t h e y n o t b e h a p p y p l a y i n g o n t h e s h o r e ?
7 . T h e r e w o u l d b e b u t t e r o n t h e t a b l e a n d c h e e s e i n
t h e c u p b o a r d
8 . T h e c a t t l e w o u l d b e o n t h e m o o r a t t h a t t i m e
L E S S O N 1 1 : A N S W E R S 2
1 . B h i o d h g u a l a n n a i r a n t e i n e a g u s s o l a s a n n a n n s a n
r m
2 . B h i t h i n n f u a r a - m u i g h g u n c h t a
3 . B h i o d h e m a t h a g u s b l t h a i g a n t e i n e
4 . C h a b h i o d h e f a d a a ' r u i t h s u a s a n t - s r i d
5 . N a c h b i o d h i a d a ' s e i n n a n n s a n t a l l a a - n o c h d ? C h a
b h i o d h
6 . B h i o d h s i n n g u c i n n t e a c h a ' t i l l e a d h d h a n t a i g h - s t a
7 . B h i o d h e t i o r a m a g u s b l t h a n n s a ' m h a d a i n n
8 . C h a b h i t h i n n c o f h a r t a i l a n n s a ' c h a t h a i r s i n
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LESSON 12
The Verb TO HAVE
The title is a bit of an anomaly since there is no verb TO HAVE in Gidhlig. Instead the verb
To Be is used in association with the preposition aig:
Tha c aig an duine - The man has a dog Literally: There is a dog at the man
You cannot use aig + mi to mean I HAVE. Instead a special fused form called the
prepositional pronoun must be used when any pronoun follows a simple preposition:
agam - at me againn - at us
agad - at you agaibh - at you
aige - at him aca - at them
aice - at her
Some examples will help illustrate these:
Tha c agam - I have a dog
Bha leabhar aige - He had a book
Bidh taigh r againn - We'll have a new house
Chan eil biadh aca - They don't have any food
An robh grradh agaibh? - Did you have a garden?
Tha ct aice - She has a cat
Nach eil peann agad?- Do you not have a pen?
The prepositional pronouns also have emphatic forms . You simply add the following suffices
shown in bold:
Prepositional Pronoun Suffix Examples
agam sa Tha c agamsa - I have a dog
agad sa Nach eil peann agadsa?- Do you not have a pen?
aige san Bha leabhar aigesan - He had a book
aice se Tha ct aicese - She has a cat
againn ne The taigh r againne - We have a new house
agaibh se A bheil grradh agaibh se? - Do you have a garden?
aca san Chan eil biadh aca san - They don't have any food
Gidhlig unlike English does not normally indicate stress or emphasis by lengthening or
changing the pitch of words. Luckily the emphatic endings are the same for all other
prepositional pronouns you have still to meet.
A common expression using aig:
Tha fios agam air - I know (a fact) about Literally: I have knowledge on
A bheil fios agad air an tubaist? - Do you know about the accident?
Tha fios aig a h-uile duine air a sin - Everyone knows that
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Tha preposition aig can be used with a definite noun to give a genitive meaning:
Tha a' chathair aig a' bhalach cofhartail - The boy's chair is comfortable
Seo am peann agam - Here's my pen
Tha na taighean aca mr - Their houses are big
Tha am biadh aig na cearcan grod - The chicken food is rotten
NEW WORDS
Adjectives
grod - rotten, grotty
Nouns
biadh (m) - food botal (m) - bottle
ceann (m) - head copan (m) - cup
fios (m) - knowledge grradh (m) - garden
pian (m) - pain saor-l (m) - holiday
uisge (m) - water
Beurla (f) - English language ceist (f) -question
freagairt (f) - answer seacaid (f) - jacket
obair (f) - work, job
1. Tha taigh r agamsa
2. Bha oidhche mhath againn aig a' chilidh
3. Cha robh grradh aig an fhear
4. Nach robh cta aig a' chaillich? Bha
5. Chan eil Beurla aca, ach tha Gidhlig mhath aca
6. Chan eil uisge ann anns a' bhotal aige ach tha anns a' bhotal agamsa
7. Bidh obair r agam anns an taigh-sta
8. Bhiodh feur r aig a' chaora anns an achadh siud
9. Bha mi anns a' bhth aig Anna an-d
10. Cha bhiodh sinn a' dol a-mach anns a' bhta r againn
1. There is fresh (r) milk in my cup
2. Didn't he have a jacket? Yes
3. Did you have a good holiday in Stornoway? Yes
4. Isn't there an empty room in your hotel? No
5. I have a bad pain in the head
6. He has a new job now
7. They don't have Gidhlig
8. I have (some) bread and cheese in the cupboard
9. I know the answer to that question
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L E S S O N 1 2 : A N S W E R S 1
1 . I h a v e a n e w h o u s e
2 . W e h a d a g o o d n i g h t a t t h e c e i l i d h
3 . T h e m a n d i d n ' t h a v e a g a r d e n
4 . D i d n ' t t h e o l d w o m a n h a v e a c o a t ? Y e s
5 . T h e y d o n ' t h a v e ( a n y ) E n g l i s h , b u t t h e y h a v e g o o d
G i d h l i g
6 . T h e r e i s n ' t a n y w a t e r i n h i s b o t t l e b u t t h e r e i s i n
m y b o t t l e
7 . I ' l l h a v e a n e w j o b i n t h e h o t e l
8 . T h e s h e e p w o u l d h a v e f r e s h g r a s s i n t h a t f i e l d
9 . I w a s i n A n n a ' s s h o p y e s t e r d a y
1 0 . W e w o u l d n ' t b e g o i n g o u t i n o u r n e w b o a t
L E S S O N 1 2 : A N S W E R S 2
1 . T h a b a i n n e r a n n s a ' c h o p a n a g a m
2 . N a c h r o b h s e a c a i d a i g e ? B h a
3 . A n r o b h s a o r - l m a t h a g a i b h a n n a n S t e r n a b h a g h ?
B h a
4 . N a c h e i l r m f a l a m h a n n a n n s a n t a i g h - s t a a g a i b h ?
C h a n e i l
5 . T h a p i a n d o n a a g a m a n n s a ' c h e a n n
6 . T h a o b a i r r a i g e a - n i s
7 . C h a n e i l G i d h l i g a c a s a n
8 . T h a a r a n a g u s c i s e a g a m s a a n n s a ' p h r e a s
9 . T h a f i o s a g a m a i r a n f h r e a g a i r t d e n c h e i s t s i n
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LESSON 13
Possessive Adjectives
The possessive adjectives are:
mo - my (lenites next word) ar - our
do - your (lenites next word) ur, bhur - your
a - his (lenites next word) an/am - their
a - her
am - their is used before nouns beginning with b, f , m or p
bhur - your is often used following a word ending in a vowel
Examples:
mo chta - my coat ar cta - our coat
do chta - your coat ur cta - your coat
a chta - his coat an cta - their coat
a cta - her coat am mthair - their mother
When the word following begins with a vowel the following forms are used:
m' airgead - my money ar n-airgead - our money
d' airgead - your money ur n-airgead - your money
' airgead - his money an airgead - their money
a h-airgead - her money
the apostrophe before a noun beginning with a vowel indicates the loss of the possessive
adjective HIS and is not always used in the written language.
ar n- and ur n- are frequently substituted by ar h- and ur h - respectively in the spoken
language (particularly in the Lewis dialect).
Possessive adjectives are used in preference to the prepositional pronouns of aig when
expressing close personal associations e.g. kinship, parts of the body etc:
mo chta, an cta agam - my coat ar taigh, an taigh againn
do ch, an c agad - your dog ur n-airgead, an t-airgead agaibh
a sgoil, an sgoil aige - his school * an sgoil, an sgoil aca - their school $
a sgoil, an sgoil aice - her school * an taigh, an taigh aca - their house $
* a sgoil - his/her school: where ambiguity exists you should use the prepositional pronouns
to indicate possession.
$ - similarly, confusion with the definite noun can be avoided by using the prepositional
pronoun.
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Confusion in these situations can also be avoided by using the emphatic suffices you met in
Lesson 12:
a sgoil-san - his school
a sgoil-se - her school
an sgoil-san - their school
an taigh-san - their house
NEW WORDS
Adjectives
bn - fair, blond buidhe - yellow
cerr - wrong ceart - correct
trth - early
Adverbs
gu math - well, rather, fairly
Conjunctions
is - and (for familiar associations)
Nouns
athair (m) - father brthair (m) - brother
cofaidh (m) -coffee ospadal (m) - hospital
freagairt (f) - answer mthair (f) - mother
piuthar (f) - sister
1. Tha mo chta r salach
2. Tha an t-seacaid bhuidhe aice anns a' bhocsa
3. Bha fhalt gu math bn
4. Am biodh do ch a' ruith anns a' phirc?
5. Chan eil am bainne agam r
6. Tha ar n-eaglais air an t-srid thall an sin
7. A bheil am brthair-san gu math a-nis? Tha
8. Tha bhur taigh blth is cofhartail
9. Am bi do mhthair a' dol a-mach a-nochd? Cha bhi
10. Bha mo chopan ln de chofaidh
1. Is my answer right or wrong? It's correct, very good
2. Our money was in that bank over there
3. Their cat is sick just now
4. My father will be going out on the moor with his dog
5. His brother will be staying in our house tonight
6. My sister has a friend in (the) hospital
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7. My pen is green, and your (sibh) pen is red
8. Will my money be safe in that box? Yes, certainly
9. My mother and (is) my father are not so young now
10. Your sheep were in our garden yesterday
L E S S O N 1 3 : A N S W E R S 1
1 . M y n e w c o a t i s d i r t y
2 . H e r y e l l o w j a c k e t i s i n t h e b o x
3 . H i s h a i r w a s r a t h e r f a i r
4 . W o u l d y o u r d o g b e r u n n i n g i n t h e p a r k ?
5 . T h e m i l k I h a v e i s n ' t f r e s h
6 . O u r c h u r c h i s o n ( t h a t ) s t r e e t o v e r t h e r e
7 . I s t h e i r b r o t h e r w e l l n o w ? Y e s
8 . Y o u r h o u s e i s w a r m a n d c o m f o r t a b l e
9 . W i l l y o u r m o t h e r b e g o i n g o u t t o n i g h t ? N o
1 0 . M y c u p w a s f u l l o f c o f f e e
L E S S O N 1 3 : A N S W E R S 2 A n s w e r s a & b d e n o t e
p o s s i b l e v a r i a t i o n s .
1 . A b h e i l m ' f h r e a g a i r t c e a r t n o c e r r ? T h a e c e a r t ,
g l m h a t h
2 a . B h a a r n - a i r g e a d a n n s a ' b h a n c a t h a l l a n s i n
2 b . B h a a n t - a i r g e a d a g a i n n a n n s a ' b h a n c a t h a l l a n s i n
3 a . T h a a n c a t a c a t i n n a n - d r s t a
3 b . T h a a n c a t - s a n t i n n a n - d r s t a
4 a . B i d h m ' a t h a i r a ' d o l a - m a c h a i r a ' m h o n a d h l e i s a '
c h a i g e
4 b . B i d h m ' a t h a i r a ' d o l a - m a c h a i r a ' m h o n a d h l e a
c h
5 . B i d h a b h r t h a i r a ' f u i r e a c h a n n s a n t a i g h a g a i n n
a - n o c h d
6 . T h a c a r a i d a i g m o p h i u t h a r a n n s a n o s p a d a l
7 a . T h a m o p h e a n n u a i n e , a g u s t h a u r p e a n n d e a r g
7 b . T h a a m p e a n n a g a m u a i n e , a g u s t h a a m p e a n n a g a i b h
d e a r g
8 a . A m b i m ' a i r g e a d s b h a i l t e a n n s a ' b h o g s a s i n ?
B i d h , g u c i n n t e a c h
8 b . A m b i a n t - a i r g e a d a g a m s b h a i l t e a n n s a ' b h o g s a
s i n ? B i d h , g u c i n n t e a c h
9 . C h a n e i l m o m h t h a i r i s m ' a t h a i r c h o g a - n i s
1 0 . B h a u r c a o r a i c h a n n s a ' g h r r a d h a g a i n n a n - d
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LESSON 14
Emphasising Self
Fhin (Fhn for 1st person singular) can be added to a pronoun to indicate Self:
mi-fhn - myself sinn-fhin - ourselves
thu-fhin - yourself sibh-fhin - yourself
e-fhin - himself iad-fhin - themselves
i-fhin - herself
sinn-fhn is not an uncommon alternative both in literature and spoken Gidhlig.
this is frequently voiced as sibh-pin in spoken Gidhlig. This mutation habitually occurs
when sounds bh and fh meet.
Fhin can also be used with the possessive adjective, but this time it gets the meaning own:
mo leabhar fhn - my own book ar leabhar fhin - our own book
mo ch fhn - my own dog ar c fhin - our own dog
do leabhar fhin - your own book ur leabhar fhin - your own book
do ch fhin - your own dog ur c fhin - your own dog
a leabhar fhin - his own book an leabhar fhin - their own book
a ch fhin - his own dog an c fhin - their own dog
a leabhar fhin - her own book
a c fhin - her own dog
ar [noun] fhn is not an uncommon alternative both in literature and spoken Gidhlig.
where you think there might be confusion with the meaning an leabhar fhin - the book
itself then use the prepositional pronouns of aig (see below)
with non leniting initial consonants (l , n, r, sg, sp and st ) any confusion between his own
and her own can be avoided by using the prepositional pronouns of aig (see below). Although
l , n, and r are distinctly lenited in speech.
Fhin (Fhn for 1st person singular) can also be used with the prepositional pronouns of aig
that you met in Lesson 12:
an leabhar agam fhn - my own book an leabhar againn-fhin - our own book
an leabhar agad-fhin - your own book an leabhar agaibh-fhin - your own book
an leabhar aige-fhin - his own book an leabhar aca-fhin - their own book
an leabhar aice-fhin - her own book
againn-fhn is not an uncommon alternative both in literature and spoken Gidhlig.
this is frequently voiced as agaibh-pin
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NEW WORDS
Verbs
coimhead, coimhead (air) - look (at) fairich, faireachdainn - feel
ionaltair, ionaltradh - graze
1. An taigh agam fhn
2. An semar aice fhin
3. A semar fhin
4. Chan eil mi-fhn a' faireachdainn cho math
5. Tha thu-fhin a' coimhead gu math
6. Bha ar crodh fhin ag ionaltradh gu math
7. Seo an taigh agamsa, agus siud an taigh aig mo bhrthair-sa
8. Tha ctar aicese
9. Am bi sibh-fhin a' dol air saor-lithean? Bithidh
10. Chan eil cofaidh anns a' chopan agamsa ann
L E S S O N 1 4 : A N S W E R S 1
1 . M y o w n h o u s e
2 . H e r o w n r o o m
3 . H e r o w n r o o m
4 . I d o n ' t f e e l s o g o o d m y s e l f
5 . Y o u a r e l o o k i n g w e l l y o u r s e l f
6 . O u r o w n c a t t l e w e r e g r a z i n g w e l l
7 . T h i s i s m y h o u s e , a n d y o n d e r i s m y b r o t h e r ' s h o u s e
8 . S h e h a s a n e w c o a t
9 . W i l l y o u , y o u r s e l f , b e g o i n g o n h o l i d a y ? Y e s
1 0 . T h e r e i s n ' t a n y c o f f e e i n m y c u p
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LESSON 15
Reported Speech (The Dependent Clause) - The Verb TO BE
In English this can be expressed in two ways:
He says that he is cold or omitting the conjunction He says he is cold
In Gidhlig there is only the one way. This must include the equivalent of the conjunction
that, which in positive statements is the particle gun/gum (although gu before bheil ). This is
followed by the dependent form of the verb:
Tha e ag rdh gu bheil e fuar - He says that he is cold
Similarly in the negative, English can omit the conjunction:
He says that he is not cold or He says he is not cold
Again Gidhlig must include the equivalent of the conjunction which in negative statements is
the particle nach . This is followed by the dependent form of the verb:
Tha e ag rdh nach eil e fuar - He says that he is not cold
The pattern for all other tenses is the same as the present and can be summarised as:
gun/gum + dependent form of verb for positive clauses
nach + dependent form of verb for negative clauses
In the Past Tense of the verb To Be this gives:
Tha e ag rdh gun robh e ag obair - He says that he was working
Tha e ag rdh nach robh e ag obair - He says that he was not working
In the Future Tense of the verb To Be this gives:
Tha e ag rdh gum bi e a' dol - He says that he will be going
Tha e ag rdh nach bi e a' dol - He says that he will not be going
In the Conditional Tense of the verb To Be this gives:
Tha e ag rdh gum biodh e fuar - He says that he would be cold
Tha e ag rdh nach biodh e fuar - He says that he would not be cold
Henceforth the subordinate clause described above for reported speech will be called The
Dependent Clause .
NEW WORDS
Adjectives
ciontach - guilty dleas - loyal, faithful
grianach - sunny uile - all
Nouns
port (m) - port, dock
eucoir (f) - crime stoirm (f) - storm
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Verbs
abair, rdh (ri) - say, tell (to) creid, creidsinn - believe
smaoinich, smaointinn/smaoineachadh (air) - think (about)
EXERCISE 1 Introduce each of the following with Tha e ag rdh
1. Tha e a' fuireach ann an Struighle
2. Cha bhi iad ag obair a-mireach
3. Bhiodh i ag iasgach air an loch feasgar
4. Chan eil e a' dol dhan chladach
5. Cha robh duine aig a' chilidh a-raoir
EXERCISE 2 Introduce each of the following with Tha mi a' creidsinn
1. Bidh stoirm ann a-nochd
2. Tha e ag obair aig a' phort
3. Cha robh iad aig an sgoil an-diugh
4. Bha na balaich uile ciontach den eucoir
EXERCISE 3 Introduce each of the following with Tha sinn a' smaointinn
1. Tha i gl bhidheach
2. Bidh sinn a' fuireach ine bheag fhathast
3. Bha iad cerr
4. Cha bhiodh e dleas anns an obair sin
5. Bidh e gu math grianach feasgar a-mireach
L E S S O N 1 5 : A N S W E R S 1
1 . T h a e a g r d h g u b h e i l e a ' f u i r e a c h a n n a n
S t r u i g h l e
2 . T h a e a g r d h n a c h b i i a d a g o b a i r a - m i r e a c h
3 . T h a e a g r d h g u m b i o d h i a g i a s g a c h a i r a n l o c h
f e a s g a r
4 . T h a e a g r d h n a c h e i l e a ' d o l d h a n c h l a d a c h
5 . T h a e a g r d h n a c h r o b h d u i n e a i g a ' c h i l i d h a -
r a o i r
L E S S O N 1 5 : A N S W E R S 2
1 . T h a m i a ' c r e i d s i n n g u m b i s t o i r m a n n a - n o c h d
2 . T h a m i a ' c r e i d s i n n g u b h e i l e a g o b a i r a i g a ' p h o r t
3 . T h a m i a ' c r e i d s i n n n a c h r o b h i a d a i g a n s g o i l a n -
d i u g h
4 . T h a m i a ' c r e i d s i n n g u n r o b h n a b a l a i c h u i l e
c i o n t a c h d e n e u c o i r
L E S S O N 1 5 : A N S W E R S 3
1 . T h a s i n n a ' s m a o i n t i n n g u b h e i l i g l b h i d h e a c h
2 . T h a s i n n a ' s m a o i n t i n n g u m b i s i n n a ' f u i r e a c h i n e
b h e a g f h a t h a s t
3 . T h a s i n n a ' s m a o i n t i n n g u n r o b h i a d c e r r
4 . T h a s i n n a ' s m a o i n t i n n n a c h b i o d h e d l e a s a n n s a n
o b a i r s i n
5 . T h a s i n n a ' s m a o i n t i n n g u m b i e g u m a t h g r i a n a c h
f e a s g a r a - m i r e a c h
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LESSON 16
The Root of the Verb, Imperatives and Past Participles
VERB ROOT & IMPERATIVES
In Gidhlig the 2nd person singular (thu) imperative is the same as the ROOT of the verb.
For the 2nd person plural and formal form (sibh) add: -ibh/-aibh to the root according to
the spelling rule:
Verbal Noun Verb Root and 2nd Person Plural Imperative
2nd Person Singular Imperative
bualadh - striking buail - strike buailibh - strike
togail - lifting tog - lift togaibh - lift
sgrobhadh - writing sgrobh - write sgrobhaibh - write
For 1st person plural adds -eamaid/-amaid to the root:
Cuireamaid litir thuige - Let's send a letter to him
Rachamaid dhachaigh - Let's go home
Negative forms have Na before the imperative (Na h- before vowels):
Na din an doras - Don't close the door
Na h-laibh am bainne - Don't drink the milk
Na bitheamaid* muladach - Lets not be sad
* With the verb To Be this is more usually written as biomaid for the 1st person plural
unless emphasis is required.
1st person singular adds -im/ -aim to the root.
3rd person singular and plural add -eadh /-adh to the root.
Both these forms are becoming less frequent in spoken Gidhlig; being replaced by the verb
leig (let) followed by the preposition le and its associated prepositional pronouns:
Leig leam fhaicinn - Let me see it
Leig leotha a dhol dhachaigh - Let them go home
Leig leis a-muigh - Let him out
Leig leatha a-staigh - Let her in
PAST PARTICIPLES
These are formed by adding -te to the root of the verb. The past participle may break the
spelling rule:
Tha an uinneag dinte - The window is closed
Bha an doras fosgailte - The door was open(ed)
Tha an litir sgrobhte - The letter is written
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There are a few resistant historic forms that add -ta in preference to -te :
Tha an obair danta - The job is done
Tha iad psta tr bliadhna - They are married three years
As in English the past participles can be used as adjectives:
Tha a' chraid phsta ag obair cmhla - The married couple are working together
Bha an copan briste air an rlar - The broken cup was on the floor
NEW WORDS
Adjectives
dreach - straight, direct muladach - sad
Nouns
craid (f) - couple, pair dnnear (f) - dinner
sil (f) - eye, glimpse, look teanga (f) - tongue
Phrases
mas e do thoil e - please (informal,singular)
mas e ur toil e - please (formal,plural)
thoir sil air - take a look at it
Verbs
can, cantainn (ri) - say (to) cluinn, cluinntinn - hear
cum/cm, cumail - keep, hold faigh, faighinn - get, find
fan, fantainn (ri) - wait (for) fs, fs - grow
fosgail, fosgladh - open gluais, gluasad - move
rach, dol - go seas, seasamh - stand
suidh, suidhe - sit thig, tighinn - come
thoir, toirt (do) - take, give (to) tilg, tilgeil (air) - throw (at)
tog, togail - lift, build
1. Thoir an leabhar dhan chaileig sin
2. Dinibh an doras mas e ur toil e
3. Na ruith cho luath
4. Can a-rithist e
5. Rach dhan t-semar agad fhin a-nis
6. Cumaibh ur silean fosgailte
7. Bha an taigh togte an-uiridh
8. Seas gu dreach
9. Thigibh a-staigh agus suidhibh sos
10. Na creidibh e
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EXERCISE 2 Translate into Gidhlig using (i) sibh, (ii) thu
1. Don't throw paper on the floor
2. Give the pen to the boy
3. Move your hand please
4. Put the cup down
5. Say that again slowly please
6. Wait here
7. Eat your dinner
8. Don't do that again
9. Believe me, I'm correct
10. Think again
L E S S O N 1 6 : A N S W E R S 1
1 . G i v e t h e b o o k t o t h a t g i r l
2 . C l o s e t h e d o o r p l e a s e
3 . D o n ' t r u n s o f a s t
4 . S a y i t a g a i n
5 . G o t o y o u r o w n r o o m n o w
6 . K e e p y o u e y e s o p e n
7 . T h e h o u s e w a s b u i l t l a s t y e a r
8 . S t a n d ( u p ) s t r a i g h t
9 . C o m e i n ( s i d e ) a n d s i t d o w n
1 0 . D o n ' t b e l i e v e h i m / i t
L E S S O N 1 6 : A N S W E R S 2 u s i n g s i b h
1 . N a t i l g i b h p i p e a r a i r a n l r
2 . T h o i r i b h a m p e a n n d h a n b h a l a c h
3 . G l u a i s i b h u r l m h m a s e u r t o i l e
4 . C u i r i b h a n c o p a n s o s
5 . C a n a i b h a - r i t h i s t s i n g u m a l l m a s e u r t o i l e
6 . F u i r i c h i b h a n s e o
7 . I t h i b h u r d n n e a r
8 . N a d a n a i b h a - r i t h i s t s i n
9 . C r e i d i b h m i . T h a m i c e a r t
1 0 . S m a o i n i c h i b h a - r i t h i s t
L E S S O N 1 6 : A N S W E R S 2 u s i n g t h u
1 . N a t i l g p i p e a r a i r a n l r
2 . T h o i r a m p e a n n d h a n b h a l a c h
3 . G l u a i s d o l m h m a s e d o t h o i l e
4 . C u i r a n c o p a n s o s
5 . C a n a - r i t h i s t s i n g u m a l l m a s e d o t h o i l e
6 . F u i r i c h a n s e o
7 . I t h d o d h n n e a r
8 . N a d a n a - r i t h i s t s i n
9 . C r e i d m i . T h a m i c e a r t
1 0 . S m a o i n i c h a - r i t h i s t
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LESSON 17
Augmented Prepositions
Pronouns in Gidhlig can not follow verbal nouns as in English, e.g. I am doing it.
Instead the possessive adjective is placed before the verbal noun to indicate the person.
There are two basic ways that this can happen:
1. WITH PRESENT PARTICIPLES
With present participles the verbal noun is already preceded by the preposition a'/ag (which
are simply reduced forms of the preposition aig):
Tha mi ag ithe Tha mi a' faicinn
The preposition aig combines with the possessive adjectives to form what is termed an
Augmented Prepositions:
gam - at my gar - at our
gad - at your gur - at your
ga - at his gan/gam - at their
ga - at her
Uses:
Tha e gam bhualadh * - He is hitting me/He hits me (lit. He is at my hitting)
Tha mi gad fhaicinn * - I am seeing you/I see you (lit. I am at your seeing (sing.)
Tha mi ga dhanamh * - I am doing it/I do it (lit. I am at its doing) e.g. it = writing (m)
Tha mi ga h-ithe - I am eating it/I eat it (lit. I am at its eating) e.g. it = dinner (f)
Tha e gar cuideachadh - He is helping us/He helps us (lit. He is at our helping)
Tha mi gur faicinn - I am seeing you/I see you (lit. I am at your seeing (pl.)
Tha i gan togail - She is lifting them/She lifts them (lit. She is at their lifting)
Tha i gam bualadh - She is hitting them/She hits them (lit. She is at their hitting)
* Like the corresponding possessive adjectives, the 1st, 2nd & 3rd person singular augmented
prepositions will lenite the verbal noun whenever possible.
Like the corresponding possessive adjective, ga when referring to a feminine object
requires h- before a verbal noun beginning with a vowel.
When followed by a consonant gam and gad are frequently pronounced ga mo and ga do
respectively:
Tha e gam bhualadh - He is hitting me/He hits me (lit. He is at my hitting)
Tha mi gad choimhead - I am watching you (lit. I am at your watching (sing.)
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2. VERBS OF ACTION
Verbs expressing continuous actions use the augmented preposition based on ann (in) in place
of ag, giving rise to the following:
nam - in my nar - in our
nad - in your nur - in your
na - in his nan/nam - in their
na - in her
The verbal nouns commonly affected are ones describing a condition: standing, sitting, lying,
running, stopping, waking, stretching out, sleeping & being still/quiet/at rest:
Tha mi nam shuidhe * - I am sitting down/I am seated (lit. I am in my sitting)
Thu thu nad chadal * - You are sleeping/You are asleep (lit. You are in your sleeping (sing.)
Tha e na shneadh * - He is stretched out (lit. He is in his stretching out)
Tha i na laighe - She is lying down (lit. She is in her lying)
Thinig sinn nar ruith - We came running (lit. We came in our running)
Tha sibh nur disg - You are awake (lit. You are in your waking (pl.)
Tha iad nan seasamh - They are standing (lit. They are in their standing)
Tha sinn nar stad - We are stopped (lit. We are in our stopping)
Tha iad nan tmh - They are still/at rest (lit. They are in their stillness)
* Like the corresponding possessive adjectives the 1st, 2nd & 3rd person singular augmented
prepositions will lenite the verbal noun whenever possible.
When followed by a consonant nam and nad are frequently pronounced na mo and na do
respectively:
Tha mi nam shuidhe - I am sitting down/I am seated (lit. I am in my sitting)
Thu thu nad chadal - You are sleeping/You are asleep (lit. You are in your sleeping (sing.)
The augmented prepositions using ann have another important use in expressing profession,
trade etc:
Tha mi nam sheladair - I am a sailor (lit. I am in my sailor)
Tha thu nad dhealbhaiche - You are a designer (lit. You are in your designer (sing.)
Tha e na shaor - He is a joiner (lit. He is in his joiner)
Tha i na saor - She is a joiner (lit. She is in her joiner)
Tha sinn nar banaltraman - We are nurses (lit. We are in our nurses)
Tha sibh nur ministearan - You are ministers (lit. You are in your ministers (plur.)
Tha iad nan sagartan - They are priests (lit. They are in their priests)
Tha iad nam balaich - They are boys (lit. They are in their boys)
The augmented prepositions can be used withverbal nouns in any tense of the verb To Be.
All augmented prepositions are shown in Appendix 1.
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Common Usage
The augmented preposition of aig my also used where the possessive adjective follows the
preposition ann:
D tha agad nur limh? - What do you have in your hand?
Chan eil dad agam nam phcaid - I don't have anything in my pocket
Tha rud aice na sil - She has something in her eye
Not shown here but like the corresponding possessive adjective, na when referring to a
feminine subject requires h- before a noun beginning with a vowel.
Remember the possessive adjective in usually used in preference to the prepositional
pronouns of aig when expressing close personal associations e.g. kinship, parts of the body
etc (see Lesson 13).
NEW WORDS
Adverbs
air ais - back air falbh - away
cuideachd - also, too uair - once (once upon a time)
Nouns
banaltram (m) - nurse dealbhaiche (m) - designer
ministear (m) - minister neach-teagaisg (m) - teacher
saighdear (m) - soldier sagart (m) - priest
saor (m) - carpenter seladair (m) - sailor
sgrobhadair (m) - writer tmh (m) - rest, stillness
Verbs
caidil, cadal - sleep cuidich, cuideachadh - help
cuimhnich, cuimhneachadh (air) - remember disg, dsgadh - awake, wake up
laigh, laighe - lie down sn, sneadh - stretch out
stad, stad - stop tuig, tuigsinn - understand
1. Tha e na sheasamh ris an doras
2. A bheil iad ga fhgail aig an taigh? Tha
3. Bha e ga toirt dhan nighean
4. Tha e ag rdh gun robh e uair na shaighdear
5. Am bi thu ga chur dhachaigh? Cha bhi
6. Bha i na laighe na leabaidh fhin
7. Bidh iad daonnan nan ruith
8. Bha i gan cur air falbh anns a' bhocsa
9. Tha mi a' smaointinn gum bi iad ga cuideachadh le a h-obair
10. An robh an teine gur cumail blth? Bha
11. Am biodh sibh ga fosgladh a-mireach? Bhiodh
12. Uair bha i na sgrobhadair Gidhlig
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1. He was a soldier but now he is a carpenter
2. He says that he wasn't throwing them away
3. Do you see it now? Yes I see it
4. They were all standing on the road
5. Was she sleeping in your bed last night? Indeed not
6. I think (that) you hear me very well
7. I don't remember him at all
8. Will you be taking him to the park tomorrow? Yes
9. I want you (sibh) to go down the street to the shop
10. Don't you understand me at all?
11. He was a teacher but he will soon be a designer
12. He is the priest in this parish and she is the minister
L E S S O N 1 7 : A N S W E R S 1
1 . H e i s s t a n d i n g a t ( a g a i n s t ) t h e d o o r
2 . A r e t h e y l e a v i n g h i m / i t a t h o m e ? Y e s
3 . H e w a s g i v i n g i t t o t h e g i r l
4 . H e s a y s t h a t h e w a s o n c e a s o l d i e r
5 . W i l l y o u b e s e n d i n g h i m h o m e ? N o
6 . S h e w a s l y i n g i n h e r o w n b e d
7 . T h e y a r e a l w a y s r u n n i n g
8 . S h e w a s p u t t i n g t h e m a w a y i n t h e b o x
9 . I t h i n k t h a t t h e y w i l l h e l p ( w i l l b e h e l p i n g ) h e r w i t h
h e r w o r k
1 0 . W a s t h e f i r e k e e p i n g y o u w a r m ? Y e s
1 1 . W o u l d y o u b e o p e n i n g i t t o m o r r o w ? Y e s
1 2 . A t o n e t i m e s h e w a s a G i d h l i g w r i t e r
L E S S O N 1 7 : A N S W E R S 2
1 . B h a e n a s h a i g h d e a r a c h a - n i s t h a e n a s h a o r
2 . T h a e a g r d h n a c h r o b h e g a n t i l g e i l a i r f a l b h
3 . A b h e i l t h u g a f h a i c i n n a - n i s ? T h a , t h a m i g a
f h a i c i n n
4 . B h a i a d u i l e n a n s e a s a m h a i r a n r a t h a d
5 . A n r o b h i n a c a d a l n a d l e a p a i d h a - r a o i r ? C h a r o b h
g u d e a r b h
6 . T h a m i a ' s m a o i n t i n n g u b h e i l t h u g a m c h l u i n n t i n n
g l m h a t h
7 . C h a n e i l m i g a c h u i m h n e a c h a d h i d i r
8 . A m b i s i b h g a t h o i r t d h a n p h i r c a - m i r e a c h ?
B i t h i d h
9 . T h a m i g u r n - i a r r a i d h a d h o l s o s a n t - s r i d d h a n
b h t h
1 0 . N a c h e i l t h u g a m t h u i g s i n n i d i r ?
1 1 . B h a e n a n e a c h - t e a g a i s g a c h a d h ' a i t h g h e a r r b i d h e
n a d h e a l b h a i c h e
1 2 . T h a e n a s h a g a r t a n n s a n s g r e s e o , a g u s t h a i n a
m i n i s t e a r
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LESSON 18
Prepositional Pronouns
You have already met the prepositional pronouns of the preposition aig in Lesson 12. All the
other simple prepositions similarly have their own prepositional pronouns.
But first those of aig - at are given again:
agam - at me againn - at us
agad - at you agaibh - at you
aige - at him aca - at them
aice - at her
The prepositional pronouns of ann - in:
annam - in me annainn - in us
annad - in you annaibh - in you
ann - in him annta - in them
innte - in her
The prepositional pronouns of air - on:
orm - on me oirnn - on us
ort - on you oirbh - on you
air - on him orra - on them
oirre - on her
The prepositional pronouns of bho/o - from:
(bh)uam - from me (bh)uainn - from us
(bh)uat - from you (bh)uaibh - from you
(bh)uaithe - from him (bh)uapa - from them
(bh)uaipe - from her
The prepositional pronouns of de - of/off:
dhom - of me dhinn - of us
dhot - of you dhibh - of you
dheth - of him dhiubh - of them
dhith - of her
The prepositional pronouns of do - to/for:
dhomh - to me dhuinn - to us
dhut - to you dhuibh - to you
dha/dh - to him dhaibh - to them
dh - to her
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The prepositional pronouns of le - with/by:
leam - with me leinn - with us
leat - with you leibh - with you
leis - with him leotha/le - with them
leatha - with her
The prepositional pronouns of mu - about:
umam - about me umainn - about us
umad - about you umaibh - about you
uime - about him umpa - about them
uimpe - about her
The prepositional pronouns of ri - to/against:
rium - to me rinn - to us
riut - to you ribh - to you
ris - to him riutha - to them
rithe - to her
These are used in a conventional manner where a pronoun would naturally follow a preposition:
Tha e ag rdh rium - He is saying to me
Thoir dhomh do lmh - Give to me your hand
Cuiribh oirbh ur n-ad - Put on (on you) your hat
Thoir am bainne bhuaithe - Take the milk from him
They are also used in a rich variety of idiomatic phrases. E.g. emotions, conditions, illnesses
use air:
Tha (an t-)eagal orm - I am afraid
The e a' cur eagal orra - He is frightening them
Tha fearg ort - You are angry
Tha sin a' cur fearg oirre - That is angering her
Tha iongnadh air - He is amazed
Cuir iongnadh air - Amaze him
Tha mi elach air - I know him/I am acquainted with him
Tha an cnatan oirre - She has a cold
Tha an dideadh air - He has toothache
Tha an t-acras orm - I am hungry
Tha am pathadh oirnn - We are thirsty
An overview of all the prepositional pronouns can be found in Appendix 1.
NEW WORDS
Adjectives
elach - acquainted sa chaidh - last (previous)
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Nouns
acras (m) - hunger cnatan (m) - cold (illness)
dideadh (m) - toothache eagal (m) - fear
iongnadh (m) - wonderment pathadh (m) - thirst
briogais (f) - trousers clann (f) - children, clan
seachdain (f) -week taibhse (f) - ghost
Verbal phrases
cuir eagal orm/ort etc - frighten me/you etc
cuir fearg orm/ort etc - anger me/you etc
cuir iongnadh orm/ort etc - surprise me/you etc
1. Bha an cnatan orm an t-seachdain sa chaidh
2. A bheil sibh gl elach air an fhear sin? Tha
3. Tha e ag rdh gu bheil am pathadh mr air
4. Bha fios aca nach biodh iad a' dol dhan chilidh
5. Na cuir eagal orra a-rithist.
6. Cuiribh oirbh ur briogais is ur seacaid
7. Tha mi a' smaointinn gu bheil an dideadh ort
8. Tha eagal mr oirre gum biodh taibhse anns an taigh r aca
9. A bheil thu ga thoirt dhaibh? Tha
10. Cha robh iad a' bruidhinn rithe
1. I am very hungry just now, are you?
2. I didn't know (that) you knew my brother
3. They say (that) they know that there is a ghost in that church
4. Don't frighten the children
5. She thinks that you will be surprised
6. I know they will be building a new church over there
7. I was surprised to see that she was so young
8. They were angry to hear that he was hitting her
9. He knows that you don't understand him
10. I'm afraid that I don't have (any) money
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L E S S O N 1 8 : A N S W E R S 1
1 . I h a d a ( t h e ) c o l d l a s t w e e k
2 . A r e y o u a c q u a i n t e d w i t h t h a t m a n ? Y e s
3 . H e s a y s t h a t h e i s v e r y t h i r s t y
4 . T h e y k n e w t h a t t h e y t h e y w o u l d n o t b e g o i n g t o
t h e c e i l i d h
5 . D o n ' t f r i g h t e n t h e m a g a i n
6 . P u t o n y o u r t r o u s e r s a n d y o u r j a c k e t
7 . I t h i n k y o u h a v e ( t h e ) t o o t h a c h e
8 . S h e i s v e r y f r i g h t e n e d t h e r e w o u l d b e a g h o s t i n
t h e i r n e w h o u s e
9 . A r e y o u g i v i n g i t t o t h e m ? Y e s
1 0 . T h e y w e r e n ' t s p e a k i n g t o h e r
L E S S O N 1 8 : A N S W E R S 2
1 . T h a a n t - a c r a s m r o r m a n - d r s t a . a b h e i l o r t ?
2 . C h a r o b h f i o s a g a m g u n r o b h t h u e l a c h a i r m o
b h r t h a i r
3 . T h a i a d a g r d h g u b h e i l f i o s a c a g u b h e i l t a i b h s e
a n n s a n e a g l a i s s i n
4 . N a c u i r e a g a l a i r a ' c h l o i n n
5 . T h a i a ' s m a o i n t i n n g u m b i i o n g n a d h o r t
6 . T h a f i o s a g a m g u m b i i a d a ' t o g a i l e a g l a i s r t h a l l
a n s i n
7 . B h a i o n g n a d h o r m a d h ' f h a i c i n n g u n r o b h i c h o g
8 . B h a f e a r g o r r a a c h l u i n n t i n n g u n r o b h e g a b u a l a d h
9 . T h a f i o s a i g e n a c h e i l t h u g a t h u i g s i n n
1 0 . T h a e a g a l o r m n a c h e i l a i r g e a d a g a m
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LESSON 19
The Assertive Verb
The Assertive Verb is used to bring part of a sentence forward for emphasis. This is
required in Gidhlig as stress in speech is not usually marked by tonal changes. The
Assertive Verb is known to present many problems to the learner and examples of usage are
probably best learned off.
The following examples use only the independent form of the verb Is which is best
translated directly as It is. In both literature and spoken Gidhlig the accepted practice is
to shorten Is to 'S, and particularly before words beginning with a vowel or fh.
1 . To translate I am, you are , he is , it is etc when followed by:
a) a proper noun e.g.
'S mise Calum - I'm Calum (lit. It is I Calum)
'S ise Miri - She's Miri (lit. It is she Miri)
'S iadsan Iain is Eilidh - They're John and Helen (lit. It is they John and Helen)
b) a common noun with a definite article e.g.
'S esan am fear? - He's the man?
'S e sin am balach - That's the boy
'S iadsan na h-Albannaich - They're the Scots people
c) a common noun with a possessive adjective e.g.
'S esanm' athair - He's my father
'S e do ch? - It's your dog?
'S e sin mo thaigh - That's my house
d) a pronoun e.g.
'S mise - It's me, I am Is sinne - It's we, We are
'S tusa - It's you, You are Is sibhse - It's you, You are,
'S esan - It's he, He is 'S iadsan - It's they, They are
'S ise - It's she, She is
Note : All personal pronouns used with the Assertive Verb are usually in their emphatic
forms, with tusa replacing thusa after Is
e) demonstrative pronouns, with 'S e being optional and understood e.g.
('S e) seo... - This is ...
('S e) sin ... - That is ...
('S e) siud ... - Yon is ...
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2 . To translate the verb To Be when the first word is either (a) an adjective or (b) an
indefinite noun. The word order is the reverse of English. The meaning is very emphatic and
except for category (a) is mostly restricted to the written language.
(a) adjective:
Is bidheach an l (e) - It's a beautiful day - lit. Is beautiful the day
Is mr am balach e - The boy is big - lit. Is big the boy
Is furasta a' cheist sin - That question is easy - lit. Is easy that question
(b) an indefinite noun:
Is saor am fear sin - That man is a joiner - lit. Is a joiner that man
Is iasg bradan - A salmon is a fish - lit. Is a fish a salmon
Is banaltram am boireannach seo - She is a nurse - lit. Is a nurse this woman
Note: The Assertive Verb must never be followed directly by a definite or proper noun:
He is the sailor - 'S esan an seladair - never Is an seladair esan
Mrag is the singer - 'S i Mrag an seinneadair never Is Mrag an seinneadair
Other Forms of the Verb Is
The dependent form of the Assertive Verb is subsumed into the negativeand interrogatives
which have become simply Chan, An and Nach
Negative statements:
Cha doirbh a' cheist sin - That question is not difficult
Cha sibhse - It is not you
Chan esan mo bhrthair - He is not my brother
Cha mhr am balach e - He is not a big boy
Chan fhurasta an obair sin * - That job is not easy
* Cha as usual will lenite the following consonant. However, words beginning with d, t or s
tend to resist lenition after Cha.
lenited f issilent so Chan replaces Cha just as it also does before a vowel .
Interrogative statements:
An tusa mo mhthair? - Are you my mother?
An e sin do thaigh? - Is that your house?
Am mise do ghrdh? * - Am I your love?
* An becomes Am before words beginning with b, f , m or p .
Negative Interrogative statements:
Nach math sin? - Isn't that good?
Nach fhurasta a' cheist sin? - Isn't that question easy?
Nach ise do phiuthar? - Is she not your sister?
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Other Tenses of the Assertive Verb
The past and conditional forms are identical and the meaning arises from context.
The independent form is Bu, and lenites the following word if possible. Before words
beginning with a vowel or fh this is contracted to B' in both literature and speech:
B' e sin mo bhean - It was my wife
Bu mhr am beud - It was a great pity
B' e sin - That was
The dependent forms in the past and conditional are Cha bu, Am bu and Nach bu. Before a
vowel these are contracted to Cha b' , Am b' and Nach b' in both literature and speech:
Cha bu mhise - It wasn't me
Am b' e sin do ch ? - Was that your dog?
Nach b' ise do phiuthar? - Was she not your sister?
In practice the Assertive Verb is usually followed by a relative clause. In this situation the
spoken language mostly only uses its present tense as the tense and meaning are realised
from the relative clause that follows, unless greater emphasis is needed:
An ise a bha a' snmh anns a' mhuir? - Is it (Was it = understood) her who was swimming in
the sea?
'S tusa a bha anns an sgoil - It's (It was = understood) you who was in school
Cha mhise a bha ann - It isn't (It wasn't = understood) me who was there
Nach sinne a bha toilichte? - Isn't it (Wasn't it = understood) us who were pleased?
An e do ch a bha a' comhartaich? - Is (was = understood) that your dog who was barking?
Nach ise do bhean a bha anns an tubaist? - Is (was = understood)is not your wife who was in
the accident?
Frequently in spoken Gidhlig An e, 'S e , Chan e and Nach e are used before the
emphatic personal pronouns when they precede a relative clause. Compare with first four
statements in the previous section:
An e ise a bha a' snmh anns a' mhuir? - Is it (Was it = understood) her who was swimming in
the sea?
'S e thusa a bha anns an sgoil - It's (It was = understood) you who was in school
Chan e mise a bha ann - It isn't (wasn't = understood) me who was there
Nach e sinne a bha toilichte? - Isn't it (Wasn't it = understood) us who were pleased?
The Assertive Verb with the Dependent Clause
The Assertive Verb like all others can be used in reported speech (dependent clause). In
general you only need use the independent clause in the present tense as the meaning is
realised from the other verbs. In the present tense these are gur and nach :
Tha mi ag rdh gur ise mo mhthair - I say that she is my mother
Tha mi a' creidsinn gur e do ch a bha a' comhartaich - I believe it is (was = realised) your
dog who was barking
Bha mi 'n dchas nach esan a bhiodh ann - I was hoping that he wouldn't be there
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Using the Assertive Verb to Introduce Adverbial and Prepositional Clauses
There is a special form of the Assertive Verb to introduce and emphasise adverbial and
prepositional phrases. In practice only the present tense is used as the tense and meaning
are realised by the subordinate clause.
In the present tense this is Is ann, which in both literature and spoken Gidhlig is
contracted to 'S ann:
'S ann fon bhrd a bha am ball - The ball was under the table. (lit. It's under the table that
the ball was)
'S ann a-nochd a ch mi thu - I will see you tonight (lit. It's tonight I will see you)
'S ann ormsa a tha an cnatan - I have a cold (lit. It is on me that there is a (the) cold)
The negative Chan ann, the interrogatives An ann and Nach ann are also heard:
Chan ann an-diugh a rugadh mi - I was not born today (lit. It is not today that I was born)
An ann aig an sgoil a bha thu an-diugh? - Were you in school? (lit. It is in school that you
were today?)
Nach ann tric a bhios tu thall thairis? - Are you not abroad often? (lit. It is not often that
you will be abroad?)
The dependent clause (reported speech) forms are gur ann and nach ann:
Tha mi a' creidsinn gur ann fon bhrd a bha am ball - I believe that the ball was under the
table (lit. I believe that is under the table that the ball was)
Tha e ag rdh nach ann tric a bhios e a-muigh -He says that he isn't out often (lit. He says
that it is not often that he will be out)
Be careful and economical with the use of the Assertive Verb in all the above examples
as emphasis is always implied by its usage.
Two of its more important usage are given in the following sections
1 . You have already met the idiomatic use of the preposition aig and its prepositional
pronouns. This idiom does not convey a sense of ownership but merely in one's possession:
Tha peann agam - I have a pen
Tha c agam - I have a dog
Whereas the use of the Assertive Verb with the preposition le and its prepositional pronouns
conveys a more permanent ownership. The prepositional pronouns themselves are used with
their emphatic suffices:
'S ann le Miri a tha a' chroit - Miri owns the croft (lit. It is with Miri that the croft is)
'S ann leamsa a tha an taigh sin - I own that house (lit. It is with me that house is)
An ann leatsa a tha an cr? - Do you own the car? (lit. It is with you the car is?)
Where there is no subordinate clause a more simple structure is frequently heard:
Is le Miri a' chroit - Miri owns the croft (lit. It is with Miri the croft)
Is leamsa an taigh sin - I own that house (lit. It is with me that house)
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An leatsa an cr? - Do you own the car? (lit. It is with you the car?)
2 . Personal attributes and professions with a sense of permanence and completeness can be
conveyed using the prepositional ann and its prepositional pronouns with the assertive verb:
'S e saor a tha ann an Iain - Iain is a carpenter (lit. It's a carpenter that is in Iain)
Chan e balach a tha ann - He is not a boy (lit. It's not a boy that is in him)
'S e seladair a tha ann - He's a sailor (lit. It's a sailor that is in him)
'S e caileag a tha innte - She's a girl (lit. It's a girl that is in her)
As you met in Lesson 17 the verb To Be in association with the augmented prepositions of
ann can also be used to express occupation or state of an individual. This form has less
emphasis but may be further elaborated:
Tha e na shaoranns a' chompanaidh sin - He is a carpenter (lit. He is in his carpenter) in that
company
Chan eil e na bhalach - He is not a boy (lit. He is not in his boy)
Tha e na sheladair air a' bhta seo - He's a sailor (lit. He is in his sailor) on this boat
Tha i na caileig - She's a girl (lit. She is in her girl)
Bha iad nan seinneadairean - They were singers (lit. They were in their singers)
All augmented prepositions are shown in Appendix 1
NEW WORDS
Adjectives
doirbh - difficult eireachdail - handsome
fiadhaich - fierce, wild neo-chiontach - innocent
sona - happy tiugh - thick, dense
Adverbs
thall thairis - abroad
Nouns
beud (m) - fault, pity bradan (m) - salmon
companaidh (m) - company eun (m) - bird
lighiche (m) - doctor, medic (commonly: dotair (m)
seinneadair (m) - singer Sgiathanach (m) - Skye person
sgoilear (m) - pupil, scholar Uibhisteach (m) - Uist person
rdsgoil (f) - high school, secondary school
iolaire (f) - eagle long (f) - ship
rnaire (f) - secretary
Verbs
comhartaich, comhartaich - bark snmh, snmh - swim
teagaisg, teagasg (do) - teach (to)
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Verbal Phrases
Tha mi 'n dchas gu - I hope that Tha sinn an dchas gu - We hope that
Tha thu 'n dchas gu - You hope that Tha sibh an dchas gu - You hope that
Tha e 'n dchas gu - He hopes that Tha iad an dchas gu - They hope that
Tha i 'n dchas gu - She hopes that
1. Is saighdear e
2. Nach bidheach a' chaileag sin
3. Is e ministear a tha innte
4. Is rnaire e dhan chompanaidh sin
5. Tha e ag rdh gur Sgiathanach e
6. Tha mi a' creidsinn gur e Uibhisteach a tha innte
7. An iasg iolaire? Chan e
8. Is i mo phiuthar an seinneadair aig a' chilidh a-nochd
9. Nach l bragha e?
10. Is iasg bradan
EXERCISE 2 Translate into Gidhlig using the Assertive verb IS. The element to be
emphasised has been underlined. Remember adjectives can be stressed using 'S ANN
1. I am a sailor on that ship
2. He is my brother Calum
3. They say that the bird is an eagle
4. We think he is handsome
5. He is a carpenter
6. My brother is a doctor
7. The dog is fierce
8. She is a good singer
9. I am a secretary
10. He is innocent of the crime
EXERCISE 3 Translate into Gidhlig using the present tense of the verb TO BE with
the augmented pronouns
1. I am a sailor on that ship
2. They say that the bird is an eagle
3. We think he is handsome
4. He is a carpenter
5. My brother is a doctor
6. I am a secretary
7. She is a good singer
8. They are pupils in the high school
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EXERCISE 4 Translate into Gidhlig using the Assertive verb BU. The element to be
emphasised has been underlined. Remember adjectives can be stressed using 'S ANN
1. I was a sailor on that ship
2. We were happy
3. They say that the bird was an eagle
4. We think he was handsome
5. He was a carpenter
6. My brother was doctor
7. The dog was fierce
8. She was a good singer
9. I was a secretary
10. He was innocent of the crime
EXERCISE 5 Translate into Gidhlig using the past of the verb TO BE with the
augmented pronouns
1. I was a sailor on that ship
2. We were happy
3. They say that the bird was an eagle
4. We think he was handsome
5. He was a carpenter
6. My brother was a doctor
7. I was a secretary
8. She was a good singer
1. 'S ann an-diugh a bha mi anns a' bhaile
2. 'S ann leotha a tha am bta
3. 'S ann anns a' mhuir a bha mi a' snmh
4. 'S ann airsan a tha an dideadh
5. An ann anns an abhainn a bha thu? Chan ann
6. Nach ann tric a bha thu tinn nuair a bha thu g? 'S ann
7a. An leatsa an cr? 'S e
7b. An ann leatsa a tha an cr? 'S ann
8. Ann an a-mireach a bhios tu a' falbh air saor-lithean? Chan ann
9. 'S ann ormsa a bha cta tiugh blth
10. An ann anns an sgoil sin a bha thu a' teagasg? 'S ann
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L E S S O N 1 9 : A N S W E R S 1
1 . H e ' s a s o l d i e r
2 . I s n ' t t h a t g i r l b e a u t i f u l
3 . S h e ' s a m i n i s t e r
4 . H e ' s s e c r e t a r y f o r ( t o ) t h a t c o m p a n y
5 . H e s a y s h e ' s a S k y e m a n
6 . I b e l i e v e t h a t s h e ' s a U i b h i s t w o m a n
7 . I s a n e a g l e a f i s h ? N o
8 . M y s i s t e r i s t h e s i n g e r a t t h e c e i l i d h t o n i g h t
9 . I s n ' t i t a l o v e l y d a y ?
1 0 . A s a l m o n i s a f i s h
L E S S O N 1 9 : A N S W E R S 2 T h e m o s t c o m m o n i s g i v e n
f i r s t w h e r e m o r e t h a n o n e p o s s i b i l i t y e x i s t s
1 a . ' S e s e l a d a i r a i r a n l u i n g s i n a t h a a n n a m
1 b . I s s e l a d a i r a i r a n l u i n g s i n m i
2 . ' S e s a n C a l u m , m o b h r t h a i r
3 a . T h a i a d a g r d h g u r e i o l a i r e a t h a a n n s a n e u n
3 b . T h a i a d a g r d h g u r i o l a i r e a n t - e u n
4 a . T h a s i n n a ' s m a o i n t i n n g u r a n n e i r e a c h d a i l a t h a e
4 b . T h a s i n n a ' s m a o i n t i n n g u r e i r e a c h d a i l e
5 a . ' S e s a o r a t h a a n n
5 b . I s s a o r e
6 a . ' S e d o t a i r a t h a n a m b h r t h a i r
6 b . I s d o t a i r m o b h r t h a i r
7 a . ' S a n n f i a d h a i c h a t h a a n c
7 b . I s f i a d h a i c h a n C
8 a . ' S e s e i n n e a d a i r m a t h a t h a i n n t e
8 b . I s s e i n n e a d a i r m a t h i
9 a . ' S e r n a i r e a t h a a n n a m
9 b . I s r n a i r e m i
1 0 a . I s n e o - c h i o n t a c h d e n e u c o i r e
1 0 b . ' S a n n n e o - c h i o n t a c h d e n e u c o i r a t h a e
L E S S O N 1 9 : A N S W E R S 3
1 . T h a m i n a m s h e l a d a i r a i r a n l u i n g s i n
2 . T h a i a d a g r d h g u b h e i l a n t - e u n n a i o l a i r e
3 . T h a s i n n a ' s m a o i n t i n n g u b h e i l e e i r e a c h d a i l
4 . T h a e n a s h a o r
5 . T h a m o b h r t h a i r n a d h o t a i r
6 . T h a m i n a m r n a i r e
7 . T h a i n a s e i n n e a d a i r m a t h
8 . T h a i a d n a n s g o i l e a r a n a n n s a n r d s g o i l
L E S S O N 1 9 : A N S W E R S 4 T h e m o s t c o m m o n i s g i v e n
f i r s t w h e r e m o r e t h a n o n e p o s s i b i l i t y e x i s t s
1 a . ' S e s e l a d a i r a i r a n l u i n g s i n a b h a a n n a m
1 b . B ' e s e l a d a i r a i r a n l u i n g s i n a b h a a n n a m
1 c . B u s h e l a d a i r a i r a n l u i n g s i n m i
2 a . ' S a n n s o n a a b h a s i n n
2 b . B u s h o n a s i n n
3 a . T h a i a d a g r d h g u r e i o l a i r e a b h a a n n s a n e u n
3 b . T h a i a d a g r d h g u m b ' e i o l a i r e a b h a a n n s a n e u n
3 c . T h a i a d a g r d h g u m b ' i o l a i r e a n t - e u n
4 a . T h a s i n n a ' s m a o i n t i n n g u r a n n e i r e a c h d a i l a b h a e
4 b . T h a s i n n a ' s m a o i n t i n n g u m b ' e i r e a c h d a i l e
5 a . ' S e s a o r a b h a a n n
5 b . B ' e s a o r a b h a a n n
5 c . B u s h a o r e
6 a . ' S e d o t a i r a b h a n a m b h r t h a i r
6 b . B ' e d o t a i r a b h a n a m b h r t h a i r
6 b . B u d o t a i r m o b h r t h a i r
7 a . ' S a n n f i a d h a i c h a b h a a n c
7 b . B ' f h i a d h a i c h a n c
8 a . ' S e s e i n n e a d a i r m a t h a b h a i n n t e
8 b . B ' e s e i n n e a d a i r m a t h a b h a i n n t e
8 c . B u s h e i n n e a d a i r m a t h i
9 a . ' S e r n a i r e a b h a a n n a m
9 b . B ' e r n a i r e a b h a a n n a m
9 c . B u r n a i r e m i
1 0 a . ' S a n n n e o - c h i o n t a c h d e n e u c o i r a b h a e
1 0 b . B u n e o - c h i o n t a c h d e n e u c o i r e
L E S S O N 1 9 : A N S W E R S 5
1 . B h a m i n a m s h e l a d a i r a i r a n l u i n g s i n
2 . B h a s i n n s o n a
3 . T h a i a d a g r d h g u n r o b h a n t - e u n n a i o l a i r e
4 . T h a s i n n a ' s m a o i n t i n n g u n r o b h e e i r e a c h d a i l
5 . B h a e n a s h a o r
6 . B h a m o b h r t h a i r n a d h o t a i r
7 . B h a m i n a m r n a i r e
8 . B h a i n a s e i n n e a d a i r m a t h
L E S S O N 1 9 : A N S W E R S 6 T h e e m p h a s i s e d e l e m e n t
i s u n d e r l i n e d
1 . I w a s i n t o w n t o d a y
2 . T h e y o w n t h e b o a t
3 . I w a s s w i m m i n g i n t h e s e a
4 . H e h a s ( t h e ) t o o t h a c h e
5 . W e r e y o u i n t h e r i v e r ? N o
6 . W e r e y o u n o t o f t e n s i c k w h e n y o u w e r e y o u n g ? Y e s
7 a . & 7 b . D o y o u o w n t h e c a r ? Y e s
8 . W i l l y o u b e g o i n g a w a y o n h o l i d a y t o m o r r o w ? N o
9 . I w o r e a t h i c k w a r m c o a t
1 0 . W e r e y o u t e a c h i n g i n t h a t s c h o o l ? Y e s
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LESSON 20
Incomplete Verbs
Many idiomatic verbal expressions are constructed from the association of prepositional
pronouns with the Assertive Verb. These are classed as incomplete or auxiliary verbs as not
all tenses are found.
Group 1: Verbs based on the Assertive Verb
a. Assertive form of the verb + preposition le . With the prepositional pronouns these are:
Present Tense Past and Conditional Tenses
Is toil leam/leat/etc - Bu toil leam/leat/etc -
I/you/etc like I/you/etc liked
I/you/etc would like
'S fherr leam/leat/etc - B' fherr leam/leat/etc -
I/you/etc prefer I/you/etc preferred
I/you/etc would prefer
Is leamsa/leatsa/etc - Bu leamsa/leatsa/etc -
I/you/etc own I/you/etc owned
I/you/etc would own
Words beginning with f are lenited after Is
b. Assertive form of verb + preposition do. With the prepositional pronouns these are:
Present Tense Past and Conditionals Tense
Is cir dhomh/dhut/etc - Bu chir dhomh/dhut/etc -
I/you/etc are right to I/you/etc was/were right to
I/you/etc would be right to/ought to
'S urrainn dhomh/dhut/etc - B' urrainn dhomh/dhut/etc -
I/you/etc are able to I/you was/were able to
I/you would be able to
'S aithne dhomh/dhut/etc - B' aithne dhomh/dhut/etc -
I/you/etc know I/you/etc knew
I/you/etc would know
'S bhaist dhomh/dhut/etc - B' bhaist dhomh/dhut/etc -
I/you/etc usually I/you/etc was/were usually
I/you/etc would usually
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c. Assertive form of verb + preposition air. With the prepositional pronouns these are:
Is beag orm/ort/etc - Bu bheag orm/ort/etc -
I/you/etc dislike I/you/etc disliked
I/you/etc would dislike
Is lugha orm/ort/etc - Bu lugha orm/ort/etc -
I/you/etc loathe I/you/etc loathed
I/you/etc would loathe
The Other Forms of the Verb
For the present tense drop the Is and add:
Cha for negative statements
Chan aithne dhomh e - I don't know him
Chan urrainn dhaibh innse dhut - They are unable to tell you
An for interrogative
An toil leat t? - Do you like tea? 'S toil - Yes, Cha toil - No
An urrainn dhut innse? - Are you able to tell? 'S urrainn - Yes, Chan urrainn - No
Nach for negative interrogative
Nach toil leat t? - Don't you like tea? 'S toil - Yes, Cha toil - NoNach beag ort sin? - Don't
you dislike that? Is beag - Yes, Cha bheag - No
For the past and conditional tenses add:
Cha b' urrainn dhomh faicinn - I wasn't able to see?
Cha bu chir dhut innse - You weren't right to say/You ought not to have said
Am for interrogative
Am bu toil le t? - Would they like tea? Bu toil - Yes, Cha bu toil - No
Am b' aithne dhuibh e? - Did you know him? B' aithne - Yes, Cha b' aithne - No
Nach bu lugha orra sin? - Didn't they loathe that? Bu lugha - Yes, Cha bu lugha - NoNach b'
bhaist dhaibh innse? - Wouldn't they usually say? B' bhaist - Yes, Cha b' bhaist - No
Examples of Use
When the incomplete verbs are followed directly by a verb, the verbal noun is used.
Exceptions in both literature and the spoken language are the verbs To Be (a bhith), To Go
(a dhol) and To Come (a thighinn):
An toil leat lagair? - Do you like lager?
Bu toil leam drama - I would like a dram
'S fherr leis t - He prefers tea
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B' fherr leam cofaidh - I would prefer coffee
An aithne dhut am fear sin? - Do you know that man?
B' aithne dhomh an guth - I recognised the voice
Nach beag oirbh e? - Don't you dislike him?
Cha bu bheag orm i - I didn't dislike her
An toil leat seinn? - Do you like singing?
'S urrainn dhaibh leughadh - They are able to read
B' fherr leam cluiche - I would prefer to play
Is lugha air ball-coise - He detests football
'S bhaist dhaibh a thighinn trth - They usually come early
B' bhaist dha na samhraidhean a bhith blth - The summers used to be warm
Is cir dhaibh a bhith cramach - They are right to be careful
'S urrainn dhaibh a bhith ann - They are able to be there
Cha b' urrainn dha a dhol dhan chilidh - He wasn't able to go to the ceilidh
When incomplete verbs are followed by a verbal noun taking a direct object word order
reversal takes place. Here the object comes first followed by a + lenited verbal noun. The a
is dropped before verbal nouns beginning with vowel or beginning with f + vowel :
Am bu toil leat cel a chluinntinn? - Would you like to hear some music?
'S fherr leam cofaidh l - I prefer to drink coffee
Cha bu chir dhut sin a dhanamh - You ought not to have done that
'S urrainn dhomh Gidhlig a bhruidhinn - I am able to speak Gidhlig
Am b' urrainn do Mhiri an dealbh fhaicinn? - Was Miri able to see the film?
Am bu toil leat an litir sin a fhreagairt? - Would you like to answer that letter?
When the object of the sentence is a pronoun then the pronoun is replaced by its possessive
adjective placed before the verbal noun. The possessive adjectives mo, do and a (his/its)
lenite the following word whenever possible:
Cha bu toil leis m' fhaicinn? - He would not like to see me?
B' fherr leis d' fhaicinn? - He would prefer to see you?
An urrainn dh a thogail? - Can she lift him?
Bu chir dhaibh a danamh - They ought to do it (work = feminine)
As mentioned in Lesson 19 the practise is to contract Is to 'S in both literature and the
spoken language, particularly before words beginning with a vowel or fh. Bu is always
contracted to B' before words beginning with a vowel or fh.
NEW WORDS
Adjectives
cramach - careful eile - other
fadalach - late (in arriving) sam bith - any
Adverbs
air neo - (or) else roimhe seo - by now
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Nouns
cl (m) - cabbage duine (m) - person (any sex), man, husband
guth (m) - voice ln-spin (m) - spoonful
maighistir-sgoile (m) - schoolmaster prant (m) - parent
taigh-dhealbh (m) - cinema samhradh (m) - summer
sicar (m) - sugar t (m) - tea
cabhag (f) - haste coinneamh (f) - meeting
dthaich (f) - country, countryside spin (f) - spoon
t (f) - one, female tile (f) - other female (from: t + eile)
Verbal phrases
Tha cabhag orm - I am in a hurry Tha cabhag oirnn - We are in a hurry
Tha cabhag ort - You are in a hurry Tha cabhag oirbh - You are in a hurry
Tha cabhag air - He is in a hurry Tha cabhag orra - They are in a hurry
Tha cabhag oirre - She is in a hurry
1. Tha i ag rdh gu bheil pathadh oirre
2. Am bu toil le a dhol dhan taigh-dhealbh?
3. Chan bhaist dhaibh a dhol dhan taigh-sheinnse
4. An aithne dhuibh an duine sin? Chan aithne ach 's aithne dhomh an duine eile
5. Cha robh fios agam gum b' aithne dh iad
6. 'S bhaist dh a bhith a' coiseachd trth anns a' mhadainn
7. Nach bu chir dha a bhith a' dol dhan dotair? Bu chir
8. Is toil leam an nighean seo ach is beag orm an tile
9. An urrainn dhut Gidhlig a bhruidhinn? 'S urrainn
10. Am b' fherr leis a' bhalach a bhith a-muigh? Cha b' fherr
11. Tha mi a' smaointinn gur beag air snmh
12. Tha i ag rdh gur lugha oirre cl
1. Do you like this house? No
2. I would prefer a small house in (air) the country
3. The nurse usually comes at mid-day
4. Does the dog like playing in the park? Yes
5. We can't come to see you tomorrow
6. I ought to hurry else I'll be late
7. Would you prefer sugar in your tea? Yes
8. He would like an other spoonful of sugar please
9. Did you know anyone (a person) at the meeting last night? No
10. My parents are usually home by now
11. Are you able to see the paper? No
12. Were you able to answer the question? Yes
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L E S S O N 2 0 : A N S W E R S 1
1 . S h e s a y s s h e i s t h i r s t y
2 . W o u l d t h e y l i k e t o g o t o t h e c i n e m a ?
3 . T h e y d o n ' t u s u a l l y g o t h e t h e p u b
4 . D o y o u k n o w t h a t m a n ? N o , b u t I k n o w t h e o t h e r
o n e
5 . I d i d n ' t k n o w t h a t s h e k n e w t h e m
6 . S h e u s u a l l y w a l k s e a r l y i n t h e m o r n i n g
7 . O u g h t n o t h e g o t o t h e d o c t o r ? Y e s
8 . I l i k e t h i s g i r l b u t I d i s l i k e t h e o t h e r o n e
9 . C a n y o u s p e a k G i d h l i g ? Y e s
1 0 . W o u l d t h e b o y p r e f e r t o b e o u t s i d e ? N o
1 1 . I t h i n k t h a t h e d i s l i k e s s w i m m i n g
1 2 . S h e s a y s t h a t s h e d i s l i k e s c a b b a g e
L E S S O N 2 0 : A N S W E R S 2
1 . A n t o i l l e a t a n t a i g h s e o ? C h a t o i l
2 . B ' f h e r r l e a m t a i g h b e a g a i r a n D t h a i c h
3 . ' S b h a i s t d h a n b h a n a l t r a m a t h i g h i n n a i g
m e a d h a n - l
4 . A n t o i l l e i s a ' c h a b h i t h a ' c l u i c h a n n s a ' p h i r c ?
' S t o i l
5 . C h a n u r r a i n n d h u i n n a t h i g h i n n g a d f h a i c i n n a -
m i r e a c h
6 . B u c h i r c a b h a g a b h i t h o r m a i r n e o b i d h m i
f a d a l a c h
7 . A m b ' f h e r r l e i b h s i c a r n u r t ? B ' f h e r r
8 . B u t o i l l e i s l n - s p i n e i l e d e s h i c a r m a s e u r t o i l e
9 . A m b ' a i t h n e d h u t d u i n e a i g a ' c h o i n n e i m h a - r a o i r ?
C h a b ' a i t h n e
1 0 . ' S b h a i s t d o m o p h r a n t a n a b h i t h a i g a n t a i g h
r o i m h e s e o
1 1 . A n u r r a i n n d h u t a m p i p e a r f h a i c i n n ? C h a n u r r a i n n
1 2 . A m b ' u r r a i n n d h u t a ' c h e i s t a f h r e a g a i r t ? B ' u r -
r a i n n
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LESSON 21
Relative Pronouns
For positive relative clauses the relative pronouns who, which and that are all expressed by
the word a. This conjugates with the independent form ofthe verb:
Sin am fear a bha air an loch - That's the man who was on the loch
Seo an cat a bha fon chathair - This is the cat which was under the chair
For negative relative clauses the relative pronouns who, which and that are all expressed by
the negative particle nach . The dependent form of the verb is used:
An ise a' chaileag nach robh anns an sgoil? - Is she the girl who was not in school?
Is mise nach eil ag iarraidh seinn - It's I who does not want to sing
There is an important relative pronoun na which can be translated as what and all that :
Seo na tha agam de dh'airgead * - This is all the money that I have
(lit. This is all that I have of money)
* de dh' is the usual form before an indefinite noun beginning with a vowel
The Relative Future Form of the Verb
This is a special form of the future verb which occurs only after the relative pronouns a and
na (not after the negative relative pronoun nach , when the root of the verb is used ). It is
formed by adding -eas or -as (according to the spelling rule) to the root of the verb. The
verb is also lenited whenever possible:
'S mise a bhitheas an sin a-nochd * - It's I who will be there tonight
'S ise a sheinneas aig a' chilidh - It's she who will sing at the ceilidh
'S i do mhthair nach bi toilichte - It's your mother who will not be happy
* the relative future of the verb To Be bhitheas is usually shortened to bhios in unstressed
situations
The Relative Prepositional Pronoun
For relative clauses introduced by a preposition the interrogative forms of the verb are
used:
An esan am fear ris an robh thu a' bruidhinn? - Is he the man to whom you were talking?
'S e seo am baile anns am bi mi a' fuireach - This is the town in which I stay
'S ise a' chaileag leis a bheil am peann - She's the girl who owns the pen (lit. ... to whom the
pen is)
Tha iomadh eilean ann air nach eil daoine a' fuireach - There's many an island on which no-
one lives
In some dialects an alternative form somewhat analogous to the poorer grammatical form in
spoken English is found. The structure is based on the relative pronouns a and nach . In this
case, however, a prepositional pronoun agreeing in both gender and plurality with the subject
is used. It is included here for completeness and many do not regard it as good practice:
An esan am fear a bha thu a' bruidhinn ris ? - Is he the man whom you were talking to?
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'S iadsan na fir a bha mi a' bruidhinn riutha ? - They are the men whom I was talking to?
'S ise a' chaileag a bha thu a' bruidhinn rithe ? - She's the girl whom I was talking to?
NEW WORDS
Adjectives
briste - broken liath - grey, greyed
ir - golden purpaidh - purple
Nouns
baga (m) - bag brd (m) - bard, poet
cli (m) - praise, respect dath (m) - colour
fraoch (m) - heather gleann (m) - glen
iomadh (m) - many a (+ singular noun) Md (m) - Gidhlig music and Arts festival
speur (m) - sky
beinn (f) - mountain, ben gainmheach (f) - sand
coille (f) - forest drochaid (f) - bridge
luch (f) - mouse pcaid (f) - pocket
roghachd (f) - kingdom trigh (f) - beach
Verb
coisinn, cosnadh - earn, win drich, dreadh - climb, straighten
falbh, falbh - leaving, (+ le - dating) itealaich, itealaich - fly
1. An e sin an t a tha ag obair anns a' bhanca? 'S e
2. Seo am bogsa anns am biodh sinn ga chumail
3. Is mise a shnmhas thairis air an abhainn
4. Is iadsan na daoine ris an robh sinn a' bruidhinn
5. 'S esan am brd a choisinneas cli mr aig a' Mhd
6. 'S e sin an loch air an robh sinn an-d
7. 'S e an speur an roghachd anns am bi an iolaire ag itealaich
8. Chan eil fios agam na tha aca anns a' bhaga
9. Is e purpaidh an dath a tha air an fhraoch an-drsta
10. 'S iad a bha toilichte leis na bha aca de dh'airgead
11. 'S ann anns a' choille sin a tha am fear ag obair
12. Siud an drochaid air am bi sinn a' coiseachd
13. 'S esan an duine a dhricheas a' bheinn sin
14. A' chaileag air an robh am falt liath
15. 'S e sin an nighean leis a bheil e a' falbh
16. B' e sgian mhr a bha aige na phcaid
17. B' ann air an luch a bha an iolaire a' coimhead
18. Siud an gleann trom (tro + am) bi sinn a' coiseachd a-mireach
19. Tha an drochaid air an robh sinn a' coiseachd a-nis briste
20. 'S e gainmheach ir a tha air an trigh sin
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L E S S O N 2 1 : A N S W E R S 1 ( T h e t r a n s l a t i o n s a r e
m o s t l y l i t e r a l a n d a r e n o t a l w a y s g o o d E n g l i s h . T h i s h a s
b e e n d o n e t o s h o w y o u t h e s t r e s s p l a c e d o n a c l a u s e b y
t h e A s s e r t i v e V e r b )
1 . I s t h a t t h e f e m a l e w h o w o r k s i n t h e b a n k ? Y e s
2 . H e r e ' s t h e b o x i n w h i c h w e k e e p i t
3 . I t ' s I w h o c a n ( w i l l ) s w i m a c r o s s t h e r i v e r
4 . T h e y a r e t h e m e n t o w h o m w e w e r e s p e a k i n g
5 . H e ' s t h e p o e t w h o w i l l e a r n / w i n g r e a t p r a i s e a t t h e
M o d
6 . T h a t ' s t h e l o c h t h a t w e w e r e o n y e s t e r d a y
7 . T h e s k y i s t h e k i n g d o m i n w h i c h t h e e a g l e f l i e s
8 . I d o n ' t k n o w w h a t t h e y h a v e i n t h e b a g
9 . P u r p l e i s t h e c o l o u r o f ( t h a t i s o n ) t h e h e a t h e r j u s t
n o w
1 0 . I t ' s t h e y w h o w e r e p l e a s e d w i t h w h a t m o n e y t h e y
h a d
1 1 . I t ' s i n t h e f o r e s t t h a t t h e m a n w o r k s
1 2 . Y o n d e r i s t h e b r i d g e o n w h i c h w e w i l l b e w a l k i n g
1 3 . H e ' s t h e m a n w h o c a n ( w i l l ) c l i m b t h a t m o u n t a i n
1 4 . T h e g i r l w h o h a d t h e g r e y h a i r
1 5 . T h a t ' s t h e g i r l w i t h w h o m h e i s g o i n g o u t
1 6 . I t w a s a b i g k n i f e t h a t h e h a d i n h i s p o c k e t
1 7 . I t w a s ( o n ) t h e m o u s e t h a t t h e e a g l e w a s w a t c h i n g
1 8 . Y o n d e r ' s t h e g l e n t h r o u g h w h i c h w e s h a l l b e
w a l k i n g t o m o r r o w
1 9 . T h e b r i d g e o n w h i c h w e w e r e w a l k i n g i s n o w b r o k e n
2 0 . I t ' s g o l d e n s a n d t h a t i s o n t h a t b e a c h
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LESSON 22
Interrogative Pronouns - Asking Questions
The interrogative pronouns C - Who, D - What, Ciamar - How, Carson - Why and
Cuin - When are all followed by the relative forms of the verb:
Tenses of the Verb TO BE
Present Past Future Conditional
a tha a bha a bhitheas/a bhios a bhithinn/a bhiodh
nach eil nach robh nach bi nach bithinn/nach biodh
Uses:
C bha ag l?* - Who was drinking?
C nach eil ag iarraidh deoch? - Who doesn't want a drink?
D bha i a' danamh? * - What was she doing?
D nach eil air an liosta? - What's not on the list?
Ciamar a tha thu? - How are you?
Carson a bhios i ag reic an taighe? - Why will she be selling the house?
Carson nach eil sibh a' fuireach? - Why are you not staying?
Cuin a bhithinn sbhailte? - When would I be safe?
Cuin a bhiodh iad sbhailte? - When would they be safe?
Cuin nach bi e sbhailte? - When will it not be safe?
* Where the interrogative pronoun ends in a vowel the relative pronoun a is frequently elided
in both speech and literature
The interrogative pronoun Cite - Where is followed by the the interrogative forms of the
verb:
a bheil an robh am bi am bithinn/am biodh
Uses:
Standing alone the form to use is Cite but this is contracted to Cit in all other positions.
In the spoken language Cit is frequently shortened to simply C:
Cit an robh thu a-raoir? - Where were you last night?
C 'n robh thu a-raoir? - Where were you last night?
Cit a bheil iad a' dol? - Where are they going?
C bheil iad a' dol? - Where are they going?
Cit am bi e a-mireach? - Where will he be tomorrow?
C 'm bi e a-mireach? - Where will he be tomorrow?
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NEW WORDS
Adverbs
air ais - back, behind
Nouns
ainm (m) - name ite (m) - place
caisteal (m) - castle ceannard (m) - chief, head
comann (m) - society leabharlann (m) - library
sealladh (m) - view, sight sersa (m) - sort, type, kind
not(a) (m) - pound sterling pina (m) - piano
banais (f) - wedding deoch (f) - drink
duais (f) - prize liosta )f) - list
praid (f) - din, carry-on
Verbs
gilain, gilan - carry siubhail, siubhal - travel
streap, streap - climb
Verbal Phrases
Tha a dhth orm - I need/lack Tha a dhth oirnn - We need/lack
Tha a dhth ort - You need/lack Tha a dhth oirbh - You need/lack
Tha a dhth air - He needs/lacks Tha a dhth orra - They need/lack
Tha a dhth oirre - She needs/lacks
1. C tha a' falbh leis an nighean sin? 'S mise
2. D sersa (de) bhiadh a tha sibh ag iarraidh?
3. Cit am bi iad a' fuireach a-nochd?
4. C tha a' dol a chosnadh duais aig a' Mhd am bliadhna?
5. Ciamar a bha do mhthair a' faireachdainn a-raoir?
6. C 's urrainn cluiche air a' phina?
7. D an t-ainm a tha air ur piuthar?
8. C am fear ris an robh iad a' bruidhinn a-raoir?
9. D bha ga cumail air ais?
10. Cuin a bhitheas iad a' fgail Ghlaschu?
11. Carson as toil leibh an sealladh den chaisteal?
12. Cuin a bhitheas tu a' tilleadh dhachaigh?
1. What do you need now? I need some money
2. How are they travelling to Edinburgh?
3. Who is the chief of that society?
4. When will the wedding be?
5. Who is going to give me a pound?
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6. What type of place does she live in?
7. Who works in the new library?
8. What were they carrying in the bag?
9. What sort of carry-on were they making?
10. Why was Miri not at school today?
11. Who can't climb up that hill?
12. Where are they going to play?
L E S S O N 2 2 : A N S W E R S 1
1 . W h o ' s g o i n g o u t w i t h t h a t g i r l ? M e
2 . W h a t s o r t o f f o o d d o y o u w a n t ?
3 . W h e r e w i l l t h e y b e s t a y i n g t o n i g h t ?
4 . W h o ' s g o i n g t o w i n t h e p r i z e a t t h e M o d t h i s y e a r ?
5 . H o w w a s y o u r m o t h e r f e e l i n g l a s t n i g h t ?
6 . W h o c a n p l a y t h e p i a n o ?
7 . W h a t ' s t h e n a m e o f y o u r s i s t e r ?
8 . W h o ' s t h e m a n t o w h i c h t h e y w e r e s p e a k i n g l a s t
n i g h t ?
9 . W h a t w a s k e e p i n g h e r b a c k / b e h i n d ?
1 0 . W h e n w i l l t h e y b e l e a v i n g G l a s g o w ?
1 1 . W h y d o y o u l i k e t h e v i e w o f t h e c a s t l e ?
1 2 . W h e n w i l l y o u b e r e t u r n i n g h o m e ?
L E S S O N 2 2 : A N S W E R S 2
1 a . D t h a d h t h o r t a - n i s ? T h a a i r g e a d a d h t h o r m
1 b . D t h a d h t h o r t a - n i s ? ' S e a i r g e a d a t h a d h t h
o r m
2 . C i a m a r a t h a i a d a ' s i u b h a l g u D n i d e a n n ?
3 . C ' s e a n c e a n n a r d d e n c h o m a n n s i n ?
4 . C u i n a b h i t h e a s a ' b h a n a i s a n n ?
5 . C t h a a ' d o l a t h o i r t n o t a d h o m h ?
6 . D s e r s a d e d h ' i t e a n n s a b h e i l i a ' f u i r e a c h ?
7 . C t h a a g o b a i r a n n s a n l e a b h a r l a n n r ?
8 . D b h a i a d a ' g i l a n a n n s a ' b h a g a ?
9 . D s e r s a d e d h ' p r a i d a b h a i a d a ' d a n a m h ?
1 0 . C a r s o n n a c h r o b h M i r i a n n s a n s g o i l a n - d i u g h ?
1 1 . C n a c h u r r a i n n s t r e a p s u a s a n c n o c s i n ?
1 2 . C i t a b h e i l i a d a ' d o l a c h l u i c h e ?
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LESSON 23
Some Common Conjunctions
Group 1
agus - and/as , ach - but/however, oir - for/because
These are considered to be the simple conjunctions as they are followed by the simple
statement forms of the verb (positive and negative):
tha bha bidh bhithinn/bhiodh
chan eil cha robh cha bhi cha bhithinn/cha bhiodh
Uses:
Cha bhi mi a' dol a-muigh oir tha an t-uisge ann - I will not be going out because it is raining
Group 2
fhads - while , ged - although , mar - as/how , ma - if , nuair - when, on/bhon -
since
These are all followed by the relative clause:
a tha a bha a bhios a bhithinn/a bhiodh
Uses:
Fhads a tha dchas ann - While there is hope
Ged a tha e beag tha e lidir - Although he is small he is strong
Seo mar a bha e - This is as (how) it was
Ma bhios e blth a-mireach, bidh mi ann * - If it is (will be) dry tomorrow, I'll be there
Tha e m-chilear nuair a tha e fuar is fliuch - It is unpleasant when it is cold and wet
Bha i mar sin on a bha i na caileig ig - She has been like that since she was a young girl
* Where the conjunction ends in a vowel the relative pronoun a is elided in both speech and
literature.
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Group 3
far - where , mus , mun/mum - before , gus - until/in order that , mur/mura - unless , if
not
These are all followed by the the interrogative forms of the verb:
a bheil an robh am bi am bithinn/am biodh
Uses:
Suidh far a bheil thu! - Sit where you are!
Bha e na bhanaltram mus robh e na dhotair * - He was a nurse before he was a doctor
Bha e na bhanaltram mun robh e na dhotair * - He was a nurse before he was a doctor
Fuirich gus am bi m-fhn ann - Wait until I'm (will be) there
Cha bhi mi ann mura bi thu-fhin ann - I will not be there unless you are (will be)
Chan eil mi toilichte mur eil thusa - I am not happy if you aren't
* the interrogative particle an/am is not used after mus or mun/mum
the interrogative particle an/am is not used after mur except in the past tense. The form
mura is used before verbs beginning with a consonant. With the Present Tense of the verb
To Be the form eil is used in place of bheil . The negative verb can never be used with mur/
mura.
In the past tense we therefore find:
Ciamar a tha fios agad mur an do leugh thu an litir? - How do you know unless you read the letter?
Bha m' ad air a' bhrd mur an do ghluais duine i - My hat was on the table unless someone moved it
NEW WORDS
Adjectives
anmoch - late deiseil - ready
denach- willing dorch - dark
glic- wise lidir - strong
m-chilear - unpleasant/distasteful
Conjunctions
far - where ged - although
gus - until mar/man - as
mur - unless, if not mus, mun/mum - before
nuair - when oir - for, because
on, bhon - since
Nouns
bus (m) - bus rud (m) - thing
cil (f) - anything
Verbal phrases
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Tha an t-uisge ann - It is raining Bha an t-uisge ann - It wasraining
1. Chan eil fios agam far a bheil do mhthair
2. Suidh sos gus am bi do dhnnear deiseil
3. Bha uisge trom ann nuair bha iad ag iasgach air an loch
4. Ged a tha iad trang bhiodh iad toilichte gad chuideachadh
5. Dan mar a tha mi ag rdh
6. Bidh e dorch mus bi i dhachaigh
7. Cha b' urrainn dhomh cr a cheannach on nach robh airgead agam
8. Bha i cho bidheach nuair bha i g
9. Ma tha sibh sgth suidhibh sos
10. Mar as (= a + 's) urrainn dhut faicinn chan eil cil agam nam phcaid
11. Bha mi a' bruidhinn rithe fhads a bha sinn a' coiseachd
12. An toil leat far a bheil thu a' fuireach?
1. Although he is not very (so) big he is quite strong
2. I was staying in that town when I was a boy
3. That's the place where I would prefer to be
4. Don't go out(side) until the rain is off (=dheth)
5. Since he is so lazy he will not be willing to go to the shop
6. He will be singing at the ceilidh although he is ill
7. Are you happy where you're sitting? Yes
8. Run home before it rains
9. Run when I say 'ready'
10. She will not be coming since she isn't sure that there will be a bus home
L E S S O N 2 3 : A N S W E R S 1
1 . I d o n ' t k n o w w h e r e y o u r m o t h e r i s
2 . S i t d o w n u n t i l y o u r d i n n e r i s r e a d y
3 . I t w a s r a i n i n g h e a v y w h e n t h e y w e r e f i s h i n g o n t h e
l o c h
4 . A l t h o u g h t h e y a r e b u s y t h e y w o u l d b e p l e a s e d t o
h e l p y o u
5 . D o a s I s a y
6 . I t w i l l b e d a r k b e f o r e s h e ' s ( w i l l b e ) h o m e
7 . I c o u l d n ' t b u y a c a r s i n c e I h a d n ' t a n y m o n e y
8 . S h e w a s s o b e a u t i f u l w h e n s h e w a s y o u n g
9 . I f y o u a r e t i r e d s i t d o w n
1 0 . A s y o u c a n s e e I d o n ' t h a v e a n y t h i n g i n m y p o c k e t
1 1 . I w a s s p e a k i n g t o h e r w h i l e w e w e r e w a l k i n g
1 2 . D o y o u l i k e w h e r e y o u a r e s t a y i n g ?
L E S S O N 2 3 : A N S W E R S 2
1 . G e d n a c h e i l e c h o m r t h a e g u m a t h l i d i r
2 . B h a m i a ' f u i r e a c h a n n s a ' b h a i l e s i n n u a i r a b h a m i
n a m b h a l a c h
3 . S i n a n t - i t e f a r a m b ' f h e r r l e a m a b h i t h
4 . N a r a c h a - m u i g h g u s a m b i a n t - u i s g e d h e t h
5 . O n a t h a e c h o l e i s g c h a b h i e d e n a c h a d h o l d h a n
b h t h
6 . B i d h e a ' s e i n n a i g a ' c h i l i d h g e d t h a e t i n n
7 . A b h e i l t h u t o i l i c h t e f a r a b h e i l t h u n a d s h u i d h e ?
T h a
8 . R u i t h d h a c h a i g h m u s b i a n t - u i s g e a n n
9 . D a n a i b h r u i t h n u a i r a t h a m i a g r d h ' d e i s e i l '
1 0 . C h a b h i i a ' t i g h i n n o n n a c h e i l i c i n n t e a c h g u m b i
b u s d h a c h a i g h
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LESSON 24
The Past Tense - Regular Verbs
As you discovered in a continuous action in the past is expressed by using the past tense of
the verb To Be with the present participle :
Bha e a' cluich anns a' phirc fad an l an-d - He was playing in the park all day yesterday
In contrast, you must use the past tense (or finite) of a verb to express a single completed
action in the past. Fortunately, this corresponds very closely in meaning with the finite verb
in English.
Whenever possible lenite the root of the verb to get the independent form of the past
tense. Verbs beginning with a vowel (and lenited fh - which is silent) are preceded by an
initial dh' .
The dependent form of the verb = do + independent form:
Verbal Noun Root Independent * Dependent
bualadh - hitting buail bhuail do bhuail
fgail - leaving fg dh'fhg do dh'fhg
leughadh - reading leugh leugh do leugh
ruith - running ruith ruith do ruith
seasamh - standing seas sheas do sheas
sgrobhadh -writing sgrobh sgrobh do sgrobh
l - drinking l dh'l do dh'l
togail - lifting/building tog thog do thog
As with the verb To Be add either Cha, An/Am or Nach to the dependent form to get the
negative and interrogatives.
* Grammar: Historically the Independent and Dependent were identical. However, in the
Independent do was in an unstressed initial position and was subsequently lost but its leniting
influence remains.
Example Uses :
Bhuail iad - They hit Dh'fhg iad - They left
Cha do bhuail iad - They didn't hit Cha do dh'fhg iad - They didn't leave
An do bhuail iad? - Did they hit? An do dh'fhg iad? - Did they leave?
Nach do bhuail iad? - Didn't they hit? Nach do dh'fhg iad? - Didn't they leave?
Leugh iad - They read Ruith iad - They ran

Cha do leugh iad - They didn't read Cha do ruith iad - They didn't run
An do leugh iad? - Did they read? An do ruith iad? - Did they run?
Nach do leugh iad? - Didn't they read? Nach do ruith iad? - Didn't they run?
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Sheas iad - They stood Sgrobh iad - They wrote
Cha do sheas iad - They didn't stand Cha do sgrobh iad - They didn't write
An do sheas iad? - Did they stand? An do sgrobh iad? - Did they write?
Nach do sheas iad? - Didn't they stand? Nach do sgrobh iad? - Didn't they write?
Thog iad - They lifted Dh'l iad - They drank

Cha do thog iad - They didn't lift Cha do dh'l iad - They didn't drink
An do thog iad? - Did they lift? An do dh'l iad? - Did they drink?
Nach do thog iad? - Didn't they lift? Nach do dh'l iad? - Didn't they drink?
With the Dependent Clause
The pattern is the same as the verb To Be (see Lesson 15):
Tha e ag rdh gun do bhuail iad e - He says that they hit him
Tha e ag rdh nach do bhuail iad e - He says that they didn't hit him
Tha e ag rdh gun do dh'fhg iad - He says that they left
Tha e ag rdh nach do dh'fhg iad - He says that they didn't leave
The Relative Verb
Some examples are given below.
'S iadsan a bhuail mi - It's they who hit me
'S iadsan nach do bhuail mi - It's they who didn't hit me
With Interrogative Pronouns
D leugh thu anns an sgoil an diugh? - What did you read in school today?
C sgrobh an litir? - Who wrote the letter?
Carson a bhuail thu am balach? - Why did you hit the boy?
Ciamar a sheas i? - How did she stand?
Cuin a dh'fhg thu? - When did you leave?
Cit an do thog iad an taigh? - Where did they build the house?
With Conjunctions
Sgrobh mi litir mus do dh'fhg mi - I wrote a letter before I left
Bha e dorch nuair a bhuail an cr am balach - It was dark when the car hit the boy
Leugh mi am pipear-naidheachd fhads a dh'ith mi dnnear - I read the paper while I ate dinner
Mur do bhuail thusa am balach, c bhuail? - If you didn't hit the boy, who did (hit)?
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Saying Yes and No
The pattern is the same for the verb To Be. You need to use the positive or negative forms
of the verb in the Past Tense:
n do bhuail iad an c ? - Did they hit the dog? Bhuail - Yes Cha do bhuail - No
Nach do sheas iad aig an doras? - Didn't they stand at the door? Sheas - Yes Cha do sheas - No
NEW WORDS
Adjectives
smhach - quiet
Nouns
boireannach (m) - woman coire (m) - kettle, corry
leanabh (m) - baby pipear-naidheachd (m) - newspaper
briosgaid (f) - biscuit dideag (f) - toy, bauble
leithid (f) - like, type staidhre (f) - stair
Verbs
bris, briseadh - break caidil, cadal - sleep
freagair, freagairt - answer goil, goil - boil, seethe
ps, psadh (aig) - marry saoil, saoilsinn (air) - think (about)
tisich, tiseachadh (air) - start (to) tuit, tuiteam - fall
Miscellany
fad an l - all day leithid de rud - such a thing
1. Dh'fhg an toit a h-uile rud anns an taigh salach
2. An do chuir thu bainne anns a' chopan? Chuir
3. C bhris an uinneag agam? 'S ise a bhris i
4. Cha do dh'fhuirich e fada nuair a thill sinn
5. Nach do cheannaich iad cr r? Cheannaich
6. Chluich ar leanabh leis an dideig fad an l
7. Chuir mi an t-uisge anns a' choire agus ghoil mi e
8. Dh'ionnsaich mi Gidhlig nuair a bha mi nam bhalach
9. Shaoil mi gum b' aithne dhomh e
10. Can e mar a sgrobh iad e
1. Did you buy anything in the shop? No
2. He put his hand on her hand
3. I broke my leg when I fell down the stairs
4. My sister returned from her holiday last night
5. Did she answer the question correctly? Yes
6. I ate the biscuit before I drank the milk
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7. Who moved my chair away from the fire? It's him that moved it
8. Why did you marry that man/that woman?
9. I wrote a long letter when I returned home
10. They played quietly while she slept
L E S S O N 2 4 : A N S W E R S 1
1 . T h e s m o k e l e f t e v e r y t h i n g i n t h e h o u s e d i r t y
2 . D i d y o u p u t ( s o m e ) m i l k i n t h e c u p ? Y e s
3 . W h o b r o k e m y w i n d o w ? S h e b r o k e i t
4 . H e d i d n ' t s t a y l o n g w h e n w e r e t u r n e d
5 . D i d n ' t t h e y b u y a n e w c a r ? Y e s
6 . O u r b a b y p l a y e d w i t h t h e t o y a l l d a y
7 . I p u t t h e w a t e r i n t h e k e t t l e a n d I b o i l e d i t
8 . I l e a r n e d G i d h l i g w h e n I w a s a b o y
9 . I t h o u g h t t h a t I k n e w h i m
1 0 . S a y i t a s t h e y w r o t e i t
L E S S O N 2 4 : A N S W E R S 2
1 . A n d o c h e a n n a i c h s i b h c i l a n n s a ' b h t h ? C h a d o
c h e a n n a i c h
2 . C h u i r e a l m h - s a n a i r a l i m h - s e
3 . B h r i s m i m o c h a s n u a i r a t h u i t m i s o s n a
s t a i d h r i c h e a n
4 . T h i l l m o p h i u t h a r b h o n s a o r - l a i c e a - r a o i r
5 . A n d o f h r e a g a i r i a ' c h e i s t g u c e a r t ? F h r e a g a i r
6 . D h ' i t h m i a ' b h r i o s g a i d m u n d o d h ' l m i a m b a i n n e
7 . C g h l u a i s m o c h a t h a i r a i r f a l b h b h o n t e i n e ? ' S
e s a n a g h l u a i s i
8 a . C a r s o n a p h s t h u a m f e a r s i n ?
8 b . C a r s o n a p h s t h u a n t s i n ?
9 . S g r o b h m i l i t i r f h a d a n u a i r a t h i l l m i d h a c h a i g h
1 0 . C h l u i c h i a d g u s m h a c h f h a d s a c h a i d i l i
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LESSON 25
The Past Tense - Irregular Verbs
As you discovered in Lesson 8 a continuous action in the past is expressed by using the past
tense of the verb To Be with the present participle :
Bha e a' cluich anns a' phirc fad an l an-d - He was playing in the park all day yesterday
To express a single completed action in the past you must use the past tense (or finite) of a
verb. Fortunately, this corresponds very closely in meaning with the finite verb in English.
There are only 10 irregular Gidhlig verbs, and fortunately not all are irregular through all
their tenses. They are presented in a table analogous to the one in for the Past Tense of the
Regular Verbs
Verbal Noun Root Independent Dependent
breith - bearing/catching/ beir rug d'rug
- grasping
cluinntinn - hearing cluinn chuala cuala
danamh - doing/making dan rinn d'rinn
dol - going rach chaidh deach
faicinn - seeing faic chunnaic faca
faighinn - getting/obtaining faigh fhuair * d'fhuair
rdh - saying abair thuirt tuirt
ruigsinn - reaching/arriving ruig rinig d'rinig
tighinn - coming thig thinig tinig
toirt - taking/ thoir thug tug
- giving (+ preposition do)
* the initial fh of fhuair is not silent but is voiced as h .
the vestigial d' is optional.
ruighinn and ruigheachd are alternative verbal nouns.
As with the regular verb add either Cha/Chan (before a vowel), An/Am or Nach to the
dependent form to get the negative and interrogative forms of the verb. Remember Cha/
Chan will lenite words beginning with b, f , m, p , c or g.
Example Uses :
Rug i orm - She grasped me Rinn mi - I did/made
Cha d'rug i orm - She didn't grasp me Cha d'rinn mi - I didn't do/make
An d'rug i orm? - Did she grasp me? An d'rinn thu? - Did you do/make?
Nach d'rug i orm? - Didn't she grasp me? Nach d'rinn thu? - Did you not do/make?
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Chuala tu * - You heard Chaidh mi - I went
Cha chuala tu - You didn't hear Cha deach mi - I didn't go
An cuala tu? - Did you hear? An deach thu? - Did you go?
Nach cuala tu? - Did you not hear? Nach deach thu? - Did you not go?
Chunnaic thu - You saw Fhuair mi - I got
Chan fhaca tu - You didn't see Cha d'fhuair mi - I didn't get
Am faca tu? - Did you see? An d'fhuair thu? - Did you get?
Nach fhaca tu? - Did you not see? Nach d'fhuair thu? - Did you not get?
Thuirt mi - I said Rinig mi - I arrived/reached
Cha tuirt mi - I didn't say Cha d'rinig mi - I didn't arrive/reach
An tuirt thu? - Did you say? An d'rinig thu? - Did you arrive/reach?
Nach tuirt thu? - Did you not say? Nach d'rinig thu? - Did you not arrive/reach?
Thinig mi - I came Thug mi - I took
Cha tinig mi - I didn't come Cha tug mi - I didn't take
An tinig thu? - Did you come? An tug thu? - Did you take?
Nach tinig thu? - Did you not come? Nach tug thu? - Did you not take?
* use tu instead of thu with both the dependent and independent forms of the past tense of
the verb cluinn.
use tu instead of thu with the dependent forms of the past tense of the verb faic .
faca changes to fhaca after the dependent particle nach .
Tha e ag rdh gun cuala e - He says that he heard
Tha e ag rdh nach cuala e - He says that he didn't hear
Tha e ag rdh gum faca e - He says that he saw
Tha e ag rdh nach fhaca e - He says that he didn't see
faca changes to fhaca after the negative relative particle nach .
The Assertive Verb and The Relative Clause
Is mise a chaidh - It's I who went
Is mise nach deach - It's I who didn't go
'S ise a rinn sin - It's she who did that
'S ise nach d'rinn sin - It's she who didn't do that
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The Interrogative Pronouns
The pattern is the same as the verb To Be (see Lesson 22 ):
D rinn thu leis a' phipear is glaodh? - What did you make with the paper and glue?
C thuirt sin? - Who said that?
Carson a thug e airgead dhut? - Why did he give you some money?
Ciamar a rinn thu sin? - How did you do that?
Cuin a thinig iad? - When did they come?
Cit an d'fhuair thu sin? - Where did you get that?
With Conjunctions
Thuirt mi an naidheachd ris nuair a chunnaic mi e - I told him the news when I saw him
Sgioblaich mi an taigh mus d'rinig iad - I tidied the house before they arrived
Bha sinn toilichte ged nach tinig i - We were happy (even) although she didn't come
Tha e air a dhigh on a fhuair e an cr r - He is overjoyed since he got the new car
Mura tug thusa air falbh e, c thug? - If you didn't take it away, who did (take)?
NEW WORDS
Nouns
glaodh (m) - glue
fuaim (f) - noise, sound
Verbs
beir, breith (air) - bear, catch, grasp dan, danamh - do, make
ruig, ruigsinn - reach, arrive sgioblaich, sgioblachadh - tidy
Verbal phrases
Tha mi air mo dhigh - I am overjoyed Tha sinn air ar digh - We are overjoyed
Tha thu air do dhigh - You are overjoyed Tha sibh air ur digh - You are overjoyed
Tha e air a dhigh - He is overjoyed Tha iad air an digh - They are overjoyed
Tha i air a digh - She is overjoyed
1. Am faca sibh c bha anns an talla? Chunnaic
2. Thug mi an dideag air falbh bhuaipe
3. Cha tinig iad gus meadhan-oidhche
4. Rug i leanabh bidheach
5. Nach d'rinig thu an taobh eile? Rinig
6. Chaidh sinn sos dhan trigh an-d
7. An d'rinn sibh dnnear dhaibh? Cha d'rinn
8. Cit an cuala tu an sgeul sin?
9. C fhuair taigh r?
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10. Nach tuirt e gun deach i air falbh a-raoir? Thuirt
1. He came in late last night
2. I caught/grasped him on the hand
3. Did you see that film? No
4. When did you arrive yesterday?
5. I gave the book to my brother when I saw him
6. We saw an eagle in the sky
7. Who got a letter from them?
8. Why didn't they say they were tired?
9. We heard a terrible noise
10. I was happy before he came
L E S S O N 2 5 : A N S W E R S 1
1 . D i d y o u s e e w h o w a s i n t h e h a l l ? Y e s
2 . I t o o k t h e t o y a w a y f r o m h e r
3 . T h e y d i d n ' t c o m e u n t i l m i d n i g h t
4 . S h e b o r e ( g a v e b i r t h t o ) a b e a u t i f u l b a b y
5 . D i d n ' t y o u r e a c h t h e o t h e r s i d e ? Y e s
6 . W e w e n t d o w n t o t h e b e a c h y e s t e r d a y
7 . D i d y o u m a k e d i n n e r f o r t h e m ? N o
8 . W h e r e d i d y o u h e a r t h a t t a l e ?
9 . W h o g o t a n e w h o u s e ?
1 0 . D i d n ' t h e s a y t h a t s h e w e n t a w a y l a s t n i g h t ? Y e s
L E S S O N 2 5 : A N S W E R S 2
1 . T h i n i g e a - s t a i g h a n m o c h a - r a o i r
2 . R u g m i a i r a n l i m h a i r
3 . A m f a c a s i b h a n d e a l b h s i n ? C h a n f h a c a
4 . C u i n a r i n i g t h u a n - d ?
5 . T h u g m i a n l e a b h a r d o m o b h r t h a i r n u a i r a
c h u n n a i c m i e
6 . C h u n n a i c s i n n i o l a i r e a n n s a n s p e u r
7 . C f h u a i r l i t i r b h u a p a ?
8 . C a r s o n n a c h t u i r t i a d g u n r o b h i a d s g t h ?
9 . C h u a l a s i n n f u a i m u a b h a s a c h
1 0 . B h a m i t o i l i c h t e m u s t i n i g e
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LESSON 26
The Future Tense - Regular Verbs
The formation of the Future Tense of regular verbs is identical to that seen in Lesson 9 for
the verb To Be. As you discovered the Future Tense of the verb To Be is used with the
present participle to express both a continuous future action and a repeated present action:
Bidh iad a' cluich anns a' phirc - They will be playing in the park
Bidh iad a' cluich anns a' phirc a h-uile l - They play in the park every day
In contrast, the Future Tense of a verb must be used to express an immediate future action
as well as a repeated action in the present.
The dependent form of the verb is identical to the root. To get the independent form of the
verb take the root and add either -idh or -aidh according to the spelling rule:
bualadh - hitting buail buailidh buail
fgail - leaving fg fgaidh fg
leughadh - reading leugh leughaidh leugh
ruith - running ruith ruithidh ruith
sgrobhadh - writing sgrobh sgrobhaidh sgrobh
seasamh - standing seas seasaidh seas
togail - lifting/building tog togaidh tog
l - drinking l laidh l
As with the verb To Be add either Cha/Chan (before a vowel), An/Am or Nach to the
dependent to get the negative and interrogative forms of the verb.
Example Uses:
Buailidh mi - I will hit Fgaidh mi - I will leave
Cha bhuail mi - I will not hit Chan fhg mi - I will not leave
Am buail mi? - Will I hit? Am fg mi? - Will I leave?
Nach buail mi? - Will I not hit? Nach fhg mi? - Will I not leave?
Leughaidh mi - I will read Ruithidh tu - You will run
Cha leugh mi - I will not read Cha ruith thu * - You will not run
An leugh mi? - Will I read? An ruith thu? - Will you run?
Nach leugh mi? - Will I not read? Nach ruith thu? - Will you not run?
Sgrobhaidh mi - I will write Seasaidh tu - You will stand
Cha sgrobh mi - I will not write Cha sheas thu * - You will not stand
An sgrobh mi? - Will I write? An seas thu? - Will you stand?
Nach sgrobh mi? - Will I not write? Nach seas thu? - Will you not stand?
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laidh tu - You will drink Togaidh mi - I will lift

Chan l thu - You will not drink Cha thog mi * - I will not lift
An l thu - Will you drink? An tog thu - Will you lift?
Nach l thu? - Will you not drink? Nach tog thu? - Will you not lift?
* cha/chan should only lenite verbs beginning with b, f, m, p, c or g. However there is a
growing tendency with the regular verbs to lenite whenever possible.
nach lenites verbs beginning with f.
As with the verb To Be the second person singular becomes tu with the independent form
of the verb.
Tha e ag rdh gum buail e mi - He says that he will hit me
Tha e ag rdh nach buail e mi - He says that he will not hit me
Tha e ag rdh gum fg e - He says that he will leave
Tha e ag rdh nach fhg e - He says that he will not leave
The Relative Verb
The pattern is the same as the Future Tense of the verb To Be (see Lesson 21):
S e deoch a ghabhas mi - It's a drink which I will have
Is mise nach fhg thu - It's I who will not leave you
Seo an leabhar a leughas tu * - Here's the book you will read
Agus seo an leabhar nach leugh thu - And here's the book you will not read
* remember that after the relative future verb the second person singular subject becomes
tu.
D sgrobhas tu anns an litir? - What will you write in the letter?
C thogas dealbh dhom? - Who will take a photograph of me?
Carson a bhuaileas tu am balach? - Why will you hit the boy?
Ciamar a sheasas i? - How will she stand?
Cuin a dh'fhgas tu? - When will you leave?
Cit an l sinn? - Where will we drink?
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With Conjunctions
Sgrobhaidh mi litir mus fg mi - I will write a letter before I leave
Ma dh'fhgas tu an taigh, bidh mi nam aonar - If you (will) leave the house, I'll be alone
Leughaidh mi an leabhar fhads a dh'itheas mi dnnear - I'll read the book while I (will) eat dinner
Mura fg thu an drsta bidh tu fadalach - Unless you (will) leave now you will be late
Saying Yes and No
of the verb in the Future Tense:
An sgrobh thu litir thugam?- Will you write me a letter? Sgrobhaidh - Yes Cha sgrobh - No
Nach l thu am bainne? - Will you not drink the milk? laidh - Yes Chan l - No
Repeated Actions in the Present
The meaning is understood from the context:
Gabhaidh e bracaist a h-uile madainn - He takes breakfast ever morning
Sgrobhaidh sinn litir thuige a h-uile l - We write (to) him a letter every day
Able To Do
The Future Tense may convey the idea of being able to do something. This meaning is usually
understood from context:
An sgrobh thu litir dhomhsa?- Will you/Can you write a letter for me?
Am buail thu an doras a-rithist? - Will you/Can you knock the door again?
An l thu an t-uisge gu luath? - Will you/Can you drink the water quickly?
NEW WORDS
Adjectives
fadalach - late (in arriving)
Nouns
beagan (m) - little drama (m) - dram of drink
post (m) - post
teanga (f) - tongue
Verbs
gabh, gabhail (ri) - accept, betake, have leig, leigeil (le) - let, allow
tog dealbh, togail dealbh - take a photograph
Verbal phrases
Tha mi nam aonar - I am alone Tha sinn nar n-aonar - We are alone
Tha thu nad aonar - You are alone Tha sibh nur n-aonar - You are alone
Tha e na aonar - He is alone Tha iad nan aonar - They are alone
Tha i na h-aonar - She is alone
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1. Togaidh mi taigh r anns a' ghleann
2. Tha e ag rdh nach till e gus madainn a-mireach
3. Cha chuir mi seachad bliadhna anns an obair sin
4. C cheannaicheas c dhomhsa?
5. Tha mi cinnteach gun caidil thu gu math a-nochd
6. 'S e Calum a phsas mo nighean a-mireach
7. Cit am fuirich sinn nuair a tha sinn an Glaschu?
8. 'S e duine lidir a ghluaiseas a' chlach seo
9. Nach cm thu do theanga
!10. Leughaidh mi riut an litir a fhuair mi bhuapa
1. Will you put this letter in the post for me?
2. I start work about mid-day
3. Will you not sit down and keep quiet?
4. Who will take a dram with me? It's I who will
5. Will you please open the window a little
6. It's me who will sing at the ceilidh tonight
7. I will speak to them tomorrow
8. Who will buy me a new coat?
9. I will not want anything else
10. It's my mother who will not let me (leam) to go to the beach
L E S S O N 2 6 : A N S W E R S 1
1 . I ' l l b u i l d a n e w h o u s e i n t h e g l e n
2 . H e s a y s h e w o n ' t r e t u r n u n t i l t o m o r r o w m o r n i n g
3 . I w o n ' t s p e n d a y e a r i n t h a t j o b
4 . W h o ' l l b u y a d o g f o r m e ?
5 . I ' m s u r e t h a t y o u ' l l s l e e p w e l l t o n i g h t
6 . I t ' s C a l u m w h o m a r r i e s m y d a u g h t e r t o m o r r o w
7 . W h e r e w i l l w e s t a y w h e n w e a r e i n G l a s g o w ?
8 . I t ' s a s t r o n g m a n w h o c a n ( w i l l ) m o v e t h i s s t o n e
9 . W o n ' t y o u h o l d y o u r t o n g u e !
1 0 . I ' l l r e a d ( t o ) y o u t h e l e t t e r I g o t f r o m t h e m
L E S S O N 2 6 : A N S W E R S 2
1 . A n c u i r s i b h a n l i t i r s e o a n n s a ' p h o s t d h o m h ?
2 . T i s i c h i d h m i r i o b a i r m u m h e a d h a n - l
3 . N a c h s u i d h t h u s o s a g u s c m s m h a c h ?
4 . C g h a b h a s d r a m a c m h l a r i u m ? ' S m i s e a g h a b h a s
5 . A m f o s g a i l s i b h a n u i n n e a g b e a g a n
6 . ' S m i s e a s h e i n n e a s a i g a ' c h i l i d h a - n o c h d
7 . B r u i d h n i d h m i r i u t h a a - m i r e a c h
8 . C c h e a n n a i c h e a s c t a r d h o m h ?
9 . C h a n i a r r m i c i l e i l e
1 0 . ' S i m o m h t h a i r n a c h l e i g l e a m a b h i t h a ' d o l d h a n
t r i g h
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LESSON 27
The Future Tense - Irregular Verbs
The following three verbs which are irregular in the Past Tense are completely regular in the
Future Tense. They are given here for completeness:
breith - bearing/catching beir beiridh beir
-/grasping
cluinntinn - hearing cluinn cluinnidh cluinn
ruigsinn - reaching/arriving ruig ruigidh ruig
The following seven verbs are irregular in the Future Tense. In most cases the dependent
form is the same as the root of the verb:
danamh - doing/making dan n dan
dol - going rach thid tid
faicinn - seeing faic ch faic
faighinn - getting/obtaining faigh gheibh faigh
rdh - saying abair their abair
tighinn - coming thig thig tig
toirt - taking/ thoir bheir toir
- giving (+ preposition do)
In the Future Tense the regular verb Can is preferred, particularly in the spoken language
As with the verb To Be add either Cha/Chan(before a vowel), An/Am or Nach to the
Example Uses :
N mi - I will do/make Thid thu - You will go
Cha dan mi * - I will not do/make Cha tid thu * - You will not go
An dan thu? - Will you do/make? An tid thu? - Will you go?
Nach dan thu? - Will you not do/make? Nach tid thu? - Will you not go?
Ch i - She will see Gheibh sinn - We will get
Chan fhaic i - She will not see Chan fhaigh sinn - We will not get
Am faic i? - Will she see? Am faigh sinn? - Will we get?
Nach fhaic i? - Will she not see? Nach fhaigh sinn? - Will we not get?
Their i - She will say Thig mi - I will come
Chan abair i - She will not say Cha tigmi - I will not come
An abair i? - Will she say? An tig thu? - Will you come?
Nach abair i? - Will she not say? Nach tig thu? - Will you not come?
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Bheir mi - I will take
Cha toirmi - I will not take
An toir thu? - Will you take?
Nach toir thu? - Will you not take?
* cha/chan lenites verbs beginning with b, f, m, p, c or g. The irregular future verbs
beginning t and d do not lenite after cha.
nach will lenite verbs beginning with f.
Tha e ag rdh gun tid e - He says that he will go
Tha e ag rdh nach tid e - He says that he will not go
Tha e ag rdh gum faic e thu - He says that he will see you
Tha e ag rdh nach fhaic e thu * - He says that he will not see you
* Verbs beginning with f are lenited to fh after the negative particle nach .
The Relative Verb
The pattern is the same as the Present Tense of the verb To Be (see Lesson 21):
Is mise a ch am balach - It's I who will see the boy
Is mise nach fhaic an dealbh - It's me who will not see the picture
'S ise a thid dhachaigh - It's she who will go home
Is ise nach tid dhachaigh - It's she who will not go home
The Interrogative Pronouns
The pattern is the same as the Present Tense of the verb To Be (see Lesson 22):
D n thu leis a' phipear is glaodh? - What will you make with the paper and glue?
C gheibh pipear-naidheachd dhomh? - Who will get me a newspaper?
Carson nach toir thu peann dhomh? - Why will you not give me a pen?
Ciamar a n thu sin? - How will you do that?
Cuin a ch thu do mhthair? - When will you see your mother?
Cit an tid sinn a-mireach? - Where will we go tomorrow?
With Conjunctions
The pattern is the same as the Present Tense of the verb To Be (see Lesson 23 ):
Fuirich gus an tig mi dhachaigh - Wait until I come home
Sin an t-eilean far am faic sinn an t-eun tearc - That's the island where we will see the rare bird
Nuair a gheibh mi an t-airgead, gheibh mi cr r - When I (will) get the money, I will get a new car
Mura tig thu a-mireach chan fhaigh thu tiodhlac - If you do (will) not come tomorrow you wont get a present
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NEW WORDS
Adjectives
iongantach - wonderful tearc - rare
Nouns
dchas (m) - hope pipear-naidheachd (m) - newspaper
bochdainn(f) - poverty cobhair (f) - help
cuirm-chiil (f) - concert slighe (f) - way, road
Pronouns
cuideigin - someone
1. Ch mi trth anns a' mhadainn thu
2. Cha toir e airgead dhomh a h-uile seachdain
3. Am faigh thu pipear-naidheachd air an t-slighe dhachaigh?
4. An tig thu cmhla rium dhan bhth? Cha tig
5. An dan sibh dnnear dhuinn nuair a thig sinn a-staigh?
6. Nach tid i a-steach dhan uisge? Cha tid
7. Nach gabh sibh biadh mus tid sibh air falbh
8. Tha mi an dchas gun ruig sinn Inbhir Nis a dh'aithghearr
9. Am faic thu i mus faic mise?
10. Beiridh mi air a' chr aca
11. An abair sibh rithe na chunnaic sibh? Their
12. Cuin a ruigeas am bus seo Glaschu?
13. Chan fhaic sibh cil anns an dthaich sin ach bochdainn
14. C bheir cobhair dhaibh?
1. I will see them all there at the ceilidh tonight
2. Will you give this pen to your sister when you see her?
3. I don't know when I will reach Portree
4. Do you think that she will have (bear) a baby boy?
5. I will not hear you talk like that
6. They know they will never see their father again
7. He will not say a word to anyone
8. I am sure someone will come to help us
9. You'll hear (some) wonderful music at the concert
10. What do I do when she goes away?
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L E S S O N 2 7 : A N S W E R S 1
1 . I ' l l s e e y o u e a r l y i n t h e m o r n i n g
2 . H e d o e s n ' t g i v e m e m o n e y e v e r y w e e k
3 . W i l l y o u g e t a n e w s p a p e r o n t h e w a y h o m e ?
4 . W i l l y o u c o m e w i t h m e t o t h e s h o p ? N o
5 . W i l l y o u m a k e d i n n e r f o r u s w h e n w e c o m e i n ?
6 . W o n ' t s h e g o i n t o t h e w a t e r ? N o
7 . W o n ' t y o u t a k e ( s o m e ) f o o d b e f o r e y o u ( w i l l ) g o
a w a y
8 . I h o p e t h a t w e r e a c h I n v e r n e s s s o o n
9 . W i l l y o u s e e h e r b e f o r e I d o ?
1 0 . I ' l l c a t c h u p o n t h e i r c a r
1 1 . W i l l y o u t e l l h e r w h a t y o u s a w ? Y e s
1 2 . W h e n d o e s t h i s b u s r e a c h G l a s g o w ?
1 3 . Y o u c a n ' t ( w i l l n o t ) s e e a n y t h i n g i n t h a t c o u n t r y
b u t p o v e r t y
1 4 . W h o ' l l g i v e t h e m ( s o m e ) h e l p ?
L E S S O N 2 7 : A N S W E R S 2
1 . C h m i i a d u i l e a n n a i g a ' c h i l i d h a - n o c h d
2 . A n t o i r s i b h a m p e a n n s e o d o d o p h i u t h a r n u a i r a
c h t h u i ?
3 . C h a n e i l f i o s a g a m c u i n a r u i g e a s m i P o r t r g h
4 . A b h e i l t h u a ' s m a o i n t i n n g u m b e i r i m a c ?
5 . C h a c h l u i n n m i t h u a ' b r u i d h i n n m a r s i n
6 . T h a f i o s a c a n a c h f h a i c i a d a n a t h a i r - s a n a - r i t h i s t
7 . C h a n a b a i r e f a c a l r i d u i n e ( s a m b i t h )
8 . T h a m i c i n n t e a c h g u n t i g d u i n e g a r c u i d e a c h a d h
9 . C l u i n n i d h s i b h c e l i o n g a n t a c h a i g a ' c h u i r m - c h i i l
1 0 . D n m i n u a i r a t h i d i a i r f a l b h ?
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LESSON 28
The Relative Form of the Future Verb
This Lesson is a summary of this special form of the verb.
The relative future verb only exists for verbs which form their Future Tense in a regular
manner.
It is formed by dropping the -aidh /-idh future endings and adding -as /-eas respectively and
lenited whenever possible. Remember verbs beginning with a vowel fh show lenition as dh' :
Root Future Tense Relative Future
bith - be bithidh bhitheas * /bhios
bruidhinn - speak bruidhnidh bhruidhneas
ceannaich - buy ceannaichidh cheannaicheas
din - close dinidh dhineas
ist - listen istidh dh'isteas
fg - leave fgaidh dh'fhgas
glac - catch glacaidh ghlacas
ith - eat ithidh dh'itheas
leugh - read leughaidh leughas
meall - deceive meallaidh mheallas
nigh - wash nighidh nigheas
l - drink laidh dh'las
ps - marry psaidh phsas
ruig - reach/arrive ruigidh ruigeas
sgrobh - write sgrobhaidh sgrobhas
tog - lift/build togaidh thogas
ullaich - prepare ullaichidh dh'ullaicheas
* Emphatic form only. Generally bhios will suffice.
When to use the Relative Future
Use the relative future verb after: the interrogative words C, Cuin, Ciamar, Carson and
D ; the conjunctions ged, fhads , nuair, ma, mar, (bh)on; and the relative pronouns a and na.
NEW WORDS
Nouns
rs (m) - rose
mlseag (f) - sweet, confectionary pg (f) - kiss
Verbs
coinnich, coinneachadh (ri) - meet (with) glac, glacadh - catch
nigh, nighe - wash meall, mealladh - deceive
ullaich, ullachadh - prepare
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1. Ged a bhios e a' fuireach ann an Portrgh a-nochd, bidh e ann an Glaschu a-mireach
2. Nuair a dh'fhgas mi an eaglais, bidh mi a' dol
dreach dhachaigh
3. Mar a thid thu seachad air a' bhth, chi thu a' phirc
4. Ma chuireas tu dhot do chta cha bhi thu cho blth
5. On a ruigeas sinn am baile ro mheadhan-l bidh mi a'dol dhan taigh-sta airson (for)
dnnear
1. The girl who will meet you will be standing with a rose in her hand
2. If the night will be cold stay inside (the house)
3. I will be working in that hotel when I (will) leave school
4. I'll give you a sweet if you will give me a kiss
5. But will you be happy with all that you'll have?
L E S S O N 2 8 : A N S W E R S 1
1 . A l t h o u g h h e ' l l b e s t a y i n g i n P o r t r e e t o n i g h t , h e ' l l
b e i n G l a s g o w t o m o r r o w
2 . W h e n I ( w i l l ) l e a v e t h e c h u r c h , I ' l l b e g o i n g
s t r a i g h t h o m e
3 . A s y o u p a s s t h e s h o p , y o u c a n ( w i l l ) s e e t h e p a r k
4 . I f y o u t a k e o f f y o u r c o a t y o u ' l l n o t b e s o w a r m
5 . S i n c e w e ' l l a r r i v e i n t o w n b e f o r e m i d d a y I ' l l b e
g o i n g t o t h e h o t e l f o r d i n n e r
L E S S O N 2 8 : A N S W E R S 2
1 . B i d h a ' c h a i l e a g a c h o i n n i c h e a s t u n a s e a s a m h l e
r s n a l i m h
2 . M a b h i t h e a s a n o i d h c h e f u a r f u i r i c h a - s t a i g h
3 . B i d h m i a g o b a i r a n n s a n t a i g h - s t a s i n n u a i r a
d h ' f h g a s m i a n s g o i l
4 . B h e i r m i m l s e a g d h u t m a b h e i r t h u p g d h o m h
5 . A c h a m b i t h t h u t o i l i c h t e l e i s n a t h a a g a d ?
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LESSON 29
The Conditional Tense - Regular Verbs
The formation of the Conditional Tense of regular verbs is identical to that seen in for the
verb To Be. As you discovered the Conditional Tense of the verb To Be is used with the
present participle to express either a continuous conditional action or a repeated past
action:
Bhiodh e a' cluich anns a' phirc - He would be playing in the park
Bhiodh e a' cluich anns a' phirc a h-uile l - He played in the park every day
To express both the future and a repeated habitual action in the present you need to use
the future tense of a verb.
To get the dependent form of the verb take the root of the verb, and add:
1 -inn/-ainn according to the spelling rule for the first person singular
2 -eamaid/-amaid according to the spelling rule for the first person plural *
3 -eadh /-adh all other persons
* this form is now much less common and is now regularly formed according to rule 3 above.
The independent form of the verb is produced by lenition, whenever possible, of the
dependent. Verbs beginning with a vowel (and lenited fh - which is silent) are preceded by an
initial dh' :
bualadh - hitting buail bhuailinn/ buailinn/
bhuaileamaid/ buaileamaid/
bhuaileadh buaileadh
fgail - leaving fg dh'fhgainn/ fgainn/
dh'fhgamaid/ fgamaid/
dh'fhgadh fgadh
leughadh - reading leugh leughainn/ leughainn/
leughamaid/ leughamaid/
leughadh leughadh
ruith - running ruith ruithinn/ ruithinn/
ruitheamaid/ ruitheamaid/
ruitheadh ruitheadh
seasamh - standing seas sheasainn/ seasainn/
sheasamaid/ seasamaid/
sheasadh seasadh
sgrobhadh - writing sgrobh sgrobhainn/ sgrobhainn/
sgrobhamaid/ sgrobhamaid/
sgrobhadh sgrobhadh
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togail - lifting/building tog thogainn/ togainn/
thogamaid/ togamaid/
thogadh togadh
l - drinking l dh'lainn/ lainn/
dh'lamaid/ lamaid/
dh'ladh ladh
Example Uses (A complete analysis is given for only the first two examples):
Bhuailinn - I would hit Dh'fhgainn - I would leave
Bhuaileamaid - We would hit Dh'fhgamaid - We would leave
Bhuaileadh tu /etc - You/etc would hit Dh'fhgadh tu/ etc - You/etc would leave
Cha bhuailinn * - I would not hit Chan fhgainn - I would not leave
Cha bhuaileamaid - We would not hit Chan fhgamaid - We would not leave
Cha bhuaileadh tu/etc - You/etc would not hit Chan fhgadh tu/ etc - You/etc would not leave
Am buailinn? - Would I hit? Am fgainn? - Would I not leave?
Am buaileamaid? - Would we hit? Am fgamaid? - Would we not leave?
Am buaileadh tu?/etc - Would you/etc hit? Am fgadh tu?/ etc - Would you/etc not leave?
Nach buailinn? - Would I not hit? Nach fhgainn? - Would I not leave?
Nach buaileamaid? - Would we not hit? Nach fhgamaid? - Would we not leave?
Nach buaileadh tu?/etc - Would you/etc not hit? Nach fhgadh tu?/ etc - Would you not leave?
Leughadh tu - You would read Ruitheadh tu - You would run
Cha leughadh tu - You would not read Cha ruitheadh tu - You would not run
An leughadh tu?- Would you/etc read? An ruitheadh tu? - Would you run?
Nach leughadh tu? - Would you/etc not read? Nach ruitheadh tu?- Would you not run?
Sheasadh tu - You would stand Sgrobhadh tu - You would write
Cha sheasadh tu - You would not stand Cha sgrobhadh tu - You would not write
An seasadh tu? - Would you stand? An sgrobhadh tu? - Would you write?
Nach seasadh tu? - Would you not stand? Nach sgrobhadh tu? - Would you not write?
Thogadh tu - You would lift Dh'ladh tu - You would drink

Cha thogadh tu - You would not lift Chan ladh tu - You would not drink
An togadh tu? - Would you lift? An ladh tu? - Would you drink?
Nach togadh tu? - Would you not lift? Nach ladh tu? - Would you not drink?
* Whenever possible cha/ chan will lenite the verb.
The second person singular is always tu.
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Tha e ag rdh gum buaileadh e - He says that he would strike
Tha e ag rdh nach buaileadh e - He says that he would not strike
Tha e ag rdh gum fgadh e - He says that he would leave
Tha e ag rdh nach fhgadh e - He says that he would not leave
The Relative Verb
Is mise a bhuaileadh e - It is I who would hit him
Is esan a bhuaileadh mi - It is he who would hit me
Is mise nach fhgadh thu - It is I who would not leave you
Is mise nach fhgadh tu - It is I who you would not leave
Seo leabhar a leughainn - Here's a book I would read
Agus seo leabhar nach leughainn - And here's a book I would not read
D thogadh tu air an talamh? - What would you build on the land?
C sgrobhadh litir thugam? - Who would write me letter? (lit. Who would write a letter to me?)
Carson a bhuaileadh tu am balach? - Why would you hit the boy?
Ciamar a sheasadh i? - How would she stand?
Cuin a dh'fhgadh tu? - When would you leave?
Cit an ladh iad? - Where would they drink?
With Conjunctions
Nan/ nam - if replaces ma in the Conditional tense *
This and some other examples are given below.
Bhithinn toilichte nam fgadh tu - I would be happy if you would leave
Bhiodh i as aonais mus ladh i an t-uisge salach - She would be without before she would drink the dirty water
Bhiodh tu duilich nan togadh tu taigh an sin - You would sorry if you built (would build) a house there
* Nan can also be used conditionally with the Past Tense of the verb To Be, much the same
way as in English:
Nan robh an t-airgead agam, thogainn taigh r - If I had the money, I would build a new house
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Saying Yes and No
of the verb in the Conditional Tense:
An sgrobhadh tu litir thugam?- Would you write me a letter? Sgrobhadh - Yes Cha sgrobhadh - No
Nach ladh tu am bainne? - Would you not drink the milk? Dh'ladh - Yes Chan ladh - No
Repeated Actions in the Past
The meaning is understood from the context:
Ghabhadh e bracaist a h-uile madainn - He took breakfast ever morning
Sgrobhamaid litir thuige a h-uile l - We wrote (to) him a letter every day
Able To Do
As with the Future Tense the Conditional Tense may also convey the idea of being able to do
something. This meaning is understood from the context:
Tha fios agamsa far an seasainn - I know where I would (could) stand
An sgrobhadh tu d' ainm dhomhsa? - Would (could) you write you name for me?
NEW WORDS
Adjectives
glan - clean, fresh salach - dirty
Compound Prepositions
as aonais - without
Conjunctions
nan/nam - if
Nouns
coigreach (m) - stranger dorchadas (m) - darkness
talamh (m) - land, ground
Verbs
atharraich, atharrachadh - change, alter dilt, diltadh - deny, refuse
innis, innse (do) - tell, relate (to) loisg, loisgeadh - burn
reic, reic (ri) - sell (to)
1. Dh'fhgadh e an taigh sin a-mireach
2. Thuirt mi nach bruidhninn riutha a-rithist
3. Bha fios aice nach ruitheadh e air falbh
4. D a sgrobhadh sibh anns an litir?
5. Cha choisichinn dhachaigh anns an dorchadas
6. Shaoil i gun tilleadh iad ro mheadhan-l
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7. Chan lainn a-riamh a-mach botal
8. Dh'innis e dhomh gun loisgeadh e na pipearan
9. Cha ghabhadh i airgead bho choigreach
10. Cit an togadh sibh ur taigh r?
1. Would you buy that house? Yes
2. You didn't think that you would catch (any) fish in that loch?
3. I wouldn't stay in Glasgow at all
4. He said he would sell his car tomorrow
5. Would you change anything in the room? No
6. She wouldn't drink anything but fresh water
7. I wouldn't deny that he was looking guilty
8. She said she would write a letter to (gu) the newspaper
9. They hoped that everything would work correctly
10. I wouldn't say she was pretty
L E S S O N 2 9 : A N S W E R S 1
1 . H e w o u l d l e a v e t h e h o u s e t o m o r r o w
2 . I s a i d t h a t I w o u l d n ' t s p e a k t o t h e m a g a i n
3 . S h e k n e w t h a t h e w o u l d n ' t r u n a w a y
4 . W h a t w o u l d y o u w r i t e i n t h e l e t t e r ?
5 . I w o u l d n ' t w a l k h o m e i n t h e d a r k
6 . S h e t h o u g h t t h a t t h e y w o u l d r e t u r n b e f o r e m i d d a y
7 . I w o u l d n e v e r d r i n k o u t o f a b o t t l e
8 . H e t o l d m e h e w o u l d b u r n t h e p a p e r s
9 . S h e w o u l d n ' t a c c e p t m o n e y f r o m a s t r a n g e r
1 0 . W h e r e w o u l d y o u b u i l d y o u r n e w h o u s e ?
L E S S O N 2 9 : A N S W E R S 2
1 . A n c e a n n a i c h e a d h t u a n t a i g h s i n ? C h e a n n a i c h e a d h
2 . C h a d o s h a o i l t h u g u n g l a c a d h t u i a s g a n n s a n l o c h
s i n ?
3 . C h a n f h u i r i c h i n n a n n a n G l a s c h u i d i r
4 . T h u i r t e g u n r e i c e a d h e a n c r a i g e a - m i r e a c h
5 . A n a t h a r r a i c h e a d h s i b h c i l a n n s a n r m ? C h a n
a t h a r r a i c h e a d h
6 . C h a n l a d h i c i l a c h u i s g e g l a n
7 . C h a d i l t a i n n g u n r o b h e a ' c o i m h e a d c i o n t a c h
8 . T h u i r t i g u n s g r o b h a d h i l i t i r g u n p h i p e a r -
n a i d h e a c h d
9 . B h a d c h a s a c a g u n o b r a i c h e a d h a h - u i l e r u d g u
c e a r t
1 0 . C h a n c h a n a i n n g u n r o b h i b i d h e a c h
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LESSON 30
The Conditional Tense - Irregular Verbs
The followingfour verbs which are irregular in the Past Tense are completely regular in the
Conditional Tense. They are given here for completeness:
breith - bearing/catching beir bheirinn/ beirinn/
- /grasping bheireamaid/ beireamaid/
bheireadh beireadh
cluinntinn - hear cluinn chluinninn/ cluinninn/
chluinneamaid/ cluinneamaid/
chluinneadh cluinneadh
danamh - doing/making dan dhanainn/ danainn/
dhanamaid/ danamaid/
dhanadh danadh
ruigsinn - reaching/arriving ruig ruiginn/ ruiginn/
ruigeamaid/ ruigeamaid/
ruigeadh ruigeadh
The followingsix verbs are irregular in the Conditional Tense. You might like to note that the
regular conditional endings -inn/ -ainn, -eamaid/-amaid and -eadh /-adh are added to the
Future Tense dependent and independent forms to get the respective conditional ones.
Alternative marginalised forms exists for dol - going and toirt - taking:
dol - going rach rachainn, dheighinn/ rachainn, deighinn/
rachamaid, dheigheamaid/ rachamaid, deigheamaid/
rachadh, dheigheadh rachadh, deigheadh
faicinn - seeing faic chthinn/ faicinn/
chtheamaid/ faiceamaid/
chtheadh faiceadh
faighinn - getting/ faigh gheibhinn/ faighinn/
- obtaining gheibheamaid/ faigheamaid/
gheibheadh faigheadh
rdh - saying abair theirinn/ abairinn/
theireamaid/ abaireamaid/
theireadh abaireadh
tighinn - coming thig thiginn/ tiginn/
thigeamaid/ tigeamaid/
thigeadh tigeadh
toirt - taking/ thoir bheirinn, thugainn/ toirinn, tugainn/
- giving (+ preposition do) bheireamaid, thugamaid/ toireamaid, tugamaid/
bheireadh, thugadh toireadh, tugadh
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You would be better learning the first form which is more common and is regularly derived
from the root rach . The alternative and irregular forms are derived from the root deigh and
are confined to only a limited area.
In the Conditional Tense the regular verb Can is preferred, particularly in the spoken
language.
Example Uses (For compactness the form with the -amaid ending has been omitted in the
audio file):
Dheighinn - I would go Chthinn - I would see
Dheigheamaid - We would go Chtheamaid - We would see
Dheigheadh tu/etc - You/etc would go Chtheadh tu /etc - You/etc would see
Cha deighinn - I would not go Chan fhaicinn * - I would not see
Cha deigheamaid - We would not go Chan fhaiceamaid - We would not see
Cha deigheadh tu/etc - You/etc would not go Chan fhaiceadh tu/etc - You/etc would not see
An deighinn? - Would I go? Am faicinn? - Would I see?
An deigheamaid? - Would we go? Am faiceamaid? - Would we see?
An deigheadh tu?/etc - Would you/etc go? Am faiceadh tu?/etc - Would you/etc see?
Nach deighinn? - Would I not go? Nach fhaicinn? - Would I not see?
Nach deigheamaid? - Would we not go? Nach fhaiceamaid? - Would we not see?
Nach deigheadh tu?/etc - Would you/etc not go? Nach fhaiceadh tu?/etc - Would you/etc not see?
Gheibhinn - I would get Theirinn - I would say

Gheibheamaid - We would get Theireamaid - We would say
Gheibheadh tu/etc - You/etc would get Theireadh tu/etc - You/etc would say
Chan fhaighinn - I would not get Chan abairinn - I would not say
Chan fhaigheamaid - We would not get Chan abaireamaid - We would not say
Chan fhaigheadh tu/etc - You/etc would not get Chan abaireadh tu/etc - You/etc would not say
Am faighinn? - Would I get? An abairinn? - Would I say?
Am faigheamaid? - Would we get? An abaireamaid? - Would we say?
Am faigheadh tu?/etc - Would you/etc get? An abaireadh tu?/etc - Would you/etc say?
Nach fhaighinn? - Would I not get? Nach abairinn? - Would I not say?
Nach fhaigheamaid? - Would we not get? Nach abaireamaid? - Would we not say?
Nach fhaigheadh tu?/etc - Would you/etc not get? Nach abaireadh tu?/etc - Would you/etc not say?
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Thiginn - I would come Bheirinn - I would take
Thigeamaid - We would come Bheireamaid - We would take
Thigeadh tu/etc - You/etc would come Bheireadh tu/etc - You/etc would take
Cha tiginn - I would not come Cha toirinn - I would not take
Cha tigeamaid - We would not come Cha toireamaid - We would not take
Cha tigeadh tu/etc - You/etc would not come Cha toireadh tu/etc - You/etc would not take
An tiginn? - Would I come? An toirinn? - Would I take?
An tigeamaid? - Would we come? An toireamaid? - Would we take?
An tigeadh tu?/etc - Would you/etc come? An toireadh tu?/etc - Would you/etc take?
Nach tiginn? - Would I not come? Nach toirinn? - Would I not take?
Nach tigeamaid? - Would we not come? Nach toireamaid? - Would we not take?
Nach tigeadh tu?/etc - Would you/etc not come? Nach toireadh tu?/etc - Would you/etc not take?
* Whenever possible cha/chan will lenite the irregular verb, except for verbs beginning with
d and t.
The second person singular is always tu.
Thuirt i gum faigheadh i briosgaid - She said that she would get a biscuit
Thuirt i nach fhaigheadh e briosgaid - She said that he would not get a biscuit
Shaoil esan gun tigeadh e a-mireach - He thought that he would come tomorrow
Chreid mi nach tigeadh e - I believed that he would not come
The Relative Verb
The pattern is the same as the Present Tense of verb To Be (see Lesson 21):
Is mise a chtheadh an solas agus is tusa nach fhaiceadh - It's me who could (would) see and you who could not
Is i Miri a thigeadh mura robh droch shde ann - It's Miri who would come unless there was bad weather
With Interrogative Pronouns :
D gheibhinn do mo mhthair? - What could (would) I get for my mother?
C bheireadh dhomh freagairt? - Who could (would) give me an answer?
Carson a theireadh tu a leithid de rud? - Why would you say such a thing?
Ciamar a dh'fhaighinn lethbhreac? - How could (would) I get a copy?
Cuin a chtheadh tu a-rithist e? - When would you see him again?
Cit am faighinn lethbhreac? - Where could (would) I get a copy?
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With Conjunctions
Thigeadh e nan tigeadh sibh - He would come if you would
Cha bhiodh i toilichte mura faigheamaid dhachaigh - She wouldn't be happy if we couldn't (wouldn't) get home
Cha dhanainn sin mus faigheadh tu-fhin cothrom - I wouldn't do that before you got (would get) a chance
NEW WORDS
Nouns
cothrom (m) - chance, opportunity eilean (m) - island
geata (m) - gate lethbhreac (m) - copy
caraid (m) - friend
uiseag (f) - skylark
1. Thuirt e gun tigeadh e dhan chilidh a-nochd
2. Tha mi cinnteach gun danadh iad sin
3. Dh'innis mi dhaibh nach fhaiceadh iad a' choille bhon uinneig aca
4. Cha robh fios agam na theirinn riutha
5. An toireadh sibh cobhair dhan fhear sin? Bheireadh
6. Is mise a dhanadh an dnnear
7. Thuirt iad gun ruigeadh iad am baile ann an ine ghoirid
8. Bha i an dchas gum faigheadh i airgead bho a caraid
9. Thuirt mi gun cluinninn iad a' cluich a-muigh
10. Thuirt iad nach rachadh iad a-mach ann am bta
1. She wouldn't come with me to the concert
2. I know that they wouldn't do such a thing
3. I am sure I would catch them before they would reach the gate
4. It's in the country that you would hear the skylark singing
5. When would you do the job?
6. They would reach the island before morning
7. Someone said that she would not get her money back
8. I wouldn't give you a penny for (airson) a car like that
9. Why would you not go with me?
10. Would you say that he was handsome?
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L E S S O N 3 0 : A N S W E R S 1
1 . H e s a i d h e w o u l d c o m e t o t h e c e i l i d h t o n i g h t
2 . I ' m s u r e t h e y w o u l d d o t h a t
3 . I t o l d t h e m t h e y w o u l d n ' t s e e t h e f o r e s t f r o m
t h e i r w i n d o w
4 . I d i d n ' t k n o w w h a t I w o u l d s a y t o t h e m
5 . W o u l d y o u g i v e ( s o m e ) h e l p t o t h a t m a n ? Y e s
6 . I t ' s m e w h o w o u l d m a k e d i n n e r
7 . T h e y s a i d t h e y w o u l d r e a c h t h e t o w n i n a s h o r t
w h i l e
8 . S h e w a s h o p i n g t h a t s h e w o u l d g e t ( s o m e ) m o n e y
f r o m h e r f r i e n d
9 . I s a i d t h a t I c o u l d ( w o u l d ) h e a r t h e m p l a y i n g
o u t s i d e
1 0 . T h e y s a i d t h a t t h e y w o u l d n ' t g o o u t i n a b o a t
L E S S O N 3 0 : A N S W E R S 2
1 . C h a t i g e a d h i l e a m d h a n c h u i r m - c h i i l
2 . T h a f i o s a g a m n a c h d a n a d h i a d a l e i t h i d d e r u d
3 . T h a m i c i n n t e a c h g u m b e i r i n n o r r a m u s r u i g e a d h i a d
a n g e a t a
4 . ' S a n n a i r a n d t h a i c h a c h l u i n n e a d h s i b h u i s e a g a '
s e i n n
5 . C u i n a d h a n a d h t u a n o b a i r ?
6 . R u i g e a d h i a d a n t - e i l e a n r o n m h a d a i n n
7 . T h u i r t d u i n e n a c h f h a i g h e a d h i a h - a i r g e a d a i r a i s
8 . C h a t o i r i n n d h u t s g i l l i n n a i r s o n c r m a r s i n
9 . C a r s o n n a c h r a c h a d h s i b h l e a m / c m h l a r i u m ?
1 0 . A n a b a i r e a d h t u g u n r o b h e e i r e a c h d a i l ?
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d is always lenited to dh after a.
deug always becomes dheug after dh.
b. Decimal (These are the same as traditional forms for numbers 1 to 20):
LESSON 31
Cardinal Numbers 1 - 30
There are two distinct forms: 1) without a noun and 2) with a noun.
There are also two concurrent systems: a) traditional; based on units of twenty and b)
decimal (preferred in education)
The numbers aon (one) to naoi deug (nineteen), both simple or compounded, are preceded by
a (a h- before a vowel)
1. Without a noun
a. Traditional :
1 a h-aon 11 a h-aon deug 21 a h-aon air fhichead
2 a dh 12 a dh dheug 22 a dh air fhichead
3 a tr 13 a tr deug 23 a tr air fhichead
4 a ceithir 14 a ceithir deug 24 a ceithir air fhichead
5 a cig 15 a cig deug 25 a cig air fhichead
6 a sia 16 a sia deug 26 a sia air fhichead
7 a seachd 17 a seachd deug 27 a seachd air fhichead
8 a h-ochd 18 a h-ochd deug 28 a h-ochd air fhichead
9 a naoi 19 a naoi deug 29 a naoi air fhichead
10 a deich 20 fichead 30 a deich air fhichead
1 a h-aon 11 a h-aon deug 21 fichead 's a h-aon
2 a dh 12 a dh dheug 22 fichead 's a dh
3 a tr 13 a tr deug 23 fichead 's a tr
4 a ceithir 14 a ceithir deug 24 fichead 's a ceithir
5 a cig 15 a cig deug 25 fichead 's a cig
6 a sia 16 a sia deug 26 fichead 's a sia
7 a seachd 17 a seachd deug 27 fichead 's a seachd
8 a h-ochd 18 a h-ochd deug 28 fichead 's a h-ochd
9 a naoi 19 a naoi deug 29 fichead 's a naoi
10 a deich 20 fichead 30 trithead
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2. With a noun
Examples are given for both masculine [cat, pl. cait (m) - cat ] and feminine [cearc, pl.
cearcan (f) - hen] nouns.
a. Traditional:
1
aon chat (m)
11
aon chat dheug #
21
aon chat fichead $
aon chearc (f) aon chearc dheug aon chearc fichead
2
d chat
12
d chat dheug #
22
d chat fichead
d chirc d chirc dheug d chirc fichead
3
tr cait
13
tr cait dheug *
23
tr cait fichead
tr cearcan tr cearcan deug tr cearcan fichead
4
ceithir cait
14
ceithir cait dheug
24
ceithir cait fichead
ceithir cearcan ceithir cearcan deug ceithir cearcan fichead
5
cig cait
15
cig cait dheug
25
cig cait fichead
cig cearcan cig cearcan deug cig cearcan fichead
6
sia cait
16
sia cait dheug
26
sia cait fichead
sia cearcan sia cearcan deug sia cearcan fichead
7
seachd cait
17
seachd cait dheug
27
seachd cait fichead
seachd cearcan seachd cearcan deug seachd cearcan fichead
8
ochd cait
18
ochd cait dheug
28
ochd cait fichead
ochd cearcan ochd cearcan deug ochd cearcan fichead
9
naoi cait
19
naoi cait dheug
29
naoi cait fichead
naoi cearcan naoi cearcan deug naoi cearcan fichead
10
deich cait
20
fichead cat
30
deich cait fichead
deich cearcan fichead cearc deich cearcan fichead
aon lenites all nouns except those beginning with d, t , and occasionally s .
d is followed by the dative singular noun and always lenites the noun. In both the spoken
and written language there is a growing tendency to use just the lenited nominative noun.
# deug is lenited in conjunction with aon and d. A notable exception is aon uair deug
(eleven o'clock).
* deug is lenited after a plural noun which has a final narrow vowel (i).
fichead is always followed by the singular nominative noun.
$ air fhichead usually changes to simply fichead for numbers between twenty-one and thirty
with a noun.
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b. Decimal (These are the same as traditional forms for numbers 1 to 20):
1
aon chat (m)
11
aon chat dheug #
21
fichead 's a h-aon chat
aon chearc (f) aon chearc dheug fichead 's a h-aon chearc
2
d chat
12
d chat dheug #
22
fichead 's a d chat
d chirc d chirc dheug fichead 's a d chirc
3
tr cait
13
tr cait dheug *
23
fichead 's a tr cait
tr cearcan tr cearcan deug fichead 's a tr cearcan
4
ceithir cait
14
ceithir cait dheug
24
fichead 's a ceithir cait
ceithir cearcan ceithir cearcan deug fichead 's a ceithir cearcan
5
cig cait
15
cig cait dheug
25
fichead 's a cig cait
cig cearcan cig cearcan deug fichead 's a cig cearcan
6
sia cait
16
sia cait dheug
26
fichead 's a sia cait
sia cearcan sia cearcan deug fichead 's a sia cearcan
7
seachd cait
17
seachd cait dheug
27
fichead 's a seachd cait
seachd cearcan seachd cearcan deug fichead 's a seachd cearcan
8
ochd cait
18
ochd cait dheug
28
fichead 's a h-ochd cait
ochd cearcan ochd cearcan deug fichead 's a h-ochd cearcan
9
naoi cait
19
naoi cait dheug
29
fichead 's a naoi cait
naoi cearcan naoi cearcan deug fichead 's a naoi cearcan
10
deich cait
20
fichead cat
30
trithead cat
deich cearcan fichead cearc trithead cearc
trithead is always followed by the singular nominative noun.
Nouns of measure are usually only found in the singular. A few common ones are:
bliadhna - year
sgillinn - penny
mle - mile
The remaining cardinal numbers are reviewed in Lesson 44.
NEW WORDS
Adverbs
a dh'aois - of age a-mhin - only
Nouns
buntta (m) - potato(es) punnd (m) - pound weight
sporan (m) - sporran, purse taigh-seinnse (m) - public house
tombaca (m) - tobacco nnsa (m) - ounce
aois (f) - age b (f) - cow
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cluas (f) - ear croch (f) - end
iomlaid (f) - change, exchange mle (f) - mile
sgillinn (f) - penny
Prepositions
airson - for
Verbs
cunnt, cunntadh - count cosg, cosg - cost, spend
faighnich, faighneachd (de) - ask, enquire (of)
dochuimhnich, dochuimhneachadh (air) - forget (about)
1. Thuirt e gu bheil d thaigh aige
2. Bha tr duine fichead anns an taigh-sheinnse
3. Fhuair mi fichead nota mar dhuais
4. Chunnt sinn fichead semar anns an taigh-sta
5. Tha d chluais, d limh, agus d shil againn uile
6. Tha a tr is a tr a' danamh a sia
7. D na tha agad nad phcaid? Fichead sgillinn a-mhin
8. D na tha sin a' cosg? Ochd notaichean mas e do thoil e
9. Fuirich, na dochuimhnich d' iomlaid. Seo dhut d nota
10. Shaoil mi gun robh ochd nota fichead nam sporan
11. Tha mo bhrthair ceithir bliadhna a dh'aois
12. D an aois a tha do phiuthar? Ochd bliadhna fichead
1. How much money do you have? Five pounds twenty pence
2. Five plus five makes ten
3. We spent twenty seven pounds in that shop
4. I bought a new book for nine pounds fifteen pence
5. That man only has one eye
6. I asked him (dheth) how many children he had
7. He ate nearly (faisg air) twenty sweets before dinner
8. There are six plates and six cups in the cupboard
9. The end of this road is ten miles away
10. I want five pounds of potatoes and three ounce of tobacco please
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L E S S O N 3 1 : A N S W E R S 1
1 . H e s a i d h e h a d t w o h o u s e s
2 . T h e r e w e r e t w e n t y t h r e e a n t h e h o t e l
3 . I g o t t w e n t y p o u n d s a s a p r i z e
4 . W e c o u n t e d t w e n t y r o o m s i n t h e h o t e l
5 . W e a l l h a v e t w o e a r s , t w o h a n d s , a n d t w o e y e s
6 . T h r e e a n d t h r e e i s s i x
7 . H o w m u c h d o y o u h a v e i n y o u r p o c k e t ? O n l y t w e n t y
p e n c e
8 . H o w m u c h d o e s t h a t c o s t ? E i g h t p o u n d s p l e a s e
9 . W a i t , d o n ' t f o r g e t y o u r c h a n g e . H e r e ( f o r y o u ) t w o
p o u n d s
1 0 . I t h o u g h t t h a t t h e r e w a s t w e n t y e i g h t p o u n d s i n
m y p u r s e
1 1 . M y b r o t h e r i s f o u r y e a r s o l d ( o f a g e )
1 2 . W h a t a g e i s y o u r s i s t e r ? T w e n t y e i g h t ( y e a r s )
L E S S O N 3 1 : A N S W E R S 2
1 . D n a t h a a g a d d e a i r g e a d ? C i g n o t a i s f i c h e a d
s g i l l i n n
2 . T h a a c i g a g u s a c i g a ' d a n a m h a d e i c h
3 . C h o s g s i n n s e a c h d n o t a f i c h e a d a n n s a ' b h t h s i n
4 . C h e a n n a i c h m i l e a b h a r r a i r s o n n a o i n o t a i s c i g
s g i l l i n n d e u g
5 . C h a n e i l a c h a o n s i l a i g a n f h e a r s i n
6 . D h ' f h a i g h n i c h m i d h e t h d n a b h a a i g e d e c h l o i n n
7 . D h ' i t h e f a i s g a i r f i c h e a d m l s e a g r o n d n n e a r
8 . T h a s i a t r u i n n s e a r a n a g u s s i a c o p a n n a n a n n a n n s a '
p h r e a s
9 . T h a a ' c h r o c h d e n r a t h a d s e o d e i c h m l e a i r f a l b h
1 0 . T h a m i a g i a r r a i d h c i g p u i n n d d e b h u n t t a a g u s t r
n n s a c h a n d e t h o m b a c a m a s e u r t o i l e
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LESSON 32
Telling the Time
Whole hours (o'clock)
Uair (hour) is used to signify o'clock. With plural numbers this changes to uairean:
uair - one o'clock seachd uairean - seven o'clock
d uair - two o'clock ochd uairean - eight o'clock
tr uairean - three o'clock naoi uairean - nine o'clock
ceithir uairean - four o'clock deich uairean - ten o'clock
cig uairean - five o'clock aon uair deug - eleven o'clock
sia uairean - six o'clock d uair dheug - twelve o'clock
meadhan l - mid-day
meadhan oidhche - mid-night
aon is not used before uair to signify one o'clock
Divisions of the hour:
cig mionaidean - 5 minutes fichead mionaid - 20 minutes
deich mionaidean - 10 minutes cig mionaidean fichead - 25 mins
cig mionaidean deug - 15 minutes lethuair - half (half an hour)
cairteal - quarter
Examples :
For to the hour use gu, and after the hour use an didh:
D an uair a tha e? - What time is it? (in speech this is often shortened to D 'n uair a tha e?)
1.00 - The e uair - It is one o'clock
2.00 - The e d uair - It is two o'clock
3.05 - Tha e cig mionaidean an didh a tr
2.55 - Tha e cig mionaidean gu tr
4.10 - Tha e deich mionaidean an didh a ceithir
3.50 - Tha e deich mionaidean gu ceithir
5.15 - Tha e cairteal an didh a cig
4.45 - Tha e cairteal gu cig
6.20 - Tha e fichead mionaid an didh a sia
5.40 - Tha e fichead mionaid gu sia
7.25 - Tha e cig mionaidean fichead an didh a seachd
6.35 - Tha e cig mionaidean fichead gu seachd
8.30 - Tha e lethuair an didh a h-ochd
12pm - Tha e meadhan-oidhche/Tha e d uair dheug
12am - Tha e meadhan-l/Tha e d uair dheug
the a before numbers is dropped after gu.
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It is not uncommon to find an uaireadair (lit. of the watch) or a thde (lit. of time) tagged
on to the end of the reply when talking about elapsed time:
Bha mi ann d uair an uaireadair - I was there for two hours
As in English you do not strictly have to reply starting with Tha e ; simply state the time:
Question: D an uair a tha e? Answer: Tr uairean
NEW WORDS
Adjectives
pongail - punctual, exact
Adverbs
air dheireadh - behind (slow as a clock) air thoiseach - ahead (fast as a clock)
a thde - of time
gu leth - and a half (an additional half of anything)
Nouns
adhar (m) - air
cairteal (m) - quarter
cairteal na h-uarach - quarter of an hour
tr chairteal na h-uarach - three quarters of an hour
coinneal (m) - candle diog (m) - second (of time)
gleoc (m) clock itealan (m) - aeroplane
leannan (m) - sweetheart,lover mac-talla (m) - echo
searmon (m) - sermon tran (m) - train
uaireadair (m) - watch, timepiece
lethuair (f) - half-hour mionaid (f) - minute
uair (f) - hour, time
Prepositions
an didh - after
Verbs
caith, caitheamh - spend (time), wear
cuir seachad, cur seachad - spend (time) mair, mairsinn - last, endure
seall, sealltainn (do) - look, show (to)
1. Bidh an t-itealan a' falbh aig cairteal gu tr feasgar
2. Bidh sinn anns an adhar airson cig uairean a thde
3. Tisichidh a' choinneamh mu chig mionaidean gu ceithir
4. Cuin a bhitheas am bus gu Inbhir Nis a' falbh?
5. Aig lethuair an didh a dh
6. Tha m' uaireadair cig mionaidean deug air dheireadh
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7. Bha an gleoc a' sealltainn cairteal an didh uair
8. Bha mo leannan lethuair a thde fadalach
9. Loisg an coinneal air falbh ann an uair gu leth
10. Bha sinn aig a' chilidh gus cairteal gu aon uair deug
1. The echo returned after ten seconds
2. They spent three quarters of an hour reading
3. The boat arrived punctually at five o'clock
4. He said they spent three hours climbing Ben Nevis
5. They got their dinner at one o'clock
6. The train will arrive at quarter past four
7. The clock was nearly ten minutes fast
8. He said he would come about half-past eight
9. The sermon lasted an hour and a half
10. I was at school before nine o'clock
L E S S O N 3 2 : A N S W E R S 1
1 . T h e a e r o p l a n e l e a v e s a t q u a r t e r t o t h r e e i n t h e
a f t e r n o o n
2 . W e ' l l b e i n t h e a i r f o r f i v e h o u r s
3 . T h e m e e t i n g w i l l s t a r t a b o u t f i v e m i n u t e s t o f o u r
4 . W h e n w i l l t h e b u s t o I n v e r n e s s b e l e a v i n g ?
5 . A t h a l f p a s t t w o
6 . M y w a t c h i s f i f t e e n m i n u t e s s l o w / b e h i n d
7 . T h e c l o c k w a s s h o w i n g q u a r t e r p a s t o n e
8 . M y g i r l f r i e n d / b o y f r i e n d w a s h a l f a n h o u r l a t e
9 . T h e c a n d l e b u r n t a w a y i n a n h o u r a n d a h a l f
1 0 . W e w e r e a t t h e c e i l i d h u n t i l q u a r t e r t o e l e v e n
L E S S O N 3 2 : A N S W E R S 2
1 . T h i l l a m m a c - t a l l a a n d i d h d e i c h d i o g a n
2 . C h u i r i a d s e a c h a d t r c h a i r t e a l n a h - u a r a c h a '
l e u g h a d h
3 . R i n i g a m b t a g u p o n g a i l a i g c i g u a i r e a n
4 . T h u i r t e g u n d o c h u i r i a d s e a c h a d t r u a i r e a n a '
s t r e a p B e i n n N e i b h i s
5 . F h u a i r i a d a n d n n e a r - s a n a i g u a i r
6 . R u i g i d h a n t r a n a i g c a i r t e a l a n d i d h a c e i t h i r
7 . B h a a n g l e o c f a i s g a i r d e i c h m i o n a i d e a n a i r
t h o i s e a c h
8 . T h u i r t e g u n t i g e a d h e m u l e t h u a i r a n d i d h a h -
o c h d
9 . M h a i r a n s e a r m o n u a i r g u l e t h
1 0 . B h a m i a i g a n s g o i l r o n a o i u a i r e a n
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LESSON 33
Days, Months, Seasons, & Special Days
Lithean na Seachdain - The Days of the Week:
l (m) - day
seachdain (f) - week
Monday - Diluain Friday - Dihaoine
Tuesday - Dimirt Saturday - Disathairne
Wednesday - Diciadain Sunday - Didmhnaich
Thursday - Diardaoin - L na Sbaid
The initial Di is dropped when used with oidhche but not with madainn or feasgar:
madainn (f) - morning
feasgar (m) - evening, afternoon
oidhche (f) - night
Rinig e dhachaigh oidhche Chiadain - He arrived home (on) Wednesday night
Thinig iad madainn Dimirt - They came (on) Tuesday morning
Dh'fhg i feasgar Disathairne - She left (on) Saturday evening
Mosan na Bliadhna - The Months of the Year:
mos (m) - month
Am Faoilteach (m) - January An t-Iuchar (m) - July
An Gearran (m) - February An Lnastal (m) - August
Am Mrt (m) - March An t-Sultain (f) - September
An Giblean (m) - April An Dmhair (f) - October
An Citean (m)/Am Migh (m) - May An t-Samhain (f) - November
An t-g-mhos (m) - June An Dbhlachd/An Ddlachd (f) - December
Na Rithean - The Seasons:
rith (f) - season
An t-earrach (m) - spring Am foghar (m) - autumn
An samhradh (m) - summer An geamhradh (m) - winter
Special short forms are often used for the first three with the preposition anns:
Usual Form Short Form
in spring/in the spring anns an earrach as t-earrach
in summer/in the summer anns an t-samhradh as t-samhradh
in autumn / in the autumn anns an fhoghar as t-fhoghar
in winter/in the winter anns a' gheamhradh none
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Lithean raidh - Special Days:

A' Bhliadhn' r - The New Year
L na Bliadhn' ire - New Year's Day
aig m na Bliadhn' ire - at the New Year (time)
A' Chisg (f) - Easter
L na Cisge - Good Friday
aig m na Cisge - at Easter time
Oidhche Shamhna - Halloween Nollaig (f) - Christmas
Oidhche na Nollaige - Christmas Eve
L na Nollaige - Christmas Day
aig m na Nollaige - at Christmas time
Oidhche Challainn - Hogmanay
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LESSON 34
The Genitive Singular Case of Masculine Nouns
The Genitive Case is the form of the noun used to express possession and attributes.
The masculine genitive singular noun exhibits identical initial consonant changes as the
masculine singular dative nouns (see Lesson 3).
There is also a number of internal vowel modifications analogous to those of the feminine
singular dative nouns (see Lesson 7). These modifications are the same for both definite and
indefinite nouns. The general principle is, by the process of slenderisation, to make the final
vowel of a word narrow, i.e. i.
To help you recognise the changes they are placed here as close as possible into the same
distinct types as the feminine singular dative nouns of Lesson 7.
Initial changes in the noun and definite article are the same as the masculine dative singular
definite noun so these are given as a reference point.
Only the genitive noun can have the definite article. The meaning of a preceding noun,
whether a or the , is understood from the context.
If you are not sure or are looking for the genitive of any noun used in this course then go to
the Vocabulary section
Type 1
In monosyllabic nouns a letter i is inserted after the last broad vowel after a change in the
final broad vowel
Most common changes are a >> ui, o >> ui ( >> i):
DativeSingular Definite Genitive Singular Definite Genitive Singular Indefinite
leis a' bhall - with the member lmh a' bhuill - hand of the member lmh buill - hand of a member
(- the member's hand) (- a member's hand)
air a' bhrd - on the table cas a' bhird - leg of the table cas bird - leg of a table
(- the table leg) (- a table leg)
air a' chnoc - on the hill mullach a' chnuic - top of the hill bun cnuic - base of a hill (-
the hill top) (- a hill base)
Type 2
In both mono- and polysyllabic nouns a letter i is inserted after the last broad vowel or ao
group:
Dative Singular Definite Genitive Singular Definite Genitive Singular Indefinite
anns a' bhrn - in the water blas a' bhirn - taste of the water blas birn - taste of water
(- the taste of the water) (- a taste of water)
leis a' ghaol - with the love blths a' ghaoil - the warmth of the love blths gaoil - the warmth of love
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anns an leabhar - in the book cmhdach an leabhair - cover of the book cmhdach leabhair - cover of a book
(- the book cover) (- a book cover)
air an t-sagart - on the priest taigh an t-sagairt - house of the priest taigh sagairt - house of a priest
(- the priest's house) (- a priest's house)
Type 3
In polysyllabic nouns the final vowel group ea will change to ei or i (common in the group
-each >> -ich ):
air an eilean bidhchead an eilein - beauty of the island bidhchead eilein - beauty of an island
(- the beauty of the island) (- the beauty of an island)
leis an Ileach - with the Islayman bta an Ilich - boat of the Islayman bta Ilich - boat of an Islayman
(- the Islayman's boat) (- an Islayman's boat)
anns a' phipear - in the paper dath a' phipeir - colour of the paper dath pipeir - colour of a paper
(- the paper colour) (- a paper colour)
Type 4
The monosyllabic nouns the vowel group ea will change to i:
ris an fhear - to the man cta an fhir - coat of the man cta fir - coat of a man
(- the man's coat) (- a man's coat)
anns a' pheann - in the pen gob a' phinn - nib of the pen gob pinn - nib of a pen (-
the pen nib) (- a pen nib)
Type 5
In a small number of monosyllabic nouns the diphthong ia will change to i:
leis an fhiadh - with the deer biadh an fhidh - the deer food biadh fidh - deer food
Type 6
In a small number of monosyllabic nouns the diphthong o will change to :
leis an t-sol - with the seed plaosg an t-sl - the seed pod plaosg sl - a seed pod
Type 7
In a small number of monosyllabic nouns the diphthong eu will change to ei:
anns a' bheul - in the mouth oir a' bheil - the edge of the mouth oir beil - the edge of a mouth
leis an eun - with the bird sgriach an ein - the screech of the bird sgriach ein - the screech of a bird
anns an fheur - in the grass fileadh an fheir - the smell of the grass fileadh feir - the smell of grass
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Type 8
In a small number of monosyllabic nouns the vowel group e will change to ii:
leis a' chel - with the music grdh a' chiil - the love of the music grdh ciil - the love of music
air an t-sel - on the sail oir an t-siil - the edge of the sail oir siil - the edge of a sail
Type 9
Nouns Showing no Change
When the noun ends in a vowel or if the last vowel is already an i or if the noun ends in -chd:
anns a' bhta - in the boat sel a' bhta - the boat's sail sel bta - a boat's sail
leis a' bheachd - with the opinion adhbhar a' bheachd - the cause of the opinion adhbhar beachd - a cause of opinion
anns a' bhogsa - in the box ceann a' bhogsa - the top of the box ceann bogsa - the top of a box
aig a' ghille - at the boy c a' ghille - the boy's dog c gille - a boy's dog
ris an iasgair - to the fisherman lmh an iasgair - the fisherman's hand lmh iasgair - a fisherman's hand
Some common irregular genitives are best learned. All family members lose the final i :
leis an athair - with the father taigh an athar - the father's house taigh athar - a father's house
ris a' bhrthair - to the brother cr a' bhrthar - the brother's car cr brthar - a brother's car
leis a' ch - to the dog earball a' choin - the tail of the dog earball coin - the tail of a dog
aig a' mhac - at the son c a' mhic - the son's dog c mic - a son's dog
leis a' mhr - with the piece meud a' mhre - the size of the piece meud mre - the size of a piece
air an taigh - on the house mullach an taighe - the roof of the house mullach taighe - a roof of a house
Where there is more than one noun in the genitive then only the final one can take the
genitive form and only this noun can have a definite article, e.g.
dath earball an ein - the colour of the tail of the bird (- the bird's tail colour)
mullach taigh an fhir - the roof of the house of the man (- the man's house roof)
dath aghaidh a' bhalaich - the colour of the face of the boy (- the colour of the boy's face)
The possessive adjective can also be used with a genitive noun, e.g.
lmh mo mhic - my son's hand
meud do bheil - the size of your mouth
blths a chridhe - the warmth of his heart/blths a cridhe (- the warmth of her heart)
NEW WORDS
Adjectives
cbhraidh - fragrant goirid - short
goirt - sore, sour milis - sweet
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Nouns
adhbhar (m) - reason, cause beachd (m) - opinion
blas (m) - taste blths (m) - warmth
bidhchead (m) - beauty brn (m) - fresh water
coigreach (m) - stranger cmhdach (m) - cover
cridhe (m) - heart dath (m) - colour
deireadh (m) - end earball (m) - tail
fileadh (m) - smell fuachd (m) - cold, coldness
gaol (m) - love gob (m) - beak, nib
grdh (m) - love gunna (m) - gun
iasgair (m) - fisherman meud (m) - size
mr (m) - piece mullach (m) - roof, ceiling
r (m) - gold pos (m) - piece
plaosg (m) - pod (normally of a legume) sabhal (m) - barn
sgriach (m) - shriek Slnaighear - Saviour, healer
sreath (m) - row, series taillear (m) - tailor
tuathanach (m) - farmer uachdar (m) - surface, cream
aghaidh (f) - face oir (f) - edge
prs - price (f) spg (f) - paw, claw
Verbs
cuir, cur - plant, put, place srac, sracadh - tear
1. Bha lmh a' bhalaich air limh a leannain
2. Tha e na sheasamh aig doras an taighe
3. Ruith c an tuathanaich tron t-srid
4. Tha ceann a' bhogsa sracte
5. Bhiodh fileadh cbhraidh an fhraoich cho bidheach
6. A bheil sibh ag iarraidh pos arain?
7. Tha dath a' phinn agam gorm
8. Bha an taigh aca aig ceann an rathaid
9. Bha spg a' chait goirt
10. Nach eil cas a' bhird briste?
11. Tha earball c mo bhrthar goirid
12. Tha blas uisge an uillt milis
1. lmh a' bhodaich; doras an t-semair; botal bainne; cas balaich
2. brthair m' athar; bogsa guail; lr an talla; dath a' chta
3. rathad a' ghlinn; sersa duine; airgead an sgthain; meud an rim
4. earball isg; fraoch a' mhonaidh; allt a' chladaich; blas uisge
5. prs ir; sabhail a' chruidh; mullach an t-sabhail
6. dath an t-solais; lmh a' chopain; obair saoir
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7. sgriach pin; falt mo chinn; doras a' bhanca
8. balla a' phuirt; taigh a' mhinisteir; gunna saighdeir
9. searmon an t-sagairt; sgeul bird; balla a' chaisteil
10. sgeilp leabharlainn; bidhchead an t-seallaidh; cat a' bhoireannaich
11. leabaidh an leanaibh; aghaidh coigrich; cel an eilein
12. c mo bhrthar; cat a mic; taigh a h-athar
13. gaol brthar; talla a' bhaile; ballachan an taighe agam
L E S S O N 3 4 : A N S W E R S 1
1 . T h e b o y ' s h a n d w a s o n h i s g i r l f r i e n d ' s h a n d
2 . H e w a s s t a n d i n g a t t h e d o o r o f t h e h o u s e
3 . T h e f a r m e r ' s d o g r a n t h r o u g h t h e s t r e e t
4 . T h e l i d o f t h e b o x i s t o r n
5 . T h e f r a g r a n t s m e l l o f t h e h e a t h e r w o u l d b e s o
b e a u t i f u l
6 . D o y o u w a n t a p i e c e o f b r e a d ?
7 . T h e c o l o u r o f m y p e n i s b l u e
8 . T h e i r h o u s e w a s a t t h e e n d o f t h e r o a d
9 . T h e c a t ' s p a w w a s s o r e
1 0 . I s n ' t t h e t a b l e l e g b r o k e n ?
1 1 . T h e t a i l o f m y b r o t h e r ' s d o g i s s h o r t
1 2 . T h e t a s t e o f t h e s t r e a m w a t e r i s s w e e t
L E S S O N 3 4 : A N S W E R S 2
1 . t h e o l d m a n ' s h a n d ; t h e r o o m d o o r ; a b o t t l e o f
m i l k ; a b o y ' s l e g
2 . m y p a t e r n a l u n c l e ; a b o x o f c o a l ; t h e h a l l f l o o r ; t h e
c o l o u r o f t h e c o a t
3 . t h e g l e n r o a d ; s o r t o f m a n ; t h e s i l v e r o f t h e
m i r r o r ; t h e s i z e o f t h e r o o m
4 . a f i s h t a i l ; t h e h e a t h e r o f t h e m o o r ; t h e s h o r e
b u r n ; a t a s t e o f w a t e r
5 . p r i c e o f g o l d ; t h e c a t t l e b a r n ; t h e b a r n r o o f
6 . t h e c o l o u r o f t h e l i g h t ; t h e c u p h a n d l e ; w o r k o f a
j o i n e r
7 . a c r y o f p a i n ; t h e h a i r o f m y h e a d ; t h e d o o r o f t h e
b a n k
8 . t h e w a l l o f t h e p o r t ; t h e m i n i s t e r ' s h o u s e ; a
s o l d i e r ' s g u n
9 . t h e p r i e s t ' s s e r m o n ; t h e p o e t ' s t a l e ; t h e c a s t l e
w a l l
1 0 . a l i b r a r y s h e l f ; t h e b e a u t y o f t h e v i e w ; t h e
w o m a n ' s c a t
1 1 . t h e b a b y ' s b e d ; a s t r a n g e r ' s f a c e ; t h e i s l a n d m u s i c
1 2 . m y b r o t h e r ' s d o g ; h e r s o n ' s c a t ; h e r f a t h e r ' s
h o u s e
1 3 . a b r o t h e r ' s l o v e ; t h e t o w n h a l l ; t h e w a l l s o f m y
h o u s e
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LESSON 35
The Genitive Singular Case of Feminine Nouns
The Genitive Case is the form of the noun used to express possession and attributes.
General statement
Polysyllabic genitive singular feminine nouns are for the most part identical to the dative
singular forms. Except for a few irregular nouns the monosyllabic genitive singular feminine
nouns are the same as the dative singular forms save for the addition of a terminal e.
Lesson 7 exemplifies the changes associated with the dative singular feminine nouns.
The definite article in all instances is Na (Na h- before a vowel).
The singular noun is never lenited in the genitive singular.
Only the genitive noun can have the definite article. The meaning of a preceding noun,
whether a or the , is understood from the context.
If you are not sure or are looking for the genitive of any noun used in this course then go to
the Vocabulary section.
Type 1
In monosyllabic nouns a final e added to the dative singular:
Dative Singular Indefinite Genitive Singular Indefinite Genitive Singular Definite
le circ - with a hen biadh circe - the food of a hen biadh na circe - the food of the hen
(- the hen's food)
air cois - on a leg cl coise - the back of a leg cl na coise - the back of the leg
aig crch - at a boundary callaid crche - the fence of a boundary callaid na crche - the fence of the boundary
(- a boundary fence) (- the boundary fence)
air limh - on a hand cl limhe - the back of a hand cl na limhe - the back of the hand
air luing - on a ship neart luinge - the power of a ship neart na luinge - the power of the ship
(- a ship's power) (- the ship's power)
le sgian - with a knife oir sgeine - the edge of a knife oir na sgeine - the edge of the knife
(- a knife edge) (- the knife edge)
Type 2
Polysyllabic nouns are the same as the dative singular, with an optional terminal e (becoming
less common in the spoken language):
ri caileig - to a girl falt caileig(e) - the hair of a girl falt na caileig(e) - the hair of the girl
(- a girl's hair) (- the girl's hair)
le caillich - with an old woman ad caillich(e) - the hat of an old woman ad na caillich(e) - the hat of the old woman
(- an old woman's hat) (- the old woman's hat)
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le maraig - with a pudding mlsead maraig(e) - the sweetness of a pudding mlsead na maraig(e) - the sweetness of the pudding
fo uinneig - under a window glainne uinneig(e) - the glass of a window glainne na h-uinneig(e) - the glass of the window
Type 3
Nouns ending in -ir add -rach /- reach . A few monosyllabic nouns ending in -ail add -lach :
Dative Singular Definite Genitive Singular Definite
anns an litir - in the letter sgeul na litreach - the story of the letter
anns an obair - in the work fallas na h-obrach - the sweat of the work
leis an dil - with the delay fad na dlach - the length of the delay
Type 4
Many words which end in -ainn & -eann lose this syllable and add -ne :
Dative Singular Definite Genitive Singular Definite
fon abhainn - under the river brn na h-aibhne - the water of the river
(- the river water)
anns a' bhuidheann - in the group daoine na buidhne - the people of the group
anns a' mhadainn - in the morning solas na maidne - the light of the morning
(- the morning light)
Type 5
There is no change with nouns ending in -chd:
ann an roghachd - in a kingdom ceann roghachd - the head of a kingdom ceann na roghachd - the head of the kingdom
Some common irregular genitives are best learned:
ann am bth - in a shop uinneag btha - the window of a shop uinneag na btha - the window of the shop
(- a shop window) (- the shop window)
le caora - with a sheep ceann caorach - the head of a sheep ceann na caorach - the head of the sheep
(- a sheep's head) (- the sheep's head)
ann an sil - in an eye oisean sla - the corner of an eye oisean na sla - the corner of the eye
air trigh -on a beach allt trghad - the stream of a beach allt na trghad - the stream of the beach
(- a beach stream) (- the beach stream)
le mthair - with a mother mac mthar - the son of a mother mac na mthar - the son of the mother
(- a mother's son) (- the mother's son)
ri piuthar - to a sister leabhar peathar - the book of a sister leabhar na peathar - the book of the sister
(- a sister's book) (- the sister's book)
le seanmhair - with a grandmother cidsin seanmhar - the kitchen of a grandmother cidsin na seanmhar - the kitchen of the grandmother
(- a grandmother's kitchen) (- the grandmother's kitchen)
Where there is more than one noun in the genitive then only the final one can take the
genitive form and only this noun can have a definite article, e.g.
blas brn na h-aibhne - the taste of the water of the river (- the taste of the river water)
blths gainmheach na trghad - the warmth of the sand of the beach
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The possessive adjective can also be used with a genitive noun, e.g.
bean mo charaid - the wife of my friend (- my friend's wife)
brthair mo mhthar - my mother's brother (- my maternal uncle)
cis ar litreach - the subject of our letter
NEW WORDS
Nouns
blas (m) - accent, taste cl (m) - back side
fad (m) - length fallas (m) - sweat
guth (m) - voice mlsead (m) - sweetness
neart (m) - energy, strength oisean (m) - corner
smal (m) - mark
ad (f) - hat bas (f) - palm (of hand)
buidheann (f) - group callaid (f) - fence
glainne (f) - glass ite (f) - feather
piuthar (f) - sister saothair (f) - labour, toil
seanmhair (f) - grandmother
Verbs
glais/glas, glasadh - lock
1. Dh'fhuirich mthair na caileig aig an taigh
2. Bhris am balach uinneag na btha
3. Tha brn na h-aibhne seo salach
4. Bha doras na h-eaglais glaiste
5. Bha na daoine aig iasgach na mara
6. Nach robh iad a-staigh fad na h-ine?
7. Bha solas na grine a' tighinn tron uinneig
8. Tha smal ann air cl a limhe
9. Tha falt na caillich fada
10. Tha blas na Gidhlig aca
1. bus na h-oidhche; ad mo mhthar; loch na mara; dideag a pheathar
2. guth na h-uiseig; biadh na maidne; fuaim na mara
3. doras na sgoile; lmh na sgeine; casan na leapa
4. fileadh toite; gob circe; ite sgithe; glainne na h-uinneig
5. callaid na pirce; saothair obrach; neart na stoirme
6. dath a sla; gainmheach na trghad; eun coille
7. mullach na beinne; pian bochdainn; mlsead a pige
8. dath na h-ite; meud a h-aid; fallas mo shaothrach
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L E S S O N 3 5 : A N S W E R S 1
1 . T h e g i r l ' s m o t h e r s t a y e d a t h o m e
2 . T h e b o y b r o k e t h e s h o p w i n d o w
3 . T h e w a t e r o f t h i s r i v e r i s d i r t y
4 . T h e c h u r c h d o o r w a s l o c k e d
5 . T h e m e n w e r e a t s e a f i s h i n g
6 . W e r e n ' t t h e y i n ( s i d e ) a l l ( o f ) t h e t i m e ?
7 . T h e s u n l i g h t w a s c o m i n g t h r o u g h t h e w i n d o w
8 . T h e r e i s a m a r k o n t h e b a c k o f h e r h a n d
9 . T h e o l d w o m a n ' s h a i r i s l o n g
1 0 . T h e y h a v e a G i d h l i g a c c e n t
L E S S O N 3 5 : A N S W E R S 2
1 . t h e n i g h t b u s ; m y m o t h e r ' s h a t ; t h e s e a l o c h ; h i s
s i s t e r ' s t o y
2 . t h e l a r k ' s v o i c e ; t h e m o r n i n g m e a l ; t h e s o u n d o f
t h e s e a
3 . t h e s c h o o l d o o r ; t h e h a n d l e o f t h e k n i f e ; t h e l e g s
o f t h e b e d
4 . s m e l l o f s m o k e ; a h e n ' s b e a k ; a w i n g f e a t h e r ; t h e
w i n d o w g l a s s
5 . t h e p a r k ' s f e n c e ; t o i l o f w o r k ; t h e p o w e r o f t h e
s t o r m
6 . t h e c o l o u r o f h e r e y e ; t h e b e a c h s a n d ; a f o r e s t
b i r d
7 . t h e t o p o f t h e m o u n t a i n ; p a i n o f p o v e r t y ; t h e
s w e e t n e s s o f h e r k i s s
8 . t h e c o l o u r o f t h e f e a t h e r ; t h e s i z e o f t h e h a t ; t h e
s w e a t o f m y l a b o u r
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LESSON 36
Using the Genitive Case of Nouns
Use the genitive case whenever two or more nouns come together.
Whatever the number of nouns only the last noun will be in the genitive case. The other
nouns will be indefinite and nominative:
Indefinite Genitive Case Definite Genitive Case
seacaid balaich - the jacket of a boy seacaid a' bhalaich - the jacket of the boy
(- a boy's jacket) (- the boy's jacket)
putan seacaid balaich - the button of the jacket of a boy putan seacaid a' bhalaich - the button of the jacket of the boy
(- the button of a boy's jacket) (- the button of the boy's jacket)
ad caileig(e) - the hat of a girl ad na caileig(e) - the hat of the girl
(- a girl's hat) (- the girl's hat)
ite ad caileig(e) - the feather of the hat of a girl ite ad na caileig(e) - the feather of the hat of the girl
(- the feather of a girl's hat) (- the feather of the girl's hat)
c tuathanaich -the dog of a farmer c an tuathanaich -the dog of the farmer
(- a farmer's dog) (- the farmer's dog)
cas c tuathanaich - the leg of the dog of a farmer cas c an tuathanaich - the leg of the dog of the
farmer(- a farmer's dog's leg) (- the farmer's dog's leg)
Use the genitive case after the prepositions chun, r , thar and trd (and after the
compound prepositions - see Lesson 47):
Ruith mi chun na h-eaglais(e) - I ran toward the church
Leum sinn thar na h-aibhne - We leapt over the river
Bha an t-sde math r na bliadhna - The weather was good throughout the year
Dh'ionnsaich iad trd na h-obrach - They learned through (the) work
A definite noun following a verbal noun is in the genitive case. It is accepted practice in both
the written and spoken language to keep an indefinite noun in the nominative:
Indefinite Noun Following Verbal Noun Definite Noun Following Verbal Noun
Tha e a' faicinn balach - He sees a boy Tha e a' faicinn a' bhalaich - He sees the boy
Tha mi a' gearradh mine - I am cutting peat Tha mi a' gearradh na mna - I am cutting the peat
However, when more than one noun follows the verbal noun only the last noun is in the
genitive:
Tha iad a' faicinn ad caileig(e) - They see the hat of a girl Tha iad a' faicinn ad na caileig(e) - They see the hat of the girl
(- They see a girl's hat) (- They see the girl's hat)
A bheil thu a' cluinntinn fuaim uillt? - Do you hear the sound of a stream? A bheil thu a' cluinntinn fuaim an uillt? - Do you hear the sound of the stream?
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Genitives of Proper Nouns
Male names are lenited in the genitive, and exhibit analogous internal vowel modifications to
those found with masculine genitive singular nouns:
Calum taigh Chaluim - Calum's house
Coinneach bean Choinnich - Kenneth's wife
Uilleam c Uilleim - William's dog
Female names exhibit analogous internal vowel modifications to those found in feminine
genitive singular nouns. Traditionally they do not lenite but it has become common practice:
Mrag taigh Mhraig/taigh Mraig - Marion's house
Catrona cat Chatrona/cat Catrona - Catherine's cat
Pigi grradh Phigi/grradh Pigi - Peggy's garden
Names of establishments, organisations and multi-word placenames all lenite the initial
element in the genitive, even if they already contain a noun in the genitive case:
Comann na Gidhlig - The Society of Gidhlig Ceannard Chomann na Gidhlig - The head of the Society
of Gidhlig
Brd an Dealain - The Electricity Board Oibriche Bhrd an Dealain - The Electricity Board worker
Baile na h-Eaglaise - Falkirk (placename) Colaiste Bhaile na h-Eaglaise - Falkirk College
NEW WORDS
Nouns
gairdeachas (m) - joys stoc (m) - scarf
breac (m) - trout
bean (f) - wife, woman comhairle (f) - council, counsel, advice
colaiste (f) - college mine (f) - peat
sde (f) - weather
Verbs
eadar-theangaich, eadar-theangachadh - translate
cladhaich, cladhach - dig feuch, feuchainn (ri) - try (to)
figh, fighe - knit gerr, gearradh - cut
lon, lonadh - fill teagaisg, teagasg (do) - teach (to)
1. Tha taigh Sheumais ln gairdeachais
2. Am bi thu a' faicinn Chaluim a-nochd? Cha bhi
3. Uair bha mi ag obair airson Chomhairle nan Eilean
4. A bheil thu a' leughadh leabhar math? Tha
1. Bha e ag eadar-theangachadh na sgeulachd
2. An robh iad a' cladhach a' ghrraidh? Bha
3. Tha i a' sgrobhadh na litreach gu a mthair
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4. Bha e a' leughadh an leabhair gu smhach
5. Bha mo sheanmhair a' fighe an stuic dhomh
6. Bha m' athair a' cleachdadh a' bhta aige a-raoir
7. Chunnaic mi e a' tilgeil clach ris a' ch
1. They were building a new house
2. He was reading the book when I saw him
3. They were standing under the town hall clock
4. Will you take a piece of cheese with the bread?
5. The ship will be leaving the port at 6.30 am
6. I am teaching Gidhlig to my friends
7. Where did you put the house door key?
8. I said he was filling the bottle with water
9. The colours of the trout were so beautiful
10. Will you be cutting peat tomorrow? Yes
L E S S O N 3 6 : A N S W E R S 1
1 . S e u m a s ' h o u s e i s f u l l o f j o y
2 . W i l l y o u b e s e e i n g C a l u m t o n i g h t ? N o
3 . A t o n e t i m e I w a s w o r k i n g f o r C o m h a i r l e n a n E i l e a n
4 . A r e y o u r e a d i n g a g o o d b o o k ? Y e s
L E S S O N 3 6 : A N S W E R S 2
1 . H e w a s t r a n s l a t i n g t h e s t o r y
2 . W e r e t h e y d i g g i n g t h e g a r d e n ? Y e s
3 . S h e w a s w r i t i n g t h e l e t t e r t o h e r m o t h e r
4 . H e w a s q u i e t l y r e a d i n g t h e b o o k
5 . M y g r a n d m o t h e r w a s k n i t t i n g t h e s c a r f f o r m e
6 . M y f a t h e r w a s u s i n g h i s b o a t l a s t n i g h t
7 . I s a w h i m t h r o w i n g a s t o n e a t t h e d o g
L E S S O N 3 6 : A N S W E R S 3
1 . B h a i a d a ' t o g a i l t a i g h r
2 . B h a e a ' l e u g h a d h a n l e a b h a i r n u a i r a c h u n n a i c m i e
3 . B h a i a d n a n s e a s a m h f o g h l e o c t a l l ' a ' b h a i l e
4 . A n t o i r t h u p o s c i s e l e i s a n a r a n ?
5 . B i d h a n l o n g a ' f g a i l a ' p h u i r t a i g 6 . 3 0 a n n s a '
m h a d a i n n
6 . T h a m i a ' t e a g a s g G i d h l i g d o m o c h i r d e a n
7 . C i t a n d o c h u i r t h u i u c h a i r d o r a s a n t a i g h e ?
8 . T h u i r t m i g u n r o b h e a ' l o n a d h a ' b h o t a i l l e b r n
9 . B h a d a t h a n a ' b h r i c c h o B i d h e a c h
1 0 . A m b i s i b h a ' g e a r r a d h n a m n a a - m i r e a c h ?
B i t h i d h
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LESSON 37
Summary of Dative and Genitive Changes in Singular Nouns
This lesson summarises the changes associated with the dative and genitive changes in
singular masculine and feminine nouns.
Masculine Nouns
There is no indefinite article in any of the cases.
1. The Nominative Case:
The definite article is an except for nouns beginning with b, f, m & p when it is am;
A t- is placed before definite nouns beginning with a vowel.
2. The Dative Case:
The definite article is otherwise an except for nouns beginning with b, m, p, c & g
when it is a' ;
Definite nouns beginning with b, f, m, p , c & g lenite the initial consonant;
A t- is placed before definite nouns beginning with sl , sn, sr & s+vowel ;
After prepositions ending in a vowel the definite article remains an and fuses with the
preposition e.g. dha + an >> dhan.
3. The Genitive Case:
The definite article is an except for nouns beginning with b, m, p , c & g when it is a' ;
The nouns undergo internal vowel modifications: with the general trend of narrowing the
final internal vowel to i.
The following is a brief summary of singular nouns from nominative through dative to genitive
cases. The examples are with the article to illustrate initial consonant changes:
Nominative Dative Genitive
Internal Vowel
Changes
am brd - the poet dhan bhrd - to the poet a' bird - of the poet
addition of i
a >> ai
o >> oi
u >> ui
ao >> aoi
an rn - the seal bhon rn - from the seal an rin - of the seal
an dn - the fort anns an dn - in the fort an din - of the fort
an gaol - the love
leis a' ghaol - with the
love
a' ghaoil - of the love
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Internal Vowel
Changes
an t-allt - the stream
anns an t-allt - in the
stream
an uillt - of the stream
a & o >> ui
an corp - the body
fon chorp - under the
body
a' chuirp - of the body
am port - the port ris a' phort - at the port a' phuirt - of the port
am mac - the son leis a' mhac - with the son a' mhic - of the son
a, ea & io >> i
an coileach - the cock
fon choileach - under the
cock
a' choilich - of the cock
am fear - the man ris an fhear - to the man an fhir - of the man
an sol - seed anns an t-sol - in the seed an t-sl - of the seed
an coibhneas - the
kindness
leis a' choibhneas - with
the kindness
a' choibhneis - of the
kindness
ea, eu & ia >> ei
an ceum - the step
anns a' cheum - in the
step
a' chim - of the step
am fiadh - the deer
fon fhiadh - under the
deer
an fhidh - of the deer
an t-iasg - the fish air an iasg - on the fish an isg - of the fish
an dall - blindman
ris an dall - to the
blindman
an doill - of the blindman a >> oi
am beul - the mouth
air a' bheul - on the
mouth
a' bheil - of the mouth
eu >> eoi an t-eun - bird don eun - to the bird an ein - of the bird
am feur - grass
anns an fheur - in the
grass
an fheir - of the grass
an cel - the music
tron chel - through the
music
a' chiil - of the music
eo >> iui
an sel - the sail fon t-sel - under the sail an t-siil - of the sail
Feminine Nouns
There is no indefinite article in any of the cases.
1. The Nominative Case:
A t- is placed before definite nouns beginning with sl , sn, sr & s+vowel .
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Internal Vowel
Changes
a' mharag - the pudding
anns a' mharaig - in the
pudding
na maraig(e) - of the
pudding
addition of i
a >> ai
o >> oi
an tn - the rump air an tin - on the rump na tine - of the rump
an long - the ship air an luing - on the ship na luinge - of the ship
o >> ui
an tonn - the wave fon tuinn - under the wave na tuinne - of the wave
a' chearc - hen dhan chirc - to the hen na circe - of the hen
ea & io >> i
a' chroch - the boundary aig a' chrch - at the
boundary
na crche - of the
boundary
a' bhas - palm air a' bhois - on the palm na boise - of the palm
a >> oi
a' clann - the children dhan chloinn - to the
children
na cloinne - of the
children
an fhras - the shower
fon fhrois - under the
shower
na froise - of the shower
2. The Dative Case:
After prepositions ending in a vowel the definite article remains an and fuses with the
preposition e.g. dha + an >> dhan;
The nouns undergo internal vowel modifications : with the general trend of narrowing
the final internal vowel to i.
These internal vowel changes are less frequently heard in the spoken language, but still
appear in formal literature
3. The Genitive Case:
The definite article is always na (na h- before vowels);
The nouns undergo internal vowel modifications: with the general trend of narrowing the
final internal vowel to i;
A terminal e is added to monosyllabic nouns. Polysyllabic nouns exhibit this to a lesser
degree and it is considered optional in both the spoken and written language.
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Internal Vowel
Changes
a' chaileag - the girl dhan chaileig - to the girl na caileig(e) - of the girl
ea, eu & ia >> ei
a' chreach - the plunder
anns a' chreich - in the
plunder
na creiche - of the
plunder
an t-sealg - the hunt anns an t-seilg - in the
hunt
na seilge - of the hunt
a' bhreug - the lie leis a' bhrig - with the
lie
na brige - of the lie
a' ghrian - the sun ris a' ghrin - to the sun na grine - of the sun
an iall - the strap air an ill - on the strap na h-ille - of the strap
NEW WORDS
Nouns (with genitive singular and nominative plural)
allt, g. & pl. uillt (m) - stream ball, g.& pl. buill (m) - member
beul, g. & pl. beil (m) - mouth car, g. cuir, pl. caran (m) - twist
cirdeas, g. cirdeis (m) - friendship crn, g. & pl. cirn & cirn (m) - carn
ceum, g. cim, pl. ceumannan (m) -step, pace clag, g. & pl. cluig (m) - bell
cliabh, g. & pl. clibh (m) - creel coibhneas, g. coibhneis (m) - kindness
coileach, g. & pl. coilich (m) - cockerel corp, g. & pl. cuirp (m) - body
dall, g. & pl. doill (m) - blindman deur, g. & pl. deir (m) - tear
dn, g. & pl. din (m) - fort eun, g.& pl. ein (m) - bird
lon, g. & pl. ln (m) - net mac, g. & pl. mic (m) - son
meur, g. pl. meir (m) - finger namh, g. nimh, pl. namhan (m) - heaven
neul, g. & pl. neil (m) - cloud olc, g. uilc (m) - evil
rd, g. & pl. ird (m) - hammer sol, g. & pl. sl (m) - seed
sliabh, g. slibh, pl. slibhtean (m) - hill, hillside
toll, g. & pl. tuill (m) - hole tonn, g. & pl. tuinn (m) - wave
breug, g. brige, pl. breugan (f) - lie cealg, g. ceilge, pl. cealgan (f) - deceit
ciall, g. cille, pl. cialltan (f) - sense
creach, g. creiche, pl. creachan (f) - plunder, raid
creag, g. creige, pl. creagan (f) - cliff, crag, rock
croch, g. crche, pl. crochan (f) - limit, boundary
fras, g. froise, pl. frasan (f) - shower geug, g. gige, pl. geugan (f) - branch, bough
iall, g. ille, pl. ialltan (f) - strap, leash leac, g. lice, pl. leacan (f) - slab, tile, flagstone
lorg, g. luirge, pl. lorgan (f) - trace, track sealg, g. seilge, pl. sealgan (f) - hunt
sgeul, g. & pl. sgeil (f) - story tonn, g. tuinne, pl. tonnan (f) - wave
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1. rain a' bhird; ad a' bhoireannaich; clachan a' chirn;
2. fuaim a' chluig; ceann fir; cas coilich; lmh a' mhic;
3. meud an ln; ceann an isg, earball fidh; seinn Ein;
4. sruth deir; drochaid na luinge; ruith tuinne; callaid crche;
5. gob circe; dideagan cloinne; l na seilge; fear na creiche
1. the taste of bread; a boy's hand; the water of the burn; grazing of cattle;
2. the glen road; a trout head; my son's house; the kindness of friendship;
3. the grass of the slope; the story's end; the colour of the cloud;
4. the movement of the sail; the leg pain; the size of the stone;
5. a woman of deceit; window glass; the sense of the story
L E S S O N 3 7 : A N S W E R S 1
1 . t h e p o e t ' s s o n g s ; t h e w o m a n ' s h a t ; t h e s t o n e s o f
t h e c a i r n ;
2 . t h e s o u n d o f t h e b e l l ; a m a n ' s h e a d ; t h e c o c k e r e l ' s
l e g ; t h e s o n ' s h a n d ;
3 . t h e s i z e o f t h e n e t ; t h e h e a d o f t h e f i s h ; a d e e r ' s
t a i l ; t h e s i n g i n g o f a b i r d ;
4 . t h e f l o w o f a t e a r ; t h e s h i p ' s b r i d g e ; a r u n o f a
w a v e ; a b o u n d a r y f e n c e ;
5 . a h e n ' s b e a k ; c h i l d r e n ' s t o y s ; t h e d a y o f t h e h u n t ;
t h e m a n o f t h e r a i d
L E S S O N 3 7 : A N S W E R S 2
1 . b l a s a r a i n ; l m h b a l a i c h ; u i s g e a n u i l l t ; i o n a l t r a d h
c r u i d h ;
2 . r a t h a d a ' g h l i n n ; c e a n n b r i c ; t a i g h m o m h i c ;
c o i b h n e a s c i r d e i s ;
3 . f e u r a n t - s l i b h ; c r o c h a n s g e i l ; d a t h a n n e i l ;
4 . g l u a s a d a n t - s i i l ; p i a n n a c o i s e ; m e u d n a c l o i c h e ;
5 . b o i r e a n n a c h c e i l g e ; g l a i n n e u i n n e i g ; c i a l l n a s g e i l
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LESSON 38
The Nominative and Dative Plural of Nouns
The nominative and dative plurals are identical.
The definite article in all cases is Na (Na h- before a vowel).
Remember, however, the following rules are at best guidelines and that plurals are best
learnt when met.
All monosyllabic nouns ending in a vowel, whether masculine or feminine add -than/-thean to
the singular:
n (m) - thing nithean - things
cn (f) - nut cnothan - nuts
Masculine Nouns
Typically masculine nouns form their nominative and dative plurals in one of five ways.
1. The nominative plural is identical to the genitive singular. This is nearly always the case for
monosyllabic nouns not ending in a vowel. A number of common disyllabic nouns, particularly
those with the agent ending -ach , also form their plurals this way:
Nominative Singular Genitive Singular Nominative Plural
albannach - scotsman albannaich - of a scotsman albannaich - scotsmen
balach - boy balaich - of a boy balaich - boys
brd - a table bird - of a table bird - tables
fear - a man fir - of a man fir - men
port - a port puirt - of a port puirt - ports
ran - a song rain - of a song rain - songs
2. By adding ending -an/-ean to the nominative singular. Singular nouns ending in -adh
become -aidhean:
Nominative Singular Nominative Plural
dealbh - a picture dealbhan - pictures (also deilbh as in rule 1)
iasgair - a fisherman iasgairean - fishermen
monadh - a moor monaidhean - moors
pipear - a paper pipearan - papers
taillear - a tailor taillearan - tailors
3. A terminal -a changes to -achan or -aichean and in a few cases to -annan:
baga - a bag bagannan - bags
balla - a wall ballachan - walls
bogsa - a box bogsaichean - boxes
cta - a coat ctaichean - coats
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4. A terminal -ar and more rarely -air change to -raichean:
athair - a father athraichean - fathers
leabhar - a book leabhraichean - books
5. Mostly recently monosyllabic borrowings, adding either -achan or -aichean:
bus - a bus busaichean - buses
cr - a car craichean - cars
Feminine Nouns
These normally form their plurals in one of three ways:
1. By adding ending -an/-ean to the nominative singular. A number of common nouns exhibit
reduction in their second syllable before adding these endings:
banais - a wedding bainnsean - weddings
drochaid - a bridge drochaidean - bridges
madainn - a morning maidnean - mornings
marag - a pudding maragan - puddings
slat - a rod slatan - rods
2. A terminal -a changes to either -achan or -aichean and in a few cases to -annan:
bliadhna - a year bliadhnaichean - years
muga - a mug mugannan - mugs
oidhche - a night oidhcheannan - nights
3. A terminal -ar and more rarely -air change to -raichean:
cathair - a chair cathraichean - chairs
mthair - a mother mthraichean - mothers
Since there is also a number of minor rules as well as a number of irregular nouns it is always
a good idea to try and learn the nominative plural as you meet each new noun.
NEW WORDS
Adjectives
nenach - strange domhainn - deep
flathail - majestic
Nouns
cogadh (m) - war dust (m) - dust
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fad (m) - length n (m) - thing
sgudal (m) - rubbish, junk
Alba (f) - Scotland cn (f) - nut
co-fharpais (f) - competition craobh (f) -tree
Verbs
sabaid, sabaid (ri) - fight (with, against)
1. An do shabaid a h-athair anns na cogaidhean?
2. Tha iad nan rghrean
3. Bha fuaimean nenach a' tighinn bhon t-semar
4. Bha na cin sin a' comhairtaich fad na h-oidhche
5. Tha deich botail uaine air a' bhalla
6. Leugh mi ceithir leabhraichean an t-seachdain sa chaidh
7. Tha na bliadhnaichean a' dol seachad cho luath
8. Tha na maidnean a' fs gl fhuar a-nis
9. Fhuair mo bhrithrean duaisean anns na co-fharpaisean
10. Tha beanntan na h-Alba cho flathail
EXERCISE 2 Put the following sentences into the plural
1. Tha am fear gl thrang
2. Tha snthad gl gheur
3. Tha an nead falamh
4. Bha an sgoil dinte an-d
5. Tha an loch domhainn
6. Cit A bheil an taigh-sta?
7. An robh an lr fliuch?
8. Tha am bogsa ln de sgudal
9. C bhris an uinneag?
10. An robh sibh a-riamh air a' bhta sin?
11. Tha e (change to iad) na leabaidh
12. D tha iad ag rdh anns an litir?
13. Thilg sinn anns an teine e
14. Tha c ann fon brd
15. A bheil cr aig do bhrthair?
16. Cuir bainne anns a' chopan
17. Tha gunna aig an t-saighdear
18. Tha eun ann an craobh anns a' choille
19. Is toil leam banais
20. Bha an eaglais fuar
21. Bha an l fliuch
22. A bheil peann agaibh?
23. Bidh mo lmh blth
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24. Tha leabhar agam nam phcaid
25. Cuir do sgian air falbh
26. Cuir a' chearc anns a' phoit
27. Ghlac mi iasg anns an loch
28. Chaidh sinn dhan bhth
29. Tha mo charaid tinn an-drsta
30. Tha dust nam shil
31. Bha leabhar air an sgeilp
32. Chaidh mi fo dhrochaid
33. Bha am feasgar blth is tioram
L E S S O N 3 8 : A N S W E R S 1
1 . D i d h e r f a t h e r f i g h t i n t h e w a r s ?
2 . T h e y a r e k i n g s
3 . T h e r e w e r e s t r a n g e n o i s e s c o m i n g f r o m t h e r o o m
4 . T h o s e d o g s w e r e b a r k i n g a l l n i g h t l o n g ( t h e l e n g t h
o f t h e n i g h t )
5 . T h e r e a r e t e n g r e e n b o t t l e s o n t h e w a l l
6 . I r e a d f o u r b o o k s l a s t w e e k
7 . T h e y e a r s g o p a s t s o q u i c k l y
8 . T h e m o r n i n g s a r e b e c o m i n g ( g r o w i n g ) v e r y c o l d n o w
9 . M y b r o t h e r s g o t p r i z e s i n t h e c o m p e t i t i o n s
1 0 . T h e m o u n t a i n s o f S c o t l a n d a r e s o m a j e s t i c
L E S S O N 3 8 : A N S W E R S 2
1 . T h a n a f i r g l t h r a n g
2 . T h a n a s n t h a d a n g l g h e u r
3 . T h a n a n i d f a l a m h
4 . B h a n a s g o i l t e a n d i n t e a n - d
5 . T h a n a l o c h a n d o m h a i n n
6 . C i t a b h e i l n a t a i g h e a n - s t a ?
7 . A n r o b h n a l i r f l i u c h ?
8 . T h a n a b o g s a i c h e a n l n d e s g u d a l
9 . C b h r i s n a h - u i n n e a g e a n ?
1 0 . A n r o b h s i b h a - r i a m h a i r n a b t a i c h e a n s i n ?
1 1 . T h a i a d n a n l e a p a n n a n
1 2 . D t h a i a d a g r d h a n n s n a l i t r i c h e a n ?
1 3 . T h i l g s i n n a n n s n a t e i n t e a n i a d
1 4 . T h a c o i n a n n f o n a b i r d
1 5 . A b h e i l c r a i c h e a n a i g d o b r i t h r e a n ?
1 6 . C u i r b a i n n e a n n s n a c o p a n n a n
1 7 . T h a g u n n a c h a n a i g n a s a i g h d e a r a n
1 8 . T h a e i n a n n a n c r a o b h a n a n n s n a c o i l l t e a n
1 9 . I s t o i l l e a m b a i n n s e a n
2 0 . B h a n a h - e a g l a i s e a n f u a r
2 1 . B h a n a l i t h e a n f l i u c h
2 2 . A b h e i l p i n n a g a i b h ?
2 3 . B i d h m o l m h a n b l t h
2 4 . T h a l e a b h r a i c h e a n a g a m n a m p h c a i d e a n
2 5 . C u i r d o s g e i n e a n a i r f a l b h
2 6 . C u i r n a c e a r c a n a n n s n a p o i t e a n
2 7 . G h l a c m i i s g a n n s n a l o c h a n
2 8 . C h a i d h s i n n d o n a b i t h e a n
2 9 . T h a m o c h i r d e a n t i n n a n - d r s t a
3 0 . T h a d u s t n a m s h i l e a n
3 1 . B h a l e a b h r a i c h e a n a i r n a s g e i l p e a n
3 2 . C h a i d h s i n n f o d h r o c h a i d e a n
3 3 . B h a n a f e a s g a r a n b l t h i s t i o r a m
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LESSON 39
The Genitive Plural of Nouns
Consistent Grammatical Features :
The genitive plural definite article is nam before b, f , m or p and nan in all other situations.
Whenever possible the indefinite plural genitive noun is lenited.
General Pattern
The rule is for the final vowel of the genitive plural to be broad.
This means if the nominative plural noun has a final broad vowel then the genitive plural noun
is identical, else the genitive plural noun will be same as the nominative singular noun. The
latter is mostly confined to masculine nouns.
For Masculine Nouns
Nominative Plural Nominative Singular Genitive Plural
Final narrow vowel
balaich - boys balach - a boy
nam balach - of the boys
bhalach - of boys
pinn - pens
peann - a pen
nam peann - of the pens
pheann - of pens
Final broad vowel
bogsaichean - boxes bogsa - a box
nam bogsaichean - of the
boxes
bhogsaichean - of boxes
iasgairean - fishermen iasgair - a fisherman
nan iasgairean - of the
fishermen
iasgairean - of fisherman
taillearan - tailors taillear - a tailor
nan taillearan - of the
tailors
thaillearan - of tailors
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For Feminine Nouns
Nominative Plural Nominative Singular Genitive Plural
Final broad vowel
in nominative
plural
caileagan - girls caileag - a girl
nan caileagan - of the
girls
chaileagan - of girls
cearcan - hens cearc - a hen
nan cearcan - of the hens
chearcan - of hens
cisean - matters cis - matter
nan cisean - of the
matters
chisean - of matters
eaglaisean - churches eaglais - a church
nan eaglaisean - of the
churches
eaglaisean - of churches
sgoiltean - schools sgoil - a school
nan sgoiltean - of the
schools
sgoiltean - of schools
Some older speakers and older literature may apply an older rule for feminine nouns.
The basic model is if the final vowel of the nominative singular is broad then the genitive
plural is identical to it, else both nominative and genitive plurals are the same. Some are
preserved in familiar combinations such as Taigh chearc - Henhouse. Compare the following
to the above table:
Nominative Singular Nominative Plural Genitive Plural
Final broad vowel
in nominative
singular
caileag - a girl caileagan - girls
nan caileag - of the girls
chaileag - of girls
cearc - a hen cearcan - hens
nan cearc - of the hens
chearc - of hens
Final narrow vowel
in nominative
singular
cise - a matter cisean - matters
nan cisean - of the
matters
chisean - of matters
eaglais - a church eaglaisean - churches
nan eaglaisean - of the
churches
eaglaisean - of churches
sgoil - a school sgoiltean - schools
nan sgoiltean - of the
schools
sgoiltean - of schools
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EXERCISE 1 Make the following plural
1. mthair na caileig; uinneag na btha; brn na h-aibhne
2. doras na h-eaglais; cl a limhe; falt na caillich
3. lmh a' bhalaich; doras an taighe; c an tuathanaich
4. ceann a' bhogsa; dath a' phinn; spg cait; cas a' bhird
1. dideag a pheathar; guth na h-uiseig; biadh na maidne
2. doras na sgoile; lmh na sgeine; casan na leapa
3. gob circe; ite sgithe; glainne na h-uinneig
4. callaid pirce; neart na stoirme; dath Sla
1. gainmheach na trghad; mullach na beinne
2. mlsead na pige; dath na h-ite; meud na h-aid
3. fallas an t-saothrach; lmh a' bhodaich
4. doras an t-semair; botal bainne; cas balaich
5. brthair m' athar; bogsa guail
6. lr an talla; dath a chta
1. meud an rim; earball an isg; allt a' chladaich
2. mullach an t-sabhail; dath an t-solais; lmh copain
3. obair saoir; doras a' bhanca; gunna saighdeir
4. searmon an t-sagairt; sgeul bird; cat a' bhoireannaich
L E S S O N 3 9 : A N S W E R S 1
1 . m t h r a i c h e a n n a n c a i l e a g ; u i n n e a g a n n a m b t h ; b r n
n a n a i b h n i c h e a n
2 . d o r a i s n a n e a g l a i s e a n ; c i l a n l m h a n ; f a l t n a n
c a i l l e a c h
3 . l m h a n n a m b a l a c h ; d o r a i s n a n t a i g h e a n ; c o i n n a n
t u a t h a n a c h
4 . c i n n n a m b o g s a i c h e a n ; d a t h a n n a m p e a n n ; s p g a n
c h a t ; c a s a n n a m b r d
L E S S O N 3 9 : A N S W E R S 2
1 . d i d e a g a n a m p e a t h r a i c h e a n ; g u t h a n n a n u i s e a g ;
b i a d h n a m m a i d n e a n
2 . d o r a i s n a n s g o i l t e a n ; l m h a n n a n s g e i n e a n ; c a s a n
n a n l e a p a n n a n
3 . g u i b c h e a r c ; i t e a n s g i a t h a n ; g l a i n n e n a n u i n n e a g
4 . c a l l a i d e a n p h i r c e a n ; n e a r t n a n s t o i r m e a n ; d a t h a n
s h i l e a n
L E S S O N 3 9 : A N S W E R S 3
1 . g a i n m h e a c h n a n t r i g h e a n ; m u l l a i c h e a n n a m
b e a n n t a n
2 . m l s e a d n a m p g ( a n ) ; d a t h a n n a n i t e a n ; m e u d n a n
a d ( a n )
3 . f a l l a s n a n s a o t h r a i c h e a n ; l m h a n n a m b o d a c h
4 . d o r a i s n a n s e m a r ; b o t a i l b h a i n n e ; c a s a n b h a l a c h
5 . b r i t h r e a n a r n - a t h r a i c h e a n ; b o g s a i c h e a n g u a i l
6 . l i r n a n t a l l a c h a n ; d a t h a n n a n c t a i c h e a n
L E S S O N 3 9 : A N S W E R S 4
1 . m e u d n a n r m ; e a r b a l l a n n a n i a s g ; u i l l t n a n c l a d a c h
2 . m u l l a i c h e a n n a n s a b h a l ; d a t h a n n a n s o l a s ; l m h a n
c h o p a n
3 . o b a i r s h a o r ; d o r a i s n a m b a n c a i c h e a n ; g u n n a c h a n
s h a i g h d e a r
4 . s e a r m o n a n n a n s a g a r t ; s g e i l b h r d ; c a i t n a m
b o i r e a n n a c h
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LESSON 40
More Incomplete Verbs
You have already met the first group of the incomplete verbs based on the verb Is in Lesson
20.
Group 2: This group consists of true auxiliary verbs. These are regular verbs but are
only found in two tenses .
a. The Auxiliary Verb Faod:
Forms Future Tense Conditional Tense
Statement
Faodaidh mi/tu /e/i/sinn/sibh/iad -
I/you/he/she/we/you/they may
Dh'fhaodainn - I might/ought
Dh'fhaodamaid - We might/ought
Dh'fhaodadh tu /e/i/sinn/sibh/iad - you/he/
she/we/you/they might/ought
Negative
statement
Chan fhaod mi/thu/e/i/sinn/sibh/iad -
I/you/he/she/we/you/they may not
Chan fhaodainn - I might/ought not
Chan fhaodamaid - We might/ought not
Chan fhaodadh tu/e/i/sinn/sibh/iad - you/he/
she/we/you/they might/ought not
Interrogative
Am faod mi/thu/e/i/sinn/sibh/iad? -
May I/you/he/she/we/you/they?
Faodaidh - Yes
Chan fhaod - No
Am faodainn? - Might/Ought I?
Am faodamaid? - Might/Ought we?
Am faodadh tu/e/i/sinn/sibh/iad? -
Might/Ought you/he/she/we/you/they?
Dh'fhaodadh - Yes
Chan fhaodadh - No
Negative
interrogative
*
Nach fhaod mi/thu/e/i/sinn/sibh/iad?
- May I/you/he/she/we/you/they not?
Faodaidh - Yes
Chan fhaod - No
Nach fhaodainn? - Might/Ought I not?
Nach fhaodamaid? - Might/Ought we not?
Nach fhaodadh tu/e/i/sinn/sibh/iad - Might/
Oughtyou/he/she/we/you/they not
Dh'fhaodadh - Yes
Chan fhaodadh - No
Relative
'S mise/tusa/esan/ise/sinne/sibhse/
iadsan a dh'fhaodas - It's I/you/he/
she/we/you/they who may
'S mise/tusa/esan/ise/sinne/sibhse/iadsan a
dh'fhaodadh - It's I/you/he/she/we/you/they
who might/ought
Remember tu replaces thu after the verb endings -idh in the future and -adh in the
conditional.
This synthetic verbs ending in -maid are becoming less common and are being replaced by
the generic verbal forms followed by sinn.
* Words beginning with fare usually aspirated after the negative particle Nach .
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Forms Future Tense Conditional Tense
Statement
Feumaidh mi/tu /e/i/sinn/sibh/
iad - I/you/he/she/we/you/they will
need (=must)
Dh'fheumainn - I would need
Dh'fheumamaid - We would need
Dh'fheumadh tu /e/i/sinn/sibh/iad - You/he/
she/we/you/they would need
Negative
statement
Chan fheum mi/thu/e/i/sinn/sibh/iad -
I/you/he/she/we/you/they will not
need
Chan fheumainn - I would not need
Chan fheumamaid - We would not need
Chan fheumadh tu/e/i/sinn/sibh/iad - You/he/
she/we/you/they would not need
Interrogative
Am feum mi/thu/e/i/sinn/sibh/iad? -
Will I/you/he/she/we/you/they need?
Feumaidh - Yes
Chan fheum - No
Am feumainn? - Would I need?
Am feumamaid? - Would we need?
Am feumadh tu/e/i/sinn/sibh/iad? - Would
you/he/she/we/you/they need?
Dh'fheumadh - Yes
Chan fheumadh - No
Negative
interrogative
*
Nach fheum mi/thu/e/i/sinn/sibh/iad?
- Will I/you/he/she/we/you/they not
need?
Feumaidh - Yes
Chan fheum - No
Nach fheumainn? - Would I not need?
Nach fheumamaid? - Would we not need?
Nach fheumadh tu/e/i/sinn/sibh/iad? - Would
you/he/she/we/you/they not need?
Dh'fheumadh - Yes
Chan fheumadh - No
Relative
'S mise/tusa/esan/ise/sinne/sibhse/
iadsan a dh'fheumas - It's I/you/he/
she/we/you/they who will need
'S mise/tusa/esan/ise/sinne/sibhse/iadsan a
dh'fheumadh - It's I/you/he/she/we/you/they
who would need
b. The Auxiliary Verb Feum:
Remember tu replaces thu after the verb endings -idh in the future and -adh in the
conditional.
This synthetic verbs ending in -maid are becoming less common and are being replaced by
the generic verbal forms followed by sinn.
Although structurally a future in most instances this is best translated with a present
mood. See examples below.
* Words beginning with fare usually aspirated after the negative particle Nach.
Example Uses
As described for Group 1 incomplete verbs in Lesson 20 when the verbs Faod and Feum are
followed directly by a verb, the verbal noun is used. Exceptions in both literature and the
spoken language are the verbs To Be (a bhith), To Go (a dhol) and To Come (a thighinn):
Feumaidh mi saor-l - I (will) need a holiday
Faodaidh a h-uile duine seinn - Everyone may sing
Am faod mi leughadh? - May I read?
Chan fheum sinn cobhair - We do (will) not need help
Am feum mi seinn? Chan fheum - Must I sing? No
Dh'fhaodadh an duine a bhith cinnteach - The man ought to have been sure/The man ought to be sure
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Am feumadh iad cr? Dh'fheumadh - Would they need a car? Yes
Dh'fheumamaid suidhe sos - We would need to sit down
Feumaidh sinn suidhe sos - We must (need to) sit down
Chan fheumadh iad a thighinn - They wouldn't need to come
Chan fhaod i a dhol dhan chilidh - She may not go to the ceilidh
Am feum mi a dhol dhachaigh? Feumaidh - Must I (Do I need) go home? Yes
'S e Iain a dh'fheumas deoch uisge - It's Iain who needs a drink of water
As described for Group 1 Incomplete Verbs (see Lesson 20) when the verbs Faod and Feum
are followed by the verbal noun taking a direct object word order reversal takes place. Here
the object comes first followed by a + lenited verbal noun. The a is dropped before verbal
nouns beginning with vowel or beginning with f + vowel :
Am faod mi cel a chluinntinn? - May I hear some music?
Feumaidh e an t-uisge l - He must drink the water
Am feumainn an cr agad a ghlanadh? Dh'fheumadh - Would I need to clean your car? Yes
Am faod sinn an dealbh fhaicinn? - May we see the film?
Am faodadh sibh sin a dhanamh? Chan fhaodadh - Ought you have done that?/Ought you do that? No
Chan fheumamaid Beurla a bhruidhinn - We wouldn't need to speak English
As described for Group 1 incomplete verbs in when the object of the sentence is a pronoun
then the pronoun is replaced by its possessive adjective placed before the verbal noun. The
possessive adjectives mo, do and a (his/its) lenite the verbal noun whenever possible:
Faodaidh tu an toirt? - You may take them
Chan fhaod thu a bhualadh - You may not hit him
Am feum iad a ghluasad? - Must they move him/it?
Feumaidh Ealasaid d' fhaicinn? - Elisabeth must see you?
Dh'fheumamaid a thogail - We would need to build it (taigh = masculine)
Nach fhaodadh sinn a cur dhachaigh ? - Ought we not send her home?
Some Idiomatic Uses of Feum and Faod
Feumaidh meaning Surely with the Dependent Clause:
Feumaidh gum bi e ann - Surely he'll be there
Feumaidh gun robh iad cerr - Surely they were wrong
Feumaidh nach tig i anns an stoirm seo - Surely she'll not come in this storm
Dh'fhaodadh meaning Maybe /Perhaps when followed by either positive or negative
dependent clause:
Dh'fhaodadh gum bi e ann - Maybe he'll be there
Dh'fhaodadh gun robh iad cerr - Perhaps they were wrong
Dh'fhaodadh nach tig ianns an stoirm seo - Maybe she'll not come in this storm
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Group 3: This group consists of a true auxiliary verb which is only found in the past
tense.
(a) The Auxiliary Verb Theab meaning Nearly or Almost. It is only found in the past tense:
Forms Past Tense
Statement
Theab mi/thu/e/i/sinn/sibh/iad - I/you/he/she/we/you/
they nearly
Negative
statement
Cha do theab mi/thu/e/i/sinn/sibh/iad - I/you/he/she/we/
you/they didn't nearly
Interrogative
An do theab mi/thu/e/i/sinn/sibh/iad - Did I/you/he/she/
we/you/they nearly
Negative
interrogative
Nach do theab mi/thu/e/i/sinn/sibh/iad - Did I/you/he/
she/we/you/they not nearly
Example Uses
As described for Group 2 verbs above when the verb Theab is followed directly by a verb,
the verbal noun is used. Exceptions in both literature and the spoken language are the verbs
To Be (a bhith), To Go (a dhol) and To Come (a thighinn):
Theab mi tuiteam - I almost fell
An do theab thu bthadh? - Did you nearly drown?
Cha do theab i a thighinn - She almost didn't come
Nach do theab i a dhol fodha? - Did it not almost sink?
As described for Group 2 verbs above when the verb Theab is followed by the verbal noun
taking a direct object word order reversal takes place. The object comes first followed by a
+ lenited verbal noun. The a is dropped before verbal nouns beginning with vowel or
beginning with f + vowel:
Theab mi an cr a bhualadh - I nearly hit the car
An do theab thu an duine a mharbhadh? - Did you nearly kill the man?
Cha do theab iad a' phiseag a shbhaladh - They almost didn't save the cat
Nach do theab sinn an taigh a sgriosadh? - Didn't we almost ruin the house?
As described for Group 2 verbs above when the object of the sentence is a pronoun then the
pronoun is replaced by its possessive adjective placed before the verbal noun. The possessive
adjectives mo, do and a (his/its) lenite the verbal noun whenever possible:
Theab mi a bhualadh - I almost hit him/it
An do theab thu a mharbhadh? - Did you nearly kill him?
Cha do theab iad a sbhaladh - They almost didn't save it (piseag = feminine)
Nach do theab sinn a sgriosadh? - Didn't we almost ruin it (taigh = masculine)?
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In both literature and the spoken language the sense of Almost or Nearly is more commonly
expressed by the use of the assertive verb with the adjective mr. Compare with some ex-
amples from the use of Theab:
Using Theab Using Assertive Verb
Theab mi tuiteam I almost fell Cha mhr nach do thuit mi
An do theab thu bthadh? Did you nearly drown? Nach mr nach do bhth thu?
Cha do theab i a thighinn She almost didn't come Cha mhr gun tinig i
Nach do theab i a dhol fodha? Did it not almost sink? Nach mr gun deach i fodha?
Theab mi an cr a bhualadh I nearly hit the car Cha mhr nach do bhuail mi an cr
An do theab thu an duine a
mharbhadh?
Did you nearly kill the man?
Nach mr nach do mharbh thu an
duine?
Cha do theab i a' phiseag a
shbhaladh
She almost didn't save the cat
Cha mhr gun do shbhail i a'
phiseag
Nach do theab sinn an taigh a
sgriosadh?
Didn't we almost ruin the house
Nach mr gun do sgrios sinn an
taigh?
Theab mi a bhualadh I almost hit him/it Cha mhr nach do bhuail mi e
An do theab thu a mharbhadh? Did you nearly kill him? Nach mr nach do mharbh thu e?
Cha do theab iad a sbhaladh They almost didn't save it Cha mhr gun do shbhail iad i
Nach do theab sinn a sgriosadh? Didn't we almost ruin it? Nach mr gun do sgrios sinn e?
Group 4: This is made up of a miscellany of very incomplete verbs
(a) Arsa meaning Said which is only ever used with quoted text. It is usually abbreviated to
ars' before vowels and is always used with emphatic pronouns:
"Ciamar a tha thu?" ars' esan - "How are you?" he said
"Tha mi gu math," arsa mise - "I'm well," I said
(b) Imperatives: A small number of verbs which only exist as imperatives:
Singular/Familiar Plural/Formal
siuthad - go on, proceed siuthadaibh - go on, proceed
thalla (fhalbh ) - goaway, shoo thallaibh (fhalbhaibh ) - goaway, shoo
tiugainn - come along tiugainnibh - come along
trobhad - come hither trobhadaibh - come hither
fhalbh and fhalbhaibh meaning go away/shoo are pronounced the same as thalla and
thallaibh.
NEW WORDS
Adjectives
duilich - difficult, sorry
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Nouns
fiaclair (m) - dentist puinnsean (m) - poison
feil (f) - meat, flesh piseag (f) - kitten
Verbs
aidich, aideachadh - admit, confess bth, bthadh - drown
rach fodha, dol fodha - sink marbh, marbhadh - kill
sbhail, sbhaladh - save sgrios, sgriosadh - ruin
togair, togairt - want, desire
1a. Cha mhr nach do bhris e a chas nuair a thuit e
1b. Theab e a chas a bhriseadh nuair a thuit e
2. Feumaidh mi a dhol dhan dotair a-mireach
3. Tha mi gl dhuilich ach feumaidh mi falbh
4a. Theab e tuiteam sos na staidhrichean
4b. Cha mhr nach do thuit e sos na staidhrichean
5. Am feum thu a bhith ag ithe cho luath? Feumaidh
6. Am faod mi an dealbh dhot fhaicinn? Chan fhaod
7. Trobhad agus bheir mi dhut mlseag
8. Siuthad, dan na thogras tu
9. Cit am faod mi mo chr fhgail?
10. Faodaibh sibh suidhe far na thogras sibh
11a. Theab mi am puinnsean l
11b. Cha mhr nach do dh'l mi am puinnsean
12a. Thuirt e gun do theab e a l
12b. Thuirt e nach mr nach do dh'l e e
1. "I'm so sorry", she said
2. They almost fell into the river
3. I must admit that I would prefer coffee
4. You may not sit in that chair, it's mine
5. I've got toothache. I must see the dentist tomorrow
6. I must say that I think he is an evil boy
7. Go on, jump across the river
8. Come with me to the shops
9. I would need to be certain that he wasn't going to spend the money on rubbish
10. They must not stay away from school
11. I almost drank the dirty water
12. He said he almost ate it (feil = feminine)
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L E S S O N 4 0 : A N S W E R S 1
1 . H e n e a r l y b r o k e h i s l e g w h e n h e f e l l
2 . I m u s t g o t o t h e d o c t o r t o m o r r o w
3 . I a m v e r y s o r r y b u t I m u s t l e a v e
4 . H e a l m o s t f e l l d o w n t h e s t a i r s
5 . M u s t y o u e a t s o f a s t ? Y e s
6 . M a y I s e e t h e p i c t u r e o f y o u ? N o
7 . C o m e h e r e a n d I ' l l g i v e y o u a s w e e t
8 . G o o n , d o a s y o u p l e a s e
9 . W h e r e c a n ( m a y ) I l e a v e m y c a r
1 0 . Y o u m a y s i t w h e r e y o u l i k e ( d e s i r e )
1 1 . I a l m o s t d r a n k t h e p o i s o n
1 2 . H e s a i d h e a l m o s t d r a n k i t
L E S S O N 4 0 : A N S W E R S 2
1 . " T h a m i c h o d u i l i c h , " a r s ' i s e
2 a . T h e a b i a d t u i t e a m d h a n a b h a i n n
2 b . C h a m h r n a c h d o t h u i t i a d d h a n a b h a i n n
3 . F e u m a i d h m i a i d e a c h a d h g u m b ' f h e r r l e a m
c o f a i d h
4 . C h a n f h a o d t h u s u i d h e a n n s a ' c h a t h a i r s i n , i s l e a m
i
5 . T h a d i d e a d h o r m . F e u m a i d h m i a m f i a c l a i r f h a i c i n n
a - m i r e a c h
6 . F e u m a i d h m i r d h g u b h e i l m i a ' s m a o i n t i n n g u r
b a l a c h o l c e
7 . S i u t h a d a i b h , l e u m a i b h t h a i r i s a i r a n a b h a i n n
8 . T i u g a i n n l e a m d o n a b i t h e a n
9 . D h ' f h e u m a i n n a b h i t h c i n n t e a c h n a c h r o b h e a ' d o l
a c h o s g a n a i r g i d a i r s g u d a l
1 0 . C h a n f h e u m i a d f u i r e a c h a i r f a l b h b h o n s g o i l
1 1 a . C h a m h r n a c h d o d h ' l m i a n t - u i s g e s a l a c h
1 1 b . T h e a b m i a n t - u i s g e s a l a c h l
1 2 a . T h u i r t e g u n d o t h e a b e a h - i t h e
1 2 b . T h u i r t e n a c h m r n a c h d o d h ' i t h e i
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LESSON 41
More Conjunctions
You have already met three distinct groups of conjunctions and their usage in Lesson 23.
Group 3 is revisited in this lesson and a fourth group is introduced.
Group 3
This group also includes a number of idiomatic conjunctions:
air cho .. 's - no matter how ..
leis cho .. ' s - being so .. as
ge b' e cho .. 's - no matter how ..
Remember Group 3 conjunctions are all followed by the relative clause. For the tenses of the
verb TO BE these are:
a tha a bha a bhios a bhithinn/a bhiodh
You have met the relative clause for other verbs in Lesson 19, Lesson 24, Lesson 25,
Lesson 26, Lesson 26, Lesson 29 and Lesson 30.
Example Uses
Air cho cir 's a bhios e, cha toir e an cr aige air iasad dhut/Ge b' e cho cir 's a bhios e,
cha toir e an cr aige air iasad dhut No matter how generous he is, he'll not lend you his car
Air cho soilleir 's a tha a' ghrian a' derrsadh, tha e fhathast fuar a-muigh/Ge b' e cho
soilleir 's a tha a' ghrian a' derrsadh, tha e fhathast fuar a-muigh - No matter how brightly
the sun is shining, it's still cold outside
Cha bhi mi a' dol gun dannsadh leis cho sgth 's a tha mi - I'll not be going to the dance being
as I'm so tired (lit: I'll not be going to the dance being so tired as I am)
Tha e blth a-muigh leis cho soilleir 's a tha a' ghrian a' derrsadh - It's warm outside being
as the sun is shining so brightly (lit: It's warm outside being so brightly as the sun is shining)
Group 4
A number of common ones can all be translated as because and all are more or less
interchangeable:
a chionn 's - lit. since air sgth 's - lit. for the sake
airson 's - lit. for do bhrgh 's - lit. for (the) reason
leis - lit. with ri linn 's - lit. due to, since
The terminal 's is optional in all cases but is becoming increasingly common in everyday
speech and writing.
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The ones most commonly used in everyday speech are: a chionn 's , air sgth 's and airson
's .
Some others fall into this group:
air chor 's - on condition, so that air eagal 's - for fear, lest
cho .. 's - so .. that mar - as if
as distinct from its meaning in Lesson 23 Group 2
Group 4 conjunctions are all followed by the dependent clause. For the tenses of the verb
TO BE these are:
gu bheil gun robh gum bi gum bithinn/gum biodh
You have met the dependent clause for other verbs in Lesson 19, Lesson 24, Lesson 25,
Lesson 26, Lesson 26, Lesson 29 and Lesson 30.
Example Uses
Fhuair e peanas airson 's gun robh e m-mhodhail ris an tidsear - He got a punishment
because he was rude to the teacher
Cha bhi mi ann aig a' chilidh a chionn 's nach eil dad freagarrach agam ri chur orm - I'll not
be at the ceilidh since I don't have anything suitable to put on
Feumaidh mi mo chta a chur dhom air sgth 's gu bheil e cho teth an seo - I'll need to take
off my coat because it's so hot in here
Tha mi a' dol trth dha mo leabaidh leis gu bheil mi cho sgth - I'm going to bed early
because I am so tired
Ri linn 's gum bi e blth bragha a-mireach, gabhaidh sinn cuirm-chnuic air an trigh - Since
it will be nice and warm tomorrow we will have a picnic on the beach
Faodaidh tu a dhol ann air chor 's gum bi thu modhail - You may go there so long as you are
polite
Chaidh iad am falach air eagal 's gun glacadh an t-uilebheist iad - They hid for fear that the
monster would catch them
Sheas e mar gun robh na cheannard - He stood as if he was the chief
Bha an duine cho trom 's gun do thuit e tron deigh - The man was so heavy that he fell
through the ice
Idiomatic Uses of ach
In this situation the conjunction is followed by the interrogative of the verb. The mood
created is subjunctive; expressing anticipation, condition or possibility:
Dh'fhg mi an doras fosgailte ach an cluinninn an cmhradh aca - I left the door open so that
I might (could ) hear their conversation
Gluaisidh mi a' chathair ach am faigh thu mran rim - I'll move the chair so that you may
get more room
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Sheas e eadar a' chlann is an c ach am biodh iad sbhailte - He stood between the children
and the dog so that they might (would) be safe
Idiomatic Uses of agus
In this situation the conjunction has no direct verb and pronouns are emphatic. The mood is
one of contrast. Agus can be contracted to is or even 's :
Bha mi a-muigh anns an uisge; agus mise gun chta orm - I was out in the rain with no coat on
Tha mo bhean a' cluiche goilf; agus mise a-staigh a' deasachadh na dnnearach - My wife is
playing golf, meanwhile I'm indoors preparing the dinner
Bha c a' comhartaich; is mise a' feuchainn ri tuiteam nam chadal - There was a dog barking,
meanwhile I was trying to fall sleep
NEW WORDS
Adjectives
cruaidh - hard deiseil (de) - finished (with)
freagarrach - suitable m-mhodhail - rude
modhail - polite soilleir - bright
Adverbs
air iasad - on loan thall thairis - abroad, overseas
Conjunctions
ach - so (subjectively) a chionn 's - since, because
agus - with, meanwhile air cho .. 's - no matter how ..
air chor 's - on (the) condition, so that air eagal 's - for fear, lest
air sgth 's - because cho .. 's - as .. as
airson 's - for, because do bhrgh 's - because
ge b' e cho .. 's - no matter how .. leis cho .. 's - seeing as .. so
ri linn - due to, because
Nouns
cirtear, crtair (m) - curtain fuaradair (m) - refrigerator
nbaidh (m) - neighbour peanas (m) - punishment, penalty
soitheach (m) - dish, vessel teas (m) - heat
uilebheist (m) - monster cuirm-chnuic (f) - picnic
deigh (f) - ice dreasa (f) - dress
gaoth (f) - wind iris (f) - magazine
line (f) - shirt miotag (f) - glove
Verbs
craich, cradh - repair, mend cuir air, cur air - turn on (light, radio etc)
cuir dheth, cur dheth - turn off (light, radio etc)
derrs, derrsadh - shine fuiling, fulang - suffer
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rach am falach, dol am falach - hide, go into hiding (intransitive verb)
sid, sideadh - blow, swell
thoir air iasad (do), toirt air iasad (do) - lend (to)
Verbal Phrases
cuir air, cur air - put on (clothes)
cuir orm/ort etc, cur orm/ort etc e.g.
Chuir mi orm line ghlan - I put on a clean shirt
Chuir mi dhith an ad - I took off her hat. lit: I took off her the hat
cuir de, cur de - take off (clothes)
cuir dhom/dhot etc, cur dhom/dhot etc e.g.
Chuir mi dhom mo chta - I took off my coat
Chuir mo mhthair orm na miotagan - My mother put on my gloves. lit: My mother put gloves
on me
tha an t-eagal orm/ort etc (ro) - I am/you are etc afraid (of), and often without article: tha
eagal orm/ort etc
tha fallas orm/ort etc - I am/you are etc sweating
1. Cha tid mi dhan chilidh air sgth 's nach eil dreasa agam
2. B' fherr leam fulang a chionn 's gu bheil an t-eagal orm ron fhiaclair
3. Do bhrgh 's gun robh i ann anmoch a-raoir, tha i fhathast na leabaidh
4. Bidh iad a' dol thall thairis a chionn 's gur toil leotha an teas
5. Thuit e na chadal ri linn 's gun robh e sgth dhen chmhradh
6. Dh'fhosgail mi an cirtear air chor 's gum faicinn mo nbaidh a' tighinn
7. Thug mi mlseag dh air chor 's gum biodh i math
8. Air eagal 's gun cailleadh e airgead, chraich a mhthair an toll am pcaid a bhriogais
9. Thug mi an iris do mo charaid airson 's gun robh mi deiseil dheth
10. Bidh mi ag irigh trth a-mireach ri linn 's gum feum mi tran a ghlacadh aig sia uairean
11. Dh'innis e an sgeul mar gur e an fhrinn a bha innte
12. Rinn mo mhac na soithichean air eagal 's nach fhaigheadh e airgead-pcaid
EXERCISE 2 Translate into Gidhlig each of the following using (a) a chionn, (b) air sgth
and (c) airson:
1. I would like my dinner now because I am very hungry
2. She keeps the curtains closed because she doesn't like the view
3. We had to lock the door because the wind was blowing strongly
4. They were sweating because they were working so hard
5. I will leave on the light because you are afraid of the dark
6. The milk was sour because she didn't put it back in the refrigerator
1. Ge b' e cho trom 's a bhios an t-uisge, thid sinn gu muir
2. Coisichidh sinn dhachaigh leis cho bragha 's a tha am feasgar
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3. Thid mi dhan choinneimh ach am faigh mi cothrom bruidhinn
4. Tha a' Ghidhlig aig mo bhean is a' chlann, agus seo mise gun fhacal agam dhith
5. Air cho cruaidh 's a bhios an obair, bidh i daonnan toilichte
6. Bha an t-uisge cho teth 's gun do loisg mi mo lmh
L E S S O N 4 1 : A N S W E R S 1
1 . I ' l l n o t g o t o t h e c e i l i d h b e c a u s e I d o n ' t h a v e a
d r e s s
2 . I ' d r a t h e r s u f f e r b e c a u s e I ' m v e r y a f r a i d o f t h e
d e n t i s t
3 . B e c a u s e s h e w a s l a t e i n l a s t n i g h t , s h e i s s t i l l i n h e r
b e d
4 . T h e y ' l l b e g o i n g a b r o a d b e c a u s e t h e y l i k e h e a t
5 . H e f e l l a s l e e p b e c a u s e h e w a s t i r e d o f t h e
c o n v e r s a t i o n
6 . I o p e n e d t h e c u r t a i n s o t h a t I c o u l d ( w o u l d ) s e e m y
n e i g h b o u r c o m i n g
7 . I g a v e h e r a s w e e t o n t h e c o n d i t i o n t h a t s h e w o u l d
b e g o o d
8 . F o r f e a r t h a t h e w o u l d l o s e h i s m o n e y , h i s m o t h e r
m e n d e d t h e h o l e i n h i s t r o u s e r p o c k e t
9 . I g a v e m y f r i e n d t h e m a g a z i n e b e c a u s e I w a s
f i n i s h e d w i t h i t
1 0 . I w i l l b e g e t t i n g u p e a r l y t o m o r r o w s i n c e I n e e d t o
c a t c h a t r a i n a t s i x o ' c l o c k
1 1 . H e r e l a t e d t h e s t o r y a s i f i t w e r e t h e t r u t h
1 2 . M y s o n d i d t h e d i s h e s f o r f e a r t h a t h e w o u l d n ' t
g e t h i s p o c k e t m o n e y
L E S S O N 4 1 : A N S W E R S 2
1 a . B u t o i l l e a m m o d h n n e a r a - n i s a c h i o n n ' s g u b h e i l
a n t - a c r a s o r m
1 b . B u t o i l l e a m m o d h n n e a r a - n i s a i r s g t h ' s g u b h e i l
a n t - a c r a s o r m
1 c . B u t o i l l e a m m o d h n n e a r a - n i s a i r s o n ' s g u b h e i l a n
t - a c r a s o r m
2 a . C u m a i d h i n a c i r t e a r a n d i n t e a c h i o n n ' s n a c h t o i l
l e a t h a a n s e a l l a d h
2 b . C u m a i d h i n a c i r t e a r a n d i n t e a i r s g t h ' s n a c h t o i l
2 c . C u m a i d h i n a c i r t e a r a n d i n t e a i r s o n ' s n a c h t o i l
3 a . D h ' f h e u m a d h s i n n a n d o r a s a g h l a s a d h a c h i o n n ' s
g u n r o b h a ' g h a o t h a ' s i d e a d h g u l i d i r
3 b . D h ' f h e u m a d h s i n n a n d o r a s a g h l a s a d h a i r s g t h ' s
g u n r o b h a ' g h a o t h a ' s i d e a d h g u l i d i r
3 c . D h ' f h e u m a d h s i n n a n d o r a s a g h l a s a d h a i r s o n ' s g u n
r o b h a ' g h a o t h a ' s i d e a d h g u l i d i r
4 a . B h a f a l l a s o r r a a c h i o n n ' s g u n r o b h i a d a g o b a i r
c h o c r u a i d h
4 b . B h a f a l l a s o r r a a i r s g t h ' s g u n r o b h i a d a g o b a i r
c h o c r u a i d h
4 c . B h a f a l l a s o r r a a i r s o n ' s g u n r o b h i a d a g o b a i r c h o
c r u a i d h
5 a . F g a i d h m i a i r a n s o l a s a c h i o n n ' s g u m b i e a g a l o r t
r o n d o r c h a d a s
5 b . F g a i d h m i a i r a n s o l a s a i r s g t h ' s g u m b i e a g a l o r t
5 c . F g a i d h m i a i r a n s o l a s a i r s o n ' s g u m b i e a g a l o r t
6 a . B h a a m b a i n n e g o i r t a c h i o n n ' s n a c h d o c h u i r i a i r
a i s a n n s a n f h u a r a d a i r e
6 b . B h a a m b a i n n e g o i r t a i r s g t h ' s n a c h d o c h u i r i a i r
a i s a n n s a n f h u a r a d a i r e
6 c . B h a a m b a i n n e g o i r t a i r s o n ' s n a c h d o c h u i r i a i r a i s
a n n s a n f h u a r a d a i r e
L E S S O N 4 1 : A N S W E R S 3
1 . N o m a t t e r h o w h e a v y t h e r a i n , w e w i l l g o t o s e a
2 . W e w i l l w a l k h o m e b e i n g a s t h e e v e n i n g i s s o f i n e
3 . I w i l l g o t o t h e m e e t i n g t h a t I m a y g e t a c h a n c e t o
t a l k
4 . M y w i f e a n d c h i l d r e n h a v e G i d h l i g , m e a n w h i l e h e r e
a m I w i t h o u t a w o r d o f i t
5 . N o m a t t e r h o w h a r d t h e w o r k , s h e i s a l w a y s h a p p y
6 . T h e w a t e r w a s s o h o t t h a t I b u r n t m y h a n d
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Singular
Use the basic form
For definite nouns lenite the basic
form
Lenite the basic form and
insert an i if final vowel is
broad
gille glic - a wise boy
an gille glic - the wise boy
le gille glic - with a wise boy
leis a' ghille ghlic - with the wise
boy
gille ghlic - of a wise boy
a' ghille ghlic - of the wise boy
cat mr - a big cat
an cat mr - the big cat
le cat mr - with a big cat
leis a' chat mhr - with the big cat
cait mhir - of a big cat
a' chait mhir - of the big cat
Plural
All plurals add a terminal -a or an -e to the basic form
gillean glice - wise boys
na gillean glice - the wise
boys
le gillean glice - with wise boys
leis na gillean glice - with the wise
boys
ghillean glice - of wise boys
nan gillean glice - of the wise
boys
cait mhra - big cats
na cait mhra - the big cats
le cait mhra - with big cats
leis na cait mhra - with the big
cats
chat mra - of big cats
nan cat mra - of the big cats
LESSON 42
The Declension of Adjectives
As mentioned inLesson 1 and Lesson 4 adjectives can be used predicately, i.e. following the
verb To Be. The adjective never changes in this situation:
Masculine noun Tha am balach beag - The boy is small
Feminine noun Tha a' chaileag beag - The girl is small
Plural nouns Tha na balaich beag - The boys are small
Tha na caileagan beag - the girls are small
Adjectives which directly qualify their nouns are said to be used attributely. These
adjectives must agree with their nouns in three ways: number, gender and case.Lesson 4
dealt with the nominative case of both the nouns and their adjectives. These are only
mentioned again here for comparison.
Lenition of Adjectives
All adjectives can be lenited except for those beginning with: l , n, r, sg, sm, sp or st .
Masculine Nouns
The nominative, dative and genitive forms of masculine nouns were met in Lesson 3, Lesson 6,
Lesson 34 and Lesson 39 respectively. The change in the adjective closely matches the
change in its noun except that the adjective is always lenited in the genitive singular:
Nouns (whether masculine or feminine) which have a final i in their plural always lenite the
following adjective
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Feminine Nouns
The nominative, dative and genitive forms of feminine nouns were met in Lesson 3,Lesson 6,
Lesson 34 and Lesson 39 respectively:
Singular
For definite nouns lenite the
basic form
Lenite the basic form and insert an
i if final vowel is broad
Lenite the basic form and
insert an i if final vowel is
broad
caileag ghlic - wise girl
a' chaileag ghlic - the wise
girl
le caileig ghlic - with a wise girl
leis a' chaileig ghlic - with the wise
girl
caileige glice - of a wise girl
na caileige glice - of the wise
girl
cis mhr - a big affair
a' chis mhr - the big
affair
le cis mhir - with a big affair
leis a' chis mhir - with the big
affair
cise mire - of a big affair
na cise mire - of the big
affair
Plural
All plurals add a terminal -a or an -e to the basic form
caileagan glice - wise girls
na caileagan glice - the wise
girls
le caileagan glice - with wise girls
leis na caileagan glice - with the
big girls
chaileagan glice - of wise girls
nan caileagan glice - of the wise
girls
cisean mra - big affairs
na cisean mra - the big
affairs
le cisean mra - with big affairs
leis na cisean mra - with the big
affairs
chisean mra - of big affairs
nan cisean mra - of the big
affairs
As mentioned in Lesson 7 the trend is for feminine singular dative nouns, particularly in
the spoken language, to be identical to the nominative. This erosion is also reflected in the
agreement of the adjective.
A characteristic of monosyllabic feminine singular genitive adjectives is the addition of a
terminal -e . Polysyllabic feminine singular genitive adjectives do not generally add a termi-
nal -e and the trend (both written and spoken) is for these to be identical to masculine ones.
Monosyllabic feminine singular genitive adjectives resist this trend since the corresponding
monosyllabic feminine singular genitive nouns have mostly retained the terminal -e (see Les-
son 35). However, as shown in the table above, it is expected that if you do in fact go ahead
and add a terminal -e to polysyllabic nouns then the adjective should agree and consequen-
tially remain unlenited.
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There is at present considerable variation regarding declension of the feminine singular
nouns and their adjectives. Except for some common idiomatic structures the nominative has
all but replaced the dative in the spoken language. Regarding the feminine singular genitive
there exists a higher register (formal prose and speech) which uses grammatical forms and a
lower register (colloquial spoken and written) which exhibits a marked erosion toward the
equivalent masculine form for both nouns and adjectives:
High Register Various Intermediates Might Arise Low Register
caileige glice - of a wise girl
na caileige glice - of the wise girl
caileig glice
na caileig glice
caileige ghlic
na caileige ghlic
caileig ghlic
na caileig ghlic
faoileige mire - of a big seagull
na faoileige mire - of the big seagull
faoileig mire
na faoileig mire
faoileige mhir
na faoileige mhir
faoileig mhir
na faoileig mhir
cise mire - of a big affair
na cise mire - of the big affair
cise mhir
na cise mhir
cis mhir
na cis mhir
limhe glice - of a wise hand
na limhe glice - of the wise hand
limhe ghlic
na limhe ghlic
limh ghlic
na limh ghlic
Low register adjectives should only be used with their corresponding low register nouns.
Associating high register adjectives with low register nouns and vice versa should be avoided.
Likewise intermediate forms are best avoided.
Internal Modifications in Adjectives
Polysyllabic adjectives are slenderised by inserting an i after a final broad vowel or changing
a final ea to i. There is never any terminal -e added for the feminine genitive singular. In
Basic
Internal Change
Masculine Genitive
Singular (lenited)
Feminine Genitive
Singular
beartach - rich beartaich bheartaich beartaich
bidheach - beautiful bidhich bhidhich bidhich
dleas - loyal dlis dhlis dlis
freagarrach - suitable freagarraich fhreagarraich freagarraich
salach - dirty salaich shalaich salaich
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However, most monosyllabic adjectives with a final broad vowel undergo an analogous process
of slenderisation as nouns (see Lesson 7 and Lesson 34). As with nouns the process can
involve internal vowel modification with the slenderisation of the final vowel to i .
To help you the Vocabulary section shows the fully slenderised feminine genitive singular
adjective from which other forms can be derived.
Type 1
An i is inserted after the broad vowel. This type contains mostly those with a final a or ao in
the basic form:
Basic
Internal Change
Masculine Genitive
Singular (lenited)
Feminine Genitive
Singular (terminal -e)
rd - high ird ird irde
blth - warm blith bhlith blithe
caol - narrow caoil chaoil caoile
mr - big mir mhir mire
Type 2
An i is inserted after a change in the single broad vowel, e.g. o >> ui and a >> oi. Neither
modification is particularly common but they are found in a number of commonly used
adjectives:
Basic
Internal Change
Masculine Genitive
Singular (lenited)
Feminine Genitive
bog - soft buig bhuig buige
dall - blind doill dhoill doille
donn - brown duinn dhuinn duinne
gorm - blue guirm ghuirm guirme
trom - heavy truim thruim truime
Basic
Internal Change
Masculine Genitive
Singular (lenited)
Feminine Genitive
Singular
cofhartail - comfortable chofhartail cofhartail
cruinn - round chruinn cruinne
eireachdail - handsome eireachdail eireachdail
fada - long fhada fada
tana - thin thana tana
tinn - ill thinn tinne
There is no internal change where the adjective already has a final ior when the it ends in a
vowel:
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Adjectives Coming Before the Noun
There are a few common adjectives which can only be used before a noun:
ath - next a h-uile - every
corra - a few deagh - good
dearbh - the very, exact, ideal droch - bad
for - true, exceptional gach - each
iomadach, iomadh - many a promh - main, prime
mion - minor, petty sr - exceptional
seann - old
These adjectives do not change in any case. They all however lenite the following noun except
for ah-uile , iomadach/iomadh and gach :
an ath bhliadhna - next year
a h-uile duine - everyone
corra dhuine - a few men
deagh dhrachdan - good wishes
an dearbh rud - the ideal thing, the very thing
droch shde - bad weather
Type 4
The substitution of a diphthong with i, e.g. ea >> i:
Basic
Internal Change
Masculine Genitive
Singular (lenited)
Feminine Genitive
beag - small big bhig bige
geal - white gil ghil gile
sean - old sin shin sine
Type 5
The substitution of the diphthong ia with i:
Basic
Internal Change
Masculine Genitive
Singular (lenited)
Feminine Genitive
cian - distant cin chin cine
ciar - dusky, swarthy cir chir cire
liath - grey, greyed out lith lith lithe
Type 3
The substitution of a final broad vowel in a diphthong with i, e.g. ea and eu >> ei
Basic
Internal Change
Masculine Genitive
Singular (lenited)
Feminine Genitive
dearg - red deirg dheirg deirge
deas - right deis dheis deise
geur - sharp gir ghir gire
searbh - bitter seirbh sheirbh seirbhe
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for ghaisgeach - a true hero
gach madainn - each day
iomadach l/iomadh l - many a day
promh shrid - main street
mion chnanan - minority languages
sr bhoireannach - an exceptional woman
seann chraobh - old tree
Some other conventional adjectives may also be seen in the before a noun position, when
particular emphasis is required, in which case they all lenite the following noun. A number of
associations have become permanent indicated by a hyphen:
mr bheinn - great mountain dearg amadan - a total fool
cruaidh fheum - desperate need cruaidh-chs - extreme hardship
garbh bheinn - rough mountain dubh-fhacal - enigma (dark word)
dearg chuthach - derangement dubh-chineadh - intense criticism
NEW WORDS
Adjectives
ath - next (before noun) beartach - rich
bog - soft breac - speckled
caol - narrow cian (cin also as basic form) - distant
ciar - dusky, swarthy cl - left
cruinn - round dall - blind
deagh - good(before noun) dearbh - exact, the very (before noun)
deas - right (side) droch - bad (before noun)
garbh - rough grach - stupid
gruamach - grumpy, gloomy mlis - sweet
g - young sean - old (after noun)
seann - old (before noun) searbh - bitter
sracte - torn trom - heavy
Nouns
amadan (m) - fool, clown bata (m) - walking stick, baton
cineadh (m) - criticism cnan (m), cnain (f) - language
cs (m) - hardship cuthach (m) - rage
faobhar (m) - edge of a blade gaisgeach (m) - hero
gleans (m) - shine, finish grdh (m) - love
greim/grim (m) - grip, a portion of food mran (m) - much, many, a lot
turas (m) - trip, journey, instance
bruach (f) - bank (of river etc) corrag (f) - finger
drachd (f) - wish, tiding feadhainn (f) - some, ones (collective noun)
lmh (f) - handle
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All exercises use a high register. As you dothese think about the low colloquial forms
you are likely to hear.
1. Bha mran uinneagan beaga anns an t-seann chaisteal ann
2. 'S toil leam flraichean gorma ach 's beag orm an fheadhainn phurpaidh
3. Gherr mi mo chorrag air faobhar na sgeine gire
4. Tha mo bhean a' glanadh nan soithichean salach
5. Thid sinn a-rithist an sin an ath thuras
6. A bheil sibh elach air promh shrid a' bhaile ir?
7. Tha e na amadan leis a' bhriogais ghoirid bhric air
8. Thug an duine deagh chomhairle dhuinn
9. Bha an dearg chuthach oirre le feirg mhir
10. Tha na caoraich dhubha ag ithe an fheir mhlis
11a. Bha mi nam laighe fon ghrin bhlith
11b. Bha mi nam laighe ann an teas na grine blithe
12a. Bha an t-eun breac air druim an eich dhuibh
12b. Tha na h-ein bheaga air druim na caorach duibhe
13a. Cm grim math air lmh a' chopain daoir
13b. Cm an copan daor sin sbhailte nad ghrim
14a. Shuidh corra dhuine cmhla air a' chathair mhir ghuirm
14b. Shuidh mi air an fheur ghrod fhliuch
15a. Fosgail doras an t-semair bhig
15b. Din doras na h-eaglaise bige
16a. Rinig a h-uile duine mullach na beinne irde
16b. Bha iad air mullach an t-seann chaisteil
17a. Chaidh e a-muigh anns an uisge throm
17b. Thinig i a-staigh dhan t-semar bhlth
18a. Bha a' ghlainne ghlan nam limh dheis
18b. An robh am peann nad limh chl? Bha
19a. Tha dideag bhriste aig a' chaileig ig
19b. Tha dideag na caileige ige briste
20a. Tha an cat fon bhrd bheag
20b. Tha an c fon chathair bhig
21a. D tha cerr air spg na piseige bige?
21b. D tha cerr air spg a' choin bhig?
22a. 'S e droch naidheachd a tha ann
22b. 'S e deagh naidheachd a tha ann
23a. Tha seacaid dhonn agam le pcaid mhir oirre
23b. Tha pcaid na seacaide duinne agam sracte
24a. 'S toil leam gleans an fhuilt bhin fhada aice
24b. 'S toil leam gleans an fhuilt chir ghoirid aige
25a. Chluich iad anns an allt gharbh
25b. Shibhail iad air an abhainn ghairbh
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26a. Tha iomadach duine ann dhen bharail nenaich sin
26b. Tha iomadh t ann dhen bharail ghraich sin
27a. Choimhead mi air obair a' bhalaich thruim
27b. Choimhead mi air obair na caileige truime
28a. Seo bata na cailliche doille
28b. Seo bata a' bhodaich dhoill
29a. Chuala mi an sgeul bho nighean an duine ghruamaich
29b. Chuala mi an naidheachd bho mhac na mn gruamaich
30a. Bha na caileagan ga nan suidhe air an leabaidh bhuig chofhartail
30b. Bha na balaich ga nan suidhe air a' chloich fhuair chruaidh
anns an ite shbhailte; air oidhche chiin; leis na balaich dhona
biadh nan cearc(an) dubha; eaglais a' bhaile mhir; bruach na h-aibhne luaithe
air a' mhuir ghuirm; aig deireadh na sgeulachd fada; aig an uinneig fhosgailte
spg a' chait dhuinn; lmh a' chopain chruinne; anns a' ghlainne chruinn
teas l ghrianaich; bhon oibriche dhleas; anns an allt dhomhainn
fad a fuilt lith; thairis air an drochaid chaoil; earball na lucha bige
comhairle duine ghlic; cobhair deagh charaid; blasad bainne ghoirt
cel a guth bhidhich; air a' chois chl agam; air na h-achaidhean gorma
teas nan teintean bltha; cinn nam balach beaga; grdh na caileige bine
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L E S S O N 4 2 : A N S W E R S 1
1 . T h e r e w e r e m a n y s m a l l w i n d o w s i n t h e o l d c a s t l e
2 . I l i k e b l u e f l o w e r s b u t I d i s l i k e t h e p u r p l e o n e s
3 . I c u t m y f i n g e r o n t h e e d g e o f t h e s h a r p k n i f e
4 . M y w i f e i s c l e a n i n g t h e d i r t y d i s h e s
5 . W e ' l l g o t h e r e a g a i n n e x t t i m e
6 . A r e y o u a c q u a i n t e d w i t h t h e m a i n s t r e e t o f t h e
n e w t o w n ?
7 . H e ' s a f o o l w i t h h i s s h o r t s p e c k l e d p a t t e r n
t r o u s e r s
8 . T h e m a n g a v e u s s o m e g o o d a d v i c e
9 . S h e w a s d e l i r i o u s w i t h a g r e a t a n g e r
1 0 . T h e b l a c k s h e e p a r e e a t i n g t h e s w e e t g r a s s
1 1 a . I w a s l y i n g u n d e r t h e w a r m s u n
1 1 b . I w a s l y i n g i n t h e h e a t o f t h e w a r m s u n
1 2 a . T h e s p e c k l e d b i r d w a s o n t h e b a c k o f t h e b l a c k
h o r s e
1 2 b . T h e s m a l l b i r d s w e r e o n t h e b a c k o f t h e b l a c k
s h e e p
1 3 a . K e e p a g o o d g r i p o n t h e e x p e n s i v e c u p
1 3 b . K e e p t h a t e x p e n s i v e c u p s a f e i n y o u r g r i p
1 4 a . A f e w f o l k s a t t o g e t h e r o n t h e b i g b l u e c h a i r
1 4 b . I s a t o n t h e r o t t e n w e t g r a s s
1 5 a . O p e n t h e d o o r o f t h e s m a l l r o o m
1 5 b . C l o s e t h e d o o r o f t h e s m a l l c h u r c h
1 6 a . E v e r y o n e r e a c h e d t h e t o p o f t h e t a l l m o u n t a i n
1 6 b . T h e y w e r e o n t h e r o o f o f t h e o l d c a s t l e
1 7 a . H e w e n t o u t i n t h e h e a v y r a i n
1 7 b . S h e c a m e i n t o t h e w a r m r o o m
1 8 a . T h e c l e a n g l a s s w a s i n m y r i g h t h a n d
1 8 b . D i d y o u h a v e a p e n i n y o u r l e f t h a n d ? Y e s
1 9 a . T h e y o u n g g i r l h a s a b r o k e n t o y
1 9 b . T h e y o u n g g i r l ' s t o y i s b r o k e n
2 0 a . T h e c a t i s u n d e r t h e w e e t a b l e
2 0 b . T h e d o g i s u n d e r t h e w e e c h a i r
2 1 a . W h a t w r o n g w i t h t h e w e e k i t t e n ' s p a w ?
2 1 b . W h a t w r o n g w i t h t h e w e e d o g ' s p a w ?
2 2 a . I t ' s b a d n e w s
2 2 b . I t ' s g o o d n e w s
2 3 a . I h a v e a b r o w n j a c k e t w i t h a l a r g e p o c k e t o n i t
2 3 b . T h e p o c k e t o f m y b r o w n j a c k e t i s t o r n
2 4 a . I l i k e t h e s h i n e o f h e r l o n g b l o n d h a i r
2 4 b . I l i k e t h e s h i n e o f h i s s h o r t d a r k h a i r
2 5 a . T h e y p l a y e d i n t h e r o u g h b u r n
2 5 b . T h e y t r a v e l l e d o n t h e r o u g h r i v e r
2 6 a . M a n y a m a n i s o f t h a t s t r a n g e o p i n i o n
2 6 a . M a n y a w o m a n i s o f t h a t s i l l y o p i n i o n
2 7 a . I l o o k e d a t t h e w o r k o f t h e h e a v y b o y
2 7 b . I l o o k e d a t t h e w o r k o f t h e h e a v y g i r l
2 8 a . H e r e ' s t h e o l d b l i n d w o m a n ' s w a l k i n g s t i c k
2 8 b . H e r e ' s t h e o l d b l i n d m a n ' s w a l k i n g s t i c k
2 9 a . I h e a r d t h e s t o r y f r o m t h e g r u m p y m a n ' s
d a u g h t e r
2 9 b . I h e a r d t h e n e w s f r o m t h e g r u m p y w o m a n ' s s o n
3 0 a . T h e y o u n g g i r l s w e r e s i t t i n g o n t h e s o f t
c o m f o r t a b l e b e d
3 0 b . T h e y o u n g b o y s w e r e s i t t i n g o n t h e c o l d h a r d
s t o n e
L E S S O N 4 2 : A N S W E R S 2
i n t h e s a f e p l a c e ; o n a c a l m n i g h t ; w i t h t h e b a d b o y
t h e f o o d o f t h e b l a c k h e n s ; t h e c i t y ( ' s ) c h u r c h ; t h e
b a n k o f t h e r a p i d r i v e r
o n t h e b l u e s e a ; a t t h e e n d o f t h e l o n g s t o r y ; a t t h e
o p e n w i n d o w
t h e b r o w n c a t ' s p a w ; t h e h a n d l e o f t h e r o u n d c u p ; i n
t h e r o u n d g l a s s
t h e h e a t o f a s u n n y d a y ; f r o m t h e l o y a l w o r k e r ; i n t h e
d e e p b u r n
t h e l e n g t h o f h e r g r e y h a i r ; o v e r t h e n a r r o w b r i d g e ;
t h e t a i l o f t h e s m a l l m o u s e
t h e a d v i c e o f a w i s e m a n ; t h e h e l p o f a g o o d f r i e n d ;
t h e t a s t e o f s o u r m i l k
t h e m u s i c o f h e r b e a u t i f u l v o i c e ; o n m y l e f t l e g ; o n t h e
g r e e n f i e l d s
t h e h e a t o f t h e w a r m f i r e s ; t h e s m a l l b o y s ' h e a d s ; t h e
l o v e o f t h e f a i r g i r l
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LESSON 43
The Comparison of Adjectives
First Level Comparison: Similes
There are two constructions for forming similes, both use the word CHO meaning SO:
1. cho in combination with the preposition ri. The pattern is: cho + adjective + ri + dative
noun:
Tha am falt aige cho dubh ri fitheach - His hair is as black as a raven
Tha mi cho sgth ri c - I'm as tired as a dog
Or with prepositional pronoun. The pattern is: cho + adjective + prepositional pronoun of ri:
Chan eil Calum cho sean rium - Calum is not as old as me
Chan eil Miri cho spocach riut - Miri is not as mean as you
2. cho in combination with the relative clause. The pattern is: cho + adjective + 's a +
relative clause:
Tha e cho m-mhodhail 's a bha e a-riamh - He's as rude as he ever was
Falbhaidh sinn cho luath 's a bhios tu deiseil - We will leave as soon as you are ready
Gheibh thu a-staigh cho fad 's a tha do bhrgan glan - You will get in as long as your shoes
are clean
fad is used here in preference to fada.
An important exception to using cho is when saying as much as or as many as or so many.
For these you need to use either an uiread de or na h-uiread de .
Following pattern 1 above:
Cha robh na h-uiread de dhaoine ann an-diugh - There weren't as many people there today
Following pattern 2 above:
Cha robh na h-uiread de dhaoine ann 's a shaoil mi - There weren't as many people there as
I thought
Tha na h-uiread de dh'airgead aige 's a tha agamsa - He has as much money as I do (I
have)
Tha na h-uiread de chiall aig c 's a tha aigesan - A dog has as much sense as him (he has)
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Second Level Comparison: Comparatives and Superlatives
1. Regular Formation
The form for both the comparative and the superlative is the same in Gidhlig. The easiest
way to find this for regular adjectives is to find the feminine genitive singular adjective (see
Lesson 42). Polysyllabic adjectives also add the terminal -e , although in spoken Gidhlig this
is often elided. Remember a number of important adjectives will undergo internal vowel
modifications:
Feminine Genitive Singular Adjective Second Level Comparison
na beinne irde - of the high mountain irde
na beinne cudromaich - of the important mountain cudromaiche
na beinne fiadhaich - of the wild mountain fiadhaiche
na dreasa deirge - of the red dress deirge
na dreasa guirme - of the blue dress guirme
An important group are the polysyllabic adjectives where:
the final syllable has only the vowel i after slenderisation or
the final syllable ends in il after slenderisation or
with final syllable -ainn
This group shows a reduction or loss of the final vowel group before a terminal -e is added:
Feminine Genitive Singular Adjective Second Level Comparison
na dreasa bidhich - of the beautiful dress bidhche
na h-aibhne domhainn - of the deep river doimhne
na mn dlis - of the loyal woman dlse
na mn uasail - of the noble woman uaisle
Using the Second Level Comparison to Form Comparatives
For the comparative use the verb To Be, adding:
nas for the present and future tenses
na bu (na b' before vowels and lenited f ) for the past and conditional tenses
A useful word to know at this point is na meaning than:
Tha Miri nas irde na Calum - Miri is taller than Calum
Tha Miri nas irde na mise - Miri is taller than me
Tha Miri a-nis nas bidhche na bha i a-riamh - Miri is now more beautiful than she ever was
Tha an c seo nas fhiadhaiche na am fear eile - This dog is wilder than the other one
Bha an taigh sin na bu bhidhche na am fear seo - That house was more beautiful than this
one
Bha Miri na bu toilichte na mise - Miri was happier than me
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Pronouns are emphatic following na
Adjectives beginning with f are always lenited nas
Adjectives are lenited after na bu, although adjectives beginning with d and t resist
lenition
Literally what is being said is:
Tha an c seo nas fhiadhaiche na am fear eile - This dog is the thing that is wilder than the
other one
Bha an taigh sin na bu bhidhche na am fear seo - That house was the thing that was more
beautiful than this one
It is not uncommon in spoken Gidhlig to hear and use nas instead of na bu with the meaning
coming from the tense of the main verb:
Bha an taigh sin nas bidhche na am fear seo - That room was more beautiful than this one
The comparative can be used adverbially in the same way as a common adjective:
A bheil thu nas toilichte a-nis? - Are you happier now?
Tha thu a' coimhead nas toilichte - You are looking happier
Bha iad a' faireachdainn na bu toilichte - They were feeling happier
Using the Second Level Comparison to Form Superlatives
For the superlative use the Assertive Verb, adding:
as for the present tense
a bu (a b' before vowels and lenited f) for the past/conditional tense
Care is needed here as the Assertive verb can convey the comparative with the meaning
derived from the context:
'S mise as ige anns a' chlas - I am the youngest in the class
Bu mhise a b' ige anns a' chlas - I was the youngest in the class
'S mise as ige den dithis - I am the younger of the two
The Assertive Verb has only served here to emphasise and the meaning is obviously
comparative.
Generally, however, you will use it in a superlative manner:
Is mise as glice anns a' chlas - I am the wisest in the class
B' e Sm a bu ghlice - Simon was the wisest
An e Calum a b' irde ? - Was Calum the tallest?
Nach mise a bu toilichte? - Was it not I who was happiest?
Adjectives are lenited after a bu, although adjectives beginning with d and t resist
lenition.
As stated in Lesson 19 unless stress is required then usually only the present of the
Assertive Verb need be used.
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You might recognise the forms as and a bu as relative forms of the Assertive Verb. So what
is literally being said is:
'S mise as ige anns a' chlas - It is I who is the younger/youngest in the class
Bu mhise a b' ige anns a' chlas - It was I who was the younger/youngest in the class
General Rules of Usage
If you are unsure which form to use then a good rule of thumb when describing a noun
directly (attributely) is:
An Indefinite Noun Uses Nas/Na Bu A Definite and Proper Noun UsesAs/A Bu
duine nas irde/duine na b' irde an duine as irde/an duine a b' irde
c nas ige/c na b' ige an c as ige/an c a b' ige
baile nas bidhche/baile na bu bhidhche am baile as bidhche/am baile a bu bhidhche
'S e duine nas irde a tha sinn ag iarraidh - We want a taller man. lit It's a taller man that
we want
'S e an duine as irde a tha sinn ag iarraidh - We want the tallest man. lit It's the tallest
man that we want
'S e Dleas an c as ige - Dleas is the youngest dog
'S e c nas ige a tha dhth orm - I want a younger dog. lit. It' s a younger dog that I want
'S e Glaschu am baile as bidhche - Glasgow is the most beautiful town
You could drop the noun and simply have:
'S e Dleas as ige - Dleas is the youngest
'S e Glaschu as bidhche - Glasgow is the most beautiful
2. Irregular Formation
There are a number of common irregular Second Level Comparisons:
Basic Form Second Level
Comparison
beag - small lugha
cumhang - narrow cuinge
dona, olc - bad miosa
duilich - difficult,
sorry
duilghe
fada - long fhaide
furasta - easy fhasa
goirid - short giorra
Basic Form Second Level
Comparison
lidir - strong treasa & regular
lidire
leathan - broad leatha
math - good fherr
mr - big motha, m
reamhar - fat reamhra
tana - thin, narrow taine
teth - hot teotha
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Some Common Idioms Using the Second Level Comparison
When directly describing an action after the Assertive Verb:
'S e Calum am fear as irde a leumas - Calum jumps the highest (lit. Calum is the one who is
the highest that jumps)
'S tusa a bu mhaille (mall=slow) a bhruidhinn - You spoke the slowest (lit. It's you who was
the slowest that spoke)
'S ann leamsa a tha an cr a bu luaithe a ruith -I own the car that ran the fastest (lit. I own
the car which was fastest that ran)
Using:
mar + second level comparative + relative clause, 's ann + second level comparative +
relative clause:
Mar as fhaide a choisich e, 's ann as sgthe a dh'fhs e - The further he walked the more
tired he became
Mar as irde a streapas tu, 's ann as taine a bhios an t-adhar - The higher you climb, the
thinner the air will be
NEW WORDS
Adjectives
cudromach - important cumhang - narrow, thin
furasta - easy leathan - broad, wide
rag - stiff ruadh - red, auburn
sgiobalta - neat, tidy spocach - mean, miserly
tana - thin tapaidh - smart, clever, robust
uasal - noble
Nouns
cidsin (m) - kitchen fitheach (m) - raven
flr (m) - flower gnomh (m) - act, deed
iarann (m) - iron srbh (m) - straw
togalach (m) - building
Gidhealtachd (f) - Gidhlig speaking area fiacail (f) - tooth
fiodh (f) - wood, timber gualainn (f) - shoulder
troigh (f) - foot stilinn (f) - steel
Verbs
tagh, taghadh - choose, elect
1. Tha e cho mr ri each
2. Chan eil e cho glic rithe
3. Tha an togalach sin cho rd ri beinn
4. Tha i cho bidheach 's a bha i a-riamh
5. 'S urrainn dha ruith nas luaithe na thusa
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6. Is leamsa a' chathair as cofhartaile anns an rm
7. B' e sin an l a b' fhliche a chunnaic mi a-riamh
8. 'S i Miri an t as tapaidhe anns an sgoil
9. Tha an semar agamsa nas sgiobalta na an semar agadsa
10. Tha stilinn nas cruaidhe na iarann
11. 'S e an cidsin an rm as glaine anns an taigh agam
12. Bha na fiaclan aice cho geal ris an t-sneachd
13. 'S e Calum as miosa de na brithrean
14. Tha an abhainn nas cuinge faisg air an drochaid
15. Thagh mi an srbh as giorra
16. C am fear as treasa dhiubh?
17. Is ise as lugha den teaghlach ach an neach as sine
18. 'S ann aigesan a tha na troighean as motha a chunnaic mi a-riamh
19. Tha mo thaigh-sa nas motha na do thaigh-sa
20. Bha a' cheist sin na b' fhasa na an t eile
1. She is as quiet as a mouse
2. Her hair is as black as coal
3. He is the most industrious person that I know
4. The room was a lot warmer when we had a coal fire
5. Where will I find the most beautiful girl in the world?
6. His hair was as white as snow
7. It's in the highlands that you'll find the tallest tree
8. I was much thinner when I was a young boy
9. His hair is much more auburn than his younger sister
10. It's heather that has the most fragrant flower
11. The room was hotter with a coal fire
12. He has much broader shoulders than his brother
13. They have the smallest garden that I ever saw
14. The glen road was longer than I remembered
15. He committed (did) the most evil act
16. The main road was wider than this one
17. Steel is stronger than wood
18. I was much thinner when I was young
19. Edinburgh is the busiest city in Scotland
20. Calum ran the mountain the fastest
21. The further we swam the colder the sea became
22. The older she grew the stiffer she was
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L E S S O N 4 3 : A N S W E R S 1
1 . H e i s a s b i g a s a h o r s e
2 . H e i s n ' t a s p r u d e n t a s h e r
3 . T h a t b u i l d i n g i s a s h i g h a s a m o u n t a i n
4 . S h e i s a s b e a u t i f u l a s s h e e v e r w a s
5 . H e c a n r u n f a s t e r t h a n y o u
6 . I p o s s e s s t h e m o s t c o m f o r t a b l e c h a i r i n t h e r o o m
7 . T h a t w a s t h e w e t t e s t d a y I e v e r s a w
8 . M i r i ' s t h e s m a r t e s t o n e i n t h e s c h o o l
9 . M y r o o m i s t i d i e r t h a n y o u r r o o m
1 0 . S t e e l i s h a r d e r t h a n i r o n
1 1 . T h e k i t c h e n i s t h e c l e a n e s t r o o m i n m y h o u s e
1 2 . H e r t e e t h w e r e a s w h i t e a s t h e s n o w
1 3 . C a l u m i s t h e w o r s t o f t h e b r o t h e r s
1 4 . T h e r i v e r i s n a r r o w e r n e a r t h e b r i d g e
1 5 . I c h o s e t h e s h o r t e s t s t r a w
1 6 . W h o ' s t h e s t r o n g e s t ( m a n ) o f t h e m ?
1 7 . S h e ' s t h e s m a l l e s t o f t h e f a m i l y b u t t h e o l d e s t
1 8 . H e h a s t h e b i g g e s t f e e t I e v e r s a w
1 9 . M y h o u s e i s l a r g e r t h a n y o u r h o u s e
2 0 . T h a t q u e s t i o n w a s e a s i e r t h a n t h e o t h e r o n e
L E S S O N 4 3 : A N S W E R S 2
1 . T h a i c h o s m h a c h r i l u c h
2 . T h a a m f a l t a i c e c h o d u b h r i g u a l
3 . ' S e s a n a n d u i n e a s d e a n a d a i c h e a s a i t h n e d h o m h
4 . B h a a n s e m a r f a d a ( m r a n ) n a b u b h l i t h e n u a i r a
b h a t e i n e g u a i l a g a i n n
5 . C i t a m f a i g h m i a ' c h a i l e a g a s b i d h c h e a n n s a n
t - s a o g h a l ?
6 . B h a a m f a l t a i g e c h o g e a l r i s a n t - s n e a c h d
7 . ' S a n n a i r a ' G h i d h e a l t a c h d a g h e i b h s i b h a '
c h r a o b h a s i r d e
8 . B h a m i m r a n n a b u c h a o i l e n u a i r a b h a m i n a m
b h a l a c h g
9 . T h a a m f a l t a i g e m r a n n a s r u a i d h e n a f a l t a
p h e a t h a r a s i g e
1 0 a . ' S a n n a i g a n f h r a o c h a t h a a m f l r a s c b h r a i d h e
1 0 b . ' S e f l r a n f h r a o i c h a s C b h r a i d h e
1 1 . B h a a n r m n a b u t e o t h a l e t e i n e g u a i l
1 2 a . B h a a g h u a i l n e a n f a d a n a b u l e a t h a n a a b h r t h a i r
1 2 b . B h a n a g u a i l n e a n a i g e f a d a n a b u l e a t h a n a a
b h r t h a i r
1 3 . ' S a n n a c a a t h a a n g r r a d h a s l u g h a a c h u n n a i c m i
a - r i a m h
1 4 . T h a r a t h a d a ' g h l i n n n a s f h a i d e n a c h u i m h n i c h m i
1 5 . R i n n e a n g n o m h a b u m h i o s a
1 6 . B h a a ' p h r o m h r a t h a d n a b u l e a t h a n a a m f e a r s e o
1 7 . T h a s t i l i n n n a s t r e a s a n a f i o d h
1 8 . B h a m i f a d a n a b u t a i n e n u a i r a b h a m i g
1 9 . ' S e D n i d e a n n a m p r o m h b h a i l e a s t r a i n g e a n n
a n A l b a i n n
2 0 . ' S e C a l u m a s l u a i t h e a r u i t h a ' b h e i n n
2 1 . M a r a s f h a i d e a s h n m h s i n n , ' s a n n a s f h u a i r e a
d h ' f h s a ' m h u i r
2 2 . M a r a s s i n e a d h ' f h s i , ' s a n n a s r a i g e a b h a i
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LESSON 44
Cardinal Numbers From 30 Upwards
See Lesson 31 for cardinal numbers 1- 30
1. Without a noun
a. Traditional :
30 a deich air fhichead 60 tr fichead 90 ceithir fichead 's a deich
31 a h-aon deug air fhichead 61 tr fichead 's a h-aon 91 ceithir fichead 's a h-aon deug
32 a dh dheug air fhichead 62 tr fichead 's a dh 92 ceithir fichead 's a dh dheug
33 a tr deug air fhichead 63 tr fichead 's a tr 93 ceithir fichead 's a tr deug
etc etc etc
40 d fhichead 70 tr fichead 's a deich 100 ceud
41 d fhichead 's a h-aon 71 tr fichead 's a h-aon deug 200 d cheud
42 d fhichead 's a dh 72 tr fichead 's a dh dheug 300 tr cheud
43 d fhichead 's a tr 73 tr fichead 's a tr deug 400 ceithir cheud
etc etc 500 cig ceud
50
d fhichead 's a deich/
80 ceithir fichead etc
lethcheud
51
d fhichead 's a h-aon deug/
lethcheud 's a h-aon
81 ceithir fichead 's a h-aon 1,000 mle
52
d fhichead 's a dh dheug/
lethcheud 's a dh
82 ceithir fichead 's a dh 2,000 d mhle
53
d fhichead 's a tr deug/
lethcheud 's a tr
83 ceithir fichead 's a tr 3,000 tr mle
etc etc etc
1,000,000 millean
2,000,000 d mhillean
3,000,000 tr millean
etc
ceud is lenited after d, tr and ceithir.
fichead, ceud, mle and millean remain singular after other numerals.
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b. Decimal :
30 trithead 60 seasgad 90 naochad
31 trithead 's a h-aon 61 seasgad 's a h-aon 91 naochad 's a h-aon
32 trithead 's a dh 62 seasgad 's a dh 92 naochad 's a dh
33 trithead 's a tr 63 seasgad 's a tr 93 naochad 's a tr
etc etc etc
40 ceathrad 70 seachdad 100 ceud
41 ceathrad 's a h-aon 71 seachdad 's a h-aon 200 d cheud
42 ceathrad 's a dh 72 seachdad 's a dh 300 tr cheud
43 ceathrad 's a tr 73 seachdad 's a tr 400 ceithir cheud
etc etc 500 cig ceud
50 caogad 80 ochdad etc
51 caogad 's a h-aon 81 ochdad 's a h-aon 1,000 mle
52 caogad 's a dh 82 ochdad 's a dh 2,000 d mhle
53 caogad 's a tr 83 ochdad 's a tr 3,000 tr mle
etc etc etc
1,000,000 millean
2,000,000 d mhillean
3,000,000 tr millean
etc
1. With a noun
Examples are given for both masculine [cat, pl. cait (m) - cat ] and feminine [cearc, pl.
cearcan (f) - hen ] nouns.
a. Traditional :
30
deich cait fichead
60
tr fichead cat
90
ceithir fichead cat 's a deich
deich cearcan fichead tr fichead cearc ceithir fichead cearc 's a deich
31
aon chat deug air fhichead
61
tr fichead cat 's a h-aon
91
ceithir fichead cat 's a h-aondeug
aon chearc deug air fhichead tr fichead cearc 's a h-aon ceithir fichead cearc 's a h-aon deug
32
d chat dheug air fhichead
62
tr fichead cat 's a dh
92
ceithir fichead cat 's a dh dheug
d chirc dheug air fhichead tr fichead cearc 's a dh ceithir fichead cearc 's a dh dheug
33
tr cait dheug air fhichead
63
tr fichead cat 's a tr
93
ceithir fichead cat 's a tr deug
tr cearcan deug air fhichead tr fichead cearc 's a tr ceithir fichead cearc 's a tr deug
etc etc etc
40
d fhichead cat
70
tr fichead cat 's a deich
100
ceud cat
d fhichead cearc tr fichead cearc 's a deich ceud cearc
41
d fhichead cat 's a h-aon
71
tr fichead cat 's a h-aon deug
200
d cheud cat
d fhichead cearc 's a h-aon tr fichead cearc 's a h-aon deug d cheud cearc
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42
d fhichead cat 's a dh
72
tr fichead cat 's a dh dheug
300
tr cheud cat
d fhichead cearc 's a dh tr fichead cearc 's a dh dheug tr cheud cearc
43
d fhichead cat 's a tr
73
tr fichead cat 's a tr deug
400
ceithir cheud cat
d fhichead cearc 's a tr tr fichead cearc 's a tr deug ceithir cheud cearc
etc etc 500
cig ceud cat
cig ceud cearc
50
d fhichead cat 's a deich/
lethcheud cat
80
ceithir fichead cat
etc
d fhichead cearc 's a deich/
lethcheud cearc
ceithir fichead cearc
51
d fhichead cat 's a h-aon deug/
lethcheud cat 's a h-aon
81
ceithir fichead cat 's a h-aon
1,000
mle cat
mle cearc
d fhichead cearc 's a h-aon deug/
lethcheud cearc 's a h-aon
ceithir fichead cearc 's a h-aon
52
d fhichead cat 's a dh dheug/
lethcheud cat 's a dh
82
ceithir fichead cat 's a dh 2,000
d mhle cat
d mhle cearc
d fhichead cearc 's a dh dheug/
leth-cheud cearc 's a dh
ceithir fichead cearc 's a dh
53
d fhichead cat 's a tr deug/
lethcheud cat 's a tr
83
ceithir fichead cat 's a tr 3,000
tr mle cat
tr mle cearc
d fhichead cearc 's a tr deug/
leth-cheud cearc 's a tr
ceithir fichead cearc 's a tr
etc etc etc
1,000,000
millean cat
millean cearc
2,000,000
d mhillean cat
d mhillean cearc
3,000,000
tr millean cat
tr millean cearc
etc
fichead, ceud, mle and millean are followed by the singular noun.
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b. Decimal :
30
trithead cat
60
seasgad cat
90
naochad cat
trithead cearc seasgad cearc naochad cearc
31
trithead 's a h-aon chat
61
seasgad 's a h-aon chat
91
naochad 's a h-aon chat
trithead 's a h-aon chearc seasgad 's a h-aon chearc naochad 's a h-aon chearc
32
trithead 's a dh chat
62
seasgad 's a dh chat
92
naochad 's a dh chat
trithead 's a dh chirc seasgad 's a dh chirc naochad 's a dh chirc
33
trithead 's a tr cait
63
seasgad 's a tr cait
93
naochad 's a tr cait
trithead 's a tr cearcan seasgad 's a tr cearcan naochad 's a tr cearcan
etc etc etc
40
ceathrad cat
70
seachdad cat
100
ceud cat
ceathrad cearc seachdad cearc ceud cearc
41
ceathrad 's a h-aon chat
71
seachdad 's a h-aon chat
200
d cheud cat
ceathrad 's a h-aon chearc seachdad 's a h-aon chearc d cheud cearc
42
ceathrad 's a dh chat
72
seachdad 's a dh chat
300
tr cheud cat
ceathrad 's a dh chirc seachdad 's a dh chirc tr cheud cearc
43
ceathrad 's a tr cait
73
seachdad 's a tr cait
400
ceithir cheud cat
ceathrad 's a tr cearcan seachdad 's a tr cearcan ceithir cheud cearc
etc etc 500
cig ceud cat
cig ceud cearc
50
caogad cat
80
ochdad cat
etc
caogad cearc ochdad cearc
51
caogad 's a h-aon chat
81
ochdad 's a h-aon chat
1,000
mle cat
mle cearc caogad 's a h-aon chearc ochdad 's a h-aon chearc
52
caogad 's a dh chat
82
ochdad 's a dh chat
2,000
d mhle cat
d mhle cearc
caogad 's a dh chirc ochdad 's a dh chirc
53
caogad 's a a tr cait
83
ochdad 's a tr cait
3,000
tr mle cat
tr mle cearc caogad 's a tr cearcan ochdad 's a tr cearcan
etc etc etc
1,000,000
millean cat
millean cearc
2,000,000
d mhillean cat
d mhillean cearc
3,000,000
tr millean cat
tr millean cearc
etc
trithead, ceathrad, caogad, seasgad, seachdad,
ochdad and naochad are followed by the singular noun.
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aonar is rarely used in this way but instead is found in combination with the augmented
prepositions of ann as shown in:
Tha mi nam aonar - I am alone Tha sinn nar n-aonar - We are alone
Tha thu nad aonar - You are alone Tha sibh nur n-aonar - You are alone
Tha e na aonar - He is alone Tha iad nan aonar - They are alone
Tha i na h-aonar - She is alone
NEW WORDS
Nouns
aonan (m) - one person ceathrar (m) - four people
cignear (m) - five people crileagan (m) - playgroup, crche
deichnear (m) - ten people naoinear (m) - nine people
ochdnar (m) - eight people seachdnar (m) - seven people
sianar (m) - six people sreath (m) - row, series
ubhal (m) - apple ugh (m) - egg
dithis (f) - two people bascaid (f) - basket
triir (f) - three people
Special Cardinal Numbers
There are some special cardinal numerals which may be used when talking only about people.
They can stand on their own or be used with a noun. The noun is in the genitive plural:
Without Noun With Masculine Noun With Feminine Noun
aon neach, aonan, aonar -
one, one person
not used not used
dithis - two, two people dithis bhalach - two boys dithis chaileag - two girls
triir - three, three people triir bhalach - three boys triir chaileag - three girls
ceathrar - four, four people ceathrar - four, four people ceathrar chaileag - four girls
cignear - five, five people cignear bhalach - five boys cignear chaileag - five girls
sianar - six, six people sianar bhalach - six boys sianar chaileag - six girls
seachdnar - seven, seven
people
seachdnar bhalach - seven
boys
seachdnar chaileag - seven
girls
ochdnar - eight, eight people ochdnar bhalach - eight boys ochdnar chaileag - eight girls
naoinear - nine, nine people naoinear bhalach - nine boys naoinear chaileag - nine girls
deichnear - ten, ten people deichnear bhalach - ten boys deichnear chaileag - ten girls
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EXERCISE 1 Translate into Gidhlig Using the traditional system: (a) without a noun , and
(b) brd (m) and clach (f):
1. 35
2. 47
3. 53
4. 83
5. 92
6. 117
7. 1,220
8. 2,786
EXERCISE 2 Translate into Gidhlig Using the decimal system: (a) without a noun , and (b)
taigh (m) and long (f):
1. 37
2. 41
3. 65
4. 72
5. 206
6. 352
7. 2,110
8. 5,450
1. There were three apples on the table
2. There were three men working in the park
3. They built six houses in a single (in the one) row
4. There are nine girls and eight boys in the playgroup
5. There are ten eggs in the basket
6. There were ten sailors in the boat
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L E S S O N 4 4 : A N S W E R S 1 a
1 . c i g d e u g a i r f h i c h e a d
2 . d f h i c h e a d ' s a s e a c h d
3 . d f h i c h e a d ' s a t r d e u g
4 . c e i t h i r f i c h e a d ' s a t r
5 . c e i t h i r f i c h e a d ' s a d h d e u g
6 . c e u d ' s a s e a c h d d e u g
7 . m l e , d c h e u d i s f i c h e a d
8 . d m h l e , s e a c h d c e u d , c e i t h i r f i c h e a d ' s a s i a
L E S S O N 4 4 : A N S W E R S 1 b
1 a . c i g b i r d d h e u g a i r f h i c h e a d
1 b . c i g c l a c h a n d e u g a i r f h i c h e a d
2 a . d f h i c h e a d b r d ' s a s e a c h d
2 b . d f h i c h e a d c l a c h ' s a s e a c h d
3 a . d f h i c h e a d b r d ' s a t r d e u g
3 b . d f h i c h e a d c l a c h ' s a t r d e u g
4 a . c e i t h i r f i c h e a d i s t r b i r d
4 b . c e i t h i r f i c h e a d i s t r c l a c h a n
5 a . c e i t h i r f i c h e a d b r d ' s a d h d h e u g
5 b . c e i t h i r f i c h e a d c l a c h ' s a d h d h e u g
6 a . c e u d ' s a s e a c h d b i r d d h e u g
6 b . c e u d ' s a s e a c h d c l a c h a n d e u g
7 a . m l e , d c h e u d i s f i c h e a d b r d
7 b . m l e , d c h e u d i s f i c h e a d c l a c h
8 a . d m h l e , s e a c h d c e u d , c e i t h i r f i c h e a d ' s a s i a b i r d
8 b . d m h l e , s e a c h d c e u d , c e i t h i r f i c h e a d ' s a s i a
c l a c h a n
1 . t r i t h e a d ' s a s e a c h d
2 . c e a t h r a d ' s a h - a o n
3 . s e a s g a d ' s a c i g
4 . s e a c h d a d ' s a d h
5 . d c h e u d ' s a s i a
6 . t r c h e u d , c a o g a d ' s a d h
7 . d m h l e , c e u d ' s a d e i c h
8 . c i g m l e , c e i t h i r c h e u d i s c a o g a d
1 a . t r i t h e a d ' s a s e a c h d t a i g h e a n
1 b . t r i t h e a d ' s a s e a c h d l o n g a n
2 a . c e a t h r a d ' s a h - a o n t a i g h
2 b . c e a t h r a d ' s a h - a o n l o n g
3 a . s e a s g a d ' s a c i g t a i g h e a n
3 b . s e a s g a d ' s a c i g l o n g a n
4 a . s e a c h d a d ' s a d h t h a i g h
4 b . s e a c h d a d ' s a d h l u i n g
5 a . d c h e u d ' s a s i a t a i g h e a n
5 b . d c h e u d ' s a s i a l o n g a n
6 a . t r c h e u d , c a o g a d ' s a d h t h a i g h
6 b . t r c h e u d , c a o g a d ' s a d h l u i n g
7 a . d m h l e , c e u d ' s a d e i c h t a i g h e a n
7 b . d m h l e , c e u d ' s a d e i c h l o n g a n
8 a . c i g m l e , c e i t h i r c h e u d i s c a o g a d t a i g h
8 b . c i g m l e , c e i t h i r c h e u d i s c a o g a d l o n g
L E S S O N 4 4 : A N S W E R S 3
1 . B h a t r b h l a n a n n a i r a ' b h r d
2 . B h a t r i i r f h e a r a n n a g o b a i r a n n s a ' p h i r c
3 . T h o g i a d n a s i a t a i g h e a n a n n s a n a o n s r e a t h
4 . T h a n a o i n e a r c h a i l e a g i s o c h d n a r b h a l a c h a n n s a '
c h r i l e a g a n
5 . T h a d e i c h u i g h e a n a n n s a ' b h a s g a i d a n n
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LESSON 45
More Prepositional Pronouns
You have already met some of the prepositional pronouns in Lesson 12 and Lesson 18. This
lesson describes the remaining ones.
The prepositional pronouns of / s - out of, from (a place):
asam - out of me asainn - out of us
asad - out of you asaibh - out of you
s - out of him asta - out of them
aiste - out of her
Although accented s is pronounced with a short vowel.
The prepositional pronouns of eadar - between:
eadarainn - between us
eadaraibh - between you
eatarra - between them
The prepositional pronouns of fo - under, below:
fodham - under me fodhainn - under us
fodhad - under you fodhaibh - under you
fodha - under him fpa - under them
foipe - under her
The prepositional pronouns of gu/chun - to, toward:
thugam - to me thugainn - to us
thugad - to you thugaibh - to you
thuige - to him thuca - to them
thuice - to her
The prepositional pronouns of ro /roimh - before:
romham - before me romhainn - before us
romhad - before you romhaibh - before you
roimhe - before him romhpa - before them
roimhpe - before her
Optional h .
The prepositional pronouns of thar /thairis air - over, across:
tharam/thairis orm - over me tharainn/thairis oirnn - over us
tharad/thairis ort - over you tharaibh/thairis oirbh - over you
thairis/thairis air - over him tharta/thairis orra - over them
thairte/ thairis oirre - over her
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The prepositional pronouns of thar are rarely heard and should be reserved for formal
prose. Instead use the prepositional pronouns of air after thairis .
The prepositional pronouns of tro/troimh - through:
tromham - through me tromhainn - through us
tromhad - through you tromhaibh - through you
troimhe - through him tromhpa - through them
troimhpe - through her
optional h .
Useful Idiom Usingro - before
In association with the verb cuir - put:
Chuir mi romham seasamh aig an doras - I decided to stand at the door
Chuir e roimhe a dhol dhachaigh - He decided to go home
An do chuir thu romhad cit a bheil thu a' dol? - Have you decided where you are going?
With no object the verbal noun is used, except for a bhith , a dhol and a thighinn when
the infinitive is used.
When the verb is followed by a verbal noun taking a direct object then word order reversal
takes place as already shown for Incomplete Verbs (see Lesson 20 and Lesson 40):
Chuir mi romham cofaidh a dhanamh - I decided to make coffee
Chuir i roimhpe am fiolm r fhaicinn - She decided to see the new film
An do chuir e roimhe an litir a fhreagairt? - Did he decide to answer the letter?
adjective as already shown for Incomplete Verbs (see Lesson 20 and Lesson 40):
Cuin a chuir iad romhpa d' fhaicinn? - When did they decide to see you?
Chuir sinn romhainn a ghlanadh - We decided to clean it (taigh = masculine)
Useful Idiom Using fo - under
In association with the verb rach - go:
Chaidh an long fodha anns a' ghaillinn - The ship sank (went down) in the storm
Useful Idiom Using gun - without
To introduce the idea of not into a sentence use the preposition gun + a bhith + present
participle :
Chuir mi romham gun a bhith a' dol air saor-lithean - I decided not to go on holiday (lit. I
decided not to be going on holiday)
Chuir mi romham gun a bhith a' gabhail saor-l - I decided not to take a holiday (lit. I
decided not to be taking a holiday)
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Some Useful Idioms Using s - out of
Chan eil mi cinnteach s - I am not sure of it/him
Cha chuireadh i earbsa asta - She wouldn't trust them
C s a tha thu? - Where are you from? (Where do you originate from?)
Bha iad a' tarraing asam They were mocking/teasing me
Thug iad mo char asam - They cheated me
Leig mi scream asam - I screamed out / Leig thu sgriach asad - You screamed out
Thuit am bta s a chile - The boat fell apart
NEW WORDS
Adverbs
s a chile - apart
Nouns
fiolm (m) - film
earbsa (f) - trust fuath (f) - hatred, loathing
gailleann (f) - storm saighead (f) - arrow
Verbs
cuir roimh, cur roimh - decide dirt, drtadh - pour
rach fodha, dol fodha - sink
Verbal Phrases
gun a bhith (+ present participle) - not to
1. Dhirt e an t-uisge thairis oirnn
2. Thilg e a' chlach troimhpe (uinneag)
3. Chaidh am bta fodha
4. Thinig fuath eat orra
5. Bhris an tonn thairis orra
6. Chaidh a brthair roimhpe
7. Chuir sinn litir thuige
8. Bha (an t-)eagal aige romhpa
9. Chuir mi romham gun rachainn dhan taigh-dhealbh
10. Nach cuir thu romhad na tha thu a' dol a dhanamh?
11. Na innis do dhuine eile sin, cm eadarainn e
12. Chuir i roimhpe fhaicinn a-rithist
1. The car went over him
2. The dog went under it (table)
3. He came between us
4. The pain cut through me
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L E S S O N 4 5 : A N S W E R S 1
1 . H e p o u r e d t h e w a t e r o v e r u s
2 . H e t h r e w t h e s t o n e t h r o u g h i t
3 . T h e b o a t w e n t u n d e r ( s a n k )
4 . A h a t r e d c a m e b e t w e e n t h e m
5 . T h e w a v e b r o k e o v e r t h e m
6 . H e r b r o t h e r w e n t i n a d v a n c e o f h e r ( b e f o r e h e r )
7 . W e s e n t ( t o ) h i m a l e t t e r
8 . H e w a s a f r a i d o f ( b e f o r e ) t h e m
9 . I d e c i d e d t h a t I w o u l d g o t o t h e c i n e m a
1 0 . W i l l y o u n o t d e c i d e w h a t y o u a r e g o i n g t o d o ?
1 1 . D o n ' t t e l l a n y o n e e l s e t h a t , k e e p i t b e t w e e n u s
1 2 . S h e d e c i d e d t o s e e h i m a g a i n
L E S S O N 4 5 : A N S W E R S 2
1 . C h a i d h a n c r t h a i r i s
2 . C h a i d h a n c f o d h a
3 . T h i n i g e e a d a r a i n n
4 . G h e r r a m p i a n t r o m h a m
5 . S g r o b h m i l i t i r t h u c a
6 . D h ' f h g i r o m h a m
7 . S i u t h a d r o m h a m / G a b h r o m h a m
8 . C h a i d h a n s a i g h e a d t r o i m h e
9 . C h u i r i a d r o m h p a g u n a b h i t h a ' d o l d h a n c h i l i d h
1 0 . C h u i r m i r o m h a m s u i d h e s o s
1 1 . C u i r a - n a l l t h u g a m e
1 2 . A n d o c h u i r t h u r o m h a d g u n a b h i t h a ' d o l a n n ?
5. I wrote a letter to them
6. She left before me
7. Go ahead (before) of me
8. The arrow went through him
9. They decided not to go to the cilidh
10. I decided to sit down
11. Pass it across to me
12. Did you decide not to go there?
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Notice that the relative pronoun a is not required after a prepositional pronoun ending in a
vowel.
As shown in the following the translation of C in the above examples could equally well be
What , Where , or Which depending on the context:
C air a tha thu a' coimhead? - What are you looking at?
C uime tha i a' bruidhinn? - What is she speaking about?
C fodha a chuir thu a' chluasag? - What did you put the pillow under?
C s a tha thu cinnteach? - What are you sure of?
C s a tha thu ? - Where are you from?
LESSON 46
More Interrogative Pronouns
The Interrogative Pronoun C
1. C + 3rd person singular prepositional pronoun + relative clause forms interrogative
prepositions. From the examples below you can see that in many cases it's essential to know
the preposition a verb takes:
Preposition Interrogative
aig - at
C aige tha an taigh sin? - Whose house is that? (lit. Who at is that
house?)
air - on
C ai a tha thu a' coimhead? - Who are you looking at? (Who on are you
looking?)
s - from,
out of
C s a tha thu cinnteach? - Who are you sure of? (lit. Who of are you
sure?)
bho - from
C bhuaithe gheibh thu sin? - Who will you get that from? (lit. Who from
will you get that?)
do/dha - to
C dha thug thu a' chomhairle? - To whom did you give the advice? (Who to
did you give the advice?)
de - of, off
C dheth a dh'fhaighnich thu? - Of whom did you enquire? (Who of did you
enquire?)
fo - under,
below
C fodha a chuir thu a' chluasag? - Who did you put the pillow under? (lit.
Who under did you put the pillow?)
le - with C leis a tha an cr? - Who owns the car? (lit. Who with is the car?)
gu - to
C thuige a tha an litir a' dol? - Who is the letter going to? (lit. Who to is
the letter going?)
mu - about
C uime tha i a' bruidhinn? - Who is she speaking about? (lit. Who about
is she speaking?)
ri - to,
against
C ris a bha thu a' bruidhinn? - Who were you speaking to? (lit. Who to
were you speaking?)
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2. C + definite noun + relative clause . Again the meaning Who, What or Which is
understood from the context:
C am fear a chunnaic an tubaist? - Who's the one (man) who saw the accident?
C a' chaileag a ghlac am breac? - Who's the girl who caught the trout?
C a' bhth a tha seo? - What/which shop is this?
3. C + dhiubh (3rd person plural prepositional pronoun of de ) + relative clause meaning
Whether:
C dhiubh a bhios mi ann no nach bi - Whether I'll be there or not
C dhiubh a bha mi ann no nach robh - Whether I was there or not
C dhiubh a tha thu ga iarraidh no nach eil - Whether you want it or not
The or not part is provided by the negative relative clause using the same verb as the
primary clause.
The Interrogative Pronoun Cia mheud
Cia mheud is used to ask How many. It is always followed by the singular noun:
Cia mheud duine ?- How many people?
Cia mheud taigh ?- How many houses?
Cia mheud boireannach ?- How many women?
To extend the question add the relative clause:
Cia mheud duine a tha anns an dealbh? - How many people are in the picture?
Cia mheud taigh a tha air an t-srid? - How many houses are on the street?
Cia mheud boireannach a bha anns a' chisir? - How many women were in the choir?
The Interrogative Pronoun D
1. D + na (relative pronoun meaning all that ) can be used in a similar fashion to Cia mheud
to ask How many but also depending on context can be translated as How much :
D na tha sin? - How much is it? (lit. What all that is that?)
D na bha ann anns a' bhta? - How many were in the boat? (lit. What all that was in the
boat?)
2. D + na + relative clause + de again meaning either How many or How much depending on
the context:
D na tha ann de dh'airgead? - How much money is there? (lit. What all that is there of
money?)
D na bha ann de bhtaichean? - How many boats were there? (lit. What all that was there of
boats?)
3. A common extension of Example 2 above is in combination with the preposition aig:
D na tha agad de dh'airgead? - How much money do you have? (lit. What all that is there
at you of money?)
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D na bha aca de leabhraichean? - How many books did they have? (lit. What all that was
there at them of books?)
The dh' before an indefinite noun beginning with a vowel is very common after the
preposition de .
4. D + cho + adjective + 's + relative clause to enquire of an attribute:
D cho rd 's a tha do bhrthair? - How tall is you brother?- lit. How so tall is your brother?
D cho trang 's a bhios tu? - How busy will you be? - lit. How so busy will you be?
D cho cruaidh 's a bha thu ag obair? - How hard were you working? - lit. How so hard were
you working?
D cho fad 's a bhios a' choinneamh? - How log will the meeting be? - lit How so long will
the meeting be?
fad is used in preference to fada in this structure.
5. Use D + dimension + relative clause + ann to ask about dimensions. The meaning can be
similar to Example 4 above. The dimensions are:
fad - length (also faide) irde - height
doimhne - depth leud - width, breadth
cudrom - weight tde - time, duration
D am fad a tha anns an t-srid? - What length is the street? (mean. How long is the
street?)
D an irde a tha anns an togalach? - What height is the building? (mean. How high is the
building?)
D an doimhne a tha anns an uisge? - What depth is the water? (mean. How deep is the
water?)
D an leud a bha anns an abhainn? - What width was the river? (mean. How wide was the
river?)
D an cudrom a tha innte? - What weight is she? (mean. How heavy is she?)
The prepositional pronouns of ann are used when referring to a pronoun object
There are two ways to respond to type 4 and 5 questions above. Both use the contracted
form a of the word de (of) before the dimension:
a dh'fhaide - of length a dh'irde - of height
a dhoimhne - of depth a leud - of width, of breadth
a chudrom - of weight a thde - of time
a dh'fhaid and a dh'ird are acceptable alternatives.
Tha an t-srid ceud slat a dh'fhaid
Tha ceud slat a dh'fhaid anns an t-srid
The street is one hundred yards long
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The an togalach d mhle troigh a dh'ird
The d mhle troigh a dh'ird anns an togalach
Tha an t-uisge deich irlich a dhoimhne
Tha deich irlich a dhoimhne anns an uisge
Bha dusan meatair a leud anns an abhainn
Bha an abhainn dusan meatair a leud
Tha lethcheud cileagram a chudrom innte
Tha i lethcheud cileagram a chudrom
NEW WORDS
Adjectives
niseanta - national pailt - plentiful, abundant
pinc - pink
Nouns
ceudameatair (m) - centimetre cileagram (m) - kilogram
co-ogha (m) - cousin crannchur (m) - lottery
cudrom (m) - weight dusan (m) - dozen
iasad (m) - loan meatair (m) - metre
irleach (m & f) - inch pasgan (m) - parcel
ridio (m) - radio semar-suidhe (m) - sitting room, lounge
taigh-beag (m) - toilet tiodhlac (m) - gift, present
uncail (m) - uncle
irde (f) - height antaidh (f) - aunt
cluasag (f) - pillow cisir (f) - choir
doimhne (f) - depth faide (f) - length [alternative to fad (m)]
leud (f) - width mle (f) - mile
slat (f) - yard (measure)
Verbs
buannaich, buannachadh - win gabh, gabhail - hold (contain)
pigh, pigheadh - pay
1. C aige tha fios?
2. Cia mheud duine a ghabhas do chr? Ceathrar
3. D cho tric 's a bhios tu a' tighinn an seo?
4. C s a tha do mhthair? Tha i Inbhir Nis
5. C uime bha sibh a' faighneachd? 'S ann mu Mhiri
6. D cho pailt 's a tha na bric anns an loch seo?
7. Chan eil fios agam cia mheud slat a tha ann am mle
8. C air tha thu a' smaointinn? Mo sheanair
9. Cia mheud turas a bha sibh ann am Portrgh?
10. C air a tha an cnatan? 'S ann ormsa
The water is a ten inches deep
The river was a dozen metres wide
She is fifty kilograms in (of) weight
The building is two thousand feet high
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11. D cho fada 's a bhios e a' fuireach leibh?
12. Chan eil fios agam idir c bhuaithe gheibh mi iasad
13. D an irde a tha annad? Meatair is seasgad ceudameatair
14. A bheil fios agad na tha agam de dh'airgead? Chan eil
15. D na phigh thu airson an taigh?
16. C an t a bhuannaich an crannchur niseanta? 'S e t Dn ideann
17. C uime a bha iad a' sgrobhadh?
18. D cho leathan 's tha an semar-suidhe?
19. C dha dh'innseas mi an sgeul? Innis do Mhiri i
20. Cia mheud irleach a tha ann an slait?
1. How long were you working at sea? Three years
2. Who were they talking about? About themselves
3. I don't know where he's from
4. How many fish did you catch yesterday? One
5. How many times do (will) I need to say that
6. Who owns the big house on the hill? Its Calum's
7. Whose is the red pen? It's mine
8. Who did you grasp by the hand?
9. How much change do you have in your pocket?
10. Who was she writing to (gu)? (It's) to her grandmother
11. Who has the toothache? She has
12. To whom did you give the present? (It's) to my friend
13. Who was wearing the pink dress? Miri
14. Who's the man that caught the biggest fish? (It's) Calum
15. What were you listening to on the radio?
16. How much did the book cost? Six pounds
17. Who did you send the parcel to? (It's) to my uncle
18. Who did you get the parcel from? (It's) from my aunt
19. Did you see how many people were there?
20. Who knows when we will see them again?
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L E S S O N 4 6 : A N S W E R S 1
1 . W h o k n o w s ?
2 . H o w m a n y p e o p l e c a n ( w i l l ) y o u r c a r t a k e ( h o l d ) ?
F o u r
3 . H o w o f t e n d o y o u c o m e h e r e ?
4 . W h e r e i s y o u r m o t h e r f r o m ? S h e ' s f r o m I n v e r n e s s
5 . W h o w e r e y o u e n q u i r i n g a b o u t ? ( I t ' s ) a b o u t M i r i
6 . H o w a b u n d a n t a r e t h e t r o u t i n t h i s l o c h ?
7 . I d o n ' t k n o w h o w m a n y y a r d s t h e r e a r e i n a m i l e
8 . W h o a r e y o u t h i n k i n g a b o u t ( o n ) ? M y g r a n d f a t h e r
9 . H o w m a n y t i m e s w e r e y o u i n P o r t r e e ?
1 0 . W h o h a s a c o l d ? ( I t ' s o n ) m e
1 1 . H o w l o n g w i l l h e b e s t a y i n g w i t h y o u ?
1 2 . I d o n ' t k n o w a t a l l w h o I c a n ( w i l l ) g e t a l o a n f r o m
1 3 . W h a t h e i g h t a r e y o u ? O n e m e t r e a n d s i x t y
c e n t i m e t r e s
1 4 . D o y o u k n o w h o w m u c h m o n e y I h a v e ? N o
1 5 . H o w m u c h d i d y o u p a y f o r t h e h o u s e ?
1 6 . W h o ' s t h e w o m a n t h a t w o n t h e n a t i o n a l l o t t e r y ?
( I t ' s ) a w o m a n f r o m E d i n b u r g h
1 7 . W h o / W h a t a r e y o u w r i t i n g a b o u t ?
1 8 . H o w b r o a d i s t h e s i t t i n g r o o m ?
1 9 . W h o c a n ( w i l l ) I t e l l t h e s t o r y t o ? T e l l i t t o M i r i
2 0 . H o w m a n y i n c h e s a r e t h e r e i n a y a r d ?
L E S S O N 4 6 : A N S W E R S 2
1 . D c h o f a d ' s a b h a s i b h a g o b a i r a i g m u i r ? T r
b l i a d h n a
2 . C u i m e a b h a i a d a ' b r u i d h i n n ? ' S a n n u m p a f h i n
3 . C h a n e i l f i o s a g a m c s a t h a e
4 . C i a m h e u d i a s g a g h l a c t h u a n - d ? A h - a o n
5 . C i a m h e u d t u r a s a d h ' f h e u m a s m i s i n a r d h
6 . C l e i s a t h a a n t a i g h a i r a ' c h n o c ? I s l e C a l u m e
7 . C a i g e t h a a m p e a n n d e a r g ? ' S a g a m s a e
8 . C a i r a r u g t h u a i r a n l i m h ?
9 . D n a t h a a g a d d e d h ' i o m l a i d n a d p h c a i d ?
1 0 . C t h u i g e b h a i a ' s g r o b h a d h ? ' S a n n g u a
s e a n m h a i r
1 1 . C a i r a t h a a n d i d e a d h ? ' S a n n o i r r e s e
1 2 . C d h a t h u g s i b h a n t i o d h l a c ? ' S a n n d o m o c h a r a i d
1 3 . C a i r a b h a a n d r e a s a p h i n c ? ' S a n n a i r M i r i
1 4 . C a m f e a r a g h l a c a n t - i a s g a s m o t h a ? ' S e C a l u m
1 5 . C r i s a b h a t h u a g i s t e a c h d a i r a n r i d i o ?
1 6 . D n a c h o s g a n l e a b h a r ? S i a n o t a i c h e a n
1 7 . C t h u i g e a c h u i r t h u a m p a s g a n ? ' S a n n g u m '
u n c a i l
1 8 . C b h u a i t h e a f h u a i r t h u a m p a s g a n ? ' S a n n b h o m '
a n t a i d h
1 9 a . A m f a c a t u n a b h a a n n d e d h a o i n e ?
1 9 b . A m f a c a t u c i a m h e u d d u i n e a b h a a n n ?
2 0 . C a i g e t h a f h i o s c u i n a c h s i n n a - r i t h i s t i a d
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LESSON 47
Non-Dative Prepositions
1. Simple Prepositions Taking the Genitive Case of Nouns
There are a few one word prepositions which require the genitive case of nouns:
bhrr/far - from off, off chun/thun - to, towards
r - during thar - over
tre- by means of, through trd - through
Some Examples:
bhrr a' bhalla - from off the wall
chun na coinneimhe - to the meeting
r an t-samhraidh - during the summer
thar an rathaid - over the road
tre sgrobhaidh - by means of writing
trd na glainne - through the glass
r + an and tre + an frequently combine to give rn and tren respectively
2. Compound Prepositions Taking the Genitive Case of Nouns
These are all made up of two elements; a simple dative preposition followed by a noun. The
most common are:
a dh'aindeoin - despite a dh'ionnsaigh - towards
air beulaibh - in front (of) air claibh/air chl - behind
air feadh - throughout air muin - atop, on top (of)
air sgth - for the sake (of), because (of) air son/airson - for, for the sake (of)
am broinn - within, inside am measg - among
an aghaidh - against an ite - instead (of), in place (of)
an comhair - in the direction (of) an didh/s didh - after
an lthair - in the presence (of) a rir - according to
s aonais - without s leth - on behalf (of)
a thaobh - regarding, with regard to fa chomhair - in front (of)/before (place)
mu choinneimh/mu choinneamh - opposite mu dhidhinn - concerning
mun cuairt - around mu thimcheall - around, aroundabout
os cionn - above, over ri taobh - beside
Some Examples:
a dh'aindeoin do chomhairle - despite your advice
a dh'ionnsaigh a' bhaile - toward the town
air beulaibh a' chaisteil - in front of the castle
air chl an taighe - behind the house
air feadh an t-saoghail - throughout the world
air muin nan leabhraichean - on top of the books
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air sgth an t-solais - because of the light
airson a' bhalaich - for the boy's sake
am broinn a' phasgain - inside the parcel
am measg nan daoine - among the men
an aghaidh na gaoithe - against the wind
an ite mo mhthar - instead of my mother
an comhair - see section below
an didh na dnnearach - after the dinner
an lthair a' bhanaltraim - in the presence of the nurse
a rir an t-sagairt - according to the priest
s aonais airgid - without money
s leth mo pheathar - on behalf of my sister
a thaobh an airgid - regarding the money
fa chomhair a' mhinisteir - before the minister
mu choinneimh na h-eaglaise - opposite the church
mu dheidhinn na cise - concerning the matter
mun cuairt na pirce - around the park
mu thimcheall na sgoile - around the school
os cionn na craoibhe - above the tree
ri taobh an dorais - beside the door
In spoken Gidhlig and often in the written language airson behaves like a simple dative
preposition. There is also a growing tendency for some or all these prepositions to be
followed by the dative noun; and by the nominative noun when the noun is indefinite.
The preposition an comhair occurs only in a small number of related idioms:
Thuit mi an comhair mo chil - I fell backward
Thuit thu an comhair do chil - You fell backward
Thuit e an comhair a chil - He fell backward
Thuit i an comhair a cil - She fell backward
etc
Thuit mi an comhair mo chinn - I fell headlong
Thuit thu an comhair do chinn - You fell headlong
Thuit e an comhair a chinn - He fell headlong
Thuit i an comhair a cinn - She fell headlong
etc
Compound Prepositions and Pronouns
Compound prepositions cannot be followed directly by a pronoun. Instead the corresponding
possessive adjective must used before the final noun element:
dha ur n-aindeoin - despite you dha ar n-ionnsaigh - towards us
dha do rir - according to you dha mo thaobh - with regard to me
air mo bheulaibh - in front of me air a chlaibh - behind him
air a feadh - throughout it [sgeul (f) - story]
an comhair a' chil - backward
(lit. in the direction of the back)
an comhair a' chinn - headlong
(lit. in the direction of the head)
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air am muin - on top of them air ar sgth - for our sake
air mo shon - for my sake s d' aonais - without you
s a leth - on her behalf fa ar comhair - in front of us
mu ur coinneimh - opposite you mu mo dheidhinn - concerning me
mu an timcheall - around them os a cionn - above her
ri mo thaobh - beside me
The augmented prepositions of ann are used when the first element is either am or an
(contracted forms of ann = in). You have already met these in:
nam bhroinn - inside me nar measg - among us
nan aghaidh - against them nur n-ite - in your place (instead of you)
nad dhidh - after you nar lthair - in our presence
Similarly whenever the first element (preposition) ends in a vowel the following pronoun can
appear as an augmented preposition. These forms are optional but are encountered
frequently in both the written and spoken language (see Appendix 1):
dhur n-aindeoin - despite you dhar n-ionnsaigh - toward us
dhad rir - according to you dham thaobh - with regard to me
far comhair - in front of us mur coinneimh - opposite you
mum dheidhinn - concerning me mun timcheall - around them
rim thaobh - beside me
As with all other possessive adjectives the emphatic suffices can and are often added. You
met these endings in Lesson 11 and Lesson 12:
air am muin-san - on top of them air ar sgth-ne - for our sake
air mo shon-sa - for my sake s a leth-se - on her behalf
ri mo thaobh-sa - beside me nam bhroinn-sa - inside me
nar measg-ne - among us nan aghaidh-san - against them
nad dhidh-sa - after you nar lthair-ne - in our presence
3. Other Prepositions
One important preposition takes the nominative noun:
eadar - between
Some Examples:
Bha c ann eadar am balach agus an nighean - There was a dog between the boy and the girl
A bheil eanchainn agad ann eadar na cluasan? - Do you have a brain between your (the) ears?
Two important prepositions are irregular. Without the article they are followed by the
dative noun, but with the article the nominative noun is used. This rule is often broken in the
spoken language with both behaving as simple dative prepositions:
gu/gus (before definite noun) - to, until
mar - as, like
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The indefinite noun is always lenited after mar.
NEW WORDS
Adjectives
binn - melodious, tuneful ladarna - bold, impudent
Adverbs
air fad - entire, whole
Nouns
britheamh (m) - judge cead (m) - permission, licence
fasgadh (m) - shelter fear-selaidh (m) - guide, leader
gerd (m) - guard prosanach (m) - prisoner
saoghal (m) - world seanchaidh (m) - story teller
tarbh (m) - bull teaghlach (m) - family
cis-litreach (f) - envelope eanchainn (f) - brain
minteach (f) - moor
Prepositions
a dh'aindeoin - despite a dh'ionnsaigh - towards
air beulaibh - in front of air claibh/air chl - behind
air feadh - throughout air muin - atop, on top (of)
air sgth - on account (of), because (of) airson - for, for the sake (of)
am broinn - within, inside am measg - among
an aghaidh - against an ite - instead of
an comhair - in the direction (of) an didh/s didh - after
an lthair - in the presence of a rir - according to
s aonais - without s leth - on behalf of
a thaobh - regarding, with regard to bhrr/far - from off, off
chun/thun - to, towards fa chomhair - in front of/before
mu choinneimh - opposite mu dhidhinn - concerning
mun cuairt - around mu thimcheall - around, aroundabout
os cionn - above, over ri taobh - besider - during
thar - over tre- by means of, through
trd - through
Followed by an Indefinite Noun Followed by a Definite Noun
Bha am fiodh mar chloich - The wood was
like stone
Bha am fiodh mar a' chlach - The wood was
like the stone
Chuir mi litir gu caileig - I sent a letter to a
girl
Chuir mi litir gus a' chaileag - I sent a letter
to the girl
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Pronoun
s a chile - of one another
Verbs
ceileir, ceileireadh - sing (as a bird) cr, creadh - comb
cruinnich, cruinneachadh - gather, collect cuir am falach, cur am falach - hide (transitive
verb)
deasaich, deasachadh - prepare, edit leum, leum - jump, leap
sel, seladh - sail
1. Sheas am prosanach eadar an d gherd fa chomhair a' bhritheimh
2. Bha an teine air mo bheulaibh agus a' chathair air mo chl(aibh)
3. Shel am bta chun a' phuirt air sgth na stoirme
4. Leum an tarbh thar an uillt agus chaidh e am measg a' chruidh
5. Ghlan iad mu thimcheall an taighe airson am mthar
6. An robh iad a' bruidhinn mu mo dhidhinn?
7. Shibhail iad mun cuairt an t-saoghail s aonais na cloinne aca
8. Chuir e na leabhraichean air muin a chile
9. Chaidh e dhan choinneimh nam ite, agus s aonais mo chead
10. Shabaid iad an aghaidh na gaoithe a dh'ionnsaigh an fhasgaidh
11. Sheas i mu choinneimh an sgthain agus chr i a falt
12. Bha fios againn gun robh sinn am measg charaidean
13. Sgrobh i an litir s ar leth
14. Dha rir, bidh sneachd ann a-mireach
15. Dh'fhg iad an cr aca mu choinneimh a' bhanca
16. Ruith na gerdan s didh a' phrosanaich
17. Bidh mi ann a dh'aindeoin a' chnatain a tha orm
18. D thuirt e a thaobh na litreach?
1. Everyone gathered around the storyteller
2. He went to the door for me
3. There was a terrible storm during the night
4. There is a garden in front of the building
5. The men came in after the women
6. I wouldn't like to be in your place
7. During the winter I would not be without a coal fire
8. She prepared dinner for the entire family
9. The boy was impudent in the presence of the school master
10. We walked around the old castle behind the guide
11. I ran through(out) the park after the dog
12. She placed the kettle on the table beside the pot
13. She hid the money on top of the cupboard
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14. They put the card in the envelope
15. The farmer walked over the bridge towards the wood
16. The larks were singing sweetly (melodiously) above the moor
17. They went sailing (to sail) despite the bad weather
18. Regarding the loan, you don't (won't) need to pay it back to me
L E S S O N 4 7 : A N S W E R S 1
1 . T h e p r i s o n e r s t o o d b e t w e e n t h e t w o g u a r d s i n
f r o n t o f t h e j u d g e
2 . T h e f i r e w a s i n f r o n t o f m e a n d t h e c h a i r b e h i n d
m e
3 . T h e b o a t s a i l e d t o w a r d s t h e p o r t b e c a u s e o f t h e
s t o r m
4 . T h e b u l l j u m p e d o v e r t h e b u r n a n d w e n t a m o n g t h e
c a t t l e
5 . T h e y c l e a n e d a r o u n d t h e h o u s e f o r t h e i r m o t h e r
6 . W e r e t h e y s p e a k i n g a b o u t m e ?
7 . T h e y t r a v e l l e d a r o u n d t h e w o r l d w i t h o u t t h e i r
c h i l d r e n
8 . H e p u t t h e b o o k s o n t o p o f o n e a n o t h e r
9 . H e w e n t t o t h e m e e t i n g i n m y p l a c e , a n d w i t h o u t m y
p e r m i s s i o n
1 0 . T h e y f o u g h t a g a i n s t t h e w i n d t o w a r d s ( t h e ) s h e l t e r
1 1 . S h e s t o o d b e f o r e ( o p p o s i t e ) t h e m i r r o r a n d
c o m b e d h e r h a i r
1 2 . W e k n e w w e t h a t w e r e a m o n g f r i e n d s
1 3 . S h e w r o t e t h e l e t t e r o n o u r b e h a l f
1 4 . A c c o r d i n g t o h i m , t h e r e w i l l b e s n o w t o m o r r o w
1 5 . T h e y l e f t t h e i r c a r o p p o s i t e t h e b a n k
1 6 . T h e g u a r d s r a n a f t e r t h e p r i s o n e r
1 7 . I ' l l b e t h e r e d e s p i t e t h e c o l d I h a v e
1 8 . W h a t d i d h e s a y r e g a r d i n g t h e l e t t e r ?
L E S S O N 4 7 : A N S W E R S 2
1 . C h r u i n n i c h a h - u i l e d u i n e m u n c u a i r t / m u t h i m c h e a l l
a n t - s e a n c h a i d h
2 . C h a i d h e a d h ' i o n n s a i g h / c h u n a n d o r a i s a i r m o
s h o n - s a
3 . B h a s t o i r m u a b h a s a c h a n n r n a h - o i d h c h e
4 . T h a g r r a d h a n n a i r b e u l a i b h a n t o g a l a i c h
5 . T h i n i g n a f i r a - s t a i g h a n d i d h n a m b o i r e a n n a c h
6 . C h a b u t o i l l e a m a b h i t h n a d i t e / n u r n - i t e
7 . R n g h e a m h r a i d h c h a b h i t h i n n a s a o n a i s t e i n e g u a i l
8 . D h e a s a i c h i d n n e a r a i r s o n a n t e a g h l a i c h a i r f a d
9 . B h a a m b a l a c h l a d a r n a a n l t h a i r a ' m h a i g h i s t i r -
s g o i l e
1 0 . C h o i s i c h e m u n c u a i r t a n t - s e a n n c h a i s t e i l a i r c h l
a n f h i r - s h e l a i d h
1 1 . R u i t h m i a i r f e a d h n a p i r c e a n d i d h a ' c h o i n
1 2 . C h u i r i a n c o i r e a i r a ' b h r d r i t a o b h n a p o i t e
1 3 . C h u i r i a n t - a i r g e a d a m f a l a c h a i r m u i n a ' p h r e a s a
1 4 . C h u i r i a d a ' c h a i r t a m b r o i n n n a c i s e - l i t r e a c h
1 5 . C h o i s i c h a n t u a t h a n a c h t h a r n a d r o c h a i d e a
d h ' i o n n s a i g h n a c o i l l e
1 6 . B h a n a h - u i s e a g a n a ' c e i l e i r e a d h g u b i n n o s c i o n n n a
m i n t i c h e
1 7 . C h a i d h i a d a s h e l a d h a d h ' a i n d e o i n n a d r o c h s h d e
1 8 . A t h a o b h a n i a s a i d , c h a n f h e u m t h u a p h i g h e a d h
a i r a i s d h o m h
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LESSON 48
If-type Conjunctions
1. Rendering the Meaning If
Using Ma
The conjunction Ma was introduced in . This conjunction is limited to the positive relative
verb and can be used with only: (1) the Present, Past and Future tenses of the verb To Be;
(2) the Present tense of the Assertive Verb; (3) the Past (Finite) and Future tenses of other
verbs. The meaning is factual rather than conjectural:
Verb Tense Example
To Be
Present
Ma tha thu fuar, cuir ort do chta - If you're cold, put on your coat (lit. If you
are in fact cold, put on your coat)
Past
Ma bha thu sona ann, carson a dh'fhg thu? - If you were happy there, why did
you leave?
Future
Ma bhios sde mhath ann, gabhaidh sinn cuirm-chnuic air an trigh - If the
weather is (will be) good, we'll have a picnic on the beach
Assertive Present
Mas e do roghainn e, ceannaich e - If it's your preference, buy it
Mas ann fuar a bhios an l, cha ghabh sinn cuirm-chnuic air an trigh - If the
day is cold, we will not have a picnic on the beach
All Others
Past
Bidh e fhathast ann, ma dh'fhg thu an sin e - It will still be there if you left it
there
Future
Bidh tu nas cofhartaile, ma chuireas tu dhot do chta - You'll be more
comfortable, if you take off your coat
Ma + is (Assertive Verb) combines to give Mas
Using Nan/Nam
The conjunction Nan/Nam is always used with the dependent form of the verb and can be
used with only: (1) the Conditionaltense of verbs; (2) the Conditional tense of the Assertive
Verb; (3) the Past tense of the verb To Be. In contrast to Ma, the meaning of Nan/Nam is
conjectural and is used to introduce a conditional clause:
Verb Tense Example
To Be
Past
Nan robh mi na bu shine, phsainn a-mireach thu - If I were older I would
marry you tomorrow
Conditional Nan robh thu smhach chluinneadh tu mi - If you were quiet you would hear me
Assertive Conditional
Nam b' e an-diugh an-d, cha bhitheadh tu cho grach - If today were
yesterday, you would not be so foolish
Nam b' ann an-d a thisich thu, bhiodh tu deiseil an-diugh - If you had started
yesterday, you would be finished today
All Others Conditional
Nam biodh tu smhach chluinneadh tu mi - If you would (= were to) be quiet
you would hear me
Nan suidheadh sibh sos bhiodh sibh na bu chofhartaile - If you would sit down
you would be more comfortable
With Nan/Nam the Past and Conditional tenses of the verb To Be are identical in meaning.
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3. Rendering the Meaning Unless
The conjunction Mur/Mura was introduced in Lesson 23. It is mentioned again here for
completeness. It can be translated as Unless or If Not and is followed by the dependent
form of the verb:
Mura dan thu an obair, chan fhaigh thu duais - Unless you do the work, you will not get an
reward
Mura bi thu smhach, disgidh tu an leanabh - If you are not quiet, you'll waken the baby
Mur ith mi an drsta, bidh an t-acras orm fhathast - If I don't eat just now, I'll be hungry
later
Mur eil thu tinn, siuthad - Unless you are ill, carry on/If you are not ill carry on
Mur is used before a vowel
Eil always replaces Bheil after Mur
The use the Past tense of the verb To Be in Gidhlig is analogous to English. The mood is
subjunctive:
Nan robh thu deanadach, gheibheadh tu tuarastal math - If you were industrious, you'd get a
good salary
Nan robh iad glic, cha choisicheadh iad air deigh thana - If they were wise they wouldn't
walk on thin ice
The last two examples can equally well be represented by the Conditional tense of the verb
To Be:
Nam biodh tu deanadach, gheibheadh tu tuarastal math - If you were industrious, you'd get a
good salary
Nam biodh iad glic, cha choisicheadh iad air deigh thana - If they were wise they wouldn't
walk on thin ice
2. Asking an Indirect Question
To ask an indirect question simply follow the main clause in a sentence by an interrogative:
Statement Meaning
A bheil fhios agad an robh i aig a' chilidh
lit. Do you know, was she at the ceilidh?
= Do you know whether she was at the ceilidh?
= Do you know if she was at the cilidh?
Chan fhaca mi an robh cr r aige
lit. I didn't see, did he have a new car
= I didn't see whether he had a new car
= I didn't see if he had a new car
Dh'fhaighnich e an do cheannaich iad
taigh r
lit. He enquired, did they buy a new house
= He enquired whether they bought a new house
= He enquired if they bought a new house
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4. Rendering the Meaning Even If
The conjunction Ged was introduced in Lesson 23 with the meaning Though . It can also have
the meaning Even If or Even Though :
Bidh sinn a' dol a shnmh ged a tha an t-uisge fuar - We'll be going swimming even if the
water is cold
Am bi sibh a' dol ann ged nach eil ticead agaibh? - Will you be going even if you don't have a
ticket?
NEW WORDS
Adverbs
a dh'oidhche - at night, of a night air chall - lost, astray
coma - indifferent, without a care
Nouns
cairt-iil (m) - map deireadh-sheachdain (m) - weekend
putan (m) - button sgilean-uisge (m) - umbrella
tuarastal (m) - wage, salary
cin (f) - fine comain (f) - favour, obligation
cs (f) - tax dil (f) - delay
mearachd (f) - mistake obair-dachaigh (f) - homework
roghainn (f) - choice, preference slinte (f) - health
ticead (f) - ticket
Pronouns
an dithis againn/an triir againn/etc - the two of us/the three of us/etc
an dithis agaibh/an triir agaibh/etc - the two of you/the three of you/etc
an dithis aca/an triir aca/etc - the two of them/the three of three/etc
Verbs
disg, dsgadh - wake, awaken ist, isteachd (ri) - listen (to)
feith, feitheamh (air) - wait (for) fuaigheil, fuaigheal - sew
nigh, nighe - wash put, putadh - push
rach air chall, dol air chall - get lost, go astray
tadhail, tadhal (air) - visit
Verbal Phrases
nam chomain/nad chomain/na chomain/etc - in my favour/in your favour/in his favour/etc
Tha mi nad chomain - I am obliged to you
Tha mi fada nad chomain - I am much obliged to you
1. Ma tha fios agad far a bheil i, innis dhomh gun dil
2. Mura cm thu ri d' obair anns an sgoil chan fhaigh thu obair mhath
3. Chan eil fios agam an tid mi dhan chilidh
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4. Nam bu mhise do mhthair chuirinn chun an t-semair agad thu
5. Mur ist thu rium cha bhi fios agad mar a n thu e
6. Ma thid thu a Ghlaschu, tadhail air mo phrantan
7. Mur urrainn dhut innse dhomh an sgeul, faighnichidh mi de dhuineeile
8. Mur toil leat cl, fg air oir an truinnseir e
9. Nam b' urrainn dhut sin a dhanamh dhomhsa, bhithinnsa fada nad chomain
10. Nan laigheadh tu sos, thuiteadh tu nad chadal
11. Mura leugh sinn gu ceart e, n sinn mearachd
12. Ith an cl, ged nach toil leat e
13. Ged a tha e beartach, feumaidh e feitheamh mar a h-uile duine eile
14. Nan robh fios agam an-d na tha agam an-diugh
15. Mura dan iad an obair-dachaigh, gheibh iad peanas anns an sgoil a-mireach
16. Ma rinn sibh gu cerr e, danaibh a-rithist e
17. Ma phutas tusa is mise an cr gluaisidh e
18. Mur eil cairt-iil agaibh, thid sibh air chall
1. If you are in good health you may climb the mountain
2. If you don't have an umbrella you will get (become) wet
3. If you were strong you could (would) lift that great weight
4. Will you wash the dishes for me if I give you a pound?
5. If the pair of us were to push the car I am sure it would start
6. I asked her if she would sew a button on my shirt
7. If we were to paint the walls white the room would be brighter
8. If they were to lock the door at night, the house would be much safer
9. If you were sit up straight, your back wouldn't be sore
10. Even if you don't care, I'll keep an eye on them
11. If you don't listen to my advice, you'll get be lost
12. If they don't pay the taxes soon they will need to pay a fine
13. If you don't wash the dishes you won't get any money at the weekend
14. Evenif I don't like them, I wouldn't like to see them without food and a place to stay
15. If the children do not play quietly, I will send them outside
16. If they were to write more slowly, their writing would be neater
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L E S S O N 4 8 : A N S W E R S 1
1 . I f y o u k n o w w h e r e s h e i s , t e l l m e i m m e d i a t e l y
( w i t h o u t d e l a y )
2 . I f y o u d o n ' t k e e p a t y o u r w o r k i n s c h o o l y o u ' l l n o t
g e t a g o o d j o b
3 . I d o n ' t k n o w w h e t h e r ( i f ) I ' l l g o t o t h e c i l i d h
4 . I f I w e r e y o u r m o t h e r I w o u l d s e n d y o u t o y o u r
r o o m
5 . U n l e s s y o u l i s t e n t o m e y o u w o n ' t k n o w h o w ( a s )
y o u ' l l d o i t
6 . I f y o u g o t o G l a s g o w v i s i t m y p a r e n t s
7 . I f y o u c a n ' t t e l l m e t h e s t o r y , I w i l l a s k s o m e o n e
e l s e
8 . I f y o u d o n ' t l i k e c a b b a g e , l e a v e i t o n t h e e d g e o f
t h e p l a t e
9 . I f y o u c o u l d p o s s i b l y d o t h a t f o r m e , I w o u l d b e
m u c h o b l i g e d t o y o u
1 0 . I f y o u w e r e t o l i e d o w n , y o u w o u l d f a l l a s l e e p
1 1 . I f w e d o n ' t r e a d i t c o r r e c t l y , w e ' l l m a k e a m i s t a k e
1 2 . E a t t h e c a b b a g e , e v e n i f y o u d o n ' t l i k e i t
1 3 . E v e n i f h e i s w e a l t h y , h e w i l l n e e d t o w a i t l i k e e v e r y
o n e e l s e
1 4 . I f I k n e w y e s t e r d a y w h a t I k n o w t o d a y
1 5 . I f t h e y d o n ' t d o t h e i r h o m e w o r k , t h e y w i l l g e t a
p u n i s h m e n t i n s c h o o l t o m o r r o w
1 6 . I f y o u d i d i t w r o n g , d o i t a g a i n
1 7 . I f y o u a n d I p u s h t h e c a r i t w i l l m o v e
1 8 . I f y o u d o n ' t h a v e a m a p y o u ' l l g e t l o s t
L E S S O N 4 8 : A N S W E R S 2
1 . M a t h a t h u a n n a n d e a g h s h l i n t e f a o d a i d h t u a '
b h e i n n a s t r e a p
2 . M u r e i l s g i l e a n - u i s g e a g a i b h f s a i d h s i b h f l i u c h
3 . N a n r o b h t h u l i d i r t h o g a d h t u a n c u d r o m m r s i n
4 . A n n i g h t h u n a s o i t h i c h e a n a i r m o s h o n m a b h e i r m i
n o t a d h u t ?
5 . N a m p u t a d h a n d i t h i s a g a i n n a n c r t h a m i
c i n n t e a c h g u n t i s i c h e a d h e
6 . D h ' f h a i g h n i c h m i d h i t h a m f u i g h e i l e a d h i p u t a n a i r
m o l i n e
7 . N a m p e a n t a d h s i n n n a b a l l a c h a n g e a l , b h i o d h a n
s e m a r n a b u s h o i l l e i r e
8 . N a n g l a i s e a d h i a d a n d o r a s a d h ' o i d h c h e , b h i o d h a n
t a i g h n a b u s h b h a i l t e
9 . N a n s u i d h e a d h t u g u d r e a c h , c h a b h i o d h d o d h r u i m
g o i r t
1 0 . G e d a t h a t h u s a c o m a , c m a i d h m i s i l o r r a
1 1 . M u r i s t s i b h r i m o c h o m h a i r l e , t h i d s i b h a i r c h a l l
1 2 . M u r a p i g h i a d n a c s e a n a d h ' a i t h g h e a r r , f e u m a i d h
i a d c i n a p h i g h e a d h
1 3 . M u r a n i g h t h u n a s o i t h i c h e a n , c h a n f h a i g h t h u
a i r g e a d a i g a n d e i r e a d h - s h e a c h d a i n
1 4 . G e d n a c h t o i l l e a m i a d , c h a b u t o i l l e a m a m f a i c i n n
g u n b h i a d h i s i t e - f u i r i c h
1 5 . M u r a c l u i c h a ' c h l a n n g u s m h a c h , c u i r i d h m i a -
m u i g h i a d
1 6 . N a n s g r o b h a d h i a d n a b u m h a i l l e , b h i o d h a n
s g r o b h a d h a c a n a b u s g i o b a l t a
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LESSON 49
Compound Tenses
Perfect Tenses
The verb To Be provides all the compound active tenses. The preposition air (historically
meaning after) replaces the ag or a' of the present participle. This changes the meaning
from a continuous mood to an action completed in the past:
Tenses Examples
Present >>
Perfect
Tha iad a' leughadh - They are reading >>
Tha iad air leughadh - They have read
Past >>
Past Perfect
Bha iad a' leughadh - They were reading >>
Bha iad air leughadh - They had read
Future >>
Future Perfect
Bidh iad a' leughadh - They will be reading >>
Bidh iad air leughadh - They will have read
Conditional >>
Conditional Perfect
Bhiodh iad a' leughadh - They would be reading >>
Bhiodh iad air leughadh - They would have read
When the verbal noun takes a direct object word order reversal occurs. Here the object
comes first followed by a + lenited verbal noun. The a is dropped before verbal nouns
beginning with vowel or beginning with f + vowel :
Tha iad air am post a leughadh - They have read the mail
Tha iad air an litir a fhreagairt - They have answered the letter
Bha mi air am balach fhaicinn - I had seen the boy
Bidh i air am mlsean ithe - She will have eaten the sweet
Bhiodh iad air an cr a ghlanadh - They would have cleaned the car
The noun remains nominative after air
lenite the verbal noun whenever possible:
Tha mi air do thogail - I have lifted you
Bha i air a fhaicinn - She had seen him
Bidh iad air a h-ithe - They will have eaten it (reiteag (f) - ice-cream)
Bhiomaid air am bualadh - We would have hit them
Negatives and interrogatives are formed as for the verb To Be:
Cha robh mi air sgrobhadh - I had not written
Am biodh iad air ruith? - Would they have run?
Nach eil i air coiseachd? - Has she not walked?
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When a direct object follows the verbal noun the pattern is the same as the root tenses:
Tha iad air a bhith a' leughadh leabhar - They have been reading a book
Bha mi air a bhith a' faicinn a' bhalaich - I had been seeing the boy
Bidh i air a bhith ag ithe a' mhlsein - She will have been eating the sweet
Bhiodh iad air a bhith a' glanadh a' chir - They would have been cleaning the car
Lesson 36 described how, except for an indefinite singular noun, a noun following a verbal
noun is in the genitive case.
When a direct pronoun follows the verbal noun the pattern is the same as the root tenses.
As described in Lesson 17 Augmented Prepositions must be used:
Tha iad air a bhith ga leughadh - They have been reading it (leabhar (m) - book)
Bha mi air a bhith ga fhaicinn - I had been seeing him (balach (m) - boy)
Bidh i air a bhith ga h-ithe - She will have been eating it (briosgaid (f) - biscuit)
Bhiodh iad air a bhith ga ghlanadh - They would have been cleaning it (semar (m) - room)
The verbs To Be (a bhith), To Go (a dhol) and To Come (a thighinn) remain in the infinitive
after air:
Chan eil mi air a bhith tinn - I have not been ill
Am biodh iad air a thighinn? - Would they have come?
Nach bi iad air a dhol? - Will they not have gone?
Continuous Perfect Tenses
The Continuous Perfect Tenses are formed by placing air a bhith before the present
participle:
Tenses Examples
Present >>
Continuous Perfect
Tha iad a' leughadh - They are reading >>
Tha iad air a bhith a' leughadh - They have been
reading
Past >>
Continuous Past Perfect
Bha iad a' leughadh - They were reading >>
Bha iad air a bhith a' leughadh - They had been
reading
Future >>
Continuous Future Perfect
Bidh iad a' leughadh - They will be reading >>
Bidh iad air a bhith a' leughadh - They will have been
reading
Conditional >>
Continuous Conditional Perfect
Bhiodh iad a' leughadh - They would be reading
>>Bhiodh iad air a bhith a' leughadh - They would have
been reading
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NEW WORDS
Adjectives
reamhar - fat, obese
Adverbs
air mhisg - drunk o chionn - ago, since, for
turas - once/d thuras - twice/etc
Nouns
aodach (m) - clothes, cloth cus (m) - excessive amount = toomuch
fnadh (m) - phone call post (m) - mail, post
greis (f) - short time, short while lite (f) - porridge
reiteag (f) - ice-cream
Pronouns
an d chuid - both
Verbs
crd, crdadh (ri) - please, agree fritheil, frithealadh (air) - attend, wait (on)
riaraich, riarachadh - satisfy, set table sguab, sguabadh - sweep, brush
tiormaich, tiormachadh - dry fn, fnadh (gu) - phone
Verbal Phrases
Tha am biadh a' crdadh rium/riut/ris/etc - I am/you are/he is/etc enjoying the food
1. Chan eil mi air m' athair fhaicinn o chionn bliadhna
2. Tha a' bhanais air crdadh gu mr rium
3. An robh e air dnnear a dhanamh mus d'rinig thu?
4. Tha mi air feitheamh ort fada gu ler
5. Nan robh airgead aca, bhiodh iad air cr na b' fherr a cheannach
6. A bheil sibh air a chluinntinn? Bha e air mhisg a-rithist
7. Dh'fhaighnich mi dhith an robh i air bainne a chur anns an lite
8. Cha bhithinn air sin a chreidsinn mura robh mi-fhn ann
9. Bha an d chuid a' ghaoth is a' ghrian air na h-aodaich a thiormachadh
10. Tha mi air an lr a sguabadh agus na soithichean a nighe
11. Tha mi air a bhith a' cradh a' chir
12. Bhiodh e air a bhith ochdad bliadhna a dh'aois an t-seachdain seo
13. Chan eil thu air ar riarachadh le d' fhreagairt
14. C tha air a bhith ag ithe mo lite?
15. 'S mise tha air am brd a riarachadh
16. C na leabhraichean a tha sibh air leughadh s an leabharlann sin?
17. Tha sinn air cus ciil pop a chluinntinn
18. Bha iad air mo mhealladh gu dona
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19. Tha sinn air flraichean ra a chur anns a' ghrradh
20. C bhiodh air a leithid de rud a dhanamh?
1. She has heard that the mountains are a beautiful sight
2. Have you learnt Gidhlig?
3. If we were richer we would have built a bigger house
4. I have attended three meetings already
5. He said he had written a letter home everyday he was away
6. They told me they had seen a monster in the loch
7. The children have grown so tall since I last (previously) saw them
8. He told his friends that he had caught three fat trout
9. I am sure I've broken my right hand
10. I don't think you have entirely understood me
11. We have been in America twice
12. We would have visited them, but the weather was rotten
13. Who has seen my purse?
14. They have bought a new boat
15. Have you not cleaned your teeth yet?
16. She has not been well lately (for a short while)
17. Have you eaten all the biscuits?
18. They said they had been too busy to phone you
19. Have you spent my money?
20. We have painted the wall
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L E S S O N 4 9 : A N S W E R S 1
1 . I h a v e n ' t s e e n m y f a t h e r f o r ( s i n c e ) a y e a r
2 . I h a v e e n j o y e d t h e w e d d i n g i m m e n s e l y
3 . H a d h e m a d e d i n n e r b e f o r e y o u a r r i v e d ?
4 . I h a v e w a i t e d o n y o u l o n g e n o u g h
5 . I f t h e y h a d m o n e y , t h e y w o u l d h a v e b o u g h t a
b e t t e r c a r
6 . H a v e y o u h e a r d , h e w a s d r u n k a g a i n
7 . I a s k e d h e r i f s h e h a d p u t ( a n y ) m i l k i n t h e
p o r r i d g e
8 . I w o u l d n ' t h a v e b e l i e v e d t h a t i f I h a d n ' t b e e n
t h e r e m y s e l f
9 . B o t h t h e w i n d a n d s u n h a d d r i e d t h e c l o t h e s
1 0 . I h a v e s w e p t t h e f l o o r a n d w a s h e d t h e d i s h e s
1 1 . I h a v e b e e n r e p a i r i n g t h e c a r
1 2 . H e w o u l d h a v e b e e n e i g h t y y e a r s o l d t h i s w e e k
1 3 . Y o u h a v e n o t s a t i s f i e d u s w i t h y o u r a n s w e r
1 4 . W h o h a s b e e n e a t i n g m y p o r r i d g e ?
1 5 . I h a v e s e t t h e t a b l e
1 6 . W h i c h b o o k h a v e y o u r e a d f r o m t h a t l i b r a r y ?
1 7 . W e h a v e h e a r d t o o m u c h p o p m u s i c
1 8 . T h e y h a d d e c e i v e d m e b a d l y
1 9 . W e h a v e p l a n t e d n e w f l o w e r s i n t h e g a r d e n
2 0 . W h o c o u l d ( w o u l d ) h a v e d o n e s u c h a t h i n g ?
L E S S O N 4 9 : A N S W E R S 2
1 . T h a i a i r c l u i n n t i n n g u b h e i l n a b e a n n t a n n a n
s e a l l a d h B i d h e a c h
2 . A b h e i l s i b h a i r G i d h l i g i o n n s a c h a d h ?
3 . N a n r o b h s i n n n a b u b h e a r t a i c h e b h i o d h s i n n a i r
t a i g h n a b u m h o t h a a t h o g a i l
4 . T h a m i a i r t r c o i n n e a m h a n f h r i t h e a l a d h c h e a n a
5 . T h u i r t e g u n r o b h e a i r l i t i r a s g r o b h a d h d h a c h a i g h
g a c h l a b h a e a i r f a l b h
6 . D h ' i n n i s i a d d h o m h g u n r o b h i a d a i r u i l e b h e i s t
f h a i c i n n a n n s a n l o c h
7 . T h a a ' c h l a n n a i r f s c h o r d o n a c h u n n a i c m i
r o i m h e i a d
8 . D h ' i n n i s e d o n a c a r a i d e a n a i g e g u n r o b h e a i r t r
b r i c r e a m h a r a g h l a c a d h
9 . T h a m i c i n n t e a c h g u b h e i l m i a i r m o l m h d h e a s a
b h r i s e a d h
1 0 . C h a n e i l m i a ' s m a o i n t i n n g u b h e i l s i b h a i r m o
t h u i g s i n n a i r f a d
1 1 . T h a s i n n e a i r a b h i t h a n n a n A i m e i r e a g a d t h u r a s
1 2 . B h i o m a i d a i r t a d h a l o r r a , a c h b h a a n t - s d e g r o d
1 3 . C t h a a i r m o s p o r a n f h a i c i n n ?
1 4 . T h a i a d a i r b t a r a c h e a n n a c h
1 5 . N a c h e i l t h u a i r d ' f h i a c l a n a g h l a n a d h f h a t h a s t ?
1 6 . C h a n e i l i a i r a b h i t h m a t h o c h i o n n g r e i s
1 7 . A b h e i l s i b h a i r n a b r i o s g a i d e a n a i r f a d i t h e ?
1 8 . T h u i r t i a d g u n r o b h i a d a i r a b h i t h r o t h r a n g a i r s o n
f n a d h t h u g a d
1 9 . A b h e i l t h u a i r a n t - a i r g e a d a g a m a c h o s g ?
2 0 . T h a s i n n a i r a m b a l l a a p h e a n t a d h
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LESSON 50
More Incomplete Verbs
Group 1: Verbs based on the Assertive Verb
A number of verbs in this group were met in Lesson 20. Some other common ones are
introduced here.
a. Assertive form of the verb + preposition le . With the prepositional pronouns these are:
Is coma leam/leat/etc - Bu choma leam/leat/etc -
I/you/etc care not, do not like I/you/etc cared not, did not like
I/you/etc would care not, would not like
Is cuimhne leam/leat/etc - Bu chuimhne leam/leat/etc -
I/you/etc remember I/you/etc remembered
I/you/etc would remember
Is dcha leam/leat/etc - Bu dcha leam/leat/etc -
I/you/etc suppose, think it likely I/you/etc supposed, thought it likely
I/you/etc would suppose, would think it likely
Is fada leam/leat/etc - B' fhada leam/leat/etc -
I/you/etc long I/you/etc longed
I/you/etc would long
Is iongnadh leam/leat/etc - B' iongnadh leam/leat/etc -
I/you/he/etc wonder, am astonished I/you/etc wondered, was astonished
I/you/etc would wonder, would be astonished
Is leisg leam/leat/etc - Bu leisg leam/leat/etc -
I/you/etc am loath, reluctant I/you/etc was loath, was reluctant
I/you/etc would be loath, would be reluctant
Is miann leam/leat/etc - Bu mhiann leam/leat/etc -
I/you/etc desire, wish I/you/etc desired, wished
I/you/etc would desire, would wish
Is truagh leam/leat/etc - Bu truagh leam/leat/etc -
I/you/etc pity, feel sorrow I/you/etc pitied, felt sorrow I/you/etc would
pity, would feel sorrow
A number of these can be rendered using regular verbs:
cuimhnich, cuimhneachadh - remember
Tha mi a' cuimhneachadh - I remember
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miannaich, miannachadh - desire, wish
Mhiannaich e - He desired
gabh iongantas, gabhail iongantas - be astonished
Ghabhadh e iongantas - He would be astonished
b. Assertive form of verb + preposition do. With the prepositional pronouns these are:
Is iginn dhomh/dhut/etc - B' iginn dhomh/dhut/etc -
I/you/etc really have to, am compelled to I/you/etc really had to, was compelled to
I/you/etc would really have to, would be compelled to
Is fherr dhomh/dhut/etc - B' fherr dhomh/dhut/etc -
It's better for me/you/etc It was better for me/you/etc
It would be better for me/you/etc
Is fheudar dhomh/dhut/etc - B' fheudar dhomh/dhut/etc -
I/you/etc have to, must I/you/etc had to
I/you/etc would have to
Is fhiach dhomh/dhut/etc - B' fhiach dhomh/dhut/etc -
It's worth my/your/etc while It was worth my/your/etc while
It would be worth my/your/etc while
This is often rendered colloquially as 'S d' fhiach dhomh /dhut etc.
Words beginning with f are lenited after Is .
The Other Forms of the Verb
For the present tense drop the Is and add:
Cha mhiann leam sin - I don't desire that
Chan fhada leam mo dhthaich fhin - I don't long for my own country
An for interrogative
An iginn dhut falbh? - Do you really have to leave? 'S iginn - Yes, Chaniginn - No
An truagh leibh e? - Do you pity him? 'S truagh - Yes, Cha truagh - No
Nach cuimhne leat i? - Don't you remember her? 'S cuimhne - Yes, Cha chuimhne - No
Nach fhiach dhasan sin? - Is that not worth his while? Is fhiach - Yes, Chan fhiach - No
These are often rendered colloquially as Nach d' fhiach/'S d' fhiach/Cha d' fhiach
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For the past and conditional tenses add:
Cha b' fhiach dhomhsa sin - That wouldn't be worth my while?/That wasn't worth my while?
Cha bu chuimhne leis an sgeul - He didn't remember the story
Am for interrogative
Am miann le taigh r? - Do they wish for a new house? Bu mhiann - Yes, Cha bu mhiann - No
Am b' fheudar dhut innse dha? - Did you have to tell him? B' fheudar - Yes, Cha b' fheudar -
No
Nach b' iongnadh leat sin? - Did that not astonish you?B' iongnadh - Yes, Cha b' iongnadh -
NoNach bu truagh leat iad? - Did you not fell sorrow for them?/Would you not feel sorrow
for them? Bu truagh - Yes, Cha bu truagh - No
Examples of Use
When the incomplete verbs are followed directly by a verb, the verbal noun is used.
Exceptions in both literature and the spoken language are the verbs To Be (a bhith), To Go
(a dhol) and To Come (a thighinn):
Is coma leam leughadh - I do not like reading
An cuimhne leat coiseachd dhan sgoil? - Do you remember walking to the school?
Nach fhada leibh tilleadh dhan dthaich agaibh fhin ? - Don't you long to return to your own
(native) country?
Bu dcha leis tilleadh dhan sgoil - He thought it likely to return to school
Is iongnadh leatha a bhith anns a' cho-fharpais? - She is astonished to be in the
competition?Bu leisg le bruidhinn rinn - They were loath to speak to us
Bu mhiann leam suidhe sos - I wished to sit down
B' iginn dha coiseachd dhachaigh - He really had (was compelled) to walk home
Is fherr dhaibh a bhith cramach - They are right to be careful
Am feudar dhomh a thighinn a-staigh? - Must I come in?
Is d' fhiach dhaibh a dhol ann - It's worth their while going there
When incomplete verbs are followed by a verbal noun taking a direct object word order
reversal takes place. Here the object comes first followed by a + lenited verbal noun. The a
is dropped before verbal nouns beginning with vowel or beginning with f + vowel :
An iongnadh leat cel a chluinntinn? - Are you surprised to hear music?
An cuimhne leat am fiolm fhaicinn air an TBh? - Do you remember seeing the film on TV?
Is truagh leam an naidheachd sin a chluinntinn - I am sorry (consider it a pity) to hear that
news
Cha b' fheudar dhut do chta a chur ort - You wouldn't have to put your coat on
Nach b' fherr dha litir a sgrobhadh ga mhthair? - Would he not be better writing a letter
to his mother?
Cha b' fhiach dhut an litir a fhreagairt - It wouldn't be worth your while answering the
letter
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Cha b' iongnadh le m' fhaicinn? - They weren't surprised to see me?
An cuimhne leis a bualadh? - Does he remember hitting her?
Am fiach dhaibh a thogail an sin? - Is it worth their while building it (=taigh) there?
B' fherr dhaibh a cur anns a' phost - They had better (It would be better for them to)
send it by post
Group 4: A few others can be added to the miscellany of incomplete verbs
a. Reporting a completed action using An didh + do + subject + verbal noun. The verbs To
Be (a bhith), To Go (a dhol) and To Come (a thighinn) are used in preference to the verbal
noun in both literature and the spoken language. When the subject is a pronoun the
corresponding prepositional pronouns must be used:
An didh do Mhiri a dhol dhachaigh, dheasaich i an dnnear - After Miri went home, she
prepared the dinner
An didh dhomh trod ris, thisich e ri gul - After I scolded to him, he started crying
When the verbal noun takes a direct object word order reversal takes place. Here the
object comes first followed by a + lenited verbal noun. The a is dropped before verbal
An didh do Mhiri an dnnear a dheasachadh - After Miri prepared the dinner
An didh dhomh am balach fhaicinn - After I saw the boy
An didh dh an litir a fhreagairt - After she answered the letter
An didh do Mhiri a deasachadh - After Miri prepared it (the dinner)
An didh dhomh fhaicinn - After I saw him (the boy)
An didh dh a freagairt - After she answered it (the letter)
b. A very common way to describe need is to use the verb To Be + aig + subject + ri +
verbal noun. When the subject is a pronoun the corresponding prepositional pronouns must
be used:
Tha aig Miri ri dhol dhachaigh - Miri has to go home
Bha aig Miri ri thighinn dhachaigh - Miri had to come home
Bidh aig Miri ri bruidhinn riutha - Miri will need to speak to them
Bhiodh aig Miri ri bhith smhach - Miri would need to be quiet
Bha aige ri trod rithe - He had to scold her
The verbs To Be (a bhith), To Go (a dhol) and To Come (a thighinn) are used in preference
to the verbal noun in both literature and the spoken language. The initial a of the infinitive is
elided after the preposition ri in both literature and the spoken language.
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When the verbal noun takes a direct object word order reversal takes place. Here the
object comes first followed by a + lenited verbal noun. The a is dropped before verbal
Bha aig Miri ri(s) an dnnear a dheasachadh - Miri had to prepare the dinner
Tha agam ri(s) an litir a fhreagairt - I have to answer the letter
Bha aig Calum ri(s) am balach fhaicinn - Calum had to see the boy
ri in this situation is not followed by the dative as is does not directly qualify the object.
Bha aig Miri ra (ri a) deasachadh - Miri had to prepare it (the dinner)
Tha agam ra (ri a) freagairt - I have to answer it (the letter)
Bha aig Calum rim (ri m') fhaicinn - Calum had to see me
the augmented prepositions of ri are commonly used. These can be found in Appendix 1.
Although not standard language, in some dialects the preposition ri has been dropped giving
such forms as:
Tha aig Miri a dhol dhachaigh - Miri has to go home
Bha aige trod rithe - He had to scold her
Bha aig Miri an dnnear a dheasachadh - Miri had to prepare the dinner
Bha aig Calum m' fhaicinn - Calum had to see me
A common alternative is to use the noun feum (= need) after the verb To Be:
Bha feum aig Miri ri thighinn dhachaigh - Miri had to come home
Bha feum aige ri trod rithe - He had to scold her
Tha feum agam ri an litir a fhreagairt - I have to answer the letter
Bha feum aig Calum rim' fhaicinn - Calum had to see me
All other incomplete verbs constructed using the verb To Be + noun + aig follow the same
pattern.
NEW WORDS
Adjectives
truagh - sorrowful, miserable
Nouns
faradh (m) - fare feum (m & f) - need
fiach (m) - value, worth foirm (m) - form
iongantas (m) - astonishment, phenomenon leisgeul (m)- excuse, apology
miann (m) - desire, wish prtaidh (m) - party
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stiireadh (m) - instruction
boglach (f) - bog(land) cuimhne (f) - memory
iginn (f) - compulsion, emergency pile (f) - pill
riaghailt-bhdh (f) - diet
Verbs
aidich, aideachadh - admit, confess berr, bearradh - shave
biadh, biadhadh - feed buair, buaireadh - disturb, upset
cuimhnich, cuimhneachadh - remember feuch, feuchainn - test
fiosraich, fiosrachadh - experience
gabh iongantas, gabhail iongantas - be astonished
guil, gul - cry, weep miannaich, miannachadh - desire, wish
troid, trod (ri) - scold, reprimand
Verbal Phrases
thoir leabaidh air - go to bed
thug mi mo leabaidh orm - I went to (my) bed
bheir e a leabaidh air - he will go to (his) bed
bheireadh sibh ur leabaidh oirbh - you would go to (your) bed
tha i a' toirt a leabaidh oirre - she is going to (her) bed
1. B' fherr dhuibh ur seacaid a chur oirbh
2. 'S coma leam cofaidh
3. Nach fhada leat na saor-lithean?
4. B' iongnadh leam an tigeadh e dhan phrtaidh
5. Bu leisg dha aideachadh gun d'rinn e an eucoir
6. B' fhada leatha pos mr de chic sheclaid
7. 'S truagh leam cluinntinn mu bhs do mhthar
8. 'S iginn dhut a dhol air riaghailt-bhdh
9. Nach b' fherr dh an obair-sgoile a dhanamh anns an t-semar aice fhin?
10. Cha b' fhiach dhomhsa an trod-san
11. Gabhaibh mo leisgeul ach cha chuimhne leam sibhse ag innse ur n-ainm dhomh
12. B' fheudar dhomh na cearcan a bhiadhadh
13. An didh dh na soithichean a nighe, thug i a leabaidh oirre
14. Bha agam ra fhaicinn dhomh fhin
15. Thuirt e nach robh feum aige ri faradh a' bhus a phigheadh
16. Chuir mi umam mo line an didh dhomh bearradh
17. An didh dha an talamh fheuchainn, choisich e thairis air a' bhoglaich
18. Cha chuimhne leam sin innse dhaibh
1. You really must tell me the truth
2. I was sorry to hear them say he was guilty
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3. I know he will be astonished when he hears that
4. I wasn't sure if she would be surprised to see me
5. You would be better reading the instructions again
6. I wouldn't wish to upset you
7. Calum was not surprised to hear the sad news
8. Would it not be better for them to fill (out) the form again?
9. After I experienced their situation, I pitied them
10. I am astonished he did as you asked him
11. I had to make sure everything was alright
12. They were compelled to build their house near the river
13. Do you know if he remembers me?
14. It's not worth her while taking the pills
15. Miri was reluctant to hold the party in her own house
16. They longed for a calm moment to themselves
17. No-one wishes to hear your lies
18. I had to get a new job
L E S S O N 5 0 : A N S W E R S 1
1 . Y o u h a d b e t t e r p u t o n y o u r j a c k e t
2 . I d o n ' t c a r e f o r c o f f e e
3 . D o y o u n o t l o n g f o r t h e h o l i d a y s ?
4 . I w o u l d b e s u r p r i s e d i f h e c a m e t o t h e p a r t y
5 . H e w a s r e l u c t a n t t o a d m i t h e c o m m i t t e d t h e c r i m e
6 . S h e l o n g e d f o r a l a r g e p i e c e o f c h o c o l a t e c a k e
7 . I a m s o r r y t o h e a r o f y o u r m o t h e r ' s d e a t h
8 . Y o u r e a l l y m u s t g o o n a d i e t
9 . W o u l d s h e n o t b e b e t t e r d o i n g h e r s c h o o l w o r k i n
h e r o w n r o o m ?
1 0 . I t w a s n ' t w o r t h m y t i m e c h a s t i s i n g t h e m
1 1 . E x c u s e m e b u t I d o n ' t r e m e m b e r y o u t e l l i n g m e
y o u r n a m e
1 2 . I h a d b e t t e r f e e d t h e c h i c k e n s
1 3 . A f t e r s h e w a s h e d t h e d i s h e s s h e w e n t o f f t o b e d
1 4 . I h a d t o s e e i t ( h i m ) f o r m y s e l f
1 5 . H e s a i d h e d i d n ' t n e e d t o p a y t h e b u s f a r e
1 6 . I p u t o n m y s h i r t a f t e r I s h a v e d
1 7 . A f t e r t e s t i n g t h e g r o u n d , h e w a l k e d o v e r t h e b o g
1 8 . I d o n ' t r e m e m b e r t e l l i n g t h e m t h e s t o r y
L E S S O N 5 0 : A N S W E R S 2
1 . ' S i g i n n d h u t a n f h r i n n i n n s e d h o m h
2 . B u t r u a g h l e a m c l u i n n t i n n i a d a g r d h g u n r o b h e
c i o n t a c h
3 . T h a f i o s a g a m g u n g a b h e i o n g a n t a s n u a i r a
c h l u i n n e a s e s i n
4 . C h a r o b h m i c i n n t e a c h n a m b ' i o n g n a d h l e a t h a m '
f h a i c i n n
5 . B ' f h e r r d h u t n a s t i i r i d h e a n a l e u g h a d h a - r i t h i s t
6 . C h a b u m h i a n n l e a m d o b h u a i r e a d h
7 . C h a b ' i o n g n a d h l e C a l u m a n n a i d h e a c h d m h u l a d a c h
a c h l u i n n t i n n
8 . N a c h b ' f h e r r d h a i b h a m f o i r m a l o n a d h a -
r i t h i s t ?
9 . A n d i d h d h o m h a n s u i d h e a c h a d h a c a f h i o s r a c h a d h ,
b u t r u a g h l e a m i a d
1 0 . ' S i o n g n a d h l e a m g u n d ' r i n n i a d m a r a d h ' i a r r t h u
o r r a
1 1 a . B h a a g a m r i d a n a m h c i n n t e a c h g u n r o b h a h - u i l e n
c e a r t g u l e r
1 1 b . B ' f h e u d a r d h o m h d a n a m h c i n n t e a c h g u n r o b h a
h - u i l e n c e a r t g u l e r
1 2 . B ' i g i n n d h a i b h a n t a i g h a c a a t h o g a i l f a i s g a i r a n
a b h a i n n
1 3 . E i l f h i o s a g a d a n c u i m h n e l e i s m i ?
1 4 . C h a d ' f h i a c h l e a t h a n a p i l i c h e a n a g h a b h a i l
1 5 . B u l e i s g l e M i r i a m p r t a i d h a c h u m a i l a n n s a n
t a i g h a i c e f h i n
1 6 . B ' f h a d a l e i n e c h i i n d h a i b h f h i n
1 7 . C h a m h i a n n l e d u i n e s a m b i t h n a b r e u g a n a g a d a
c h l u i n n t i n n
1 8 a . B h a a g a m r i o b a i r r f h a i g h i n n
1 8 b . B ' f h e u d a r d h o m h o b a i r r f h a i g h i n n
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LESSON 51
The Passive Voice of Verbs - Literary Form
The Passive Voice, like the Active Voice, is found in three tenses: Future (Habitual Present),
Past & Conditional.
Gidhlig has three different methods of rendering passive verbs.
Method 1: Using Verb Endings
Except for a few common verbs, this form can be regarded as a high register literary or
formal form.
Intransitive verbs formed by this method should be regarded as impersonal forms.
(These verbs can never be passive)
REGULAR VERBS
Future (Present Habitual) Passive Tense
The dependent and independent forms are identical and are derived by replacing the active
future ending -idh/-aidh with -ear/-ar. The negative and interrogative particles are
identical to the active voice:
* The interrogative particle is An except before verbs beginning with b, f, m, or p when it is
Am.
Cha/Chan should only lenite verbs beginning with b, f , m, p , c , g or s. However there is a
growing tendency to also lenite t and d.
Chan is used before verbs beginning with a vowel or lenited f.
Nach lenites verbs beginning with f.
Verb Root Dependent Independent Relative
buail - hit/
strike
Am buailear mi? * - Will I be struck?
Cha bhuailear mi - I will not be struck
Nach buailear mi - Will I not be struck?
Buailear mi - I will be struck bhuailear
fg - leave
Am fgar sinn? * - Will we be left?
Chan fhgar sinn - We will not be left
Nach fhgar sinn? - Will we not be left?
Fgar sinn - We will be left dh'fhgar
l - drink
An lar e? - Will it be drunk?
Chan lar e - It will not be drunk
Nach lar e? - Will it not be drunk?
lar e - It will be drunk dh'lar
sgrobh - write
An sgrobhar i? - Will it be written?
Cha sgrobhar i - It will not be written
Nach sgrobhar i? - Will it not be written?
Sgrobhar i - It will be written sgrobhar
tog - lift/build/
raise
An togar iad? - Will they be lifted?
Cha togar iad - They will not be lifted
Nach togar iad? - Will they not be lifted?
Togar iad - They will be lifted thogar
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Past Passive Tense
The dependent and independent forms are identical and are derived by adding the ending
-eadh /-adh to the past active tense. The negative and interrogative particles are identical
to the active voice:
buail - hit/
strike
An do bhuaileadh mi? - Was I struck?
Cha do bhuaileadh mi - I was not struck
Nach do bhuaileadh mi - Was I not struck?
Bhuaileadh mi - I was struck bhuaileadh
fg - leave
An do dh'fhgadh sinn? - Were we left?
Cha do dh'fhgadh sinn - We were not left
Nach do dh'fhgadh sinn? - Were we not
left?
Dh'fhgadh sinn - We were left dh'fhgadh
l - drink
An do dh'ladh e? - Was it drunk?
Cha do dh'ladh e - It was not drunk
Nach do dh'ladh e? - Was it not drunk?
Dh'ladh e - It was drunk dh'ladh
sgrobh - write
An do sgrobhadh i? - Was it written?
Cha do sgrobhadh i - It was not written
Nach do sgrobhadh i? - Was it not written?
Sgrobhadh i - It was written
sgrobhadh
tog - lift/build/
raise
An do thogadh iad? - Were they lifted?
Cha do thogadh iad - They were not lifted
Nach do thogadh iad? - Were they not
lifted?
Thogadh iad - They were
lifted
thogadh
This one is commonly used in speech:
Thogadh mi ann an Dn ideann - I was raised (brought up) in Edinburgh .
Conditional Passive Tense
The dependent and independent forms are derived by replacing the active conditional ending
-inn/ -eadh / -adh with -te irrespective of the spelling rule. The negative and interrogative
particles are identical to the active voice:
buail - hit/
strike
Am buailte mi? * - Would I be struck?
Cha bhuailte mi - I would not be struck
Nach buailte mi - Would I not be struck?
Bhuailte mi - I would be struck bhuailte
fg - leave
Am fgte sinn? * - Would we be left?
Chan fhgte sinn - We would not be left
Nach fhgte sinn? - Would we not be left?
Dh'fhgte sinn - We would be
left
dh'fhgte
l - drink
An lte e? - Would it be drunk?
Chan lte e - It would not be drunk
Nach lte e? - Would it not be drunk?
Dh'lte e - It would be drunk dh'lte
sgrobh - write
An sgrobhte i? - Would it be written?
Cha sgrobhte i - It would not be written
Nach sgrobhte i? - Would it not be written?
Sgrobhte i - It would be
written
sgrobhte
tog - lift/build/
raise
An togte iad? - Would they be lifted?
Cha togte iad - They would not be lifted
Nach togte iad? - Would they not be lifted?
Thogte iad - They would be
lifted
thogte
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* The interrogative particle is An except before verbs beginning with b, f, m, or p when it is
Am.
Cha/Chan should only lenite verbs beginning with b, f , m, p , c , g or s. However there is a
growing tendency to also lenite t and d.
Chan is used before verbs beginning with a vowel or lenited f.
Nach lenites verbs beginning with f.
In the Isles of Lewis and Harris the alternative ending -iste/-aiste predominates. These
may also be found in dialect literature from these areas:
buail - hit/
strike
Am buailiste mi? - Would I be struck?
etc
Bhuailiste mi - I would be
struck
bhuailiste
fg - leave
Am fgaiste sinn? - Would we be left?
etc
Dh'fhgaiste sinn - We would
be left
dh'fhgaiste
l - drink
An laiste e? - Would it be drunk?
etc
Dh'laiste e - It would be drunk dh'laiste
sgrobh - write
An sgrobhaiste i? - Would it be written?
etc
Sgrobhaiste i - It would be
written
sgrobhaiste
tog - lift/build/
raise
An togaiste iad? - Would they be lifted?
etc
Thogaiste iad - They would be
lifted
thogaiste
IRREGULAR VERBS
The rules for the particles before the dependent form is identical to regular verbs:
The interrogative is Am before verbs beginning with b & f ;
The negative Cha will lenite all verbs except for verbs beginning with d and t ;
The negative interrogative Nach will lenite verbs beginning with f.
The passive voice of irregular verbs is formed in the same way as regular verbs with only a
few exceptions:
Verb Root Mood
Future
(Present Habitual)
Past
Conditional
(Past Habitual)
abair - say
Independent & Relative theirear thuirteadh theirte/theiriste
Dependent abrar tuirteadh abairte/abairiste
beir - bear/
catch/grasp
Independent & Relative beirear rugadh bheirte/bheiriste
Dependent beirear d'rugadh beirte/beiriste
cluinn - hear
Independent & Relative cluinn(t)ear chualas chluinnte/chluinniste
Dependent cluinn(t)ear cualas cluinnte/cluinniste
dan - make/do
Independent & Relative nithear rinneadh dhante/dhanaiste
Dependent danar d'rinneadh dante/danaiste
faic - see
Independent & Relative chthear chunnacas chte/chithiste
Dependent faicear facas faicte/faiciste
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faigh - get
Independent & Relative gheibhear fhuaras gheibhte/gheibhiste
Dependent faighear d'fhuaras faighte/faighiste
rach - go *
Independent & Relative thidear chaidheas rachte/dheighiste
Dependent tidear deachas rachte/deighiste
ruig - reach/
arrive
Independent & Relative ruigear riningeadh ruigte/ruigiste
Dependent ruigear d'riningeadh ruigte/ruigiste
thig - come *
Independent & Relative thigear thinigeas thigte/thigiste
Dependent tigear tinigeas tigte/tigiste
thoir - give/
take
Independent & Relative bheirear thugadh bheirte/bheiriste
Dependent toirear tugadh toirte/toiriste
* The verbs thig - come and rach - go also have 'passive' forms which function as
impersonal verbs:
Ma thigear dhan choinneimh - If anyone comes to the meeting
Chaidheas thall thairis - Everyone went abroad
This verb and tense is the only irregular one commonly used in speech:
Rugadh is thogadh mi ann an Dn ideann - I was born and raised (brought up) in Edinburgh
INCOMPLETE VERBS
The auxiliary verbs Feum and Faod have passive forms in all tenses, and are commonly used
impersonally in speech.
The rules for the particles before the dependent form is identical to regular complete
verbs:
The interrogative is Am is used
The negative Chan will lenite.
The negative interrogative Nach will lenite.
Verb Root Mood
Future
(Present Habitual)
Past
Conditional
(Past Habitual)
feum - must
Independent & Relative feumar dh'fheumadh
dh'fheumte/
dh'fheumaiste
Dependent feumar feumadh feumte/feumaiste
faod - may
Independent & Relative faodar dh'fhaodadh
dh'fhaoite/
dh'fhaodaiste
Dependent faodar faodadh faoite/faodaiste
The rule regarding word order inversion applies:
Feumar taigh r a thogail - A new house must be built (One would need to build a new house)
Chan fheumadh taigh r a thogail - A new house did not need to be built (One would not need
to build a new house)
Dh'fheumte a' cheist a fhreagairt - The question would need to be answered (One would
need to answer the question)
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Nach fheumtea' cheist a fhreagairt - Would the question not need to be answered (Would
one not need to answer the question)
Dh'fhaoite is used idiomatically with a conjectural meaning, and often in conjunction with 'S
math :
Dh'fhaoite gun tig e - Perhaps he will come
'S math dh'fhaoite gum faic mi thu - Maybe I will see you
'S math dh'fhaoite is commonly shortened to 'S maite or 'S mathaid in both the written
and spoken language.
The assertive verb cannot be passive. However, an absurd construction has arisen with the
incomplete verb Is urrainn. The rule regarding word order inversion applies:
'S urrainnear taigh a thogail an seo - A house can be built here
Chan urrainnear taigh a thogail an seo - A house can't be built here
B' urrainnear taigh a thogail an seo - A house could be built here
THE VERB TO BE
The verb To Be has analogous forms. Although they can have a passive meaning they are
usually regarded as impersonal constructions:
Tense Dependent Independent Relative
Present
A Bheilear?
Chan eilear
Nach eilear?
Thathar/Thathas thathar/thathas
Future
Am bithear?
Cha bhithear
Nach bithear?
Bithear bhithear
Past
An robhar?
Cha robhar
Nach robhar?
Bhathar/Bhathas bhathar/bhathas
Conditional
Am bithte?/Am bithiste?
Cha bhithte/Cha Bhithiste
Nach bithte?/Nach bithiste?
Bhithte/Bhithiste bhithte/bhithiste
The impersonal forms are generally restricted to formal situations e.g. official notices,
newspapers and speeches. In speech they are replaced by the active voice much the same as
colloquial English.
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USAGE
Some examples are given below:
Tha e ag rdh gun togar taigh r - He says that a new house will be built
Tha e ag rdh nach do dhineadh an doras - He says that the door was not closed
Tha e ag rdh gun cumte (cumaiste) an uinneag fosgailte - He says that the window would be
kept open
Tha e ag rdh nach fhaodar am biadh ithe - He says that the food may not be eaten
The Relative Verb
The same rules apply as the active voice.
Is tusa a chunnacas a' briseadh na h-uinneig - It's you who was seen breaking the window
Is iadsan a dh'fhgadh air ais - It's they who were left behind
Seo an c nach cuirear gu bs - This is the dog that will not be put to death
Agus seo an leabhar a dh'fheumar a leughadh - And here's the book that must be read
D sgrobhadh anns an litir? - What was written in the letter?
C chunnacas cmhla riut - Who was seen by you?
Carson nach do dhineadh an doras? - Why was the door not close?
Ciamar a rinneadh sin? - How was that done?
Cuin a dh'fhgadh nan aonar iad? - When were they left alone?
Cit an lar Sake? - Where is (habitual) Sake drunk?
With Conjunctions
Ruith an c a-staigh mus do dhineadh an doras - The dog ran in before the door was closed
Formal Speech
Thathar ag iarraidh duine ealanta - A
talented person is sought (= One is looking
for a talented person)
Tha sinn ag iarraidh duine ealanta - They are
looking for a talented person
Bhathar a' seladh fad na h-oidhche - The
sailing took all night (= One was sailing all
night)
Bha iad a' seladh fad na h-oidhche - They
sailed all night
Am bithear ri iasgach fad na seachdain? -
Will the fishing take all week? (= Will one be
fishing all week?)
Am bi iad ri iasgach fad na seachdain? - Will
they be fishing all week?
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Chan eil fhios agam far am faighte ite na b' fherr - I don't know where a better place
could (would) be found
Na gluais gus an sidear an fheadag - Don't move until the whistle is blown
Mura dinear an uinneag thig cuileagan a-staigh - If the window is not closed flies will get in
Saying Yes and No
The pattern is the same as the active. You need to use the positive or negative forms of the
verb:
An do chuireadh litir thugad?- Was a letter sent to you? Chuireadh - Yes Cha do chuireadh - No
An togar le Gidhlig iad? - Will they be raised with Gidhlig? Togar - Yes Cha togar - No
Verbs requiring Prepositions
Prepositions and prepositional pronouns are used with the verb in the same way as the active
mood:
Dh'iarradh air Calum a dhol dhachaigh - Calum was asked to go home
Dh'iarradh orm a dhol dhachaigh - I was asked to go home
Bhruidhneadh gu m-mhodhail ris * - He was spoken to rudely
Innsear an sgeul dha na h-uile * - The story will be told to everyone
Bheirte iuchair an taighe dha * - He would be given the house key
Cuirear fios a-mireach thuca * - They will be sent word (information) tomorrow
* Pronouns and prepositional pronouns are usually placed at the end of a passive clause.
NEW WORDS
Adjectives
ealanta - talented d-chnanach - bilingual
doirbh - difficult fallain - healthy
nenach - strange rar - fresh = new
Adverbial Phrases
le bhith - by, with, by means of
Nouns
bs (m) - death cathraiche (m) - chairperson
ceapaire (m) - sandwich co-l-breith (m) - birthday
gama (m) - game manach (m) - monk
mirleach (m) - thief taobh (m) - side
cruach (f) - stack cuideachd (f) - company
cuileag (f) - fly dachaigh f) - home
dreuchd (f) - post, career iuchair (f) - key
linn (f ) - century minn (f) - mine
mil (f) - honey mlsean (m) - sweet, dessert
oifis (f) - office sanas (m) - sign, advertisement, clue
sgeir (f ) - skerry, reef sgioba (m & f) - crew
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Verbs
bleoghainn, bleoghann - milk caill, call - lose
clbhuail, clbhualadh - print fuadaich, fuadachadh - exile, banish
goid, goid - steal meall, mealladh - deceive, cheat
meudaich, meudachadh - increase treabh, treabhadh - plough
mlsich, mlseachadh - sweeten spealg, spealgadh - shatter, splinter
tarraing, tarraing - draw, pull suidhich, suidheachadh - situate
ceadaich, ceadachadh - permit, license
1. Thuirt an cathraiche gun cmar a' choinneamh aig seachd uairean
2. Rugadh agus thogadh mi ann an Sternabhagh
3. Bhleoghainnte an crodh d thuras gach l
4. Gherradh am feur agus thogadh na cruachan leis an tuathanach
5. Fgar an c na aonar fad an l gun chuideachd
6. Cha do bhruidhneadh Gidhlig riutha nuair a bha iad g
7. Cuirear dhan leabaidh thu mura bi thu modhail
8. Chualas fuaim nenach taobh a-muigh
9. Glacar deagh bhric anns an abhainn sin
10. Clbhuailear na leabhraichean ann an Dn ideann
11. Dh'iarradh orm a dhol gu taigh mo sheanmhar
12. Chthear iad anns a' phirc aig gach meadhan-l
13. Nach do sgrobhadh an seann leabhar sin le manaich
14. Caillear mran obraichean le bhith a' dnadh na minne
15. Dh'fheumte sanas soilleir a chur air a' bhalla
16. C chuireadh taobh a-muigh an dorais?
17. Thuirt e gum meallte thall thairis iad
18. Cit an suidhichear an oifis r?
19. Nithear ceapairean rar an seo gach l
20. Cha cheadaichear biadh no deoch anns an talla
21. Bhathas a' treabhadh le eich anns an linn 's a chaidh
22. Thathas ag iarraidh neach d-chnanach airson na dreuchd ire
1. The thief was caught and put in prison
2. Many people were banished from their homes in the highlands
3. Dinner was made and eaten in less than an hour
4. The people were deceived when the taxes were increased
5. The baby would be given a new toy on her birthday
6. A beautiful healthy daughter was born to her
7. Poverty is seen throughout Africa
8. The top of the mountain was reached by means of (tr) the difficult route
9. They were seen stealing in the shop
10. What was written in the letter you got from your sister?
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11. Why was the food returned to the shop?
12. The game will be played in the water
13. Cheese will not be found on the moon, but dry rocks will
14. Neither the doors nor the windows were locked
15. The stories will be translated from Gidhlig to English
16. The entire crew were lost at sea when their ship went down
17. Why could (would) the car not be moved?
18. These are the men who were found safe and well after the ship was shattered on the
reef by the storm
19. The dessert will be sweetened with honey
20. The light were put on when the curtains were drawn closed
L E S S O N 5 1 : A N S W E R S 1
1 . T h e c h a i r m a n s a i d t h a t t h e m e e t i n g w i l l b e h e l d a t
s e v e n o ' c l o c k
2 . I w a s b o r n a n d r a i s e d i n S t o r n o w a y
3 . T h e c a t t l e w e r e ( h a b i t u a l p a s t ) m i l k e d t w i c e d a i l y
4 . T h e g r a s s w a s c u t a n d t h e s t a c k s b u i l t b y t h e
f a r m e r
5 . T h e d o g w i l l b e l e f t a l o n e a l l d a y w i t h o u t c o m p a n y
6 . G i d h l i g w a s n ' t s p o k e n t o t h e m w h e n t h e y w e r e
y o u n g
7 . Y o u ' l l b e p u t t o b e d u n l e s s y o u ' r e p o l i t e
8 . A s t r a n g e n o i s e w a s h e a r d o u t s i d e
9 . G o o d t r o u t a r e c a u g h t i n t h a t r i v e r
1 0 . T h e b o o k s w i l l b e p r i n t e d i n E d i n b u r g h
1 1 . I w a s a s k e d t o g o t o m y g r a n d m o t h e r ' s h o u s e
1 2 . T h e y a r e s e e n i n t h e p a r k e v e r y m i d d a y
1 3 . W a s n ' t t h a t o l d b o o k w r i t t e n b y m o n k s ?
1 4 . M a n y j o b s w i l l b e l o s t b y c l o s i n g t h e m i n e
1 5 . A c l e a r s i g n w o u l d n e e d t o b e p u t o n t h e w a l l
1 6 . W h o w a s p u t o u t s i d e t h e d o o r ?
1 7 . H e s a i d t h a t t h e y w o u l d b e c h e a t e d a b r o a d
1 8 . W h e r e w i l l t h e n e w o f f i c e b e s i t u a t e d ?
1 9 . F r e s h s a n d w i c h e s a r e m a d e h e r e d a i l y
2 0 . F o o d a n d d r i n k i s n o t p e r m i t t e d i n t h e h a l l
2 1 . P l o u g h i n g w a s d o n e b y h o r s e s l a s t c e n t u r y
2 2 . A b i l i n g u a l p e r s o n i s r e q u i r e d f o r t h e n e w p o s t
L E S S O N 5 1 : A N S W E R S 2
1 . G h l a c a d h a m m i r l e a c h a g u s c h u i r e a d h a n n a m
p r o s a n e
2 . D h ' f h u a d a i c h e a d h m r a n d a o i n e s n a d a c h a i g h e a n
a c a a i r a ' G h i d h e a l t a c h d
3 . R i n n e a d h i s d h ' i t h e a d h d n n e a r a n n a n n a b u l u g h a
n a l e t h u a i r a t h d e
4 . M h e a l l a d h n a d a o i n e n u a i r a m h e u d a i c h e a d h n a
c s e a n
5 . B h e i r t e d i d e a g r d h a n l e a n a b h a i r a c o - l - b r e i t h
6 . R u g a d h n i g h e a n b h i d h e a c h f h a l l a i n d h
7 . C h t h e a r b o c h d a i n n a i r f e a d h A f r a g a
8 . R i n i g e a d h m u l l a c h n a b e i n n e t r n a s l i g h e d o i r b h e
9 . C h u n n a c a s i a d a ' g o i d a n n s a ' b h t h
1 0 . D s g r o b h a d h a n n s a n l i t i r a f h u a i r t h u b h o d o
p h i u t h a r ?
1 1 . C a r s o n a t h i l l e a d h a m b i a d h d h a n b h t h ?
1 2 . C l u i c h e a r a n g a m a a n n s a n u i s g e
1 3 . C h a n f h a i g h e a r c i s e a i r a ' g h e a l a i c h , a c h
g h e i b h e a r c r e a g a n t i o r a m a n n
1 4 . C h a d o g h l a i s e a d h n a d o r s a n n o n a h - u i n n e a g a n
1 5 . E a d a r - t h e a n g a i c h e a r n a s g e i l b h o G h i d h l i g g u
B e u r l a
1 6 . C h a i l l e a d h a n s g i o b a a i r f a d n u a i r a c h a i d h a n l o n g
a c a f o d h a
1 7 . C a r s o n n a c h g l u a i s t e a n c r ?
1 8 . S e o n a d a o i n e a l o r g a d h m a t h s b h a i l t e n u a i r a
s p e a l g a d h a n l o n g a i r a n s g e i r l e i s a n s t o i r m
1 9 . M l s i c h e a r a m m l s e a n l e m i l
2 0 . C h u i r e a d h n a s o l a i s a i r n u a i r a t h a r r a i n g e a d h n a
c i r t e a r a n D i n t e
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LESSON 52
Passive Forms of Verbs -Part 2
Method 2. Using the active tenses of the verb To Go - A Dhol
This is both a common spoken and written form.
The formation pattern is active tense of verb To Go + subject + a + lenited verbal noun.
The a is dropped before verbal nouns beginning with a vowel or beginning with f + vowel .
In the Future (Habitual Present) Passive :
Active Future Verb Future Passive Construction
Thid - Will go
Thid an taigh a thogail - The house will be built
Thid a' cheist a fhreagairt - The question will be answered
Thid an uinneag fhosgladh - The window will be opened
Thid an dnnear ullachadh - The dinner will be prepared
For all other forms replace Thid with appropriate form:
Forms Future Passive Construction
Statement Thid an doras a dhnadh - The door will be closed
Negative Cha tid an doras a dhnadh - The door will not be closed
Interrogative An tid an doras a dhnadh? - Will the door be closed?
Negative Interrogative Nach tid an doras a dhnadh? - Will the door not be closed?
In the Past Passive:
Active Future Verb Past Passive Construction
Chaidh - Went
Chaidh an taigh a thogail - The house was built
Chaidh a' cheist a fhreagairt - The question was answered
Chaidh an uinneag fhosgladh - The window was opened
Chaidh an dnnear ullachadh - The dinner was prepared
For all other forms replace Chaidh with appropriate form:
Forms Past Passive Construction
Statement Chaidh an doras a dhnadh - The door was closed
Negative Cha deach an doras a dhnadh - The door was not closed
Interrogative An deach an doras a dhnadh? - Was the door closed?
Negative Interrogative Nach deach an doras a dhnadh? - Was the door not closed?
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See Lesson 30 for alternative conditional forms
When the subject of the sentence is a pronoun then the pronoun is replaced by its
possessive adjective placed before the verbal noun. The possessive adjectives mo, do and a
(his/its) lenite the following word whenever possible:
Thid a thogail - It (house = masculine) will be built
Cha tid a fosgladh = It (letter = feminine) will not be opened
Chaidh mo chumail air ais - I was kept back
An deach am bualadh? - Were they hit?
An rachadh a dhanamh? - Would it be done
?Nach rachadh fhaicinn ann? - Would he not be seen there?
Method 2 is the preferred way where the subject is dative. In this situation the sequence is
active tense of verb To Go + verbal noun + preposition + subject :
Thid faighneachd dhen bhalach - The boy will be asked
Chaidh iarraidh air a' chaileig a dhol dhachaigh - The girl was requested to go home
Rachadh isteachd ris an tidsear - The teacher would be listened to
With a pronoun subject the sequence becomes active tense of verb To Go + verbal noun +
prepositional pronoun:
Thid faighneachd dhot - You will be asked
Chaidh iarraidh orm an c a thoirt dhachaigh - I was requested to take the dog home
Rachadh isteachd rium - I would be listened to
In the Conditional Passive:
Active Conditional
Verb
Conditional Passive Construction
Rachadh - Would go
Rachadh an taigh a thogail - The house would be built
Rachadh a' cheist a fhreagairt - The question would be answered
Rachadh an uinneag fhosgladh - The window would be opened
Rachadh an dnnear ullachadh - The dinner would be prepared
For all other forms replace Rachadh with appropriate form:
Forms Conditional Passive Construction
Statement Rachadh an doras a dhnadh - The door would be closed
Negative Cha rachadh an doras a dhnadh - The door would not be closed
Interrogative An rachadh an doras a dhnadh? - Would the door be closed?
Negative Interrogative
Nach rachadh an doras a dhnadh? - Would the door not be
closed?
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EXERCISE 1 Change the following to Method 2
5. Fgar an c na aonar fad an l
7. Cuirear dhan leabaidh thu mura bi thu math
11. Dh'iarradh orm a dhol gu taigh mo sheanmhar
12. Chthear anns a' phirc iad a h-uile meadhan-l
EXERCISE 2
a. Translate into Gidhlig using Method 2
b. Translate into Gidhlig using Method 2 replacing the nouns subjects with pronouns
8. The top of the mountain was reached by (tre) the difficult route
9. The boys were seen stealing in the shop
10. The game will be played in the rain
12. The car door was left unlocked (gun a ghlasadh)
13. The girl was be read to quietly
14. The boy will be spoken to tomorrow
3. When will the house be built?
4. Where will the game be played?
5. When was the road repaired?
6. Who was left without a drink?
7. How could (would) that be done?
8. Where are the dishes put?
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L E S S O N 5 2 : A N S W E R S 1
1 . T h u i r t a n c a t h r a i c h e g u n t i d a ' c h o i n n e a m h a
c h u m a i l a i g s e a c h d u a i r e a n
2 . C h a i d h m o b h r e i t h a g u s m o t h o g a i l a n n a n
S t e r n a b h a g h
3 . R a c h a d h a n c r o d h a b h l e o g h a n n d t h u r a s g a c h l
4 . C h a i d h a m f e u r a g h e a r r a d h i s n a c r u a c h a n a
t h o g a i l l e i s a n t u a t h a n a c h
5 . T h i d a n c f h g a i l n a a o n a r f a d a n l
6 . C h a d e a c h G i d h l i g a b h r u i d h i n n r i u t h a n u a i r a b h a
i a d g
7 . T h i d d o c h u r d h a n l e a b a i d h m u r a b i t h u m a t h
8 . C h a i d h f u a i m n e n a c h a c h l u i n n t i n n t a o b h a - m u i g h
9 . T h i d d e a g h b h r i c a g h l a c a d h a n n s a n a b h a i n n s i n
1 0 . T h i d n a l e a b h r a i c h e a n a c h l b h u a l a d h a n n a n D n
i d e a n n
1 1 . C h a i d h i a r r a i d h o r m a d h o l g u t a i g h m o s h e a n m h a r
1 2 . T h i d a m f a i c i n n a n n s a ' p h i r c a h - u i l e m e a d h a n - l
1 3 . N a c h d e a c h a n s e a n n l e a b h a r s i n a s g r o b h a d h l e
m a n a i c h
1 4 . T h i d m r a n o b r a i c h e a n a c h a l l l e b h i t h a ' d n a d h
n a m i n n e
1 . C h a i d h a m m i r l e a c h a g h l a c a d h a g u s a c h u r a n n a m
p r o s a n
2 . C h a i d h m r a n d a o i n e f h u a d a c h a d h s a n
d a c h a i g h e a n a i r a ' G h i d h e a l t a c h d
3 . C h a i d h d n n e a r a d h a n a m h i s i t h e a n n a n n a b u
l u g h a n a l e t h u a i r a t h d e
4 . C h a i d h n a d a o i n e a m h e a l l a d h n u a i r a c h a i d h n a
c s e a n a m h e u d a c h a d h
5 . R a c h a d h d i d e a g r a t h o i r t d h a n l e a n a b h a i r a c o -
l - b r e i t h
6 . C h a d e a c h n a d o r s a n n o n a h - u i n n e a g a n a g h l a s a d h
7 . T h i d b o c h d a i n n f h a i c i n n a i r f e a d h A f r a g a
8 . C h a i d h m u l l a c h n a b e i n n e a r u i g s i n n t r e n a s l i g h e
d o i r b h e
9 . C h a i d h n a b a l a i c h f h a i c i n n a ' g o i d a n n s a ' b h t h
1 0 . T h i d a n g a m a a c h l u i c h a n n s a n u i s g e
1 1 . T h i d n a s g e i l e a d a r - t h e a n g a c h a d h b h o G h i d h l i g
g u B e u r l a
1 2 . C h a i d h d o r a s a ' c h i r f h g a i l g u n a g h l a s a d h
1 3 . C h a i d h l e u g h a d h g u n c h a i l e a g ( c h u n n a c a i l e i g ) g u
s m h a c h
1 4 . T h i d b r u i d h i n n r i s a ' b h a l a c h a - m i r e a c h
1 . C h a i d h a g h l a c a d h a g u s a c h u r a n n a m p r o s a n
2 . C h a i d h a m f u a d a c h a d h s a n d a c h a i g h e a n a i r a '
G h i d h e a l t a c h d
3 . C h a i d h a d a n a m h i s a h - i t h e a n n a n n a b u l u g h a n a
l e t h u a i r a t h d e
4 . C h a i d h a m m e a l l a d h n u a i r a c h a i d h n a c s e a n a
m h e u d a c h a d h
5 . R a c h a d h a t o i r t d h a n l e a n a b h a i r a c o - l - b r e i t h
6 . C h a d e a c h a n g l a s a d h
7 . T h i d b o c h d a i n n f h a i c i n n a i r f e a d h A f r a g a
8 . C h a i d h m u l l a c h n a b e i n n e a r u i g s i n n t r e n a s l i g h e
d o i r b h e
9 . C h a i d h a m f a i c i n n a ' g o i d a n n s a ' b h t h
1 0 . T h i d a c h l u i c h a n n s a n u i s g e
1 1 . T h i d a n e a d a r - t h e a n g a c h a d h b h o G h i d h l i g g u
B e u r l a
1 2 . C h a i d h f h g a i l g u n a g h l a s a d h
1 3 . C h a i d h l e u g h a d h t h u i c e g u s m h a c h
1 4 . T h i d b r u i d h i n n r i s a - m i r e a c h
L E S S O N 5 2 : A N S W E R S 3
1 . C a r s o n a c h a i d h a m b i a d h a t h i l l e a d h d h a n b h t h ?
2 . D c h a i d h a s g r o b h a d h a n n s a n l i t i r a f h u a i r t h u
b h o d o p h i u t h a r ?
3 . C u i n a t h i d a n t a i g h a t h o g a i l ?
4 . C i t a n t i d a n g a m a a c h l u i c h ?
5 . C u i n a c h a i d h a n r a t h a d a c h r a d h ?
6 . C c h a i d h f h g a i l g u n d e o c h ?
7 . C i a m a r a r a c h a d h s i n a d h a n a m h ?
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LESSON 53
Passive Forms of Verbs -Part 3
Method 3. Using the active tense of the verb To Be
This is the most common spoken form.
The formation pattern is active tense of verb To Be + subject + air + possessive
adjective + verbal noun.
The possessive adjective must agree in gender and plurality with the subject.
The possessive adjectives mo, do and a (his/its) lenite the following word whenever possible.
In the Present Passive :
Forms Present Passive Construction
Statement
Tha an leabhar air a thogail - The book is lifted/The book has been lifted
Tha e air a thogail - It is lifted/It has been lifted
Negative
Chan eil am balach air a bhualadh - The boy is not hit/The boy has not
been hit
Chan eil e air a bhualadh - He is not hit/He has not been hit
Interrogative
A bheil an uinneag air a fosgladh? - Is the window opened?/Has the
window not been opened?
A bheil i air a fosgladh? - Is it opened?/Has it been opened?
Nach eil an dnnear air a h-ullachadh? - Is the dinner not prepared?/Has
the dinner not been prepared?
Nach eil i air a h-ullachadh? - Is it not prepared?/Has it not been
prepared?
In the Past Passive :
Forms Past Passive Construction
Statement
Bha a' chaileag air a togail - The girl was lifted/The girl had been lifted
Bha i air a togail - She was lifted/She had been lifted
Negative
Cha robh na balaich air am bualadh - The boys were not hit/The boys had
not been hit
Cha robh iad air am bualadh - They had not been hit
Interrogative
An robh na coin air am faicinn? - Were the dogs seen?/Had the dogs not
been seen?
An robh sinn air ar faicinn? - Were we seen?/Had we been seen?
Nach robh a' chlann air am biadhadh? - Were the children not fed?/Had
the children not been fed?
Nach robh iad air am biadhadh? - Were they not fed?/Had they not been
fed?
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In the Future (Habitual Present) Passive :
Forms Future Passive Construction
Statement
Bidh an sgeul air a mneachadh - The story will be explained/The story
will have been explained
Bidh i air a mneachadh - It will be explained/It will have been explained
Negative
Cha bhi na balaich air an cur a-muigh - The boys will not be put out/The
boys will not have been put out
Cha bhi iad air an cur a-muigh - They will not be put out/They will not
have been put out
Interrogative
Am bi am piste air a bhiadhadh? - Will the child be fed?/Will the child
have been fed?
Am bi e air a bhiadhadh? - Will he be fed?/Will it have been fed?
Nach bi a' chraobh air a gearradh sos? - Will the tree not be cut down?/
Will the tree not have been cut down?
Nach bi i air a gearradh sos? - Will it not be cut down?/Will it not have
been cut down?
In the Conditional (Habitual Past) Passive :
Forms Conditional Passive Construction
Statement
Bhiodh am prgram air a dhanamh - The programme would be made/The
programme would have been made
Bhithinn air mo thogail - I would be lifted / I would have been lifted
Negative
Cha bhiodh na h-uinneagan air an glanadh - The windows would not be
cleaned/The windows would not have been cleaned
Cha bhiodh iad air an glanadh - They would not be cleaned/They would
not have been cleaned
Interrogative
Am biodh an cr air a chradh? - Would the car be repaired?/Would the
car have been repaired?
Am biodh e air a chradh? - Would it be repaired?/Would it have been
repaired?
Nach biodh an teine air a chur thuige ? - Would the fire not be lit?/
Would the fire not have been lit?
Nach biodh e air a chur thuige? - Would it not be lit?/Would it not have
been lit?
Method 3 with The Interrogative Pronouns D, C and Cia Mheud
The possessive adjective a (his/its) always precedes the verbal noun:
D bhiodh air a thogail an-sin? - What would be built there?
C bhios air fhgail air ais? - Who will be left behind?
Cia mheud duine a bha air a chur air falbh? - How many people were sent away?
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The Passive Infinitive Verb
The formation pattern is active tense of verb To Be + subject + ri + lenited verbal noun:
Only the present and past tenses need be considered:
Tha taigh ri thogail an-seo - A house is to be built here
A bheil an t-rd ri bhualadh - Is the hammer to be struck
Bha sinn ri ghilan - We were to be carried
An robh i ri ghluasad? - Was she to be moved?
In literature the augmented prepositions of ri are frequently encountered. They then must
agree in gender and plurality with the subject. The forms rim, rid and ri (his/its) lenite the
following word whenever possible:
Tha taigh ri thogail an-seo - A house is to be built here
A bheil an t-rd ri bhualadh - Is the hammer to be struck
Bha sinn rir gilan - We were to be carried
An robh i ra gluasad? - Was she to be moved?
All augmented prepositions are shown in Appendix 1
The Continuous Passive Mood
The formation pattern is active tense of verb To Be + subject + augmented prepositions
of aig + verbal noun.
The augmented preposition (see Lesson 17) must agree in gender and plurality with
thesubject.
The augmented prepositions gam, gad and ga (his/its) lenite the following word whenever
possible.
Only the present and past tenses need be considered:
Tense Continuous Passive Construction
Present
Tha mi gam bhualadh - I am being hit
Chan eil taigh ga thogail - A house is not being built
A bheil iad gan gilan? - Are they being carried?
Nach eil litir ga cur? - Is a letter not being sent?
Past
Bha e ga fhgail - He was being left
Cha robh an cr ga ghluasad? - The car was not being moved?
An robh sinn gar coinneachadh? - Were we being met?
Nach robh na cearcan gam biadhadh? - Were the chickens not
being fed?
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Method 4. Using the Past Participle
To form past participles add -te to the root of the verb irrespective of the spelling rule.
However, a few historic forms persist which adhere to the traditional spelling rule. This
method has limited use in both the written and spoken language:
Tha am balach togte - The boy is lifted
Bha an doras dinte - The door was closed
Bidh an obair dante (danta) - The work will be done
Bhiodh an duine psta - The man would be married
Method 5. Using the Third Person Plural with the Active Verb
Frequently in spoken Gidhlig the passive is conveyed as in English by using the 3rd person
plural in an impersonal way:
Tha iad a' togail bth r - A new shop is being built - lit. They are building a new shop
A bheil iad a' reic buntta an seo? - Are potatoes sold here? - lit. Do they sell potatoes
here?
NEW WORDS
Nouns
piste (m) - child, infant prgram (m) - programme
Verbs
mnich, mneachadh (do) - explain (to)
EXERCISE 1 Change the following to Method 3
5. Fgar an c na aonar fad an l
7. Cuirear dhan leabaidh thu mura bi thu math
11. Dhinte na dorsan aig meadhan oidhche
12. Chthear anns a' phirc iad a h-uile meadhan-l
EXERCISE 2
a. Translate into Gidhlig using Method 3
b. Translate into Gidhlig using Method 3 replacing the nouns subjects with pronouns
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8. The top of the mountain was reached by (tre) the difficult route
9. The boys were seen stealing in the shop
10. The game will be played in the rain
12. The car door was left unlocked (gun a ghlasadh)
3. When will the house be built?
4. Where will the game be played?
5. When was the road repaired?
6. Who was left without a drink?
7. How could (would) that be done?
8. Where are the dishes put?
1. Bha dnnear ga deasachadh anns a' chidsin
2. Chan ann tric a tha breac ga ghlacadh anns an allt seo
3. Tha na caoraich gan cruinneachadh cmhla
4. Tha saoghalan eile gan ruigsinn a-nis
5. A bheil prsean gam meudachadh anns a' bhth aca?
6. Tha a' choille seo ri ghearradh sos a dh'aithghearr
1. A house is being built in the middle of the park
2. The coal was being carried on his back
3. A story was being read by the pupil
4. The old woman was being moved to another hospital
5. He is being deceived by them
6. That has to be seen (for) to be believed
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L E S S O N 5 3 : A N S W E R S 1
1 . T h u i r t a n c a t h r a i c h e g u m b i a ' c h o i n n e a m h a i r a
c u m a i l a i g s e a c h d u a i r e a n
2 . B h a m i a i r m o b h r e i t h a g u s m o t h o g a i l a n n a n
S t e r n a b h a g h
3 . B h i o d h a n c r o d h a i r a m b l e o g h a n n d t h u r a s g a c h l
4 . B h a a m f e u r a i r a g h e a r r a d h i s n a c r u a c h a n a i r a n
t o g a i l l e i s a n t u a t h a n a c h
5 . B i d h a n c a i r f h g a i l n a a o n a r f a d a n l
6 . C h a r o b h G i d h l i g a i r a b r u i d h i n n r i u t h a n u a i r a b h a
i a d g
7 . B i d h t h u a i r d o c h u r d h a n l e a b a i d h m u r a b i t h u
m a t h
8 . B h a f u a i m n e n a c h a i r a c l u i n n t i n n t a o b h a - m u i g h
9 . B i d h d e a g h b h r i c a i r a n g l a c a d h a n n s a n a b h a i n n s i n
1 0 . B i d h n a l e a b h r a i c h e a n a i r a n c l b h u a l a d h a n n a n
D n i d e a n n
1 1 . B h i o d h n a d o r s a n a i r a n d n a d h a i g m e a d h a n
o i d h c h e
1 2 . B i d h i a d a i r a m f a i c i n n a n n s a ' p h i r c a h - u i l e
m e a d h a n - l
1 3 . N a c h r o b h a n s e a n n l e a b h a r s i n a i r a s g r o b h a d h l e
m a n a i c h
1 4 . B i d h m r a n o b r a i c h e a n a i r a n c a l l l e b h i t h a '
d n a d h n a m i n n e
1 . B h a a m m i r l e a c h a i r a g h l a c a d h a g u s a c h u r a n n a m
p r o s a n
2 . B h a m r a n d a o i n e a i r a m f u a d a c h a d h s a n
d a c h a i g h e a n a i r a ' G h i d h e a l t a c h d
3 . B h a d n n e a r a i r a d a n a m h i s i t h e a n n a n n a b u
l u g h a n a l e t h u a i r a t h d e
4 . B h a n a d a o i n e a i r a m m e a l l a d h n u a i r a b h a n a c s e a n
a i r a m m e u d a c h a d h
5 . B h i o d h d i d e a g r a i r a t o i r t d h a n l e a n a b h a i r a
c o - l - b r e i t h
6 . C h a r o b h n a d o r s a n n o n a h - u i n n e a g a n a i r a n
g l a s a d h
7 . B i d h b o c h d a i n n a i r a f a i c i n n a i r f e a d h A f r a g a
8 . B h a m u l l a c h n a b e i n n e a i r a r u i g s i n n t r e n a s l i g h e
d o i r b h e
9 . B h a n a b a l a i c h a i r a m f a i c i n n a ' g o i d a n n s a ' b h t h
1 0 . B i d h a n g a m a a i r a c h l u i c h a n n s a n u i s g e
1 1 . B i d h n a s g e i l a i r a n e a d a r - t h e a n g a c h a d h b h o
G h i d h l i g g u B e u r l a
1 2 . B h a d o r a s a ' c h i r a i r f h g a i l g u n a g h l a s a d h
1 . B h a e a i r a g h l a c a d h a g u s a c h u r a n n a m p r o s a n
2 . B h a i a d a i r a m f u a d a c h a d h s a n d a c h a i g h e a n a i r a '
G h i d h e a l t a c h d
3 . B h a i a i r a d a n a m h i s a h - i t h e a n n a n n a b u l u g h a
n a l e t h u a i r a t h d e
4 . B h a i a d a i r a m m e a l l a d h n u a i r a b h a n a c s e a n a i r a m
m e u d a c h a d h
5 . B h i o d h i a i r a t o i r t d h a n l e a n a b h a i r a c o - l - b r e i t h
6 . C h a r o b h i a d a i r a n g l a s a d h
7 . B i d h i a i r a f a i c i n n a i r f e a d h A f r a g a
8 . B h a e a i r a r u i g s i n n t r e n a s l i g h e d o i r b h e
9 . B h a i a d a i r a m f a i c i n n a ' g o i d a n n s a ' b h t h
1 0 . B i d h e a i r a c h l u i c h a n n s a n u i s g e
1 1 . B i d h i a d a i r a n e a d a r - t h e a n g a c h a d h b h o G h i d h l i g
g u B e u r l a
1 2 . B h a e a i r f h g a i l g u n a g h l a s a d h
L E S S O N 5 3 : A N S W E R S 3
1 . C a r s o n a b h a a m b i a d h a i r a t h i l l e a d h d h a n b h t h ?
2 . D b h a a i r a s g r o b h a d h a n n s a n l i t i r a f h u a i r t h u
b h o d o p h i u t h a r ?
3 . C u i n a b h i o s a n t a i g h a i r a t h o g a i l ?
4 . C i t a m b i a n g a m a a i r a c h l u i c h ?
5 . C u i n a b h a a n r a t h a d a i r a c h r a d h ?
6 . C b h a a i r f h g a i l g u n d e o c h ?
7 . C i a m a r a b h i o d h s i n a i r a d h a n a m h ?
8 . C i t a m b i n a s o i t h i c h e a n a i r a n c u r ?
L E S S O N 5 3 : A N S W E R S 4
1 . D i n n e r w a s b e i n g p r e p a r e d i n t h e k i t c h e n
2 . I t i s n ' t o f t e n t h a t t r o u t a r e c a u g h t i n t h i s b u r n
3 . T h e s h e e p a r e b e i n g r o u n d e d t o g e t h e r
4 . O t h e r w o r l d s a r e b e i n g r e a c h e d n o w
5 . A r e p r i c e s b e i n g i n c r e a s e d i n t h e i r s h o p ?
6 . T h i s f o r e s t i s t o f e l l e d s o o n
L E S S O N 5 3 : A N S W E R S 5
1 . T h a t a i g h g a t h o g a i l a n n a m m e a d h a n n a p i r c e
2 . B h a g u a l g a g h i l a n a i r a n d r u i m a i g e
3 . B h a s g e u l g a l e u g h a d h l e i s a n s g o i l e a r
4 . B h a a ' c h a i l l e a c h g a g l u a s a d g u o s p a d a l e i l e
5 . T h a e g a m h e a l l a d h l e o t h a
6 . T h a s i n r i f h a i c i n n a i r s o n a c h r e i d s i n n
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LESSON 54
Ordinal Numbers
Except for ordinals first, second and third all others are formed by adding -eamh /-amh to
the cardinal number. The definite article is always used and must agree with gender and
declension of noun. Examples are given for both masculine (cat (m) - cat) and feminine
(cearc - hen) nouns.
Ordinals from 1st to 10th :
Ordinal With Masculine Noun With Feminine Noun
1
st
- 1
mh
a' chiad chat * a' chiad chearc *
2
nd
- 2
mh
an drna cat an drna cearc
3
rd
- 3
mh
an treas cat an treas cearc
4
th
- 4
mh
an ceathramh cat a' cheathramh cearc
5
th
- 5
mh
an cigeamh cat a' chigeamh cearc
6
th
- 6
mh
an siathamh cat an t-siathamh cearc
7
th
- 7
mh
an seachdamh cat an t-seachdamh cearc
8
th
- 8
mh
an t-ochdamh cat an ochdamh cearc
9
th
- 9
mh
an naoidheamh cat an naoidheamh cearc
10
th
- 10
mh
an deicheamh cat an deicheamh cearc
* in the nominative ciad always appears as a' chiad irrespective of gender and, whenever
possible, lenites the following noun.
the more regular but less common trtheamh may also be heard.
dara is an optional form.
Ordinals from 11th to 20th
For ordinals from 11th upwards aona replaces ciad:
11
th
- 11
mh
an t-aona cat deug an t-aona chearc dheug
12
th
- 12
mh
an drna cat deug an drna cearc dheug
13
th
- 13
mh
an treas cat deug an treas cearc dheug
14
th
- 14
mh
an ceathramh cat deug a' cheathramh cearc dheug
15
th
- 15
mh
an cigeamh cat deug a' chigeamh cearc dheug
16
th
- 16
mh
an siathamh cat deug an t-siathamh cearc dheug
17
th
- 17
mh
an seachdamh cat deug an t-seachdamh cearc dheug
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18
th
- 18
mh
an t-ochdamh cat deug an ochdamh cearc dheug
19
th
- 19
mh
an naoidheamh cat deug an naoidheamh cearc dheug
20
th
- 20
mh
am ficheadamh cat an fhicheadamh cearc
aona is derived from aonamh which may still be found in some literature.
an t-aona is used even with feminine nouns.
as with other adjectives deug should be lenited after singular feminine nouns.
As with cardinal numbers (met in Lesson 31 and Lesson 44) there are two concurrent systems
for numbers above twenty: a)traditional; based on units of twenty and b) decimal (preferred
in education and formal literature)
a. Traditional
21
st
- 21
mh
an t-aona cat air fhichead an t-aona chearc air fhichead
22
nd
- 22
mh
an drna cat air fhichead an drna cearc air fhichead
23
rd
- 23
mh
an treas cat air fhichead an treas cearc air fhichead
24
th
- 24
mh
an ceathramh cat air fhichead a' cheathramh cearc air fhichead
25
th
- 25
mh
an cigeamh cat air fhichead a' chigeamh cearc air fhichead
26
th
- 26
mh
an siathamh cat air fhichead an t-siathamh cearc air fhichead
27
th
- 27
mh
an seachdamh cat air fhichead an t-seachdamh cearc air fhichead
28
th
- 28
mh
an t-ochdamh cat air fhichead an ochdamh cearc air fhichead
29
th
-29
mh
an naoidheamh cat air fhichead naoidheamh cearc air fhichead
30
th
-30
mh
an deicheamh cat air fhichead deicheamh cearc air fhichead
31
st
-31
mh
an t-aona cat deug air fhichead an t-aona cearc dheug air fhichead
39
th
- 39
mh
an naoidheamh cat deug air fhichead an naoidheamh cearc dheug air fhichead
40
th
-40
mh
an d fhicheadamh cat an d fhicheadamh cearc
41
st
-41
mh
an d fhicheadamh cat 's a h-aon an d fhicheadamh cearc 's a h-aon
49
th
-49
mh
an d fhicheadamh cat 's a naoi an d fhicheadamh cearc 's a naoi
50
th
-50
mh
an d fhicheadamh cat 's a deich/
an lethcheudamh cat
an d fhicheadamh cearc 's a deich/
an lethcheudamh cearc
51
st
-51
mh
an d fhicheadamh cat 's a h-aon deug/
an lethcheudamh cat 's a h-aon
an d fhicheadamh cearc 's a h-aon deug/
an lethcheudamh cearc 's a h-aon
59
th
-59
mh
an d fhicheadamh cat 's a naoi deug/
an lethcheudamh cat 's a naoi
an d fhicheadamh cearc 's a naoi deug/
an lethcheudamh cearc 's a naoi
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60
th
-60
mh
an tr ficheadamh cat an tr ficheadamh cearc
61
st
-61
mh
an tr ficheadamh cat 's a h-aon an tr ficheadamh cearc 's a h-aon
69
th
-69
mh
an tr ficheadamh cat 's a naoi an tr ficheadamh cearc 's a naoi
70
th
-70
mh
an tr ficheadamh cat 's a deich an tr ficheadamh cearc 's a deich
71
st
-71
mh
an tr ficheadamh cat 's a h-aon deug an tr ficheadamh cearc 's a h-aon deug
79
th
-79
mh
an tr ficheadamh cat 's a naoi deug an tr ficheadamh cearc 's a naoi deug
80
th
-80
mh
an ceithir ficheadamh cat a' cheithir ficheadamh cearc
81
st
-81
mh
an ceithir ficheadamh cat 's a h-aon a' cheithir ficheadamh cearc 's a h-aon
89
th
-89
mh
an ceithir ficheadamh cat 's a naoi a' cheithir ficheadamh cearc 's a naoi
90
th
-90
mh
an ceithir ficheadamh cat 's a deich a' cheithir ficheadamh cearc 's a deich
91
st
-91
mh
an ceithir ficheadamh cat 's a h-aon deug a' cheithir ficheadamh cearc 's a h-aon deug
99
th
-99
mh
an ceithir ficheadamh cat 's a naoi deug a' cheithir ficheadamh cearc 's a naoi deug
100
th
-100
mh
an ceudamh cat a' cheudamh cearc
b. Decimal
Although the preferred system in education and formal writing it is rarely heard by older
speakers:
21
st
- 21
mh
am ficheadamh cat 's a h-aon an fhicheadamh cearc 's a h-aon
22
nd
- 22
mh
am ficheadamh cat 's a dh an fhicheadamh cearc 's a dh
23
rd
- 23
mh
am ficheadamh cat 's a tr an fhicheadamh cearc 's a tr
29
th
-29
mh
am ficheadamh cat 's a naoi an fhicheadamh cearc 's a naoi
30
th
-30
mh
an tritheadamh cat an tritheadamh cearc
31
st
-31
mh
am tritheadamh cat 's a h-aon an tritheadamh cearc 's a h-aon
40
th
-40
mh
an ceathradamh cat a' cheathradamh cearc
41
st
-41
mh
an ceathradamh cat 's a h-aon a' cheathradamh cearc 's a h-aon
50
th
-50
mh
an caogadamh cat a' chaogadamh cearc
51
st
-51
mh
an caogadamh cat 's a h-aon a' chaogadamh cearc 's a h-aon
60
th
-60
mh
an seasgadamh cat an t-seasgadamh cearc
61
st
-61
mh
an seasgadamh cat 's a h-aon an t-seasgadamh cearc 's a h-aon
70
th
-70
mh
an seachdadamh cat an t-seachdadamh cearc
71
st
-71
mh
an seachdadamh cat 's a h-aon an t-seachdadamh cearc 's a h-aon
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80
th
-80
mh
an t-ochdadamh cat an ochdadamh cearc
81
st
-81
mh
an t-ochdadamh cat 's a h-aon an ochdadamh cearc 's a h-aon
90
th
-90
mh
an naochadamh cat an naochadamh cearc
91
st
-91
mh
an naochadamh cat 's a h-aon an naochadamh cearc 's a h-aon
100
th
-100
mh
an ceudamh cat a' cheudamh cearc
101
st
-101
mh
an ceudamh cat 's a h-aon a' cheudamh cearc 's a h-aon
201
st
-201
mh
an d cheudamh cat 's a h-aon an d cheudamh cearc 's a h-aon
315
th
-315
mh
an tr ceudamh cat 's a cig deug an tr ceudamh cearc 's a cig deug
423
rd
-423
mh
an ceithir ceudamh cat, fichead 's a tr a' cheithir ceudamh cearc, fichead 's a tr
532
nd
-532
mh
an cig ceudamh cat, trithead 's a dh a' chig ceudamh cearc, trithead 's a dh
648
th
-648
mh
an sia ceudamh cat, ceathrad 's a h-ochd an t-sia ceudamh cearc ceathrad 's a h-ochd
755
th
-755
mh
an seachd ceudamh cat, caogad 's a cig an t-seachd ceudamh cearc, caogad 's a cig
863
th
-863
mh
an t-ochd ceudamh cat, seasgad 's a tr an ochd ceudamh cearc, seasgad 's a tr
996
th
-996
mh
an naoi ceudamh cat, naochad 's a sia an naoi ceudamh cearc, naochad 's a sia
1000
th
-1000
mh
am mleamh cat a' mhleamh cearc
2001
st
-2001
mh
an d mhleamh cat 's a h-aon an d mhleamh cearc 's a h-aon
3015
th
-3015
mh
an tr mleamh cat 's a cig deug an tr mleamh cearc 's a cig
4023
rd
-4023
mh
an ceithir mleamh cat, fichead 's a tr a' cheithir mleamh cearc, fichead 's a tr
5101
st
-5101
mh
an cig mleamh cat, ceud 's a h-aon a' chig mleamh cearc, ceud 's a h-aon
6205
th
-6205
mh
n sia mleamh cat, d cheud 's a cig an t-sia mleamh cearc, d cheud 's a cig
7519
th
- 7519
mh
an seachd mleamh cat, cig ceud 's a naoi deug an t-seachd mleamh cearc, cig ceud 's a naoi deug
8622
nd
- 8622
mh
an t-ochd mleamh cat, sia ceud, fichead 's a dh an ochd mleamh cearc, sia ceud, fichead 's a dh
9385
th
- 9385
mh
an naoi mleamh cat, ochdad 's a cig an naoi mleamh cearc, ochdad 's a cig
10000
th
- 10000
mh
an deich mleamh cat an deich mleamh cearc
11000
th
- 11000
mh
an t-aona mleamh deug cat an t-aona mleamh deug cearc
23000
th
- 23000
mh
am fichead 's a tr mleamh cat an fhichead 's a tr mleamh cearc
45001
st
- 45001
mh
an ceathrad 's a cig mleamh cat 's a h-aon a' cheathrad 's a cig mleamh cearc 's a h-aon
65013
st
- 650013
mh
an seasgad 's a cig mleamh cat 's a tr deug an t-seasgad 's a cig mleamh cearc 's a tr deug
83022
nd
- 83022
mh
an t-ochdad 's a tr mleamh cat, fichead 's a dh an ochdad 's a tr mleamh cearc, fichead 's a dh
1000000
th
- 1000000
mh
an milleanamh cat a' mhilleanamh cearc
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NEW WORDS
Adjectives
coltach (ri) - similar (to) mu dheireadh - last
Adverbs
tarsainn - across
Nouns
gnth-cheannaiche (m) - customer paca (m) - pack
salm (m) - psalm timhseachan (m) - puzzle
timhseachan-tarsainn (m) - crossword puzzle
deuchainn (f) - examination, test rile (f) - railway
pirt (f) - part
Verbs
meal, mealtainn - enjoy pirtich, pirteachdh - share
Verbal Phrases
meal do naidheachd! - congratulations! (informal and singular)
mealaibh ur naidheachd! - congratulations! (formal and plural)
1 .'S e sin a' chigeamh mlseag a ghabh thu
2. Seinnidh sinn an sia ficheadamh salm
3. Bha a' chiad chearc gu math coltach ris an drna t
4. Bha gach drna uinneag aig an t-seann taigh briste
For traditional ordinals above 100 the decimal element of method b should be replaced by
the equivalent unit of twenty value, e.g.
532
nd
-532
mh
an cig ceudamh cat, fichead 's a dh dheug a' chig ceudamh cearc, fichead 's a dh dheug
648
th
-648
mh
an sia ceudamh cat, d fhichead 's a h-ochd an t-sia ceudamh cearc d fhichead 's a h-ochd
755
th
-755
mh
an seachd ceudamh cat, d fhichead 's a cig deug an t-seachd ceudamh cearc, d fhichead 's a cig deug
863
th
-863
mh
an t-ochd ceudamh cat, tr fichead 's a tr an ochd ceudamh cearc,tr fichead 's a tr
996
th
-996
mh
an naoi ceudamh cat, ceithir fichead 's a sia deug an naoi ceudamh cearc, ceithir fichead 's a sia deug
Traditional Ordinal Numbers Above 100
In a number of situations units of twenty have persisted up to 200, particularly among older
speakers and notably in psalm numbering, where thar replaces air in conjunction:
138
th
-138
mh
an sia ficheadamh cat 's a h-ochd deug an t-sia ficheadamh cearc 's a h-ochd deug
an t-ochdamh salm deug thar sia fichead - the 138th psalm
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5. Thinig e anns an deicheamh ite anns a' cho-fharpais
6. 'S e an d fhicheadamh co-l-breith a tha agam a-mireach
7. Nach e sin a' mhilleanamh uair a dh'innis mi sin dhut sin a dhanamh?
8. Bha na truinnsearan air mullach na treas sgeilpe bhuamsa
9. Thoir seo dhan chiad duine a ch thu
10. Bha iad nan suidhe anns a' cheathradamh sreath 's a naoi
11. Tha an leabharlann mu choinneimh na treas bth air an limh chl
12. Bha i na suidhe anns an tr ficheadamh sreath 's a deich
13. Cha do thuig mi e a' chiad turas a chuala mi e a' bruidhinn Gidhlig
14a. 'S e seo deireadh na ciad pirte
14b. 'S e seo deireadh a' chiad phirt (a' chiad commonly persists in the genitive with
feminine nouns)
1. Do you know the sixth answer across of this crossword puzzle?
2. That's your third and last chance
3. He married for the second time yesterday
4. You will not get a second chance
5. Congratulations on your sixty fifth year
6. That was the ninety ninth car to go under the bridge
7. A queen was the forty third card in the pack
8. He came in the one hundred and fifty first place in the marathon
9. Two pupils shared second place in the examination
10. This is my sixth job in three years
11. Take the fifth turn on the right after the second railway bridge
12. Armstrong was the first man who walked on the moon
13. The fire started on the ninety second floor of the building
14. He was the millionth customer in the shop
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L E S S O N 5 4 : A N S W E R S 1
1 . T h a t ' s t h e f i f t h s w e e t y o u ' v e t a k e n
2 . W e w i l l s i n g t h e o n e h u n d r e d a n d t w e n t i e t h p s a l m
3 . T h e f i r s t h e n w a s m u c h t h e s a m e a s t h e s e c o n d
o n e
4 . E v e r y s e c o n d ( a l t e r n a t e ) w i n d o w o f t h e o l d h o u s e
w a s b r o k e n
5 . H e c a m e i n t e n t h p l a c e i n t h e c o m p e t i t i o n
6 . I t ' s m y f o r t i e t h b i r t h d a y t o m o r r o w
7 . I s n ' t t h a t t h e m i l l i o n t h t i m e I t o l d y o u t o d o t h a t
8 . T h a p l a t e s w e r e o n t o p t h e t h i r d s h e l f f r o m m e
9 . G i v e t h i s t o t h e f i r s t p e r s o n y o u s e e
1 0 . T h e y w e r e s i t t i n g i n t h e f o r t y n i n t h r o w
1 1 . T h e l i b r a r y i s o p p o s i t e t h e t h i r d s h o p o n t h e l e f t
1 2 . S h e w a s s i t t i n g i n t h e s e v e n t i e t h r o w
1 3 . I d i d n ' t u n d e r s t a n d h i m t h e f i r s t t i m e I h e a r d h i m
s p e a k i n g G i d h l i g
1 4 . T h i s i s t h e e n d o f t h e f i r s t p a r t
L E S S O N 5 4 : A N S W E R S 2
1 . A b h e i l f i o s a g a d a i r a n t - s i a t h a m h f r e a g a i r t
t a r s a i n n d h e n t i m h s e a c h a n - t a r s a i n n s e o ?
2 . ' S e s i n a n t r e a s i s a n c o t h r o m m u d h e i r e a d h a g a d
3 . P h s e a i r s o n a n d r n a t u r a i s a n - d
4 . C h a n f h a i g h t h u a n d r n a c o t h r o m
5 a . M e a l a i b h u r n a i d h e a c h d a i r u r t r f i c h e a d a m h
b l i a d h n a ' s a c i g
5 b . M e a l a i b h u r n a i d h e a c h d a i r u r s e a s g a d a m h b l i a d h n a
' s a c i g
6 a . B ' e s i n a n c e i t h i r f i c h e a d a m h c r ' s a n a o i d e u g r i
d h o l f o n d r o c h a i d
6 b . B ' e s i n a n n a o c h a d a m h c r ' s a n a o i r i d h o l f o n
d r o c h a i d
7 a . B ' e b n r i g h a n d f h i c h e a d a m h c a i r t ' s a t r a n n s
a ' p h a c a
7 b . B ' e b n r i g h a ' c h e a t h r a d a m h c a i r t ' s a t r a n n s a '
p h a c a
8 a . R i n i g e a n n s a ' c h e u d a m h i t e , d f h i c h e a d ' s a
d e i c h a n n s a ' m h a r a t o n
8 b . R i n i g e a n n s a ' c h e u d a m h i t e ' s a c a o g a d a n n s a '
m h a r a t o n
9 . P h i r t i c h d i t h i s s g o i l e a r a n a n d r n a i t e a n n s a n
d e u c h a i n n
1 0 a . S e o m o s h i a t h a m h o b a i r a n n a n t r b l i a d h n a
1 0 b . S e o a n t - s i a t h a m h o b a i r a g a m a n n a n t r b l i a d h n a
1 1 . G a b h a n c i g e a m h t i o n n d a d h a i r a n l i m h d h e i s s
d i d h n a d r n a d r o c h a i d e - r i l e
1 2 . B ' e A r m s t r o n g a ' c h i a d d u i n e a c h o i s i c h a i r a '
g h e a l a i c h
1 3 a . T h i s i c h a n t e i n e a i r a ' c h e i t h i r f i c h e a d a m h r l a r
' s a d h d h e n t o g a l a c h
1 3 b . T h i s i c h a n t e i n e a i r a n n a o c h a d a m h r l a r ' s a d h
d h e n t o g a l a c h
1 4 a . B h a e n a m h i l l e a n a m h g n t h - c h e a n n a i c h e a n n s a '
b h t h
1 4 b . B ' e s a n a m m i l l e a n a m h g n t h - c h e a n n a i c h e a n n s a '
b h t h
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LESSON 55
Verbs and Prepositions
As in English many verbs in Gidhlig have an associative preposition. As in other languages
the prepositions aren't always equivalent to those in English.
A common problem is deciding which preposition to use where English uses to :
Preposition Verb Usage
a dh'ionnsaigh
rach a dh'ionnsaigh - go
to(wards)
Chaidh mi a dh'ionnsaigh na h-uinneige - I
went to(wards) the window
air tisich air - start to
Thisich iad air seinn - They started
singing
airson any verb + to ( in order to) Sheas sinn airson seinn - We stood to sing
chun /gu
cuir gu - send to / remit
C thuige a chuireadh an litir? - Who was
the letter sent to?
rach gu - go (up)to
Chaidh mi gu mullach na beinne - I went to
the top of the mountain
sgrobh gu - write to
Sgrobhaidh mi gu mo charaid-phinn - I'll
write to my penfriend
thoir gu - pass to
An toir thu thugam an salann? - Can you
pass me the salt?
do/dha
mnich do - explain to
Cha deach sin a mhneachadh dhomh - That
wasn't explained to me
rach do - go (in)to
Thid sinn dhan bhth - We'll go into the
shop
seall do - show to
Sheall e dhomh an cr r aige - He showed
(to) me his new car
teagaisg do/ionnsaich do -
teach to
D dh'ionnsaich iad dhut? - What did they
teach (to) you?
thoir do - give to Thoir dhomh do lmh - Give me your hand
gus any verb + to ( in order to) Thinig mi gus seinn - I came to sing
ri(s)
bruidhinn ri - speak to
C ris a bha thu a' bruidhinn? - Who were
you speaking to?
can ri/abair ri - tell/say to
Na can ri duine sam bith sin - Don't tell
that to anyone
ist ri - listen to
An do dh'ist thu ris an tidsear? - Did you
listen to the teacher?
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ri(s)
feuch ri - try to Feuchaidh mi ri thighinn - I'll try to come
leugh ri - read to Leugh an sgeul ris - Read him the story
reic ri - sell to
Reic i an cr aice ris - She sold her car to
him
tisich ri - start to Thisich iad ri seinn - They started singing
seinn ri - sing to
Sheinn i ris an leanabh - She sang to the
baby
verb To Be + ri - need to
Tha agam ri dhol dhachaigh - I have to go
home
prepositions taking the genitive case of nouns.
Where verbs requiring prepositions can be followed by another verb then the verbal noun is
used. Exceptions in both literature and the spoken language are the verbs To Be (bhith), To
Go (dhol) and To Come (thighinn):
Thisich i air rdh ris an duine - She started to say to the man
Dh'fheuch e ri breith air - He tried to catch up on him
Dh'ist mi a-rithist gu bhith cinnteach - I listened again to be sure
Chrom mi gus isteachd riutha - I stooped to listen to them
A bheil agad ri dhol ann? - Do you have to go there?
Where verbs requiring prepositions can be followed by another verb and direct object then
word order reversal takes place. Here the object comes first followed by a + lenited verbal
noun. The a is dropped before verbal nouns beginning with vowel or beginning with f + vowel .
The noun object should not be declined by the preposition:
Thisich mi air a' cheist a fhreagairt - I started to answer the question
Dh'fheuch iad ri taigh a thogail an sin - They tried to build a house there
Bha agam ri an dnnear a dheasachadh - I had to prepare the dinner
Dh'fheuch e ri dealbh fhaicinn - He tried to see a picture
Thisich i ri am bainne l - She started to drink the milk
Chaidh mi gus a' chlann a thogail - I went to collect the children
Thinig e airson cr r a cheannach dh - He came to buy her a car
Sheas mi gus an dealbh fhaicinn na b' fherr - I stood to see the picture better
lenite the following word whenever possible. In a number of cases augmented prepositions
can be used (see Appendix 1):
Dh'fheuch iad ri freagairt - They tried to answer her
Thisich i air a bhiadhadh - She started to feed him
Bha agam ri l - I had to drink it
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Thinig mi gan gluasad - I came to (in order to) move them
Sheas mi ga fhaicinn na b' fherr - I stood to see it better
Tha mi a' dol ga choinneachadh - I am going to meet her
Word Order Inversion after an Adjective
Where an infinitive follows an adjective word order reversal takes places with direct nouns.
Here the object comes first followed by a + lenited verbal noun. The a is dropped before
verbal nouns beginning with vowel or beginning with f + vowel :
Is math mo sheanmhair fhaicinn a-rithist - It's good to see my grandmother again
Bha mi toilichte mo sheanair fhaicinn a-rithist - I was pleased to see my grandfather again
A bheil thu donach litir a sgrobhadh dhomhsa? - Are you willing to write a letter for me?
Bhithinn toilichte an cuideachadh - I would be pleased to help them
An robh i asgaidh a dhanamh? - Was she keen to do it?
NEW WORDS
Adjectives
asgaidh - keen
Nouns
bonnach (m) - cake salann (m) - salt
cis (f) - subject, matter
Verbs
crom, cromadh - bend, stoop fuin, fuine - bake
iomair, iomramh - row sguir, sgur (de) - stop, desist
tachair, tachairt - happen
1. Thisich sinn ri am bta iomramh
2. Dh'fheuch mi ri iasg a ghlacadh anns an allt sin
3. Bha aice ri bonnaich fhuine airson a' chilidh
4. Cuin a thisich sibh ri Gidhlig ionnsachadh?
5. An do dh'fheuch thu mullach na beinne a ruigsinn
6. Bidh agad ri an lr salach a sguabadh
7. Feuchaidh mi ri an rathad dhan bhaile a shealltainn dhaibh
8. Cit an tisich mi ri innse dhaibh na thachair
9. Thinig sinn gus na beanntan fhaicinn
10. Is math ur faicinn a-rithist
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1. She started to scold him because he had broken the plate
2. The boy tried to hit me with a stone
3. She started knitting when she was quite young
4. He tried to carry his brother on his shoulders
5. Will you stop deceiving them?
6. Don't try to build a fire with wet wood
7. Will you try to open this bottle for me
8. They had to take his advice in the matter
9. I was so pleased to hear her voice
10. She went to help the children
L E S S O N 5 5 : A N S W E R S 1
1 . W e s t a r t e d t o r o w t h e b o a t
2 . I t r i e d t o c a t c h a f i s h i n t h a t b u r n
3 . S h e h a d t o b a k e s o m e c a k e s f o r t h e c e i l i d h
4 . W h e n d i d y o u s t a r t l e a r n i n g G i d h l i g ?
5 . D i d y o u t r y t o r e a c h t h e t o p o f t h e m o u n t a i n
6 . I ' l l n e e d t o s w e e p t h e d i r t y f l o o r
7 . I ' l l t r y t o s h o w t h e m t h e r o a d t o t o w n
8 . W h e r e c a n ( w i l l ) I b e g i n t o t e l l t h e m w h a t
h a p p e n e d
9 . W e c a m e t o s e e t h e m o u n t a i n s
1 0 . I t ' s g o o d t o s e e y o u a g a i n
L E S S O N 5 5 : A N S W E R S 2
1 . T h i s i c h i r i t r o d r i s a c h i o n n ' s g u n d o b h r i s e a n
t r u i n n s e a r
2 . D h ' f h e u c h a m b a l a c h r i m o b h u a l a d h l e c l o i c h
3 . T h i s i c h i r i f i g h e n u a i r a b h a i g u m a t h g
4 . D h ' f h e u c h e r i a b h r t h a i r a g h i l a n a i r a
g h u a i l n e a n
5 . A n s g u i r t h u d e m m e a l l a d h ?
6 . N a f e u c h a i b h r i t e i n e a t h o g a i l l e f i o d h f l i u c h
7 . A m f e u c h s i b h r i a m b o t a l s e o f h o s g l a d h d h o m h
8 . B h a a c a r i a ' c h o m h a i r l e a i g e a g h a b h a i l a n n s a '
c h i s
9 . B h a m i c h o t o i l i c h t e a n g u t h a i c e a c h l u i n n t i n n
1 0 . C h a i d h i g u s a ' c h l a n n a c h u i d e a c h a d h
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SUPPLEMENT 1
Useful Prepositional Idioms
aig
1. With verb To Be
Tha aig Calum ri dhol dhachaigh - Calum has to go home
Tha agam ri litir a sgrobhadh - I have to write a letter
Bha againn ri bhith smhach - We had to be quiet
2. With verb To Go
Chaidh aig Calum air sin a dhanamh - Calum was able to do that
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SUPPLEMENT 2
Parsing The Tenses Of The Verb TO BE
The Impersonal/Passive Voice Of The Verb
The Present Tense
The Past Tense
Thathar
a' togail taigh
Chan
eilear ?Nach
Thuirt e
nach
gu
bheilear
?A
Bhathar
a' togail taigh
Cha
robhar
?Nach
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
The Future Tense/The Present Habitual Mood
Bithear
a' togail taigh
Cha bhithear
?Nach
bithear
?An
Thuirt e
gum
nach
The Conditional Tense/The Past Habitual
Bhithte/Bhithiste
a' togail taigh
Cha bhithte/bhithiste
?Nach
bithte/bithiste
?An
Thuirt e
gum
nach
See Appendix 2 for the active voice of the verb To Be.
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SUPPLEMENT 3
Parsing The Tenses Of Regular Verbs
The Passive Voice Of The Verb
(Intransitive verbs can never be passive and must be regarded as impersonal forms)
Verbs beginning with l , n, r, sg, sm, sp and st cannot be lenited (The first 3 do have distinct
lenited spoken forms).The interrogative particle is An except directly before a verb
beginning with b, f, m and p when it is Am.Similarly the conjunction Gun becomes Gum
directly before a verb beginning with b, f, m and p.
Verbs beginning with an lenitable consonant (except f - see below)
The Past Tense
Bhuaileadh
am brd
Cha
do bhuaileadh
?Nach
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
Buailear
am brd
Cha bhuailear
?Nach
buailear
?Am
Thuirt e
gum
nach
The Conditional Tense/The Past Habitual Mood
Bhuailte/Bhuailiste
am brd
Cha bhuailte/bhuailiste
?Nach
buailte/buailiste
?Am
Thuirt e
gum
nach
the ending -iste is restricted to the the Lewis dialect
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Verbs beginning with a vowel
The Past Tense
Ithear
a' bhriosgaid
Chan
ithear
?Nach
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
Dh'itheadh
a' bhriosgaid
Cha
do dh'itheadh
?Nach
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
the ending -iste is restricted to the the Lewis dialect.
Verbs beginning with F
The Past Tense
Dh'ithte/Dh'ithiste
a' bhriosgaid
Chan ithte/ithiste
?Nach
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
Dh'fhilleadh
am pipear
Cha
do dh'fhilleadh
?Nach
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
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?Am the ending -iste is restricted to the the Lewis dialect.
it is common in the spoken language to lenite f after nach .
See Appendix 3 for the active voice of the regular verbs.
Fillear
am pipear
Chan
fhillear ?Nach
Thuirt e
nach
gum
fillear
?Am
Dh'fillte/Dh'filliste
am pipear
Chan
fhillte/fhilliste ?Nach
Thuirt e
nach
gum
fillte/filliste
?Am
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SUPPLEMENT 4
Parsing The Past Tense Of Irregular Verbs
Where an alternative form exists the most commonly used is given first
Breith - Catching, Bearing, Grasping (Root = Beir)
Rugadh
orra
Cha
do rugadh=d'rugadh
?Nach
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
Cluinntinn - Hearing (Root = Cluinn)
Chualas/Chualadh
cel
Cha chualas/chualadh
?Nach
cualas/cualadh
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
Danamh - Doing, Making (Root = Dan)
Rinneadh
an dnnear
Cha
do rinneadh=d'rinneadh
?Nach
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
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Dol - Going (Root = Rach)
Chaidheas
dhachaigh
Cha
deachas
?Nach
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
Faicinn - Seeing (Root = Faic)
Chunnacas/Chunnacadh
an tubaist
Chan
fhacas/fhacadh
?Nach
?Am
facas/facadh
Thuirt e
gum
nach fhacas/fhacadh
Faighinn - Getting, Obtaining (Root = Faigh)
Fhuaras/Fhuaradh
an cothrom
Cha
d'fhuaras/d'fhuaradh
?Nach
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
Rdh - Saying (Root = Abair)
Thuirteadh
facal
Cha
tuirteadh
?Nach
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
Thubhairteadh and tubhairteadh are emphatic forms.
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See Appendix 4 for the active voice of the past tense of the irregular verbs.
Ruigsinn - Reaching, Arriving (Root =Ruig)
Rinigeadh/Rinigear
dhachaigh
Cha
do rinigeadh=d'rinigeadh/
do rinigear=d'rinigear
?Nach
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
Tighinn - Coming (Root = Thig)
Thinigear/Thinigeas
dhachaigh
Cha
tinigear/tinigeas
?Nach
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
Toirt - Taking, Giving (+ preposition do) (Root = Thoir)
Thugadh/Thugas
dhachaigh
Cha
tugadh/thugas
?Nach
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
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SUPPLEMENT 5
Parsing The Future Tense Of Irregular Verbs
All irregular verbs are given even although Beir - Catch , Cluinn - Hear and Ruig - Reach/
Arrive are regular in the future tense and are only given here for reference.
With the exception of a few alternative forms the ending is the same as the regular future
tense.
The future tense also conveys the Habitual Present mood.
Beirear
orra
Cha bheirear
?Nach
beirear
?Am
Thuirt e
gum
nach
Cluinnear
cel
Cha chluinnear
?Nach
cluinnear
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
Nithear/Nitear
an dnnear
Cha
danar/dantar
?Nach
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
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Thidear
dhachaigh
Cha
tidear
?Nach
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
Chithear
an tubaist
Chan
fhaicear
?Nach
?Am
faicear
Thuirt e
gum
nach fhaicear
Gheibhear
an cothrom
Cha
fhaighear
?Nach
?Am
faighear
Thuirt e
gum
nach fhaighear
(The regular verb Cantainn - Saying is preferred in the future.
Theirear
facal
Cha
abrar
?Nach
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
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See Appendix 5 for the active voice of the future tense of the irregular verbs.
Ruigear
dhachaigh
Cha
ruigear
?Nach
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
Thigear
dhachaigh
Cha
tigear
?Nach
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
Bheirear
dhachaigh
Cha
toirear
?Nach
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
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SUPPLEMENT 6
Parsing The Conditional Tense Of Irregular Verbs
All irregular verbs are given even although Beir - Catch , Cluinn - Hear, Dan - Do/Make
and Ruig - Reach/Arrive are regular in the conditional tense and are only given here for
reference. The ending is the same as the regular conditional tense. The alternative ending in
-iste is restricted to the Lewis dialect and is shown equal to (=) the standard form.The
conditional tense also conveys the Habitual Past mood.
Bheirte=Bheiriste
orra
Cha bheirte=bheiriste
?Nach
beirte=beiriste
?Am
Thuirt e
gum
nach
Chluinnte=Chluinniste
cel
Cha chluinnte=chluinniste
?Nach
cluinnte=cluinniste
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
Dhante=Dhanaiste
an dnnear
Cha
dante=danaiste
?Nach
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
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Rachte=Dheighte/
Dheighiste
dhachaigh
Cha
rachte=deighte/deighiste
?Nach
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
Chte=Chithiste
an tubaist
Chan
fhaicte=fhaiciste
?Nach
?Am
faicte=faiciste
Thuirt e
gum
nach fhaicte=fhaiciste
Gheibhte=Gheibhiste
an cothrom
Cha
fhaighte=fhaighiste
?Nach
?Am
faighte=faighiste
Thuirt e
gum
nach fhaighte=fhaighiste
(The regular verb Cantainn - Saying is preferred in the future.
Theirte=Theiriste
facal
Cha
abairte=abairiste
?Nach
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
the forms based on Dheigh-/deigh- are limited mainly to the Lewis dialect .
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See Appendix 6 for the active voice of the conditional tense of the irregular verbs.
Ruigte=Ruigiste
dhachaigh
Cha
ruigte=ruigiste
?Nach
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
Thigte=Thigiste
dhachaigh
Cha
tigte=tigiste
?Nach
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
An alternative less used vernacular form given.
Bheirte=Bheiriste/
Thugte=Thugaiste
dhachaigh
Cha
toirte=toiriste/
tugte=tugaiste
?Nach
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
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APPENDIX 5
Parsing The Future Tense Of Irregular Verbs
The Active Voice Of The Verb
Arrive are regular in the future tense and are only given here for reference.As with regular
verbs any independent forms ending in -idh take the second person singular pronoun tu in-
stead of thu.The future tense also conveys the Habitual Present mood.
Beiridh
mi, thu, e, i
sinn, sibh, iad
Mrag
am balach
na daoine
orra
Cha bheir
?Nach
beir
?Am
Thuirt e
gum
nach
Cluinnidh
mi, thu, e, i
sinn, sibh, iad
Mrag
am balach
na daoine
cel
Cha chluinn
?Nach
cluinn
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
N
mi, thu, e, i
sinn, sibh, iad
Mrag
am balach
na daoine
an dnnear
Cha
dan
?Nach
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
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Thid
mi, thu, e, i
sinn, sibh, iad
Mrag
am balach
na daoine
dhachaigh
Cha
tid
?Nach
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
Ch
mi, thu, e, i
sinn, sibh, iad
Mrag
am balach
na daoine
an tubaist
Chan
fhaic
?Nach
?Am
faic
Thuirt e
gum
nach fhaic
(The regular verb Cantainn - Saying is preferred in the future tense)
Gheibh
mi, thu, e, i
sinn, sibh, iad
Mrag
am balach
na daoine
an cothrom
Cha
fhaigh
?Nach
?Am
faigh
Thuirt e
gum
nach fhaigh
Their
mi, thu, e, i
sinn, sibh, iad
Mrag
am balach
na daoine
facal
Cha
abair
?Nach
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
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Ruigidh
mi, thu, e, i
sinn, sibh, iad
Mrag
am balach
na daoine
dhachaigh
Cha
ruig
?Nach
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
See Supplement 5 for the passive voice of the future tense of the irregular verbs.
Thig
mi, thu, e, i
sinn, sibh, iad
Mrag
am balach
na daoine
dhachaigh
Cha
tig
?Nach
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
Bheir
mi, thu, e, i
sinn, sibh, iad
Mrag
am balach
na daoine
rud dhan ch
Cha
toir
?Nach
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
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APPENDIX 6
Parsing The Conditional Tense Of Irregular Verbs
Arrive are regular in the conditional tense and are only given here for reference.
The second person singular pronoun tu replaces thu.
A less frequently met 1st person plural is formed by replacing the -adh ending with
-amaid. The conditional tense also conveys the Habitual Past mood.
Bheireadh
tu, e, i
sinn, sibh, iad
Mrag
am balach
na daoine
orra
Cha bheireadh
?Nach
beireadh
?Am
Thuirt e
gum
nach
beirinn
gum
?Am
?Nach
Cha bheirinn
Bheirinn
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Chuinneadh
tu, e, i
sinn, sibh, iad
Mrag
am balach
na daoine
cel
Cha chluinneadh
?Nach
cluinneadh
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
cluinninn
gun
?An
?Nach
Cha chluinninn
Chluinninn
Dhanadh
tu, e, i
sinn, sibh, iad
Mrag
am balach
na daoine
an dnnear
Cha
danadh
?Nach
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
danainn
gun
?An
?Nach
Cha
Dhanainn
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Rachadh/
Dheigheadh
tu, e, i
sinn, sibh, iad
Mrag
am balach
na daoine
dhachaigh
Cha
rachadh/deigheadh
?Nach
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
rachainn/deighinn
gun
?An
?Nach
Cha
Rachainn/Dheighinn
Chitheadh
tu, e, i
sinn, sibh, iad
Mrag
am balach
na daoine
an tubaist
Cha
fhaiceadh
?Nach
?Am
faiceadh
Thuirt e
gum
nach
fhaiceadh
fhaicinn
gum
faicinn
?Am
?Nach
fhaicinn
Cha
Chithinn
the forms based on Dheigh-/deigh- are limited mainly to the Lewis dialect .
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Gheibheadh
tu, e, i
sinn, sibh, iad
Mrag
am balach
na daoine
an cothrom
Cha
fhaigheadh
?Nach
?Am
faigheadh
Thuirt e
gum
nach
fhaigheadh
fhaighinn
gum
faighinn
?Am
?Nach
fhaighinn
Cha
Gheibhinn
Theireadh
tu, e, i
sinn, sibh, iad
Mrag
am balach
na daoine
facal
Cha
abradh
?Nach
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
abrainn
gun
?An
?Nach
Cha
Theirinn
The regular verb Cantainn - Saying is preferred in the conditional tense.
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Ruigeadh
tu, e, i
sinn, sibh, iad
Mrag
am balach
na daoine
dhachaigh
Cha
ruigeadh
?Nach
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
ruiginn
gun
?An
?Nach
Cha
Ruiginn
Thigeadh
tu, e, i
sinn, sibh, iad
Mrag
am balach
na daoine
dhachaigh
Cha
tigeadh
?Nach
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
tiginn
gun
?An
?Nach
Cha
Thiginn
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Bheireadh/Thugadh
tu, e, i
sinn, sibh, iad
Mrag
am balach
na daoine
rud dhan ch
Cha
toireadh/tugadh
?Nach
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
toirinn/tugainn
gun
?An
?Nach
Cha
Bheirinn/Thugainn
An alternative less used vernacular form given.
See Supplement 6 for the passive voice of the conditional tense of the irregular verbs.
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APPENDIX 7
Parsing The Present Tense Of The Assertive Verb
The terms subject and object are used in the sense of the English meaning.
A. The Present Tense (With pronoun subject and definite object)
Is/'S
mise
tusa
esan
ise
an dotair
Cha
?An
?Nach
sinne
sibhse
iadsan
na dotairean
Thuirt e
gur
nach
mise is lenited to mhise after Cha.
an optional e may be placed before mise, tusa, sinne and sibhse e.g. 'S e mise etc.
Cha becomes Chan before a vowel.
B. The Present Tense (With pronoun subject and indefinite object). High register form
and very rarely heard in the spoken language
Is/'S
dotair
mi
thu
e
i
Cha
?An
?Nach
dotairean
sinn
sibh
iad
Thuirt e
gur
nach
Cha will lenite a following word beginning with b, f, m, p , c , or g and becomes Chan before
a vowel.
C. The Present Tense (With pronoun subject and indefinite object). Preferred spoken
form to B
Is/'S
e
dotair a tha
annam
annad
ann
innte
Chan
?An
?Nach
dotairean a tha
annainn
annaibh
annta
Thuirt e
gur
nach
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Is/'S
e
Calum
Mrag
a' chaileag
am balach
an dotair
Chan
?An
?Nach
Thuirt e
gur
nach
D. The Present Tense (With noun subject and definite noun object)
i may be used in place of e for feminine subjects.
E. The Present Tense (With noun subject and indefinite noun object).
Is/'S
e dotair a tha
ann am Mrag
ann an Calum
anns a' chaileig
anns a' bhalach
Chan
?An
?Nach
Thuirt e
gur
nach
F. The Present Tense (Indefinite noun subject and object) High register form and very
rarely heard in the spoken language. E is the preferred spoken form
Is/'S
iasg bradan
Chan
?An
?Nach
Thuirt e
gur
nach
Cha becomes Chan before a vowel.
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Is/'S
mr am bradan
Cha
?An
?Nach
Thuirt e
gur
nach
G. The Present Tense (Definite noun subject and adjective) High register form becoming
less common in the spoken language
Cha will lenite a following word beginning with b, f, m, p , c , or g and becomes Chan before
a vowel.
H. The Present Tense (Definite noun subject and adjective). Preferred spoken form to
G
Is/'S
ann mr a tha am bradan
Chan
?An
?Nach
Thuirt e
gur
nach
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APPENDIX 8
Parsing The Past Tense Of The Assertive Verb
The Assertive Verb is used to bring an element to the beginning of a sentence for
emphasis.The terms subject and object used in the following examples are based of the
English sense.
A. The Past Tense (With pronoun subject and definite object)
Bu
mhise
tusa
esan
ise
an dotair
Cha
bu
?Am
?Nach
sinne
sibhse
iadsan
na dotairean Thuirt e gum
nach
mise is lenited to mhise after Bu. Bu is shortened to B' before a vowel.
B. The Past Tense (With pronoun subject and indefinite object). High register form and
very rarely heard in the spoken language
Bu
dotair
mi
thu
e
i
Cha
bu
?Am
?Nach
dotairean
sinn
sibh
iad
Thuirt e gum
nach
Bu will lenite a following word beginning with b, f, m, p, c , or g.
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C. The Past Tense (With pronoun subject and indefinite object). Preferred spoken form
to B
B' e
dotair a bha
annam
annad
ann
innte
Cha
b' e
?Am
?Nach
dotairean a bha
annainn
annaibh
annta
Thuirt e gum
nach
The Present Tense 'S e is frequently used in the spoken language. The sense coming from
the subordinate clause's verb and tense.
D. The Past Tense (With noun subject and definite noun object)
B' e
Calum
Mrag
a' chaileag
am balach
an dotair
Cha
b' e
?Am
?Nach
Thuirt e gum
nach
i may be used in place of e for feminine subjects.
E. The Past Tense (With noun subject and indefinite noun object)
B' e
dotair
a bha
ann am Mrag
ann an Calum
anns a' chaileig
anns a' bhalach
Cha
b' e
?Am
?Nach
a bha Thuirt e gum
nach
The Present Tense is frequently used in the spoken language. The sense coming from the
subordinate clause's verb and tense.
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F. The Past Tense (Indefinite noun subject and object) High register form and very
rarely heard in the spoken language. E is the preferred spoken form
Bu
iasg bradan
Cha
bu
?Am
?Nach
Thuirt e gum
nach
Bu is shortened to B' before a vowel and will lenite a following word beginning with b, f, m,
p, c , or g.
G. The Past Tense (Definite noun subject and adjective) High register form becoming
less common in the spoken language
Bu
mhr am bradan
Cha
bu
?Am
?Nach
Thuirt e gum
nach
Bu is shortened to B' before a vowel and will lenite a following word beginning with b, f, m,
p, c , or g.
H. The Past Tense (Definite noun subject and adjective). Preferred spoken form to G
B'
ann mr a bha am bradan
Cha
b'
?Am
?Nach
Thuirt e gum
nach
The Present Tense is frequently used in the spoken language. The sense coming from the
subordinate clause's verb and tense.
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APPENDIX 9
Declensionof the Singular Article
Masculine Nouns
The dative and genitive definite nouns exhibit identical initial consonant changes and article
changes from the nominative definite noun :
Nominative
Article
Nominative Singular
Definite Noun
Changes >>>
Dative Singular
Definite Noun
Genitive Singular
Definite Noun
The article is
an t- before
nouns beginning
with a vowel
an t-ran - the song
Nouns beginning with
a vowel lose the t- from
the definite article:
an t- >> an
anns an ran - in the song
deireadh an rain - the end
of the song
The article is
am before
nouns beginning
with
b, f, m, or p
am bainne - the milk
Nouns beginning with b, f,
m, p, c or g all lenite.
The definite article
changes from am/an to a'
except for f where it
remains an
anns a'bhainne - in the
milk
uachdar a'bhainne - the
top of the milk
am feasgar - the
evening
anns an fheasgar - in the
evening
blths an fheasgair - the
warmth of the evening
am monadh - the moor
air a' mhonadh - on the
moor
fraoch a' mhonaidh - the
heather of the moor
am pipear - the paper
anns a' phipear - in the
paper
dath a' phipeir - the
colour of the paper
The article is
an before all
other nouns
an cise - the cheese
anns a' chise - in the
cheese
blas a' chise - the taste
of the cheese
an gille - the boy air a' ghille - on the boy
mthair a' ghille - the
mother of the boy
an duine - the man
d, t, l, n, r, sg, sm, sp or
st show no initial change.
The definite article
remains an
aig an duine - at the man
bean an duine - the wife of
the man
an leabhar - the book
anns an leabhar - in the
house
cmhdach an leabhair - the
cover of the book
an nead - the nest anns an nead
am broinn an nid - inside
the nest
an sgoilear - the pupil
ris an sgoilear - to the
pupil
leabhar an sgoileir - the
book of the pupil
an smal - the stain
leis an smal - with the
stain
dath an smail - the colour
of the stain
an speur - the sky
anns an speur - in the sky dath an speura - the colour
of the sky
an taigh - the house
anns an taigh - in the
house
mullach an taighe - the
roof of the house
an slaod - the sledge
sl, sn, sr, or s+vowel add
t- to the definite article:
an >> an t-
air an t-slaod - on the
sledge
meud an t-slaoid - the size
of the sledge
an sneachd - the snow
anns an t-sneachd - in the
snow
fuachd an t-sneachda - the
cold of the snow
an sreath - the row anns an t-sreath
deireadh an t-sreatha -
the end of the row
an saoghal
anns an t-saoghal - in the
world
deireadh an t-saoghail -
the end of the world
the prepositions bho, de, do/dha, fo, mu, ro, and tro combine with the singular article so that a' effectively
remains as an; giving bhon, den/dhen, don/dhan, fon, mun, ron, and tron.
Internal vowel changes associated with the genitive singular masculine noun are comprehensively covered in
Lesson 34.
The dative singular masculine noun is comprehensively covered in Lesson 6.
The genitive plural masculine noun is comprehensively covered in Lesson 39.
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Feminine Nouns
The dative definite nouns exhibit identical initial consonant changes and article changes as
the nominative definite noun. The The genitive definite nouns exhibit no initial consonant
change and the article is always Na (Na h- before a vowel):
Genitive Singular
Definite Noun
<<< Changes
Nominative
& Dative Article
Nominative Singular
Definite Noun
Dative Singular
Definite Noun
ceann na slaite - the end of the
rod
The genitive
singular article is
na (na h- before
a vowel) for all
nouns. There is no
initial change
before the nouns.
The article is an t-
before nouns
beginning with sl, sn,
sr, or s+vowel
an t-slat - the rod
leis an t-slait - with the
rod
rinn na snthaid(e) - the point of
the needle
an t-snthad - the
needle
air an t-snthaid - on
the needle
taobh na sride - the side of the
street
an t-srid - the street
air an t-srid - on the
street
boladh na sebhraich(e) - the
fragrance of the primrose
an t-sebhrach - the
primrose
anns an t-sebhraich -
in the primrose
irde na beinne - the height of
the mountain
The article is a'
before nouns
beginning with
b, f, m, p, c or g
but an before nouns
beginning with f. All
these nouns are
lenited.
a' bheinn - the
mountain
air a' bheinn - on the
mountain
mullach na cruaiche - the top of
the stack
a' chruach - the stack
anns a' chruaich - in
the stack
sgiath na faoileig(e) - the wing of
the gull
an fhaoileag - the gull
ris an fhaoileig - to the
gull
earball na gearra - the tail of the
hare
a' gherr - the hare
air a' gherr - on the
hare
fuachd na mintich(e) - the cold
of the moor
a' mhinteach - the
moor
air a' mhintich - on
the moor
lmh na poite - the handle of the
pot
a' phoit - the pot
anns a' phoit - in the
pot
meadhan na dthcha - the middle
the country
Nouns beginning
with d, t, l, n, r, sg,
sm, sp or st or a
vowel show no initial
change. The article
is an before all
these nouns.
an dthaich - the
country
air an dthaich - in the
country
cl na limhe - the back of the
hand
an lmh - the hand
leis an limh - by the
hand
dreasa na nighinn(e) - the dress
of the girl
an nighean - the girl
leis an nighinn - with
the girl
doras na sgoile - the door of the
school
an sgoil - the school
anns an sgoil - in the
school
blas na smeura - the taste of the
bramble
an smeur - the bramble
anns an smeur - in the
bramble
faobhar na speala - the edge of
the scythe
an speal -the scythe leis an speal - with the
scythe
fad na trannsa - the length of
the corridor
an trannsa - the
corridor
anns an trannsa - in the
corridor
nead na h-eala - the nest of the
swan
an eala - the swan
air an eala - on the
swan
the prepositions bho, de, do/dha, fo, mu, ro, and tro combine with the singular article so that a' effectively
remains as an; giving bhon, den/dhen, don/dhan, fon, mun, ron, and tron.
in the spoken language the feminine dative noun is often eroded to the nominative form.
the terminal e of the feminine genitive noun is usually only associated with monosyllabic nouns. In the spoken
language the genitive is invariably eroded to the dative form of the noun.
Internal vowel changes associated with the genitive singular feminine noun are comprehensively covered in
Lesson 35 .
The dative singular feminine noun is comprehensively covered in Lesson 7.
The genitive plural feminine noun is comprehensively covered in Lesson 39.
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Click on
preposition
below for
idioms
Personal Pronoun
Preposition
me you him her us you them
aig agam agad aige aice againn agaibh aca
at,
possession
air orm ort air oirre oirnn oirbh orra on
ann annam annad ann innte annainn annaibh annta
in, into,
exist as
s asam asad s aiste asainn asaibh asta
out of,
from a
place
bho/o
bhuam
/uam
bhuat
/uat
bhuaithe
/uaithe
bhuaipe
/uaipe
bhuainn
/uainn
bhuaibh
/uaibh
bhuapa
/uapa
from
de dhom dhot dheth dhith dhinn dhibh dhiubh of, off
do/dha dhomh dhut dha dh dhuinn dhuibh dhaibh to, for
eadar eadarainn eadaraibh eatarra
between,
both
fo fodham fodhad fodha foipe fodhainn fodhaibh fpa under
gu thugam thugad thuige thuice thugainn thugaibh thuca to,toward
le leam leat leis leatha leinn leibh leotha
with,
ownership
mu umam umad uime uimpe umainn umaibh umpa about
thar tharam tharad thairis thairte tharainn tharaibh tharta over
ri rium riut ris rithe rinn ribh riutha to, against
ro romham romhad roimhe roimhpe romhainn romhaibh romhpa before
tro tromham tromhad troimhe troimhpe tromhainn tromhaibh tromhpa through
Preposition
mi thu e i sinn sibh iad
Preposition
Personal Pronoun
APPENDIX 1
Prepositions Pronouns
Prepositions have conjugated forms with personal pronouns. The first element is the simple
preposition, followed by the personal pronoun:
thar is not strictly a simple preposition since it usually governs the genitive rather than
the dative case of nouns. It is more commonly rendered using thairis + prepositional
pronouns of air:
Preposition
Personal Pronoun
Preposition
thairis air
thairis
orm
thairis ort thairis air
thairis
oirre
thairis
oirnn
thairis
oirbh
thairis
orra
over
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All prepositional pronouns can be emphasised by adding the endings shown below. They are
attached to the prepositional pronouns and do not necessarily adhere to the spelling rule.
Any prepositional pronoun ending in an s is firstly hyphenated:
aig agamsa agadsa aigesan aicese againne agaibhse acasan
air ormsa ortsa airsan oirrese oirnne oirbhse orrasan
ann annamsa annadsa annsan inntese annainne annaibhse anntasan
s asamsa asadsa s-san aistese asainne asaibhse astasan
bho bhuamsa bhuatsa bhuaithesan bhuaipese bhuainne bhuaibhse bhuapasan
de dhomsa dhotsa dhethsan dhithse dhinne dhibhse dhiubhsan
do dhomhsa dhutsa dhasan dhse dhuinne dhuibhse dhaibhsan
eadar eadarainne eadaraibhse eatarrasan
fo fodhamsa fodhadsa fodhasan foipese fodhainne fodhaibhse fpasan
gu thugamsa thugadsa thuigesan thuicese thugainne thugaibhse thucasan
le leamsa leatsa leis-san leathase leinne leibhse leothasan
mu umamsa umadsa uimesan uimpese umainne umaibhse umpasan
thar tharamsa tharadsa thairis-san thairtese tharainne tharaibhse thartasan
ri riumsa riutsa ris-san rithese rinne ribhse riuthasan
ro romhamsa romhadsa roimhesan roimhpese romhainne romhaibhse romhpasan
tro tromhamsa tromhadsa troimhesan troimhpese tromhainne tromhaibhse tromhpasan
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Click on
preposition
below for
idioms
Possessive Adjective
Preposition
aig gam gad ga ga gar gur gan/gam
at,
possession
ann nam nad na na nar nur nan/nam
in, into,
exist as
(bh)o (bh)om (bh)od (bh)o (bh)o (bh)or (bh)or (bh)on/(bh)om from
d(h)e d(h)em d(h)ed d(h)e d(h)e d(h)er d(h)er d(h)en/d(h)em of, off
dha dham dhad dha dha dhar dhur dhan/dham
to, for
do dom dod do do dar dur dan/dam
fo fom fod fo fo for for fon/fom under
gu gam gad ga ga gar gur gan/gam to,toward
le lem led le le ler ler len/lem
with,
ownership
mu mum mud ma ma mar mur mun/mum about
ri rim rid ri ri rir rir rin/rim to, against
ro rom rod ro ro ror ror ron/rom before
tro trom trod tro tro tror tror tron/trom through
Preposition
mo do a a ar ur an/am
Preposition
Possessive Adjective
Augmented Prepositions
Most simple prepositions have conjugated forms with possessive adjectives. Forms from aig,
ann and gu are mandatory. Others occur along with non-conjugated forms in both speech and
literature:
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APPENDIX 2
Parsing The Tenses Of The Verb TO BE
The Present Tense
The Past Tense
Bidh
mi, thu *, e, i
sinn, sibh, iad
Mrag
am balach
na daoine
sgth
Cha bhi
?Nach
bi $
?Am
Thuirt e
gum
nach
Bithidh , bhith and $ bith are preferred in stressed situations* tu is often used after
Bidh
Bha
mi, thu, e, i
sinn, sibh, iad
Mrag
am balach
na daoine
sgth
Cha
robh
?Nach
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
Tha
mi, thu, e, i
sinn, sibh, iad
Mrag
am balach
na daoine
sgth
Chan
eil ?Nach
Thuirt e
nach
gu bheil
?A bheil
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Bhitheadh and * bitheadh are preferred in stressed situations.
See Supplement 2 for the passive voice of the verb To Be.
Bhiodh
tu, e, i
sinn, sibh, iad
Mrag
am balach
na daoine
sgth
Cha bhiodh
?Nach
biodh
?Am
Thuirt e
gum
nach
bithinn
gum
?Am
?Nach
Cha bhithinn
Bhithinn
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APPENDIX 3
Parsing The Tenses Of Regular Verbs
Verbs beginning with l , n, r, sg, sm, sp and st cannot be lenited in writing (The first 3 do
have distinct lenited spoken forms).The interrogative particle is An except directly before a
verb beginning with b, f, m and p when it is Am.Similarly the conjunction Gun becomes Gum
directly before a verb beginning with b, f, m and p.
Verbs beginning with a lenitable consonant (except f - see below)
The Past Tense
Bhuail
mi, thu, e, i
sinn, sibh, iad
Mrag
am balach
na daoine
am brd
Cha
do bhuail
?Nach
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
Buailidh
mi, thu *, e, i
sinn, sibh, iad
Mrag
am balach
na daoine
am brd
Cha
buail
?Nach
?Am
Thuirt e
gun
nach
* tu is used after the independent form of the verb.
The ending will be -aidh for verb root with final broad vowel, e.g. Togaidh .
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Bhuaileadh
tu, e, i
sinn, sibh, iad
Mrag
am balach
na daoine
am brd
Cha bhiodh
?Nach
bhuaileadh
?Am
Thuirt e
gum
nach
buailinn
gum
?Am
?Nach
Cha bhuailinn
Bhuailinn
The ending will be -adh for verb root with final broad vowel, e.g. Thogadh
Verbs beginning with a vowel
The Past Tense
Dh'ith
mi, thu, e, i
sinn, sibh, iad
Mrag
am balach
na daoine
a' bhriosgaid
Cha
do dh'ith
?Nach
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
Ithidh
mi, thu *, e, i
sinn, sibh, iad
Mrag
am balach
na daoine
a' bhriosgaid
Chan
ith
?Nach
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
* tu is used after the independent form of the verb The ending will be -aidh for verb root
with final broad vowel, e.g. laidh
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Dh'itheadh
tu, e, i
sinn, sibh, iad
Mrag
am balach
na daoine
a' bhriosgaid
Chan bhiodh
?Nach
itheadh
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
ithinn
gun
?An
?Nach
Chan
Dh'ithinn
Ending will be -adh for verb root with final broad vowel, e.g. Dh'ladh
Verbs beginning with F
The Past Tense
Dh'fhill
mi, thu, e, i
sinn, sibh, iad
Mrag
am balach
na daoine
am pipear
Cha
do dh'fhill
?Nach
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
Fillidh
mi, thu *, e, i
sinn, sibh, iad
Mrag
am balach
na daoine
a' bhriosgaid
Chan
fhill ?Nach
Thuirt e
nach
gum
fill
?Am
* tu is used after the independent form of the verb. The ending will be -aidh for verb root
with final broad vowel, e.g. Fgaidh . it is common in the spoken language to lenite f after
nach .
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The ending will be -adh for verb root with final broad vowel, e.g. Dh'fhgadh .
See Supplement 3 for the passive voice of the regular verbs.
Dh'fhilleadh
tu, e, i
sinn, sibh, iad
Mrag
am balach
na daoine
a' bhriosgaid
Chan
fhilleadh
?Nach
?Am
filleadh
Thuirt e
gum
nach
fhilleadh
fhillinn
gum
fillinn
?Am
?Nach
fhillinn
Chan
Dh'fhillinn
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Rug
mi, thu, e, i
sinn, sibh, iad
Mrag
am balach
na daoine
orra
Cha
do rug=d'rug
?Nach
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
APPENDIX 4
Parsing The Past Tense Of Irregular Verbs
Chuala
mi, thu, e, i
sinn, sibh, iad
Mrag
am balach
na daoine
cel
Cha chuala
?Nach
cuala
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
Rinn
mi, thu, e, i
sinn, sibh, iad
Mrag
am balach
na daoine
an dnnear
Cha
do rinn=d'rinn
?Nach
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
Chaidh
mi, thu, e, i
sinn, sibh, iad
Mrag
am balach
na daoine
dhachaigh
Cha
deach
?Nach
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
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Chunnaic
mi, thu, e, i
sinn, sibh, iad
Mrag
am balach
na daoine
an tubaist
Chan
fhaca
?Nach
?Am
faca
Thuirt e
gum
nach fhaca
Fhuair
mi, thu, e, i
sinn, sibh, iad
Mrag
am balach
na daoine
an cothrom
Cha
d'fhuair
?Nach
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
Thuirt
mi, thu, e, i
sinn, sibh, iad
Mrag
am balach
na daoine
facal
Cha
tuirt
?Nach
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
Thubhairt and tubhairt are emphatic forms.
Rinig
mi, thu, e, i
sinn, sibh, iad
Mrag
am balach
na daoine
dhachaigh
Cha
do rinig=d'rinig
?Nach
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
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See Supplement 4 for the passive voice of the past tense of the irregular verbs.
Thinig
mi, thu, e, i
sinn, sibh, iad
Mrag
am balach
na daoine
dhachaigh
Cha
tinig
?Nach
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
Thug
mi, thu, e, i
sinn, sibh, iad
Mrag
am balach
na daoine
rud dhan ch
Cha
tug
?Nach
?An
Thuirt e
gun
nach
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Short Vowels Long Vowels
Gidhlig Samples Nearest English
Imitation
Imitation
a
fad
ball, bann
l agh
adhbhar
sabhal
ball a
bat
c ow
burn
burn
saw
father
a
bn far
e
dh eth
teth
bail e
set
rate
father
e
d
f ath
fame
sh ed
i
sir
tinn, t ill
feet
king
i
sn me
o
bog
orra
tonn, t oll, t om
bowl
modest
c ow
o
r
b
fawn
bold
u guth full u r poor
these are indistinct obscure vowels as found in English
short vowels are nasalised before terminal nn, ll & m
bh , gh and dh alter preceding short vowel sound
Pronunciation Guide
Vowel Sounds
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Diphthongs
Based on Short Vowels Based on Long Vowels
Imitation
Imitation
ai
tais
tairbh
-aidh (terminal)
bat
h it
see
ai
filte
dimh
far
eye
ao
daor burn but longer,
like French fl eur
ea
* l ean, beatha
** dealt, eala
c eann, geall
set
yak
yowl (ok so its not
a real word)
ea
c err yard
ei deich rate ei c ile fame
eo deoch yonder eo elas yaw l
eu
feur
c eum
seer
fame
eu
ia c iall seer ia
io
c iont
iomlan
yucca
sit
io
for s ee r
iu diugh yule iu il you
oi
c ois
cl oimh
modest
boy
oi
tisich
cl imh
fawn
cl oister
ua fuar flue nt ua
ui
sl uig
tuinn, t uill
full
suing
ui
dil poor
diphthong i has this value only immediately before consonant groups dh , mh & gh
predominant pronunciation
** this sound (yak) is dominant or becoming so in nearly all other cases including where it
precedes the consonant l
* this sound (s e t) is only found preceding a single consonant (or its lenited equivalent)
short vowels are nasalised before terminal nn & ll
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Broad Consonants
A, O, & U have similar influences on
consonants.
Further Gidhlig Samples indicate where
the non-initial consonant is different
Slender Consonants
Two Gidhlig Samples are given where E &
I have distinct influences onpreceding
consonants.
Further Gidhlig Samples indicate where
the non-initial consonant is different
Gidhlig
Imitation
Imitation
b
bn
obair
bar
top
b
be
bith
beauty
bee
bh
bh n
s abh al
van
saw
bh
bh e
bh ith
view
via
c
c at
ba c
c ot
loch+k sound
c
c e
c r
taic
kew
key
like German
I ch+k
ch
ch at loch as spoken
by a Scot
ch
ch e
ch r
like German I ch
chd bochd loch +k
d
d
sad
door
softer d but no
real equivalent
d
derrs
dth
jew
jig
dh
dh
adh bhar
guttural g but no
real equivalent
silent but af-
fects preceding
vowel
dh
dh eth yes
f
fn fan
f
ferr
fon
few
feel
fh
fhn silent
fh
fhon silent except in
fhin, fhathast
and fhuair
Consonants
Page 4
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Imitation
Imitation
g
gon
sgar, rag
got
s c ar, rack g
gerr
gin
sgeul, gig
ague
give
sc ale, tick
gh
gh on guttural g but no
equivalent
gh
gh in yes
l l close to ba ll l l on l ure
ll
toll weak l preceded
by a nasal ow but
no real equivalent
ll
till mill ion
m
mr mop
m
meall
mn
mew
meal
mh
mh r
s amh radh
vole
h ow
mh
mh eall
mh n
view
veal
n na close to nap n nigh new
nn
tonn weak n preceded
by a nasal ow but
no real equiva-
lent
nn
tinn pinion
ng trang longitude
p pos pan p peann pew
ph ph os fan ph eann few
r rag trilled r but no
real equivalent
r ris soft r but no
real equivalent
s son s o s s n sh e
sh sh on h oe sh sh eall h ew
t tum toe t t r ch ew
th th um h oe th th r h ew
medial and terminal dh and gh preceded by a slender vowel can be regarded as silent
l , n & r are not lenited in writing although they are subtle changes in their pronunciation in
lenited positions in spoken Gidhlig
bh , dh , gh & mh very often lose their consonant qualities when preceded
by an unaccented a or o

Gaelic Lessons

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Page 1

dm - Chan fhaodar na leasanan seo ath-riochdachadh gun chead bhon ghdar

5. The mirror isn't clean

12. The bad girl wasn't pleased

pipear (m) - paper rn (m) -seal

ma-t, ma-th - then dhachaigh - home(ward)

9. They were all together here yesterday

Leugh iad - They read Ruith iad - They ran

Thog iad - They lifted Dh'l iad - They drank

laidh tu - You will drink Togaidh mi - I will lift

EXERCISE 1 Translate into English

Thogadh tu - You would lift Dh'ladh tu - You would drink

Gheibhinn - I would get Theirinn - I would say

Lithean raidh - Special Days:

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