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Habitual Past Tense – Examples

by | Mar 15, 2021 | Examples | 0 comments


Aimsir Ghnáth Caite – Briathra Rialta
Habitual Past Tense- Regular Verbs
Réimniú
Conjugation		 Samplaí
Examples
A 2 D’athraíodh Lúcas a chuid éadaí gach bliain. Lúcas used to change his clothes every year.

Ní athraíodh sé… An athraíodh sé…? Nach n-athraíodh sé…?
B 1 Bhuaileadh Seán a chat agus seisean ar meisce. Seán used to beat his cat when he was drunk.

Ní bhuaileadh sé… An mbuaileadh sé…? Nach mbuaileadh sé…?
C 2 Chodlaíodh sé mar a bheadh rón ann. He used to sleep like a log (Literally, like a ‘seal’).

Ní chodlaíodh sé… An gcodlaíodh sé…? Nach gcodlaíodh sé…?
D 2 Dhúisíteá taibhsí le do srannach. You used to awaken ghosts with your snoring.

Ní dhúisíteá… An ndúisíteá…? Nach ndúisíteá…?
E 2 D’éirínn leis na héin. I used to rise with the lark.

Ní éirínn… An éirínn…? Nach n-éirínn…?
F 1 D’fhágaidís bronntanais cois na tine. They used to leave presents beside the fire.

Ní fhágaidís… An bhfágaidís…? Nach bhfágaidís…?
G 1 Ghlanadh Pádraigín a haghaidh le héadach. Pádraigín used to clean her face with a cloth.

Ní ghlanadh sí… An nglanadh sí…? Nach nglanadh sí…?
I 2 D’insíodh sí scéal maith, roimh an timpiste. She used to tell a good story, before the accident.

Ní insíodh sí… An insíodh sí…? Nach n-insíodh sí…?
L 2 Labhraíteá amach go hard ar son na hÉireann. You used to speak out loudly for Ireland’s sake.

Ní labhraíteá… An labhraíteá…? Nach labhraíteá…?
M 2 Mharaídís iad fhéin ag obair. They use to kill themselves working.

Ní mharaídís… An maraídís …? Nach maraídís …?
N 1 Niteá soithí as uisce salach chuile lá. You used to wash dishes in dirty water every day.

Ní niteá… An niteá…? Nach niteá…?
O 1 D’ólainn pionta beorach gach oíche. I used to drink a pint of beer every night.

Ní ólainn… An ólainn…? Nach n-ólainn…?
P 1 Phósadh daoine go hóg ar an oileán fadó. People used to marry young on the island long ago.

Ní phósadh daoine… An bpósadh daoine…? Nach bpósadh daoine…?
R 1 Rithteá timpeall na háite cosnochta. You used to run around the place barefoot.

Ní rithteá… An rithteá…? Nach rithteá…?
S1 1 Sheasadh Máirín ar leathchos sa bpairc. Máirín used to stand on one foot in the field.

Ní sheasadh sí… An seasadh sí…? Nach seasadh sí…?
S2 1 Shroichidís an baile roimh titim na hoíche. They used to reach home before nightfall.

Ní shroichidís… An sroichidís…? Nach sroichidís…?
S3 2 Smaoinínn go raibh an Ghaeilge furasta a fhoghlaim. I used to think that Irish was easy to learn.

Ní smaoinínn… An smaoinínn…? Nach smaoinínn…?
T 1 Thaispeánadh sibh gliomaigh don uaisle. You (plural) used to show lobsters to the nobility.

Ní thaispeánadh sibh… An dtaispeánadh sibh…? Nach dtaispeánadh sibh…?
U 2 D’ullmhaíodh Síle drámaí beaga don stáitse. Síle used to prepare little plays for the stage.

Ní ullmhaíodh sí… An ullmhaíodh sí … Nach n-ullmhaíodh sí …?

Irregular Verbs

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Verb

Past

Present

Future

Bí
be

An raibh tú?

Bhí mé

Ní raibh mé

An bhfuil tú?

Táim

Nílim

An mbeidh tú?

Beidh mé

Ní bheidh mé

Feic
see

An bhfaca tú?

Chonaic mé

Ní fhaca mé

An bhfeiceann tú?

Feicim

Ní fheicim

An bhfeicfidh tú?

Feicfidh mé

Ní fheicfidh mé

Téigh
go

An ndeachaigh tú?

Chuaigh mé

Ní dheachaigh mé

An dtéann tú?

Téim

Ní théim

An rachaidh tú?

Rachaidh mé

Ní rachaidh mé

Déan
do

An ndearna tú?

Rinne mé

Ní dhearna mé

An ndéanann tú?

Déanaim

Ní dhéanaim

An ndéanfaidh tú?

Déanfaidh mé

Ní dhéanfaidh mé

Faigh
get

An bhfuair tú?

Fuair mé

Ní bhfuair mé

An bhfaigheann tú?

Faighim

Ní fhaighim

An bhfaighidh tú?

Gheobhaidh mé

Ní bhfaighidh mé

Abair
say

An ndúirt tú?

Dúirt mé

Ní dúirt mé

An ndeir tú?

Deirim

Ní deirim

An ndéarfaidh tú?

Déarfaidh mé

Ní déarfaidh mé

Verb

Past

Present

Future

Tar
come

Ar tháinig tú?

Tháinig mé

Níor tháinig mé

An dtagann tú?

Tagaim

Ní thagaim

An dtiocfaidh tú?

Tiocfaidh mé

Ní thiocfaidh mé

Ith
eat

Ar ith tú?

D’ith mé

Níor ith mé

An itheann tú?

Ithim

Ní ithim

An íosfaidh tú?

Íosfaidh mé

Ní íosfaidh mé

Tabhair
give/bring

Ar thug tú?

Thug mé

Níor thug mé

An dtugann tú?

Tugaim

Ní thugaim

An dtabharfaidh tú?

 Tabharfaidh mé

Ní thabharfaidh mé

Beir…ar
catch

Ar rug tú?

Rug mé

Níor rug mé

An mbeireann tú??

Beirim

Ní bheirim

An mbéarfaidh tú?

Béarfaidh mé

Ní bhéarfaidh mé

Clois
hear

Ar chuala tú?

Chuala mé

Níor chuala mé

An gcloiseann tú?

Cloisim

Ní chloisim

An gcloisfidh tú?

Cloisfidh mé

Ní chloisfidh mé

Past Tense

by | Mar 15, 2021 | Past Tense | 0 comments

Affirmative Statements

In making the past tense, all changes are made at the beginning of the verb. Start with the basic verb and:

1. Séimhiú (add an “h” after) an initial consonant if it is a [B, C, D, F*, G, M, P] or [T]. Please refer to the samplaí (examples) in the chart below. (In other words, all consonants except L, N, R and sometimes S.) Séimhiú (add an “h” after) an initial [S] only if the following letter is a vowel or an [L, N or R]. Please refer to the samplaí (examples) in the chart below. Otherwise, leave an initial S unchanged. An initial L, N or R remains unchanged. Add [D’] before an initial vowel or an initial [F*]. Please refer to the samplaí (examples) in the chart below.

Negative Statements and Questions

Negative statements and questions in the past tense are made by adding the appropriate “verbal particle” before the basic verb, as follows:

Ar:     Direct Questions

Níor:  Negative Statements

Nár:   Negative Questions

Once the verbal particle has been added before the verb, the basic verb will change (if at all) exactly as in the affirmative statement form, with one exception. Once the verbal particle has been added, “D” is no longer needed before verbs starting with a vowel or an initial F.

* Note: When F takes a séimhiú it becomes silent so that the first sound heard in the verb is the following vowel. Because of this, “D'” is added before “fh” as though the verb started with a vowel.

Please refer to the samplaí (examples) in the chart below.

Past Tense – Examples

by | Mar 15, 2021 | Examples | 0 comments

Aimsir Chaite – Briathra Rialta
Past Tense – Regular Verbs
Réimniú
Conjugation		 Samplaí
Examples
A 2 D‘athraigh Uaitéar a phlean. Uaitéar changed his plan.

Ar athraigh…? Níor athraigh… Nár athraigh…?
B 1 Bhuail Beatha an madra dána. Beatha struck the bad dog.

Ar bhuail…? Níor bhuail… Nár bhuail…?
C 2 Chodail Greag i gcró na gcearc. Greag slept in the henhouse.

Ar chodail…? Níor chodail… Nár chodail…?
D 2 Dhúisigh Treasa go moch ar maidin. Treasa awoke early in the morning.

Ar dhúisigh…? Níor dhúisigh… Nár dhúisigh…?
E 2 D’éirigh Caoimhín leis an ngrian, mar is gnách. Caoimhín arose at sunrise, as usual.

Ar éirigh…?… Níor éirigh… Nár éirigh…?
F 1 D’fhág Crios an naíonán sa siopa. Crios left the infant in the shop.

Ar fhág…? Níor fhág… Nár fhág…?
G 1 Ghlan Máirín a coinsias. Máirín cleared (cleaned) her conscience.

Ar ghlan…?. Níor ghlan… Nár ghlan…?
I 2 D’inis Liam bréaga dúinn. Liam told us lies.

Ar inis…?… Níor inis…..? Nár inis…?
L 2 Labhair Muiris leis an bhfear marbh. Muiris spoke to the dead man.

Ar labhair…? Níor labhair… Nár labhair…?
M 2 Mharaigh Ethel í fhéin leis an ól. Ethel killed (destroyed) herself with drink.

Ar mharaigh …? Níor mharaigh … Nár mharaigh …?
N 1 Nigh Seosamh a choróin ríoga. Seosamh washed his royal crown.

Ar nigh …? Níor nigh … Nár nigh …?
O 1 D’ól Éamonn a phionta go sciobtha. Éamonn drank his pint quickly.

Ar ól …? Níor ól … Nár ól …?
P 1 Phós Bairbe go hóg. Bairbe married young.

Ar phós…? Níor phós… Nár phós…?
R 1 Rith Sóisear ar nós na gaoithe. Sóisear ran like the wind.

Ar rith …? Níor rith … Nár rith …?
S1 1 Sheas an ghruaig ar cheann Thomáis. Thomas’ hair stood on end.

Ar sheas…? Níor sheas … Nár sheas …?
S2 1 Shroich Mollaí aois áirithe. Mollaí reached a certain age.

Ar shroich …? Níor shroich … Nár shroich …?
S3 2 Smaoinigh Pádraig tamaillín faoi. Pádraig thought about it for a while.

Ar smaoinigh…? Níor smaoinigh… Nár smaoinigh …?
T 1 Thaispeáin an buachaill a ghliomach d’Eibhlín. The boy showed his lobster to Eibhlín.

Ar thaispeáin …? Níor thaispeáin … Nár thaispeáin …?
U 2 D’Ullmhaigh Pádraigín deoch nimhiúl. Pádraigín prepared a poisonous drink.

Ar ullmhaigh …? Níor ullmhaigh … Nár ullmhaigh …?

Pronunciation Key

by | Mar 15, 2021 | Pronunciation Key | 0 comments

VOWELS

STRESSED AND UNSTRESSES SYLLABLES: In multi-syllable words, the syllables which are underlined are stressed (accented) in pronunciation. Keep in mind that as a general rule most Irish words are pronounced with the stress on the first syllable with any remaining syllables being unstressed.

Short Vowels

Symbol Used Here

Irish Examples
Click for sound

Nearest English Equivalent

a

bean, mac

bat

e

ceist, te

set

i

duine, im

sit

o

obair, seo

son

u

dubh, tiubh

book

Long Vowels

Symbol Used Here

Irish Examples
Click for sound

Nearest English Equivalent

a

ard, tá

far

e

mé, tae

i

buí, naoi

me

o

ceol, mór

more

u

siúl, tú

who

The Neutral Vowel

Symbol Used Here

Irish Examples
Click for sound

Nearest English Equivalent

mála, míle

about

Dipthongs

Symbol 

Used 

Here

Irish Examples
Click for sound

Nearest English Equivalent

ai

radharc

I, eye

au

leabhar

cow

bia, pian

pianist

fuar, suas

fluent

Broad Consonants

Symbol 

Used 

Here

Irish Examples
Click for sound

Nearest English Equivalent

b

bán, buí

-

d

dó

-

f

faoin

-

g

Gaeilge

fog

h

hata, thit

hat

k

cad

cot

l

lón, mála

mill

m

maoin, mór

-

n

anam, naoi

-

p

paca

-

r

fuar

-

s

cás

-

t

tacht

-

v

vóta

wore

w

wigwam

wigwam

x

loch

German “Bach”

z

zú

-

longa

long

dhá

Spanish “Agua”

d´z´

jab

job

Slender Consonants

Symbol 

Used 

Here

Irish Examples
Click for sound

Nearest English Equivalent

b

bí, beo

be, beauty

d

deo

-

f

fíon, fiú

feet, few

g

gé, Gaeilge

gay, egg

k

cé, cead

key, came

l

leon, míle

live

m

maoin, mór

may, me

n

ainm, ní

canyon

p

peaca

piece

r

fuair

-

s

cáis

she

t

tacht

-

v

bhí

very

x

cheol

Hugh, German “Ich”

z

xileafón

pleasure

loingeas

sing

dhíol

yes

Prepositional Pronouns – Examples

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AG

at: 

Tá Máire ag an doras.

Máire is at the door.

possession:

Tá airgead mór agam.

I have a lot of money.

as a result of:

Tá mo chroí briste agat.

You’ve broken my heart.

AS

out of:

Bain as do phóca é.

Take it out of your pocket.

from a place:

Is as Gaillimh iad.

They are from Galway.

extinguished:

Tá an tine as.

The fire is out (extinguished).

CHUIG

to: 

Tháinig Síle chugam.

Síle came to me.

toward: 

Tarraing chugat iad.

Pull them towards you.

for: 

Rinne muid chuig glóire Dé é.

We did it for the glory of God.

DE

of:

Tá cuid de na daoine ag gáire.

Some of the people are laughing.

off:

Bain díot do chóta.

Take off your coat.

DO

to: 

Tabhair di an bláth.

Give the flower to her.

for: 

Fuair mé duit é.

I got it for you.

FARA

along with:

Bhí Míheál faru.

Míheál was in their company.

FAOI

under: 

Bhí Míheál faru.

The cat is not under the table.

about: 

Tá mé ag caint fút.

I am talking about you.

intention: 

Tá fúm Eibhlín a phósadh.

I intend to marry Eibhlín.

IDIR

between:

Tá míle eatarthu.

There is a mile between them.

both:

Bhí idir sean agus óg ann.

Both young and old were there.

I

in: 

Tá diabhal inti.

There’s a devil in her.
(She’s a devil of a one.)

having become
something:

Táim i mo mhúinteoir.

I’m a teacher.

LE

with:

Tar liom.

Come with me.

as a result of:

Tá Cáit tinn le himní.

Cáit is sick with worry.

for the purpose of:

Tá scéal le hinsint agam.

I have a story to tell.

due to be:

Tá arán ansin le n-ithe.

There’s bread there to be eaten.

against:

Bhí a chos leis an mballa.

His foot was against the wall.

duration:

Tá muid anseo le mí.

We are (have been) here for a month.

ownership:

Is liom é.

I own it. (It’s mine.)

AR

on:

Tá cuileog ar an gcíste.

There is a fly on the cake.

to wear:

Tá hata uirthi.

She has a hat on.
(She is wearing a hat.)

to have an appearance:

Bhí cuma brónach air.

He appeared sorry.

to have a name:

Siobhán atá orm.

My name is Siobhán.

to have a price:

Tá seacht bpunt orthu.

They cost seven pounds.

having to do a thing:

Tá orainn bainne a ól.

We must drink milk.

ROIMH

before:

Chuir Nóra bia romhainn.

Nóra put food before us.

on the arrival:

Bhí Pól roimpi anseo.

Pól was here on her arrival.

THAR

by:

Rith an capall tharainn.

The horse ran by us.

over:

Chuaigh Pádraig thar sáile.

Pádraig went over seas.

exceedingly:

Bhí an seó thar barr.

The show was outstanding.

TRÍ

through:

Chuaigh creathán tríthi.

A shiver went through her.

UM

about:

D’iaigh siad um an rí.

They closed in about the king.

at:

Shiúil sé um Shionainn.

He walked by (at) the Shannonside.

Ó

from:

Labhair Peig ón ardán.

Peig spoke from the stage.

since:

Ní raibh siad sásta ó shin.

They weren’t content since then.

desire or need:

Tá deoch uaim.

I need a drink. (I want a drink.)