Gaelic Lessons

LESSON 1 Part 1 - The Present Tense of the Verb TO BE

DM ©

Like all verbs in Gàidhlig 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 là .. - 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 fliuch - wet leisg - lazy, reluctant, loath sgìth - tired trang - busy toilichte - pleased, happy Nouns là - day

Pronouns mi - I, me thu - you (singular, familiar) e - he, him, it i - she, her, it

blàth - warm fuar - cold mòr - big, large tioram - dry snog - nice

fear - male, man

sinn - we, us sibh - you (plural, formal) iad - they, them

Page 1 dm© - Chan fhaodar na leasanan seo ath-riochdachadh gun chead bhon ùghdar dm© - These lessons may not be reproduced without permission from the author

DM ©

EXERCISE 1 Translate into English 1. Tha mi sgìth 2. Tha iad trang 3. Tha i fuar 4. Tha iad blàth 5. Tha sinn leisg 6. Tha sibh tioram

EXERCISE 2 Translate into Gàidhlig 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 Gàidhlig both are frequently contracted to Eil? This is the form always used for a negative statement and question. EXERCISE 3 Translate into English 1. A bheil thu sgìth? 2. Nach eil i fliuch? 3. Chan eil iad trang 4. Chan eil sinn fuar


dm© - Chan fhaodar na leasanan seo ath-riochdachadh gun chead bhon ùghdar dm© - These lessons may not be reproduced without permission from the author

Page 3

DM © LESSON 1: ANSWERS 4 1. Chan eil mi fuar 2. A bheil thu/sibh blàth? 3. Nach eil thu/sibh blàth? 4. A bheil i sgìth? 5. A bheil iad toilichte? 6. Nach eil i snog? 7. Chan eil e tioram 8. Chan eil sinn leisg

LESSON 1: ANSWERS 2 1. Tha sinn fuar 2. Tha thu/sibh beag 3. Tha iad mòr 4. Tha mi leisg 5. Tha e trang 6. Tha i sgìth

LESSON 1: ANSWERS 3 1. Are you tired? 2. Isn't she wet? 3. They aren't busy 4. We aren't cold 5. Aren't they lazy? 6. Are you cold?

LESSON 1: ANSWERS 1 1. I am tired 2. They are busy 3. She/it is cold 4. They are warm 5. We are lazy 6. You are dry

EXERCISE 4 Translate into Gàidhlig 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 5. 6.

Nach eil iad leisg? A bheil sibh fuar?

LESSON 2 Part 1 - Some Simple Adverbs

DM ©

The adjective uabhasach - terrible/awful is often used to convey the meaning very when used with another adjective: Tha e uabhasach mòr - He is awfully big Tha e uabhasach fliuch - It is terribly wet Similarly the words glè - very and ro - too are used with adjectives to emphasise qualities. The two words glè and ro lenite* the following adjective whenever possible: Tha iad glè mhòr - 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 glè 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 àrd - tall, high Adverbs cho - so ro - too, excessively

uabhasach - terrible, awful, very

glè - very

Conjunctions ach - but

agus - and

EXERCISE 1 Translate into English 1. Tha am fear glè thrang 2. Tha an là glè fhliuch 3. Nach eil am fear àrd? 4. A bheil i ro fhuar? 5. A bheil thu uabhasach sgìth? 6. Tha e ro bheag 7. Tha sin uabhasach 8. Tha mi fuar agus fliuch


DM ©

EXERCISE 2 Translate into Gàidhlig 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 Gàidhlig 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? Nach eil iad àrd - Aren't they tall?

Chan eil - No Chan eil - No

Tha - Yes Tha - Yes

In the past tense: An robh sibh trang? - Were you busy? Nach robh i leisg? - Wasn't she lazy?

Cha robh - No Cha robh - No

Bha - Yes Bha - Yes

EXERCISE 3 Translate into English 1. Bha iad glè thoilichte 2. Cha robh i ro shnog 3. An robh iad sgìth? Cha robh 4. A bheil i tioram? Tha



Page 3

DM ©

LESSON 2: ANSWERS 1 1. The man is very busy 2. The day is very wet 3. Isn't the man tall? 4. Is it/she too cold? 5. Are you terribly tired? 6. It/he is too small 7. That's awful 8. I am cold and wet

LESSON 2: ANSWERS 3 1. They were very pleased 2. She wasn't too nice 3. Were they tired? No 4. Is it/she dry? Yes 5. Wasn't the man lazy? 6. They were busy and content 7. The day was wet but warm 8. Were you warm? Yes 9. Aren't they nice? No

LESSON 2: ANSWERS 2 1. Tha mi cho fuar 2. Tha am fear glè leisg 3. Nach eil i uabhasach? 4. Tha sinn ro sgìth 5. Chan eil iad glè fhliuch 6. Chan eil e cho toilichte 7. Chan eil i fliuch, ach tha i fuar 8. Chan eil iad cho snog

LESSON 2: ANSWERS 4 1. Cha robh am fear sgìth 2. Nach eil thu/sibh blàth? Chan eil 3. Nach robh i glè fhliuch? Bha 4. Nach eil mi snog? Tha 5. Cha robh i trang, tha i leisg 6. Bha e ro àrd 7. Bha sinn glè thoilichte 8. Cha robh an là cho blàth 9. Cha robh iad uabhasach toilichte, an robh? Cha robh

EXERCISE 4 Translate into Gàidhlig 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 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Nach robh am fear leisg? Bha iad trang agus toilichte Bha an là fliuch ach blàth An robh thu blàth? Bha Nach eil iad snog? Chan eil

LESSON 3 The Nominative Case of Nouns

DM ©

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 Gàidhlig. 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-òran ‡ - The song An t-each ‡ - The horse Am balach - The boy Am peann - The pen An duine - The man An seòmar - 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-snàthad - The needle An t-sìth - 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 làmh (f) - The hand An sgàthan (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


Don't worry too much just now about the plurals. Remember you can find the other forms of the nouns in the Vocabulary section.

geur - sharp ìosal - low teth - hot

Nouns balach (m) - boy doras (m) - door each (m) - horse làr (m) - floor loch (m) - loch òran (m) - song rathad (m) - road sgàthan (m) - mirror teine (m) - fire caileag (f) - girl fearg (f) - anger leabaidh (f) - bed nighean (f) - girl, daughter sgian (f) - knife sìth (f) - peace

bàta (m) - boat duine (m) - person, husband gille (m) - lad leabhar (m) - book nead (m) - nest peann (m) - pen seòmar (m) - room taigh (m) - house abhainn (f) - river eaglais (f) - church làmh (f) - hand litir (f) - letter oidhche (f) - night sgoil (f) - school snàthad (f) - needle

DM ©

NEW WORDS Adjectives falamh - empty glan - clean salach - dirty

EXERCISE 1 Translate into English 1. Chan eil an sgoil glè ghlan 2. Tha an eaglais fuar 3. An robh an sgian geur? Cha robh 4. A bheil an litir mòr? Chan eil 5. Tha am peann tioram 6. Nach eil an loch ìosal? Tha 7. Tha an t-snàthad glè gheur 8. Bha an nead falamh 9. A bheil an seòmar blàth? Chan eil 10. Cha robh an t-òran snog EXERCISE 2 Translate into Gàidhlig 1. Was the book small? No 2. The lad is terribly tired 3. Is the door dry? 4. The floor wasn't wet



Page 3

DM ©

LESSON 3: ANSWERS 1 1. The school isn't very clean 2. The church is cold 3. Was the knife sharp? No 4. Is the letter big? No 5. The pen is dry 6. Isn't the loch low? Yes 7. The needle is very sharp 8. The nest was empty 9. Is the room warm? No 10. The song wasn't nice

LESSON 3: ANSWERS 2 1. An robh an leabhar beag? Cha robh 2. Tha an gille uabhasach sgìth 3. A bheil an doras tioram? 4. Cha robh an làr fliuch 5. Chan eil an sgàthan glan 6. Bha an t-sìth math 7. Nach robh an taigh falamh? Bha 8. Bha an teine teth 9. Bha an làmh fliuch 10. Nach eil an oidhche fuar? Tha 11. Cha robh an leabaidh glan 12. Cha robh a' chaileag ro thoilichte 13. Bha an fhearg mòr

5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.

The mirror isn't clean The peace was nice (good) Wasn't the house empty? Yes The fire was hot The hand was wet Isn't the night cold? Yes The bed wasn't clean The girl wasn't too happy The anger was great

LESSON 4 Introduction to Adjectives

DM ©

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 mòr - A big lad An gille mòr - The big lad Feminine singular (lenite adjective if possible) † Caileag mhòr - A big girl A' chaileag mhòr - The big girl Plural nouns (add -a or -e to adjective) * Gillean mòra - Big lads Na gillean mòra - The big lads Caileagan mòra - Big girls Na caileagan mòra - 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 mhòr, caileag bheag but caileag sgìth. * The ending follows the Gàidhlig 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 mòr >> mòra, 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 mòr seo - this big lad an gille mòr sin - that big lad na gillean seo - these lads na gillean sin - those lads na gillean mòra seo - these big lads na gillean mòra sin - those big lads Feminine a' chaileag seo - this girl a' chaileag bheag seo - this small girl na caileagan seo - these girls na caileagan beaga seo - these small girls

a' chaileag sin - that girl a' chaileag bheag sin - that small girl na caileagan sin - those girls na caileagan beaga sin - those small girls


As nouns have either masculine or feminine gender in Gàidhlig. 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: Tha e fuar - It is cold Tha i fuar - It is cold

DM ©

Masculine pronoun Tha an seòmar fuar - The room is cold Feminine pronoun Tha an eaglais fuar - The church is cold NEW WORDS Adjectives dearg - red fada - long gorm - blue, verdant green inntinneach - interesting sin - that ùr - new

dona - bad goirid - short math - good seo - this tinn - ill, sick

Pronouns e - it (masculine subject)

i - it (feminine subject)

EXERCISE 1 Translate into English 1. Chan eil an sgoil mhòr cho glan 2. Tha an eaglais bheag làn 3. An robh an sgian ùr geur? Cha robh 4. Bha am peann gorm tioram 5. Tha an litir seo inntinneach 6. Bha an taigh sin falamh 7. Tha an snàthad gheur salach 8. Tha an gille dona sin leisg 9. An robh an seòmar beag blàth? Cha robh 10. Cha robh a' chaileag bheag tinn EXERCISE 2 Translate into Gàidhlig 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



Page 3

DM ©

LESSON 4: ANSWERS 1 1. The big school isn't so clean 2. The small church is full 3. Was the new knife sharp? No 4. The blue pen was dry 5. This letter is interesting 6. That house was empty 7. The sharp needle is dirty 8. That bad lad is lazy 9. Was the small room warm? No 10. The little girl wasn't ill

LESSON 4: ANSWERS 2 1. An robh an leabhar beag fliuch? Cha robh 2. Bha an abhainn fhada glè shalach 3. An robh an doras ùr tioram? 4. Bha an làr goirid fliuch 5. Chan eil an sgàthan salach sin ùr 6. Bha an t-sìth fhada math 7. Nach robh an taigh falamh? Bha 8. Bha an teine teth glè mhath 9. Tha an làmh dhearg sin fliuch 10. Bha an oidhche fhada fuar 11. Chan eil am bàta gorm làn 12. Cha robh a' chaileag dhona toilichte 13. Tha am fear sin tioram agus blàth 14. Bha an loch fada sin àrd

12. 13. 14.

The bad girl wasn't pleased That man is dry and warm That long loch was high

LESSON 5 Introduction to the Simple Prepositions To help recognise trends the Simple Prepositions are best placed into distinct groups:

DM ©

Group 1 aig - at aig doras - at a door aig an doras - at the door

air - on air leabaidh - on a bed air an leabaidh - on the bed

gun - without gun chù - without a dog * gun an cù - without the dog

mar - as, like mar dhuine - like a man * 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 bho leabhar/o leabhar - from a book bhon leabhar/on leabhar - from the book

de - of, off de theine - of fire den teine * - of the fire

dha/do - to dha taigh/do thaigh † - to a house dhan taigh/don taigh - to the house

fo - under, below fo thruinnsear - under a plate fon truinnsear - under the plate

mu - about mu dhealbh - about a picture mun dealbh - about the picture

ro - before ro thubaist - before a accident 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.


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

DM ©

Group 3 These prepositions have separate forms for definite and indefinite nouns. The prepositions assume a final s before definite articles. à (às - with definite noun) - from, out of à taigh - out of a house às an taigh - out of the house

ann an (anns - with definite noun) - in ann an leabaidh - in a bed ann am bàta - in a boat * anns an leabaidh - in the bed

gu (also: gus - with definite noun) - to, until gu taigh - to a house gun taigh (also: gus an taigh) - to the house

le (leis - with definite noun) - with, by le leabhar - with a book leis an leabhar - with the book

ri (ris - with definite noun) - to, at, against ri sgàthan - against a mirror ris an sgàthan - 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 cèilidh ann a-nochd - There is a ceilidh on tonight NEW WORDS Conjunctions ach - however

Nouns cù (m) - dog rùm (m) - room, free space truinnsear (m) - plate sgeilp (f) - shelf tubaist (f) - accident

dealbh (m) - picture taigh-òsta (m) - hotel sgeul (f) - story toit (f) - smoke


DM ©

Placenames Dùn Èideann - Edinburgh Glaschu - Glasgow Inbhir Nis - Inverness Steòrnabhagh - Stornoway Prepositions à (às - 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 còmhla ri(s) - together with cuide ri(s) - together with faisg air - near seachad air - past thairis air - across EXERCISE 1 Translate into English 1. An robh thu anns an eaglais? 2. Tha an gille anns an rùm 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 glè bhlàth 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 à Inbhir Nis 11. Bha iad bhon taigh tron oidhche 12. Nach eil an cù fon leabaidh? 13. Bha i còmhla ris an duine 14. Tha a' chaileag air an làr cuide ri cù 15. Bha leabhar ann

EXERCISE 2 Translate into Gàidhlig 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) Page 3



Page 4

DM ©

LESSON 5: ANSWERS 1 1. Were you in (the) church? 2. The boy is in the room 3. There was no-one (a man) at the door 4. Are you at (the) school? Yes 5. She was ill and wasn't at school 6. I am very warm near the fire 7. They were at (against) the door 8. We were at(against) a shelf 9. Were you not on the bed? 10. He is from Inverness 11. They were (away) from home through the night 12. Is the dog not under the bed? 13. She was (along) with the man 14. The girl is on the floor (together) with a dog 15. There was a book there

LESSON 5: ANSWERS 2 1. Tha am fear trang air an rathad 2. Tha caileag ann am bàta air an abhainn 3. Tha e à Steòrnabhagh 4. Bha i anns an sgoil ach cha robh e 5. Nach eil iad à Dùn Èideann? Chan eil 6. Tha i à Glaschu agus tha e à Dùn Èideann 7. Bha iad anns an taigh-òsta, ach bha mi aig an taigh 8. Cha robh sinn glè theth aig an teine 9. Tha litir ann bhon nighean sin 10. Bha e anns an dealbh den sgeul sin 11. Bha an seòmar salach leis an toit 12. Bha am balach anns an taigh 13. Chan eil rùm falamh anns an taigh seo

10. 11. 12. 13.

He was in the picture of that story The room was dirty with the smoke The boy was in the house There isn't an empty room in this house

LESSON 6 The Dative Case of Nouns The Dative Case is the form of a noun found after the simple prepositions

DM ©

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 bùthan - shops na bùthan - the shops ann am bùthan - in shops anns na bùthan - 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 bòrd - table air bòrd - 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: Nominative Definite Singular Dative Definite Singular an t-òran - the song leis an òran - with the song an t-ùrlar - the floor fon ùrlar - under the floor


DM ©

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: Nominative Definite Singular Dative Definite Singular an seòl - the sail air an t-seòl - on the sail an seòmar - the room anns an t-seòmar - 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: Nominative Definite Singular Dative Definite Singular am bòrd - the table air a' bhòrd - on the table fon bhòrd - 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 pàipear - the paper anns a' phàipear - in the paper bhon phàipear an cù - the dog air a' chù - on the dog mun chù - about the dog an gille - the boy ris a' ghille - to the boy ron ghille - before the boy NEW WORDS Adjectives bòidheach - beautiful brèagha - lovely ciùin - calm donn - brown luath - fast mall - slow stoirmeil - stormy uaine - green Nouns achadh (m) - field aran (m) - bread bainne (m) - milk bòrd (m) - table cladach (m) - shore falt (m) - hair feur (m) - grass gleann (m) - glen iasg (m) - fish monadh (m) - moor, mountain

allt (m) - burn (stream) baile (m) - town bogsa (m) - box cèilidh (m) - ceilidh cnoc (m) - hill feasgar (m) - evening fiadh (m) - deer gual (m) - coal ìm (m) - butter òran (m) - song


ròn (m) -seal seòl (m) - sail sneachd (m) - snow uisge (m) -water

DM ©

pàipear (m) - paper saoghal (m) - world sgoilear (m) - pupil, scholar sruth (m) - stream ùrlar (m) - floor

EXERCISE 1 Translate into English 1. Tha caileag bhòidheach anns a' phàipear ann 2. Tha an cù donn beag ann fon bhòrd sin 3. An robh sibh air a' mhonadh? Bha 4. Tha an t-ìm air an aran glè mhath 5. Bha ròn ann air a' chladach 6. Tha an gleann sin brèagha air là ciùin 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-seòl? 11. Bha sìth ann tron t-saoghal 12. Tha am bainne bhon fhiadh sin uabhasach math? 13. Nach eil aran ùr anns a' bhocsa ann? Tha 14. Bha an duine, leis a' chù, cho mall air a' chnoc 15. Tha taigh ann thairis air an t-sruth

EXERCISE 2 Translate into Gàidhlig 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



Page 4

DM ©

LESSON 6: ANSWERS 1 1. There is a beautiful girl in the paper 2. The small brown dog is under that table 3. Were you on the moor? Yes 4. The butter on the bread is very good 5. There was a seal on the shore 6. That glen is lovely on a calm day 7. It was really stormy in the evening 8. There is no water in the stream 9. There is a good hot fire from this coal 10. Was he quick with the sail? 11. There was peace through(out) the world 12. The milk from that deer is very good? 13. Isn't there fresh bread in the box? Yes 14. The man, with the dog, was so slow on the hill 15. There is a house there over the stream

LESSON 6: ANSWERS 2 1. Tha an cù anns a' bhogsa fon bhòrd 2. Tha gual ann anns an t-sruth 3. Tha falt donn glè bhòidheach 4. Bha mi air an rathad dhan bhaile 5. Tha là air a' mhonadh math dhut 6. Bha an làr fliuch le uisge 7. Tha feur gorm ann anns an achadh 8. Tha an taigh ùr faisg air an allt luath 9. Tha an cladach seachad air a' mhonadh 10. Nach eil iad a' dol dhan chèilidh anns a' bhaile? Chan eil Chan eil iasg anns an allt ann Tha am bòrd anns an t-seòmar sin glè shnog Bha uisge ann fon bhòrd Bha am bàta fo sheòl Bha ròn ann anns an uisge, agus air a' chladach 11. 12. 13. 14. 15.

LESSON 7 The Dative Singular Case of Feminine Nouns

DM ©

Features in Common with the Nominative Singular Nouns The definite article and definite nouns are identical to nominative 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 Gàidhlig 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: Nominative Definite Singular Dative Definite Singular Dative Indefinite Singular an làmh - the hand air an làimh - on the hand air làimh - on a hand a' mharag - the pudding leis a' mharaig - with the pudding le maraig - with a pudding an tò(i)n - the rump air an tòin - on the rump air tòin - on a rump


DM ©

Type 3 In polysyllabic nouns the final vowel group ea will change to ei. Most common change is the ending -eag >> -eig: Nominative Definite Singular Dative Definite Singular Dative Indefinite Singular 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: Nominative Definite Singular Dative Definite Singular a' chailleach - the old woman dhan chaillich - to the old woman a' chearc - the hen fon chirc - under the hen

Dative Indefinite Singular do chaillich - to an old woman fo chirc - under a hen

Type 5 In monosyllabic nouns the diphthong ia will change to èi: Nominative Definite Singular Dative Definite Singular a' ghrian - the sun fon ghrèin - under the sun

Dative Indefinite Singular fo ghrèin - under a sun

Type 6 In monosyllabic nouns the diphthong ìo will change to i: Nominative Definite Singular Dative Definite Singular a' chrìoch - the boundary aig a' chrìch - at the boundary

Dative Indefinite Singular aig crìch - 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: Nominative Definite Singular Dative Definite Singular Dative Indefinite Singular 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' chèilidh - the ceilidh aig a' chèilidh - at the ceilidh aig cèilidh - at a ceilidh In a very few cases the dative is irregular or shows no change: Nominative Definite Singular Dative Definite Singular Dative Indefinite Singular a' bhùth - the shop anns a' bhùth - in the shop ann am bùth - in a shop a' bhean - the wife leis a' mhnaoi - with the wife le mnaoi - with a wife NEW WORDS Adjectives dubh - black olc - evil

geal - white sàbhailte - safe

Conjunctions oir - for, because


DM ©

Nouns The datives are given in this lesson. For others see the Vocabulary section. bùth (f) - shop cailleach, caillich (f) - old woman caora (f) - sheep cas, cois (f) - leg,foot cearc, circ (f) - hen, chicken cèilidh (f) - ceilidh crìoch, crìch (f) - end, boundary feannag, feannaig (f) - crow fearg, feirg (f) - anger Gàdhlig (f) - Gàidhlig language grian, grèin (f) - sun làmh, làimh (f) - hand madainn (f) - morning muir (f) - sea naidheachd (f) - news poit (f) - pot sgeulachd (f) - story, tale slat, slait (f) - rod, wand sgiath, sgèith (f) - wing, shield sràid (f) - street tò(i)n, tòin (f) - rump, backside ùine (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 blàth 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' Ghàidhlig glè inntinneach, nach eil? 7. Bha sgeulachd inntinneach anns an litir 8. Tha an nighean ris an uinneig (ris an uinneag) oir tha a' ghrian blàth 9. Bha slat fhada ùr ann anns a' bhùth 10. Tha bùth ùr ann air an t-sràid sin 11. Nach robh iad ùine fhada anns a' bhaile 12. Tha an sgeulachd ghoirid seo anns a' Ghàidhlig 13. Bha an cù donn air an fheur ris a' ghrèin (ris a' ghrian) 14. Bha sgiath dhonn air a' chirc (air a' chearc) EXERCISE 2 Translate into Gàidhlig 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 Page 3 dm© - Chan fhaodar na leasanan seo ath-riochdachadh gun chead bhon ùghdar dm© - These lessons may not be reproduced without permission from the author


Page 4

DM ©

LESSON 7: ANSWERS 1 1. This letter is for the old woman 2. The sun was warm in the morning 3. Were they not at (the) sea through the night? Yes 4. She was in (the) bed during (through) the morning 5. There was a story about that girl in the news 6. Gàidhlig is very interesting, isn't it? 7. There was an interesting story in the letter 8. The girl is at the window because the sun is warm 9. There was new long (fishing) rod in the shop 10. There is a new shop on that street 11. Weren't they a long time in (the) town? 12. This short story is in Gàidhlig 13. The brown dog on the grass was (exposed) to the sun 14. The hen had a brown wing (lit. There was a brown wing on the hen)

LESSON 7: ANSWERS 2 (In brackets are common spoken forms. These should not be written) 1. Bha a' chailleach anns a' bhùth anns a' mhadainn 2. Bha i aig a' bhùth còmhla ris a' chaileig (ris a' chaileag) 3. Bha a' chaileag sàbhailte fon sgèith (fon sgiath) 4. Bha an làmh olc air an t-slait (air an t-slat) 5. Cha robh mi aig an uinneig (aig an uinneag) anns a' mhadainn 6. Bha e anns an leabaidh tron oidhche 7. Bha e dearg le feirg (le fearg) 8. Tha a' chearc anns a' phoit 9. Tha a' chaora dhubh glè theth fon ghrèin (fon ghrian) 10. Nach robh thu ann aig a' chèilidh? Bha, bha mi ann ùine ghoirid 11. Bha an cù faisg air a' chaileig (air a' chaileag) 12. Tha feannagan dubh, ach tha sgiath gheal air an fheannaig sin (air an fheannag sin) 13. Tha an nighean fliuch oir bha i anns a' mhuir 14. Bha an sgeulachd uabhasach aig a' chrìch (aig a' chrìoch)

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

LESSON 8 Verbal Nouns, the Present Participle, and the Infinitive

DM ©

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) sgrìobhadh - 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 sgrìobhadh - 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' sgrìobhadh - 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 Gàidhlig 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 òl? - Was he drinking? Cha robh iad a' dol - They were not going


DM ©

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'òl - to drink Verbal nouns beginning with l, 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 sgrìobhadh - 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' chèilidh - 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


DM ©

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 phàirc - 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 òrd (m) - hammer pàirc (f) - park Placenames Dun Deagh - Dundee Peairt - Perth Struighle - Stirling

banca (m) - bank talla (m) - hall

Obar Dheathain - Aberdeen Portrìgh - Portree 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 fàg, fàgail - 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 òl, òl - drink rach, dol - go ruith, ruith - run seinn, seinn - sing sgrìobh, sgrìobhadh (gu) - write (to) till, tilleadh - return tog, togail - build , lift tòisich, tòiseachadh (ri) - start, begin (to) EXERCISE 1 Translate into English 1. An robh sibh ag iarraidh seinn aig a' chèilidh? Bha 2. Bha a' chaileag a' cluich leis a' chù 3. Chan eil iad a' fuireach ann an Struighle 4. Tha mi a' leughadh pàipear aig an uinneig 5. Chan eil iad a' tilleadh gus a' mhadainn Page 3 dm© - Chan fhaodar na leasanan seo ath-riochdachadh gun chead bhon ùghdar dm© - These lessons may not be reproduced without permission from the author


Page 4

DM ©

LESSON 8: ANSWERS 1 1. Were you wanting to sing at the ceilidh? Yes 2. The girl was playing with the dog 3. They don't live (stay) in Stirling 4. I am reading a paper at the window 5. They aren't returning until (the) morning 6. Are we going to the hall? Yes 7. The boy was fishing at (the) sea 8. Were you not running on the road? No 9. Is she not working at home (the house)? 10. She wants to write to that man 11. I want to go to Dundee 12. They are putting a fish in water 13. They were eating around (about) the table 14. Màiri is going to eat in the hotel

LESSON 8: ANSWERS 2 1. Bha e a' bruidhinn ri Calum 2. Chan eil an càr a' Tòiseachadh 3. Bha e ag ionnsachadh Gàidhlig 4. Tha mi ag iarraidh a dhol dhan phàirc leis a' chù 5. A bheil sibh ag iarraidh tilleadh dhan tòiseachadh 6. Bha am balach dona a' ruith air an t-sràid 7. An robh e fliuch no tioram air a' mhonadh? Bha e fliuch agus fuar 8. Tha iad a' fuireach ann am Peairt, ach tha iad à Portrìgh 9. Tha mi a' dol a cheannach leabhar ùr leis an airgead 10. Bha e a' bualadh leis an òrd 11. Tha mi a' dol a dh'fhàgail Tairbeart oir tha mi a' dol gu Obar Dheathain 12. Bha na h-èisg a’ leum a-mach às an uisge

EXERCISE 2 Translate into Gàidhlig 1. He was speaking to (ri) Calum 2. The car is not starting 3. He was learning Gàidhlig 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 (à) 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-èisg) were leaping out of (a-mach às) the water 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14.

A bheil sinn a' dol dhan talla? Tha Bha an gille ag iasgach aig a' mhuir Nach robh thu a' ruith air an rathad? Cha robh Nach eil i ag obair aig an taigh? Tha i ag iarraidh sgrìobhadh gun fhear sin Tha mi ag iarraidh a dhol gu Dun Deagh Tha iad a' cur iasg ann an uisge Bha iad ag ithe mun bhòrd Tha Màiri a' dol a dh'ithe anns an taigh-òsta

LESSON 9 The Future Tense of the Verb TO BE

DM ©

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 - It will not be cold

Am bi? - for asking a question (interrogative) Am bi e fuar? - Will it 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 chèilidh? - 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 èisteachd ris an rèidio feasgar - I will be listening to the radio in the evening Bidh mi ag èisteachd ris an rèidio feasgar - I (usually) listen to the radio in the evening Bidh mi ag èirigh aig seachd uairean - I will be getting up at seven o'clock Bidh mi ag èirigh aig seachd uairean - I (habitually) get up at seven o'clock NEW WORDS Adjectives gach - each


Nouns Là na Sàbaid (m) - The Sabbath meadhan-là (m) - mid-day

meadhan (m) - middle, mid meadhan-oidhche (m) - midnight

DM ©

Pronouns thusa - emphatic form of thu -you Verbs èirich, èirigh - arise, get up

èist, èisteachd (ri) - listen (to)

EXERCISE 1 Translate into English 1. Bidh mi a' dol dhan chèilidh. Am bi thusa? 2. Cha bhi an cù a' fuireach anns an taigh 3. Nach bi iad a' seinn anns a' bhaile? Bidh 4. Am bi thu ag obair anns a' bhùth? Cha bhi 5. Bidh sinn a' dol a dh'iasgach air an loch 6. Cha bhi an gille a' dol dhan eaglais Là na Sàbaid EXERCISE 2 Translate into Gàidhlig 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?

LESSON 9: ANSWERS 1 1. I'll be going to the ceilidh. Will you? 2. The dog won't be staying in the house 3. Won't they be singing in (the) town? Yes 4. Will you be working in the shop? No 5. We'll be going fishing on the loch 6. The boy won't be going to church on Sunday

LESSON 9: ANSWERS 2 1. Bidh mi a' dol dhan leabaidh aig meadhan-oidhche 2. Bidh mi a' fuireach aig an taigh Là na Sàbaid 3. Bidh sinn a' ceannach an taigh sin 4. Am bi sibh a' dol dhan phàirc gach feasgar? Bidh 5. Cha bhi e a' cluich aig a' chèilidh 6. Nach bi iad a' fuireach gus a' mhadainn?


LESSON 10 More Adverbs

DM ©

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-màireach - 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-dràsta - just now

Tha i a' dol dhan bhùth an-dràsta - She is going to the shop just now

The word fìor - true can precede adjectives in the same way as cho, glè and ro (see Lesson 2) and except for cho they all lenite the adjective whenever possible: fìor - true Tha e ag obair fìor mhath - He is working extremely well cho - so Chan eil e a' dèanamh cho math - He is not doing so well glè - very Tha mi glè 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 fìor - true slaodach - slow

deanadach - diligent, industrious, hard-working luath - fast, quick uile - all

Adverbs air fad - altogether, wholly, entirely gu dearbh - indeed gu leòr - enough chèile - one another, together mar seo - like this, thus

air leth - separately gu lèir - entirely idir - at all

mar sin - like that, thus Page 1


DM ©

ma-tà, ma-thà - then dhachaigh - home(ward) sìos - down(wards) shìos - down (in position) a-nìos - 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-màireach - tomorrow am-bliadhna - this year an-dràsta - just now an-dè - 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 bràth - forever mar thà - already a-riamh/a-riamh - ever (past & perfect tenses) roimhe - before, previously

EXERCISE 1 Translate into English 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. Gàidhlig gu bràth 5. Anns a' mhadainn an-diugh bha iad anns a' phàirc 6. Bha mi anns a' bhaile an-dè. A-màireach 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 sgìth? Tha gu dearbh 10. Nach eil iad daonnan trang? 11. An-uiridh bha sinn ann an Inbhir Nis, am-bliadhna bidh sinn ann am Portrìgh. 12. Nach eil Màiri agus Calum a' bruidhinn ri chèile? 13. A bheil i a' fuireach còmhla ri Seumas? Chan eil idir, tha iad a' fuireach air leth 14. Am bi thu a' dol sìos an t-sràid? Bidh an dràsta EXERCISE 2 Translate into Gàidhlig 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, Mòrag 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 Page 2 dm© - Chan fhaodar na leasanan seo ath-riochdachadh gun chead bhon ùghdar dm© - These lessons may not be reproduced without permission from the author


Page 3

DM ©

LESSON 10: ANSWERS 1 1. He is always at (the) school, but he is not working well 2. I was never happy working at sea 3. He was up in (the) bed 4. Gàidhlig for ever 5. This morning they were in the park 6. I was in (the) town yesterday. Tomorrow I will be going to (the) church 7. I am going home now 8. We will be home (at the house) tonight 9. Are you still tired? Yes indeed 10. Are they not always busy? 11. Last year we were in Inverness, this year we will be in Portree 12. Are Màiri and Calum not speaking to one another? 13. Does she stay with Seumas? Not at all, they stay apart 14. Will you be going down the street? Yes just now

LESSON 10: ANSWERS 2 1. An robh thu a-riamh ann an Glaschu? Bha 2. Cha bhi thu ag obair a chaoidh anns a' bhaile seo 3. Tha iad ag obair còmhla math gu leòr 4. Tha mi a' fuireach an seo, tha Mòrag a' fuireach an sin, agus tha Niall a' fuireach an siud thall 5. Tha mi a' dol gu cèilidh. A bheil thusa? Chan eil, Tha mi a' fuireach a-staigh 6. Bha sinn ag obair an sin roimhe 7. Bha fear ag obair thall an sin an-dè 8. Bidh e a' ruith thairis air a' mhonadh a-màireach 9. Bha iad uile còmhla an seo an-dè 10. A bheil thu a' dol a dh'iasgach ma-tà? Chan eil, bha mi ag iasgach madainn an-diugh cheana Bha an nighean a' cluich a-muigh air an t-sràid An robh thu a-muigh a' ruith a-raoir. Bha Bha e a' coiseachd dhachaigh bhon chèilidh Bha i a-riamh ag ithe 11. 12. 13. 14.

9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14.

They were all together here yesterday Are you going fishing (to fish) then? No I was fishing this morning already The girl was playing outside on the street Were you out running last night? Yes He was walking home from the ceilidh She was forever eating

LESSON 11 The Conditional Tense of the Verb TO BE

DM ©

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 Gàidhlig 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


DM ©

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 là - 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 là - They (usually) didn't go to school every day NEW WORDS Adjectives a h-uile - every (before noun) cofhartail - comfortable Nouns àm (m) - occasion, time bodach (m) - old man càise (m) - cheese crodh (m) - cattle preas (m) - cupboard, press cathair (f) - chair

cinnteach - certain sona - happy

balla (m) - wall cat (m) - cat còta (m) -coat gual (m) - coal solas (m) - light

EXERCISE 1 Translate into English 1. Bhithinn a' dol dhan chèilidh a-màireach 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' bhàta? Bhiodh 5. Cha bhithinn uabhasach toilichte 6. Nach biodh iad sona a' cluich air a' chladach? 7. Bhiodh ìm ann air a' bhòrd agus càise anns a' phreas 8. Bhiodh an crodh air a' mhonadh aig an àm sin

EXERCISE 2 Translate into Gàidhlig 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



Page 3

DM ©

LESSON 11: ANSWERS 1 1. I would be going to the ceilidh tomorrow 2. They wouldn't be going to (the) town at all 3. The cat would forever (always) be at the fire 4. Would he be working on the boat? Yes 5. I wouldn't be terribly pleased 6. Would they not be happy playing on the shore? 7. There would be butter on the table and cheese in the cupboard 8. The cattle would be on the moor at that time

LESSON 11: ANSWERS 2 1. Bhiodh gual ann air an teine agus solas ann anns an rùm 2. Bhithinn fuar a-muigh gun chòta 3. Bhiodh e math agus blàth aig an teine 4. Cha bhiodh e fada a' ruith suas an t-sràid 5. Nach biodh iad a' seinn anns an talla a-nochd? Cha bhiodh 6. Bhiodh sinn gu cinnteach a' tilleadh dhan taigh-òsta 7. Bhiodh e tioram agus blàth anns a' mhadainn 8. Cha bhithinn cofhartail anns a' chathair sin

LESSON 12 The Verb TO HAVE

DM ©

The title is a bit of an anomaly since there is no verb TO HAVE in Gàidhlig. Instead the verb To Be is used in association with the preposition aig: Tha cù 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 cù agam - I have a dog Bha leabhar aige - He had a book Bidh taigh ùr againn - We'll have a new house Chan eil biadh aca - They don't have any food An robh gàrradh agaibh? - Did you have a garden? Tha càt 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 cù 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 càt aicese - She has a cat againn ne The taigh ùr againne - We have a new house agaibh se A bheil gàrradh agaibhse? - Do you have a garden? aca san Chan eil biadh acasan - They don't have any food ‡ Gàidhlig 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


DM ©

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 mòr - 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 ceann (m) - head fios (m) - knowledge pian (m) - pain uisge (m) - water Beurla (f) - English language freagairt (f) - answer obair (f) - work, job

botal (m) - bottle copan (m) - cup gàrradh (m) - garden saor-là (m) - holiday

ceist (f) -question seacaid (f) - jacket

EXERCISE 1 Translate into English 1. Tha taigh ùr agamsa 2. Bha oidhche mhath againn aig a' chèilidh 3. Cha robh gàrradh aig an fhear 4. Nach robh còta aig a' chaillich? Bha 5. Chan eil Beurla aca, ach tha Gàidhlig mhath aca 6. Chan eil uisge ann anns a' bhotal aige ach tha anns a' bhotal agamsa 7. Bidh obair ùr agam anns an taigh-òsta 8. Bhiodh feur ùr aig a' chaora anns an achadh siud 9. Bha mi anns a' bhùth aig Anna an-dè 10. Cha bhiodh sinn a' dol a-mach anns a' bhàta ùr againn EXERCISE 2 Translate into Gàidhlig 1. There is fresh (ùr) 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 Gàidhlig 8. I have (some) bread and cheese in the cupboard 9. I know the answer to that question



Page 3

DM ©

LESSON 12: ANSWERS 1 1. I have a new house 2. We had a good night at the ceilidh 3. The man didn't have a garden 4. Didn't the old woman have a coat? Yes 5. They don't have (any) English,but they have good Gàidhlig 6. There isn't any water in his bottle but there is in my bottle I'll have a new job in the hotel The sheep would have fresh grass in that field I was in Anna's shop yesterday We wouldn't be going out in our new boat 7. 8. 9. 10.

LESSON 12: ANSWERS 2 1. Tha bainne ùr anns a' chopan agam 2. Nach robh seacaid aige? Bha 3. An robh saor-là math agaibh ann an Steòrnabhagh? Bha 4. Nach eil rùm falamh ann anns an taigh-òsta agaibh? Chan eil Tha pian dona agam anns a' cheann Tha obair ùr aige a-nis Chan eil Gàidhlig acasan Tha aran agus càise agamsa anns a' phreas Tha fios agam air an fhreagairt den cheist sin 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

LESSON 13 Possessive Adjectives

ar - our ur, bhur - your ‡ an/am - their †

DM ©

The possessive adjectives are: mo - my (lenites next word) do - your (lenites next word) a - his (lenites next word) 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 chòta - my coat do chòta - your coat a chòta - his coat a còta - her coat

ar còta - our coat ur còta - your coat an còta - their coat am màthair - 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 chòta, an còta agam - my coat ar taigh, an taigh againn do chù, an cù 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.


DM ©

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 bàn - fair, blond ceàrr - wrong tràth - early

buidhe - yellow ceart - correct

Adverbs gu math - well, rather, fairly

Conjunctions is - and (for familiar associations) Nouns athair (m) - father cofaidh (m) -coffee freagairt (f) - answer piuthar (f) - sister

bràthair (m) - brother ospadal (m) - hospital màthair (f) - mother

EXERCISE 1 Translate into English 1. Tha mo chòta ùr salach 2. Tha an t-seacaid bhuidhe aice anns a' bhocsa 3. Bha fhalt gu math bàn 4. Am biodh do chù a' ruith anns a' phàirc? 5. Chan eil am bainne agam ùr 6. Tha ar n-eaglais air an t-sràid thall an sin 7. A bheil am bràthair-san gu math a-nis? Tha 8. Tha bhur taigh blàth is cofhartail 9. Am bi do mhàthair a' dol a-mach a-nochd? Cha bhi 10. Bha mo chopan làn de chofaidh

EXERCISE 2 Translate into Gàidhlig 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 Page 2



Page 3

DM ©

LESSON 13: ANSWERS 1 1. My new coat is dirty 2. Her yellow jacket is in the box 3. His hair was rather fair 4. Would your dog be running in the park? 5. The milk I have isn't fresh 6. Our church is on (that) street over there 7. Is their brother well now? Yes 8. Your house is warm and comfortable 9. Will your mother be going out tonight? No 10. My cup was full of coffee

LESSON 13: ANSWERS 2 Answers a & b denote possible variations. 1. A bheil m' fhreagairt ceart no ceàrr? Tha e ceart, glè mhath 2a. Bha ar n-airgead anns a' bhanca thall an sin 2b. Bha an t-airgead againn anns a' bhanca thall an sin

3a. Tha an cat aca tinn an-dràsta 3b. Tha an cat-san tinn an-dràsta 4a. Bidh m' athair a' dol a-mach air a' mhonadh leis a' chù aige 4b. Bidh m' athair a' dol a-mach air a' mhonadh le a chù 5. Bidh a bhràthair a' fuireach anns an taigh againn a-nochd 6. Tha caraid aig mo phiuthar anns an ospadal 7a. Tha mo pheann uaine, agus tha ur peann dearg 7b. Tha am peann agam uaine, agus tha am peann agaibh dearg 8a. Am bi m' airgead sàbhailte anns a' bhogsa sin? Bidh, gu cinnteach 8b. Am bi an t-airgead agam sàbhailte anns a' bhogsa sin? Bidh, gu cinnteach 9. Chan eil mo mhàthair is m' athair cho òg a-nis 10. Bha ur caoraich anns a' ghàrradh againn an-dè

7. 8. 9. 10.

My pen is green, and your (sibh) pen is red Will my money be safe in that box? Yes, certainly My mother and (is) my father are not so young now Your sheep were in our garden yesterday

LESSON 14 Emphasising Self

DM ©

Fhèin (Fhìn for 1st person singular) can be added to a pronoun to indicate Self: mi-fhìn - myself sinn-fhèin † - ourselves thu-fhèin - yourself sibh-fhèin ‡ - yourself e-fhèin - himself iad-fhèin - themselves i-fhèin - herself † sinn-fhìn is not an uncommon alternative both in literature and spoken Gàidhlig. ‡ this is frequently voiced as sibh-pèin in spoken Gàidhlig. This mutation habitually occurs when sounds bh and fh meet. Fhèin can also be used with the possessive adjective, but this time it gets the meaning own: mo leabhar fhìn - my own book ar leabhar fhèin - our own book mo chù fhìn - my own dog ar cù fhèin - our own dog do leabhar fhèin - your own book ur leabhar fhèin - your own book do chù fhèin - your own dog ur cù fhèin - your own dog a leabhar fhèin § - his own book an leabhar fhèin ‡ - their own book a chù fhèin - his own dog an cù fhèin ‡ - their own dog a leabhar fhèin § - her own book a cù fhèin - her own dog † ar [noun] fhìn is not an uncommon alternative both in literature and spoken Gàidhlig. ‡ where you think there might be confusion with the meaning an leabhar fhèin - 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. Fhèin (Fhìn for 1st person singular) can also be used with the prepositional pronouns of aig that you met in Lesson 12: an leabhar agam fhìn - my own book an leabhar againn-fhèin - our own book an leabhar agad-fhèin - your own book an leabhar agaibh-fhèin‡ - your own book an leabhar aige-fhèin - his own book an leabhar aca-fhèin - their own book an leabhar aice-fhèin - her own book † againn-fhìn is not an uncommon alternative both in literature and spoken Gàidhlig. ‡ this is frequently voiced as agaibh-pèin


NEW WORDS Verbs coimhead, coimhead (air) - look (at) ionaltair, ionaltradh - graze

fairich, faireachdainn - feel

DM ©

EXERCISE 1 Translate into English 1. An taigh agam fhìn 2. An seòmar aice fhèin 3. A seòmar fhèin 4. Chan eil mi-fhìn a' faireachdainn cho math 5. Tha thu-fhèin a' coimhead gu math 6. Bha ar crodh fhèin ag ionaltradh gu math 7. Seo an taigh agamsa, agus siud an taigh aig mo bhràthair-sa 8. Tha còta ùr aicese 9. Am bi sibh-fhèin a' dol air saor-làithean? Bithidh 10. Chan eil cofaidh anns a' chopan agamsa ann

LESSON 14: ANSWERS 1 1. My own house 2. Her own room 3. Her own room 4. I don't feel so good myself 5. You are looking well yourself 6. Our own cattle were grazing well 7. This is my house, and yonder is my brother's house 8. She has a new coat 9. Will you, yourself, be going on holiday? Yes 10. There isn't any coffee in my cup


LESSON 15 Reported Speech (The Dependent Clause) - The Verb TO BE

DM ©

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 Gàidhlig 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 ràdh 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 Gàidhlig 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 ràdh 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 ràdh gun robh e ag obair - He says that he was working Tha e ag ràdh 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 ràdh gum bi e a' dol - He says that he will be going Tha e ag ràdh 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 ràdh gum biodh e fuar - He says that he would be cold Tha e ag ràdh 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 grianach - sunny

Nouns port (m) - port, dock eucoir (f) - crime

dìleas - loyal, faithful uile - all

stoirm (f) - storm Page 1 dm© - Chan fhaodar na leasanan seo ath-riochdachadh gun chead bhon ùghdar dm© - These lessons may not be reproduced without permission from the author

Verbs abair, ràdh (ri) - say, tell (to) creid, creidsinn - believe smaoinich, smaointinn/smaoineachadh (air) - think (about)

DM ©

EXERCISE 1 Introduce each of the following with Tha e ag ràdh 1. Tha e a' fuireach ann an Struighle 2. Cha bhi iad ag obair a-màireach 3. Bhiodh i ag iasgach air an loch feasgar 4. Chan eil e a' dol dhan chladach 5. Cha robh duine aig a' chèilidh 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 glè bhòidheach 2. Bidh sinn a' fuireach ùine bheag fhathast 3. Bha iad ceàrr 4. Cha bhiodh e dìleas anns an obair sin 5. Bidh e gu math grianach feasgar a-màireach

LESSON 15: ANSWERS 2 1. Tha mi a' creidsinn gum bi stoirm ann a-nochd 2. Tha mi a' creidsinn gu bheil e ag obair aig a' phort 3. Tha mi a' creidsinn nach robh iad aig an sgoil andiugh 4. Tha mi a' creidsinn gun robh na balaich uile ciontach den eucoir LESSON 15: ANSWERS 1 1. Tha e ag ràdh gu bheil e a' fuireach ann an Struighle 2. Tha e ag ràdh nach bi iad ag obair a-màireach 3. Tha e ag ràdh gum biodh i ag iasgach air an loch feasgar 4. Tha e ag ràdh nach eil e a' dol dhan chladach 5. Tha e ag ràdh nach robh duine aig a' chèilidh araoir

LESSON 15: ANSWERS 3 1. Tha sinn a' smaointinn gu bheil i glè bhòidheach 2. Tha sinn a' smaointinn gum bi sinn a' fuireach ùine bheag fhathast 3. Tha sinn a' smaointinn gun robh iad ceàrr 4. Tha sinn a' smaointinn nach biodh e dìleas anns an obair sin 5. Tha sinn a' smaointinn gum bi e gu math grianach feasgar a-màireach


LESSON 16 The Root of the Verb, Imperatives and Past Participles

DM ©

VERB ROOT & IMPERATIVES In Gàidhlig 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

bualadh - striking togail - lifting sgrìobhadh - writing

Verb Root and 2nd Person Singular Imperative buail - strike tog - lift sgrìobh - write

2nd Person Plural Imperative buailibh - strike togaibh - lift sgrìobhaibh - 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 dùin an doras - Don't close the door Na h-òlaibh 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 Gàidhlig; 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 dùinte - The window is closed Bha an doras fosgailte - The door was open(ed) Tha an litir sgrìobhte - The letter is written


There are a few resistant historic forms that add -ta in preference to -te: Tha an obair dèanta - The job is done Tha iad pòsta trì bliadhna - They are married three years

DM ©

As in English the past participles can be used as adjectives: Tha a' chàraid phòsta ag obair còmhla - The married couple are working together Bha an copan briste air an ùrlar - The broken cup was on the floor NEW WORDS Adjectives dìreach - straight, direct

muladach - sad

Nouns càraid (f) - couple, pair sùil (f) - eye, glimpse, look

dìnnear (f) - dinner teanga (f) - tongue

Phrases mas e do thoil e - please (informal,singular) mas e ur toil e - please (formal,plural) thoir sùil air - take a look at it Verbs can, cantainn (ri) - say (to) cum/cùm, cumail - keep, hold fan, fantainn (ri) - wait (for) fosgail, fosgladh - open rach, dol - go suidh, suidhe - sit thoir, toirt (do) - take, give (to) tog, togail - lift, build

cluinn, cluinntinn - hear faigh, faighinn - get, find fàs, fàs - grow gluais, gluasad - move seas, seasamh - stand thig, tighinn - come tilg, tilgeil (air) - throw (at)

EXERCISE 1 Translate into English 1. Thoir an leabhar dhan chaileig sin 2. Dùinibh an doras mas e ur toil e 3. Na ruith cho luath 4. Can a-rithist e 5. Rach dhan t-seòmar agad fhèin a-nis 6. Cumaibh ur sùilean fosgailte 7. Bha an taigh togte an-uiridh 8. Seas gu dìreach 9. Thigibh a-staigh agus suidhibh sìos 10. Na creidibh e



Page 3

DM ©

LESSON 16: ANSWERS 1 1. Give the book to that girl 2. Close the door please 3. Don't run so fast 4. Say it again 5. Go to your own room now 6. Keep you eyes open 7. The house was built last year 8. Stand (up) straight 9. Come in(side) and sit down 10. Don't believe him/it

LESSON 16: ANSWERS 2 using thu 1. Na tilg pàipear air an làr 2. Thoir am peann dhan bhalach 3. Gluais do làmh mas e do thoil e 4. Cuir an copan sìos 5. Can a-rithist sin gu mall mas e do thoil e 6. Fuirich an seo 7. Ith do dhìnnear 8. Na dèan a-rithist sin 9. Creid mi. Tha mi ceart 10. Smaoinich a-rithist

LESSON 16: ANSWERS 2 using sibh 1. Na tilgibh pàipear air an làr 2. Thoiribh am peann dhan bhalach 3. Gluaisibh ur làmh mas e ur toil e 4. Cuiribh an copan sìos 5. Canaibh a-rithist sin gu mall mas e ur toil e 6. Fuirichibh an seo 7. Ithibh ur dìnnear 8. Na dèanaibh a-rithist sin 9. Creidibh mi. Tha mi ceart 10. Smaoinichibh a-rithist

EXERCISE 2 Translate into Gàidhlig 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

LESSON 17 Augmented Prepositions

DM ©

Pronouns in Gàidhlig 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 dhèanamh * - 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.)


DM ©

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 shìneadh * - 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) Thàinig sinn nar ruith - We came running (lit. We came in our running) Tha sibh nur dùisg - 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 tàmh - 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 sheòladair - 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 with verbal nouns in any tense of the verb To Be. All augmented prepositions are shown in Appendix 1.


DM ©

Common Usage The augmented preposition of aig my also used where the possessive adjective ‡ follows the preposition ann: Dè tha agad nur làimh? - What do you have in your hand? Chan eil dad agam nam phòcaid - I don't have anything in my pocket Tha rud aice na sùil † - 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 cuideachd - also, too

air falbh - away uair - once (once upon a time)

Nouns banaltram (m) - nurse ministear (m) - minister saighdear (m) - soldier saor (m) - carpenter sgrìobhadair (m) - writer

dealbhaiche (m) - designer neach-teagaisg (m) - teacher sagart (m) - priest seòladair (m) - sailor tàmh (m) - rest, stillness

Verbs caidil, cadal - sleep cuimhnich, cuimhneachadh (air) - remember laigh, laighe - lie down stad, stad - stop

cuidich, cuideachadh - help dùisg, dùsgadh - awake, wake up sìn, sìneadh - stretch out tuig, tuigsinn - understand

EXERCISE 1 Translate into English 1. Tha e na sheasamh ris an doras 2. A bheil iad ga fhàgail aig an taigh? Tha 3. Bha e ga toirt dhan nighean 4. Tha e ag ràdh gun robh e uair na shaighdear 5. Am bi thu ga chur dhachaigh? Cha bhi 6. Bha i na laighe na leabaidh fhèin 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 blàth? Bha 11. Am biodh sibh ga fosgladh a-màireach? Bhiodh 12. Uair bha i na sgrìobhadair Gàidhlig Page 3



Page 4

DM ©

LESSON 17: ANSWERS 1 1. He is standing at(against) the door 2. Are they leaving him/it at home? Yes 3. He was giving it to the girl 4. He says that he was once a soldier 5. Will you be sending him home? No 6. She was lying in her own bed 7. They are always running 8. She was putting them away in the box 9. I think that they will help(will be helping) her with her work 10. Was the fire keeping you warm? Yes 11. Would you be opening it tomorrow? Yes 12. At one time she was a Gàidhlig writer

LESSON 17: ANSWERS 2 1. Bha e na shaighdear ach a-nis tha e na shaor 2. Tha e ag ràdh nach robh e gan tilgeil air falbh 3. A bheil thu ga fhaicinn a-nis? Tha, tha mi ga fhaicinn 4. Bha iad uile nan seasamh air an rathad 5. An robh i na cadal nad leapaidh a-raoir? Cha robh gu dearbh 6. Tha mi a' smaointinn gu bheil thu gam chluinntinn glè mhath 7. Chan eil mi ga chuimhneachadh idir 8. Am bi sibh ga thoirt dhan phàirc a-màireach? Bithidh 9. Tha mi gur n-iarraidh a dhol sìos an t-sràid dhan bhùth 10. Nach eil thu gam thuigsinn idir? 11. Bha e na neach-teagaisg ach a dh'aithghearr bidh e na dhealbhaiche 12. Tha e na shagart anns an sgìre seo, agus tha i na ministear

EXERCISE 2 Translate into Gàidhlig 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

LESSON 18 Prepositional Pronouns

DM ©

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: dhìom - of me dhinn - of us dhìot - 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/dhà - to him dhaibh - to them dhì - to her


DM ©

The prepositional pronouns of le - with/by: leam - with me leinn - with us leat - with you leibh - with you leis - with him leotha/leò - 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 ràdh rium - He is saying to me Thoir dhomh do làmh - 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 eòlach air - I know him/I am acquainted with him Tha an cnatan oirre - She has a cold Tha an dèideadh 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 eòlach - acquainted

sa chaidh - last (previous)


cnatan (m) - cold (illness) eagal (m) - fear pathadh (m) - thirst clann (f) - children, clan taibhse (f) - ghost

DM ©

Nouns acras (m) - hunger dèideadh (m) - toothache iongnadh (m) - wonderment briogais (f) - trousers seachdain (f) -week

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

EXERCISE 1 Translate into English 1. Bha an cnatan orm an t-seachdain sa chaidh 2. A bheil sibh glè eòlach air an fhear sin? Tha 3. Tha e ag ràdh gu bheil am pathadh mòr air 4. Bha fios aca nach biodh iad a' dol dhan chèilidh 5. Na cuir eagal orra a-rithist. 6. Cuiribh oirbh ur briogais is ur seacaid 7. Tha mi a' smaointinn gu bheil an dèideadh ort 8. Tha eagal mòr oirre gum biodh taibhse anns an taigh ùr aca 9. A bheil thu ga thoirt dhaibh? Tha 10. Cha robh iad a' bruidhinn rithe

EXERCISE 2 Translate into Gàidhlig 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



Page 4

DM ©

LESSON 18: ANSWERS 1 1. I had a (the) cold last week 2. Are you acquainted with that man? Yes 3. He says that he is very thirsty 4. They knew that they they would not be going to the ceilidh 5. Don't frighten them again 6. Put on your trousers and your jacket 7. I think you have (the) toothache 8. She is very frightened there would be a ghost in their new house 9. Are you giving it to them? Yes 10. They weren't speaking to her

LESSON 18: ANSWERS 2 1. Tha an t-acras mòr orm an-dràsta. a bheil ort? 2. Cha robh fios agam gun robh thu eòlach air mo bhràthair 3. Tha iad ag ràdh gu bheil fios aca gu bheil taibhse anns an eaglais sin 4. Na cuir eagal air a' chloinn 5. Tha i a' smaointinn gum bi iongnadh ort 6. Tha fios agam gum bi iad a' togail eaglais ùr thall an sin Bha iongnadh orm a dh'fhaicinn gun robh i cho òg Bha fearg orra a chluinntinn gun robh e ga bualadh Tha fios aige nach eil thu ga thuigsinn Tha eagal orm nach eil airgead agam 7. 8. 9. 10.

LESSON 19 The Assertive Verb

DM ©

The Assertive Verb is used to bring part of a sentence forward for emphasis. This is required in Gàidhlig 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 Gàidhlig 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 Màiri - She's Màiri (lit. It is she Màiri) '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 esan m' athair - He's my father 'S e do chù? - 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 'S tusa - It's you, You are 'S esan - It's he, He is 'S ise - It's she, She is

Is sinne - It's we, We are Is sibhse - It's you, You are, 'S iadsan - It's they, They are

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 ...


DM ©

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 bòidheach an là (e) - It's a beautiful day - lit. Is beautiful the day Is mòr 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 seòladair - never Is an seòladair esan Mòrag is the singer - 'S i Mòrag an seinneadair never Is Mòrag an seinneadair Other Forms of the Verb Is The dependent form of the Assertive Verb is subsumed into the negative and 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 bhràthair † - He is not my brother Cha mhòr 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 is silent so Chan replaces Cha just as it also does before a vowel †. Interrogative statements: An tusa mo mhàthair? - Are you my mother? An e sin do thaigh? - Is that your house? Am mise do ghràdh? * - 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?


Other Tenses of the Assertive Verb The past and conditional forms are identical and the meaning arises from context.

DM ©

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 mhòr 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 chù ? - 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' snàmh 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 chù 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 Gàidhlig 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' snàmh 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 ràdh gur ise mo mhàthair - I say that she is my mother Tha mi a' creidsinn gur e do chù a bha a' comhartaich - I believe it is (was = realised) your dog who was barking Bha mi 'n dòchas nach esan a bhiodh ann - I was hoping that he wouldn't be there Page 3 dm© - Chan fhaodar na leasanan seo ath-riochdachadh gun chead bhon ùghdar dm© - These lessons may not be reproduced without permission from the author

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.

DM ©

In the present tense this is Is ann, which in both literature and spoken Gàidhlig is contracted to 'S ann: 'S ann fon bhòrd 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 chì 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 bhòrd 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 ràdh 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 cù 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 Màiri a tha a' chroit - Màiri owns the croft (lit. It is with Màiri 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 càr? - 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 Màiri a' chroit - Màiri owns the croft (lit. It is with Màiri the croft) Is leamsa an taigh sin - I own that house (lit. It is with me that house) Page 4 dm© - Chan fhaodar na leasanan seo ath-riochdachadh gun chead bhon ùghdar dm© - These lessons may not be reproduced without permission from the author

An leatsa an càr? - Do you own the car? (lit. It is with you the car?)

DM ©

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 seòladair 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 shaor anns 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 sheòladair air a' bhàta 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 fiadhaich - fierce, wild sona - happy

eireachdail - handsome neo-chiontach - innocent 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 àrdsgoil (f) - high school, secondary school iolaire (f) - eagle long (f) - ship rùnaire (f) - secretary Verbs comhartaich, comhartaich - bark teagaisg, teagasg (do) - teach (to)

snàmh, snàmh - swim


DM ©

Verbal Phrases Tha mi 'n dòchas gu - I hope that Tha sinn an dòchas gu - We hope that Tha thu 'n dòchas gu - You hope that Tha sibh an dòchas gu - You hope that Tha e 'n dòchas gu - He hopes that Tha iad an dòchas gu - They hope that Tha i 'n dòchas gu - She hopes that EXERCISE 1 Translate into English 1. Is saighdear e 2. Nach bòidheach a' chaileag sin 3. Is e ministear a tha innte 4. Is rùnaire e dhan chompanaidh sin 5. Tha e ag ràdh 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' chèilidh a-nochd 9. Nach là brèagha e? 10. Is iasg bradan

EXERCISE 2 Translate into Gàidhlig 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 Gàidhlig 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


DM ©

EXERCISE 4 Translate into Gàidhlig 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 Gàidhlig 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 EXERCISE 6 Translate into English 1. 'S ann an-diugh a bha mi anns a' bhaile 2. 'S ann leotha a tha am bàta 3. 'S ann anns a' mhuir a bha mi a' snàmh 4. 'S ann airsan a tha an dèideadh 5. An ann anns an abhainn a bha thu? Chan ann 6. Nach ann tric a bha thu tinn nuair a bha thu òg? 'S ann 7a. An leatsa an càr? 'S e 7b. An ann leatsa a tha an càr? 'S ann 8. Ann an a-màireach a bhios tu a' falbh air saor-làithean? Chan ann 9. 'S ann ormsa a bha còta tiugh blàth 10. An ann anns an sgoil sin a bha thu a' teagasg? 'S ann



Page 8 3b. Tha iad ag ràdh gum b' e iolaire a bha anns an eun 3c. Tha iad ag ràdh gum b' iolaire an t-eun 4a. Tha sinn a' smaointinn gur ann eireachdail a bha e 4b. Tha sinn a' smaointinn gum b' eireachdail e 5a. 'S e saor a bha ann 5b. B' e saor a bha ann 5c. Bu shaor e 6a. 'S e dotair a bha nam bhràthair 6b. B' e dotair a bha nam bhràthair 6b. Bu dotair mo bhràthair 7a. 'S ann fiadhaich a bha an cù 7b. B' fhiadhaich an cù 8a. 'S e seinneadair math a bha innte 8b. B' e seinneadair math a bha innte 8c. Bu sheinneadair math i 9a. 'S e rùnaire a bha annam 9b. B' e rùnaire a bha annam 9c. Bu rùnaire mi 10a.'S ann neo-chiontach den eucoir a bha e 10b.Bu neo-chiontach den eucoir e

DM ©

LESSON 19: ANSWERS 1 1. He's a soldier 2. Isn't that girl beautiful 3. She's a minister 4. He's secretary for (to) that company 5. He says he's a Skyeman 6. I believe that she's a Uibhist woman 7. Is an eagle a fish? No 8. My sister is the singer at the ceilidh tonight 9. Isn't it a lovely day? 10. A salmon is a fish

LESSON 19: ANSWERS 2 The most common is given first where more than one possibility exists 1a. 'S e seòladair air an luing sin a tha annam 1b. Is seòladair air an luing sin mi 2. 'S esan Calum, mo bhràthair 3a. Tha iad ag ràdh gur e iolaire a tha anns an eun 3b. Tha iad ag ràdh gur iolaire an t-eun 4a. Tha sinn a' smaointinn gur ann eireachdail a tha e 4b. Tha sinn a' smaointinn gur eireachdail e 5a. 'S e saor a tha ann 5b. Is saor e 6a. 'S e dotair a tha nam bhràthair 6b. Is dotair mo bhràthair 7a. 'S ann fiadhaich a tha an cù 7b. Is fiadhaich an Cù 8a. 'S e seinneadair math a tha innte 8b. Is seinneadair math i 9a. 'S e rùnaire a tha annam 9b. Is rùnaire mi 10a.Is neo-chiontach den eucoir e 10b.'S ann neo-chiontach den eucoir a tha e LESSON 19: ANSWERS 3 1. Tha mi nam sheòladair air an luing sin 2. Tha iad ag ràdh gu bheil an t-eun na iolaire 3. Tha sinn a' smaointinn gu bheil e eireachdail 4. Tha e na shaor 5. Tha mo bhràthair na dhotair 6. Tha mi nam rùnaire 7. Tha i na seinneadair math 8. Tha iad nan sgoilearan anns an àrdsgoil

LESSON 19: ANSWERS 5 1. Bha mi nam sheòladair air an luing sin 2. Bha sinn sona 3. Tha iad ag ràdh gun robh an t-eun na iolaire 4. Tha sinn a' smaointinn gun robh e eireachdail 5. Bha e na shaor 6. Bha mo bhràthair na dhotair 7. Bha mi nam rùnaire 8. Bha i na seinneadair math LESSON 19: ANSWERS 6 The emphasised element is underlined 1. I was in town today 2. They own the boat 3. I was swimming in the sea 4. He has (the) toothache 5. Were you in the river? No 6. Were you not often sick when you were young? Yes 7a. & 7b. Do you own the car? Yes 8. Will you be going away on holiday tomorrow? No 9. I wore a thick warm coat 10. Were you teaching in that school? Yes

LESSON 19: ANSWERS 4 The most common is given first where more than one possibility exists 1a. 'S e seòladair air an luing sin a bha annam 1b. B' e seòladair air an luing sin a bha annam 1c. Bu sheòladair air an luing sin mi 2a. 'S ann sona a bha sinn 2b. Bu shona sinn 3a. Tha iad ag ràdh gur e iolaire a bha anns an eun

LESSON 20 Incomplete Verbs

DM ©

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 fheàrr leam/leat/etc ‡ I/you/etc prefer

B' fheàrr leam/leat/etc I/you/etc preferred I/you/etc would prefer

Is leamsa/leatsa/etc I/you/etc own

Bu leamsa/leatsa/etc 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 còir dhomh/dhut/etc Bu chòir 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 I/you/etc are able to

B' urrainn dhomh/dhut/etc I/you was/were able to I/you would be able to

'S aithne dhomh/dhut/etc I/you/etc know

B' aithne dhomh/dhut/etc I/you/etc knew I/you/etc would know

'S àbhaist dhomh/dhut/etc I/you/etc usually

B' àbhaist dhomh/dhut/etc I/you/etc was/were usually I/you/etc would usually


DM ©

c. Assertive form of verb + preposition air. With the prepositional pronouns these are: Present Tense Past and Conditional Tenses 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 I/you/etc loathe

Bu lugha orm/ort/etc 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 tì? - 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 tì? - 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 for negative statements Cha b' urrainn dhomh faicinn - I wasn't able to see? Cha bu chòir dhut innse - You weren't right to say/You ought not to have said

Am for interrogative Am bu toil leò tì? - 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 for negative interrogative Nach bu lugha orra sin? - Didn't they loathe that? Bu lugha - Yes, Cha bu lugha - NoNach b' àbhaist dhaibh innse? - Wouldn't they usually say? B' àbhaist - Yes, Cha b' àbhaist - 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 fheàrr leis tì - He prefers tea Page 2 dm© - Chan fhaodar na leasanan seo ath-riochdachadh gun chead bhon ùghdar dm© - These lessons may not be reproduced without permission from the author

DM ©

B' fheàrr 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' fheàrr leam cluiche - I would prefer to play Is lugha air ball-coise - He detests football 'S àbhaist dhaibh a thighinn tràth - They usually come early B' àbhaist dha na samhraidhean a bhith blàth - The summers used to be warm Is còir dhaibh a bhith cùramach - 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 chèilidh - 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 ceòl a chluinntinn? - Would you like to hear some music? 'S fheàrr leam cofaidh òl - I prefer to drink coffee Cha bu chòir dhut sin a dhèanamh - You ought not to have done that 'S urrainn dhomh Gàidhlig a bhruidhinn - I am able to speak Gàidhlig Am b' urrainn do Mhàiri an dealbh fhaicinn? - Was Màiri 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' fheàrr leis d' fhaicinn? - He would prefer to see you? An urrainn dhì a thogail? - Can she lift him? Bu chòir dhaibh a dèanamh - 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 cùramach - careful fadalach - late (in arriving)

eile - other sam bith - any

Adverbs air neo - (or) else

roimhe seo - by now Page 3 dm© - Chan fhaodar na leasanan seo ath-riochdachadh gun chead bhon ùghdar dm© - These lessons may not be reproduced without permission from the author

duine (m) - person (any sex), man, husband làn-spàin (m) - spoonful pàrant (m) - parent samhradh (m) - summer tì (m) - tea coinneamh (f) - meeting spàin (f) - spoon tèile (f) - other female (from: tè + eile)

DM ©

Nouns càl (m) - cabbage guth (m) - voice maighistir-sgoile (m) - schoolmaster taigh-dhealbh (m) - cinema siùcar (m) - sugar cabhag (f) - haste dùthaich (f) - country, countryside tè (f) - one, female Verbal phrases Tha cabhag orm - I am in a hurry Tha cabhag ort - You are in a hurry Tha cabhag air - He is in a hurry Tha cabhag oirre - She is in a hurry

Tha cabhag oirnn - We are in a hurry Tha cabhag oirbh - You are in a hurry Tha cabhag orra - They are in a hurry

EXERCISE 1 Translate into English 1. Tha i ag ràdh gu bheil pathadh oirre 2. Am bu toil leò a dhol dhan taigh-dhealbh? 3. Chan àbhaist 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 dhì iad 6. 'S àbhaist dhì a bhith a' coiseachd tràth anns a' mhadainn 7. Nach bu chòir dha a bhith a' dol dhan dotair? Bu chòir 8. Is toil leam an nighean seo ach is beag orm an tèile 9. An urrainn dhut Gàidhlig a bhruidhinn? 'S urrainn 10. Am b' fheàrr leis a' bhalach a bhith a-muigh? Cha b' fheàrr 11. Tha mi a' smaointinn gur beag air snàmh 12. Tha i ag ràdh gur lugha oirre càl EXERCISE 2 Translate into Gàidhlig 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



Page 5

DM ©

LESSON 20: ANSWERS 1 1. She says she is thirsty 2. Would they like to go to the cinema? 3. They don't usually go the the pub 4. Do you know that man? No, but I know the other one I didn't know that she knew them She usually walks early in the morning Ought not he go to the doctor? Yes I like this girl but I dislike the other one Can you speak Gàidhlig? Yes Would the boy prefer to be outside? No I think that he dislikes swimming She says that she dislikes cabbage 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.

4. An toil leis a' chù a bhith a' cluich anns a' phàirc? 'S toil 5. Chan urrainn dhuinn a thighinn gad fhaicinn amàireach 6. Bu chòir cabhag a bhith orm air neo bidh mi fadalach 7. Am b' fheàrr leibh siùcar nur tì? B' fheàrr 8. Bu toil leis làn-spàin eile de shiùcar mas e ur toil e 9. Am b' aithne dhut duine aig a' choinneimh a-raoir? Cha b' aithne 10. 'S àbhaist do mo phàrantan a bhith aig an taigh roimhe seo 11. An urrainn dhut am pàipear fhaicinn? Chan urrainn 12. Am b' urrainn dhut a' cheist a fhreagairt? B' urrainn

LESSON 20: ANSWERS 2 1. An toil leat an taigh seo? Cha toil 2. B' fheàrr leam taigh beag air an Dùthaich 3. 'S àbhaist dhan bhanaltram a thighinn aig meadhan-là

LESSON 21 Relative Pronouns

DM ©

For positive relative clauses the relative pronouns who, which and that are all expressed by the word a. This conjugates with the independent form of the 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' chèilidh - It's she who will sing at the ceilidh 'S i do mhàthair 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 noone 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? Page 1 dm© - Chan fhaodar na leasanan seo ath-riochdachadh gun chead bhon ùghdar dm© - These lessons may not be reproduced without permission from the author

'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 òir - golden

DM ©

liath - grey, greyed purpaidh - purple

Nouns baga (m) - bag cliù (m) - praise, respect fraoch (m) - heather iomadh (m) - many a (+ singular noun) speur (m) - sky beinn (f) - mountain, ben coille (f) - forest luch (f) - mouse rìoghachd (f) - kingdom Verb coisinn, cosnadh - earn, win falbh, falbh - leaving, (+ le - dating)

bàrd (m) - bard, poet dath (m) - colour gleann (m) - glen Mòd (m) - Gàidhlig music and Arts festival gainmheach (f) - sand drochaid (f) - bridge pòcaid (f) - pocket tràigh (f) - beach

dìrich, dìreadh - climb, straighten itealaich, itealaich - fly

EXERCISE 1 Translate into English 1. An e sin an tè a tha ag obair anns a' bhanca? 'S e 2. Seo am bogsa anns am biodh sinn ga chumail 3. Is mise a shnàmhas thairis air an abhainn 4. Is iadsan na daoine ris an robh sinn a' bruidhinn 5. 'S esan am bàrd a choisinneas cliù mòr aig a' Mhòd 6. 'S e sin an loch air an robh sinn an-dè 7. 'S e an speur an rìoghachd 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-dràsta 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 dhìricheas 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 mhòr a bha aige na phòcaid 17. B' ann air an luch a bha an iolaire a' coimhead 18. Siud an gleann trom (tro + am) bi sinn a' coiseachd a-màireach 19. Tha an drochaid air an robh sinn a' coiseachd a-nis briste 20. 'S e gainmheach òir a tha air an tràigh sin Page 2



Page 3

DM ©

LESSON 21: ANSWERS 1 (The translations are mostly literal and are not always good English. This has been done to show you the stress placed on a clause by the Assertive Verb) 1. Is that the female who works in the bank? Yes 2. Here's the box in which we keep it 3. It's I who can (will) swim across the river 4. They are the men to whom we were speaking 5. He's the poet who will earn/win great praise at the Mod 6. That's the loch that we were on yesterday 7. The sky is the kingdom in which the eagle flies 8. I don't know what they have in the bag 9. Purple is the colour of (that is on) the heather just now

10. It's they who were pleased with what money they had 11. It's in the forest that the man works 12. Yonder is the bridge on which we will be walking 13. He's the man who can (will) climb that mountain 14. The girl who had the grey hair 15. That's the girl with whom he is going out 16. It was a big knife that he had in his pocket 17. It was (on) the mouse that the eagle was watching 18. Yonder's the glen through which we shall be walking tomorrow 19. The bridge on which we were walking is now broken 20. It's golden sand that is on that beach

LESSON 22 Interrogative Pronouns - Asking Questions

Present a tha nach eil

DM ©

The interrogative pronouns Cò - Who, Dè - What, Ciamar - How, Carson - Why and Cuin - When are all followed by the relative forms of the verb:

Past a bha nach robh

Tenses of the Verb TO BE Future a bhitheas/a bhios nach bi

Conditional a bhithinn/a bhiodh nach bithinn/nach biodh

Uses: Cò bha ag òl?* - Who was drinking? Cò nach eil ag iarraidh deoch? - Who doesn't want a drink? Dè bha i a' dèanamh? * - What was she doing? Dè 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 sàbhailte? - When would I be safe? Cuin a bhiodh iad sàbhailte? - When would they be safe? Cuin nach bi e sàbhailte? - 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 Càite - Where is followed by the the interrogative forms of the verb: Tenses of the Verb TO BE Present Past Future Conditional a bheil an robh am bi am bithinn/am biodh nach eil nach robh nach bi nach bithinn/nach biodh Uses: Standing alone the form to use is Càite but this is contracted to Càit in all other positions. In the spoken language Càit is frequently shortened to simply Cà: Càit an robh thu a-raoir? - Where were you last night? Cà 'n robh thu a-raoir? - Where were you last night? Càit a bheil iad a' dol? - Where are they going? Cà bheil iad a' dol? - Where are they going? Càit am bi e a-màireach? - Where will he be tomorrow? Cà 'm bi e a-màireach? - Where will he be tomorrow?


NEW WORDS Adverbs air ais - back, behind

àite (m) - place ceannard (m) - chief, head leabharlann (m) - library seòrsa (m) - sort, type, kind piàna (m) - piano deoch (f) - drink liosta )f) - list

Verbs giùlain, giùlan - carry streap, streap - climb

siubhail, siubhal - travel

DM ©

Nouns ainm (m) - name caisteal (m) - castle comann (m) - society sealladh (m) - view, sight not(a) (m) - pound sterling banais (f) - wedding duais (f) - prize ùpraid (f) - din, carry-on

Verbal Phrases Tha a dhìth orm - I need/lack Tha a dhìth oirnn - We need/lack Tha a dhìth ort - You need/lack Tha a dhìth oirbh - You need/lack Tha a dhìth air - He needs/lacks Tha a dhìth orra - They need/lack Tha a dhìth oirre - She needs/lacks

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.

EXERCISE 1 Translate into English Cò tha a' falbh leis an nighean sin? 'S mise Dè seòrsa (de) bhiadh a tha sibh ag iarraidh? Càit am bi iad a' fuireach a-nochd? Cò tha a' dol a chosnadh duais aig a' Mhòd am bliadhna? Ciamar a bha do mhàthair a' faireachdainn a-raoir? Cò 's urrainn cluiche air a' phiàna? Dè an t-ainm a tha air ur piuthar? Cò am fear ris an robh iad a' bruidhinn a-raoir? Dè bha ga cumail air ais? Cuin a bhitheas iad a' fàgail Ghlaschu? Carson as toil leibh an sealladh den chaisteal? Cuin a bhitheas tu a' tilleadh dhachaigh?

EXERCISE 2 Translate into Gàidhlig 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?



Page 3

DM ©

LESSON 22: ANSWERS 1 1. Who's going out with that girl? Me 2. What sort of food do you want? 3. Where will they be staying tonight? 4. Who's going to win the prize at the Mod this year? 5. How was your mother feeling last night? 6. Who can play the piano? 7. What's the name of your sister? 8. Who's the man to which they were speaking last night? What was keeping her back/behind? When will they be leaving Glasgow? Why do you like the view of the castle? When will you be returning home? 9. 10. 11. 12.

LESSON 22: ANSWERS 2 1a. Dè tha dhìth ort a-nis? Tha airgead a dhìth orm 1b. Dè tha dhìth ort a-nis? 'S e airgead a tha dhìth orm Ciamar a tha iad a' siubhal gu Dùn Èideann? Cò 's e an ceannard den chomann sin? Cuin a bhitheas a' bhanais ann? Cò tha a' dol a thoirt nota dhomh? Dè seòrsa de dh'àite anns a bheil i a' fuireach? Cò tha ag obair anns an leabharlann ùr? Dè bha iad a' giùlan anns a' bhaga? Dè seòrsa de dh'ùpraid a bha iad a' dèanamh? Carson nach robh Màiri anns an sgoil an-diugh? Cò nach urrainn streap suas an cnoc sin? Càit a bheil iad a' dol a chluiche? 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.

6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.

What type of place does she live in? Who works in the new library? What were they carrying in the bag? What sort of carry-on were they making? Why was Màiri not at school today? Who can't climb up that hill? Where are they going to play?

LESSON 23 Some Common Conjunctions

Present tha chan eil

DM ©

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): Tenses of the Verb TO BE Future bidh cha bhi

Past bha cha robh

Conditional bhithinn/bhiodh 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:

Present a tha nach eil

Past a bha nach robh

Tenses of the Verb TO BE Future a bhios nach bi

Conditional a bhithinn/a bhiodh nach bithinn/nach biodh

Uses: Fhads a tha dòchas ann - While there is hope Ged a tha e beag tha e làidir - Although he is small he is strong Seo mar a bha e - This is as (how) it was Ma bhios e blàth a-màireach, bidh mi ann * - If it is (will be) dry tomorrow, I'll be there Tha e mì-chàilear 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 òig - 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.


DM ©

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: Tenses of the Verb TO BE Present Past Future Conditional a bheil an robh am bi am bithinn/am biodh nach eil nach robh nach bi nach bithinn/nach 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 mì-fhìn ann - Wait until I'm (will be) there Cha bhi mi ann mura bi thu-fhèin 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' bhòrd mur an do ghluais duine i - My hat was on the table unless someone moved it NEW WORDS Adjectives anmoch - late deònach - willing glic - wise mì-chàilear - unpleasant/distasteful Conjunctions far - where gus - until mur - unless, if not nuair - when on, bhon - since Nouns bus (m) - bus càil (f) - anything Verbal phrases

deiseil - ready dorch - dark làidir - strong

ged - although mar/man - as mus, mun/mum - before oir - for, because

rud (m) - thing


Tha an t-uisge ann - It is raining

Bha an t-uisge ann - It was raining

DM ©

EXERCISE 1 Translate into English 1. Chan eil fios agam far a bheil do mhàthair 2. Suidh sìos gus am bi do dhìnnear 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. Dèan mar a tha mi ag ràdh 6. Bidh e dorch mus bi i dhachaigh 7. Cha b' urrainn dhomh càr a cheannach on nach robh airgead agam 8. Bha i cho bòidheach nuair bha i òg 9. Ma tha sibh sgìth suidhibh sìos 10. Mar as (= a + 's) urrainn dhut faicinn chan eil càil agam nam phòcaid 11. Bha mi a' bruidhinn rithe fhads a bha sinn a' coiseachd 12. An toil leat far a bheil thu a' fuireach?

EXERCISE 2 Translate into Gàidhlig 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

5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.

LESSON 23: ANSWERS 1 1. I don't know where your mother is 2. Sit down until your dinner is ready 3. It was raining heavy when they were fishing on the loch 4. Although they are busy they would be pleased to help you Do as I say It will be dark before she's (will be) home I couldn't buy a car since I hadn't any money She was so beautiful when she was young If you are tired sit down As you can see I don't have anything in my pocket I was speaking to her while we were walking Do you like where you are staying?

LESSON 23: ANSWERS 2 1. Ged nach eil e cho mòr tha e gu math làidir 2. Bha mi a' fuireach anns a' bhaile sin nuair a bha mi nam bhalach 3. Sin an t-àite far am b' fheàrr leam a bhith 4. Na rach a-muigh gus am bi an t-uisge dheth 5. On a tha e cho leisg cha bhi e deònach a dhol dhan bhùth 6. Bidh e a' seinn aig a' chèilidh ged tha e tinn 7. A bheil thu toilichte far a bheil thu nad shuidhe? Tha 8. Ruith dhachaigh mus bi an t-uisge ann 9. Dèanaibh ruith nuair a tha mi ag ràdh 'deiseil' 10. Cha bhi i a' tighinn on nach eil i cinnteach gum bi bus dhachaigh


LESSON 24 The Past Tense - Regular Verbs

DM ©

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' phàirc fad an là an-dè - 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 bualadh - hitting fàgail - leaving leughadh - reading ruith - running seasamh - standing sgrìobhadh -writing òl - drinking togail - lifting/building

Root buail fàg leugh ruith seas sgrìobh òl tog

Independent * bhuail dh'fhàg leugh ruith sheas sgrìobh dh'òl thog

Dependent do bhuail do dh'fhàg do leugh do ruith do sheas do sgrìobh do dh'òl 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 Cha do bhuail iad - They didn't hit An do bhuail iad? - Did they hit? Nach do bhuail iad? - Didn't they hit?

Dh'fhàg iad - They left Cha do dh'fhàg iad - They didn't leave An do dh'fhàg iad? - Did they leave? Nach do dh'fhàg iad? - Didn't they leave?

Leugh iad - They read Cha do leugh iad - They didn't read An do leugh iad? - Did they read? Nach do leugh iad? - Didn't they read?

Ruith iad - They ran Cha do ruith iad - They didn't run An do ruith iad? - Did they run? Nach do ruith iad? - Didn't they run?


Sgrìobh iad - They wrote Cha do sgrìobh iad - They didn't write An do sgrìobh iad? - Did they write? Nach do sgrìobh iad? - Didn't they write?

Thog iad - They lifted Cha do thog iad - They didn't lift An do thog iad? - Did they lift? Nach do thog iad? - Didn't they lift?

Dh'òl iad - They drank Cha do dh'òl iad - They didn't drink An do dh'òl iad? - Did they drink? Nach do dh'òl iad? - Didn't they drink?

DM ©

Sheas iad - They stood Cha do sheas iad - They didn't stand An do sheas iad? - Did they stand? Nach do sheas iad? - Didn't they stand?

With the Dependent Clause The pattern is the same as the verb To Be (see Lesson 15): Tha e ag ràdh gun do bhuail iad e - He says that they hit him Tha e ag ràdh nach do bhuail iad e - He says that they didn't hit him Tha e ag ràdh gun do dh'fhàg iad - He says that they left Tha e ag ràdh nach do dh'fhàg iad - He says that they didn't leave The Relative Verb Some examples are given below. The pattern is the same as the verb To Be (see Lesson 21): '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 Some examples are given below. The pattern is the same as the verb To Be (see Lesson 22): Dè leugh thu anns an sgoil an diugh? - What did you read in school today? Cò sgrìobh 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'fhàg thu? - When did you leave? Càit an do thog iad an taigh? - Where did they build the house?

With Conjunctions Some examples are given below. The pattern is the same as the verb To Be (see Lesson 23): Sgrìobh mi litir mus do dh'fhàg mi - I wrote a letter before I left Bha e dorch nuair a bhuail an càr am balach - It was dark when the car hit the boy Leugh mi am pàipear-naidheachd fhads a dh'ith mi dìnnear - I read the paper while I ate dinner Mur do bhuail thusa am balach, cò bhuail? - If you didn't hit the boy, who did (hit)?


DM ©

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 cù ? - 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 sàmhach - quiet

Nouns boireannach (m) - woman leanabh (m) - baby briosgaid (f) - biscuit leithid (f) - like, type

coire (m) - kettle, corry pàipear-naidheachd (m) - newspaper dèideag (f) - toy, bauble staidhre (f) - stair

Verbs bris, briseadh - break freagair, freagairt - answer pòs, pòsadh (aig) - marry tòisich, tòiseachadh (air) - start (to)

caidil, cadal - sleep goil, goil - boil, seethe saoil, saoilsinn (air) - think (about) tuit, tuiteam - fall

Miscellany fad an là - all day

leithid de rud - such a thing

EXERCISE 1 Translate into English 1. Dh'fhàg an toit a h-uile rud anns an taigh salach 2. An do chuir thu bainne anns a' chopan? Chuir 3. Cò 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 càr ùr? Cheannaich 6. Chluich ar leanabh leis an dèideig fad an là 7. Chuir mi an t-uisge anns a' choire agus ghoil mi e 8. Dh'ionnsaich mi Gàidhlig nuair a bha mi nam bhalach 9. Shaoil mi gum b' aithne dhomh e 10. Can e mar a sgrìobh iad e EXERCISE 2 Translate into Gàidhlig 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 Page 3



Page 4

DM ©

LESSON 24: ANSWERS 1 1. The smoke left everything in the house dirty 2. Did you put (some) milk in the cup? Yes 3. Who broke my window? She broke it 4. He didn't stay long when we returned 5. Didn't they buy a new car? Yes 6. Our baby played with the toy all day 7. I put the water in the kettle and I boiled it 8. I learned Gàidhlig when I was a boy 9. I thought that I knew him 10. Say it as they wrote it

LESSON 24: ANSWERS 2 1. An do cheannaich sibh càil anns a' bhùth? Cha do cheannaich 2. Chuir e a làmh-san air a làimh-se 3. Bhris mi mo chas nuair a thuit mi sìos na staidhrichean 4. Thill mo phiuthar bhon saor-là aice a-raoir 5. An do fhreagair i a' cheist gu ceart? Fhreagair 6. Dh'ith mi a' bhriosgaid mun do dh'òl mi am bainne 7. Cò ghluais mo chathair air falbh bhon teine? 'S esan a ghluais i 8a. Carson a phòs thu am fear sin? 8b. Carson a phòs thu an tè sin? 9. Sgrìobh mi litir fhada nuair a thill mi dhachaigh 10. Chluich iad gu sàmhach fhads a chaidil i

7. 8. 9. 10.

Who moved my chair away from the fire? It's him that moved it Why did you marry that man/that woman? I wrote a long letter when I returned home They played quietly while she slept

LESSON 25 The Past Tense - Irregular Verbs

DM ©

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' phàirc fad an là an-dè - 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 Gàidhlig 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 breith - bearing/catching/ - grasping cluinntinn - hearing dèanamh - doing/making dol - going faicinn - seeing faighinn - getting/obtaining ràdh - saying ruigsinn - reaching/arriving ‡ tighinn - coming toirt - taking/ - giving (+ preposition do)

Root beir

Independent rug

Dependent d'rug †

cluinn dèan rach faic faigh abair ruig thig thoir

chuala rinn chaidh chunnaic fhuair * thuirt ràinig thàinig thug

cuala d'rinn † deach faca d'fhuair tuirt d'ràinig † tàinig tug

* 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 Cha d'rug i orm - She didn't grasp me An d'rug i orm? - Did she grasp me? Nach d'rug i orm? - Didn't she grasp me?

Rinn mi - I did/made Cha d'rinn mi - I didn't do/make An d'rinn thu? - Did you do/make? Nach d'rinn thu? - Did you not do/make?


Chaidh mi - I went Cha deach mi - I didn't go An deach thu? - Did you go? Nach deach thu? - Did you not go?

Chunnaic thu - You saw Chan fhaca tu † - You didn't see Am faca tu? - Did you see? Nach fhaca tu? ‡ - Did you not see?

Fhuair mi - I got Cha d'fhuair mi - I didn't get An d'fhuair thu? - Did you get? Nach d'fhuair thu? - Did you not get?

Thuirt mi - I said Cha tuirt mi - I didn't say An tuirt thu? - Did you say? Nach tuirt thu? - Did you not say?

Ràinig mi - I arrived/reached Cha d'ràinig mi - I didn't arrive/reach An d'ràinig thu? - Did you arrive/reach? Nach d'ràinig thu? - Did you not arrive/reach?

Thàinig mi - I came Cha tàinig mi - I didn't come An tàinig thu? - Did you come? Nach tàinig thu? - Did you not come?

Thug mi - I took Cha tug mi - I didn't take An tug thu? - Did you take? Nach tug thu? - Did you not take?

DM ©

Chuala tu * - You heard Cha chuala tu - You didn't hear An cuala tu? - Did you hear? Nach cuala tu? - Did you not hear?

* 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. With the Dependent Clause Some examples are given below. The pattern is the same as the verb To Be (see Lesson 15): Tha e ag ràdh gun cuala e - He says that he heard Tha e ag ràdh nach cuala e - He says that he didn't hear Tha e ag ràdh gum faca e - He says that he saw Tha e ag ràdh 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 Some examples are given below. The pattern is the same as the verb To Be (see Lesson 21): 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


DM ©

The Interrogative Pronouns Some examples are given below. The pattern is the same as the verb To Be (see Lesson 22 ): Dè rinn thu leis a' phàipear is glaodh? - What did you make with the paper and glue? Cò 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 thàinig iad? - When did they come? Càit an d'fhuair thu sin? - Where did you get that? With Conjunctions Some examples are given below. The pattern is the same as the verb To Be (see Lesson 23): 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'ràinig iad - I tidied the house before they arrived Bha sinn toilichte ged nach tàinig i - We were happy (even) although she didn't come Tha e air a dhòigh on a fhuair e an càr ùr - He is overjoyed since he got the new car Mura tug thusa air falbh e, cò 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 dèan, dèanamh - do, make ruig, ruigsinn - reach, arrive sgioblaich, sgioblachadh - tidy Verbal phrases Tha mi air mo dhòigh - I am overjoyed Tha thu air do dhòigh - You are overjoyed Tha e air a dhòigh - He is overjoyed Tha i air a dòigh - She is overjoyed

Tha sinn air ar dòigh - We are overjoyed Tha sibh air ur dòigh - You are overjoyed Tha iad air an dòigh - They are overjoyed

EXERCISE 1 Translate into English 1. Am faca sibh cò bha anns an talla? Chunnaic 2. Thug mi an dèideag air falbh bhuaipe 3. Cha tàinig iad gus meadhan-oidhche 4. Rug i leanabh bòidheach 5. Nach d'ràinig thu an taobh eile? Ràinig 6. Chaidh sinn sìos dhan tràigh an-dè 7. An d'rinn sibh dìnnear dhaibh? Cha d'rinn 8. Càit an cuala tu an sgeul sin? 9. Cò fhuair taigh ùr?



Page 4

DM ©

LESSON 25: ANSWERS 1 1. Did you see who was in the hall? Yes 2. I took the toy away from her 3. They didn't come until midnight 4. She bore (gave birth to) a beautiful baby 5. Didn't you reach the other side? Yes 6. We went down to the beach yesterday 7. Did you make dinner for them? No 8. Where did you hear that tale? 9. Who got a new house? 10. Didn't he say that she went away last night? Yes

LESSON 25: ANSWERS 2 1. Thàinig e a-staigh anmoch a-raoir 2. Rug mi air an làimh air 3. Am faca sibh an dealbh sin? Chan fhaca 4. Cuin a ràinig thu an-dè? 5. Thug mi an leabhar do mo bhràthair nuair a chunnaic mi e Chunnaic sinn iolaire anns an speur Cò fhuair litir bhuapa? Carson nach tuirt iad gun robh iad sgìth? Chuala sinn fuaim uabhasach Bha mi toilichte mus tàinig e 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

EXERCISE 2 Translate into Gàidhlig 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 10.

Nach tuirt e gun deach i air falbh a-raoir? Thuirt

LESSON 26 The Future Tense - Regular Verbs

DM ©

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' phàirc - They will be playing in the park Bidh iad a' cluich anns a' phàirc a h-uile là - 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: Verbal Noun bualadh - hitting fàgail - leaving leughadh - reading ruith - running sgrìobhadh - writing seasamh - standing togail - lifting/building òl - drinking

Root buail fàg leugh ruith sgrìobh seas tog òl

Independent buailidh fàgaidh leughaidh ruithidh sgrìobhaidh seasaidh togaidh òlaidh

Dependent buail fàg leugh ruith sgrìobh seas tog òl

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 Fàgaidh mi - I will leave Cha bhuail mi - I will not hit Chan fhàg mi - I will not leave Am buail mi? - Will I hit? Am fàg mi? - Will I leave? Nach buail mi? - Will I not hit? Nach fhàg mi? † - Will I not leave? Leughaidh mi - I will read Cha leugh mi - I will not read An leugh mi? - Will I read? Nach leugh mi? - Will I not read?

Ruithidh tu ‡ - You will run Cha ruith thu * - You will not run An ruith thu? - Will you run? Nach ruith thu? - Will you not run?

Sgrìobhaidh mi - I will write Cha sgrìobh mi - I will not write An sgrìobh mi? - Will I write? Nach sgrìobh mi? - Will I not write?

Seasaidh tu ‡ - You will stand Cha sheas thu * - You will not stand An seas thu? - Will you stand? Nach seas thu? - Will you not stand?


Òlaidh tu - You will drink Chan òl thu - You will not drink An òl thu - Will you drink? Nach òl thu? - Will you not drink?

Togaidh mi - I will lift Cha thog mi * - I will not lift An tog thu - Will you lift? Nach tog thu? - Will you not lift?

DM ©

* 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. With the Dependent Clause Some examples are given below. The pattern is the same as the verb To Be (see Lesson 15): Tha e ag ràdh gum buail e mi - He says that he will hit me Tha e ag ràdh nach buail e mi - He says that he will not hit me Tha e ag ràdh gum fàg e - He says that he will leave Tha e ag ràdh nach fhàg e - He says that he will not leave

The Relative Verb Some examples are given below. 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 fhàg 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. With Interrogative Pronouns Some examples are given below. The pattern is the same as the Future Tense of the verb To Be (see Lesson 22): Dè sgrìobhas tu anns an litir? - What will you write in the letter? Cò thogas dealbh dhìom? - 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'fhàgas tu? - When will you leave? Càit an òl sinn? - Where will we drink?


DM ©

With Conjunctions Some examples are given below. The pattern is the same as the Future Tense of the verb To Be (see Lesson 23): Sgrìobhaidh mi litir mus fàg mi - I will write a letter before I leave Ma dh'fhàgas 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 dìnnear - I'll read the book while I (will) eat dinner Mura fàg thu an dràsta bidh tu fadalach - Unless you (will) leave now you will be late 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 Future Tense: An sgrìobh thu litir thugam?- Will you write me a letter? Sgrìobhaidh - Yes Cha sgrìobh - No Nach òl thu am bainne? - Will you not drink the milk? Òlaidh - Yes Chan òl - 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 Sgrìobhaidh sinn litir thuige a h-uile là - 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 sgrìobh 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 òl 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 post (m) - post teanga (f) - tongue

drama (m) - dram of drink

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 thu nad aonar - You are alone Tha e na aonar - He is alone Tha i na h-aonar - She is alone

Tha sinn nar n-aonar - We are alone Tha sibh nur n-aonar - You are alone Tha iad nan aonar - They are alone Page 3


DM ©

EXERCISE 1 Translate into English 1. Togaidh mi taigh ùr anns a' ghleann 2. Tha e ag ràdh nach till e gus madainn a-màireach 3. Cha chuir mi seachad bliadhna anns an obair sin 4. Cò cheannaicheas cù dhomhsa? 5. Tha mi cinnteach gun caidil thu gu math a-nochd 6. 'S e Calum a phòsas mo nighean a-màireach 7. Càit am fuirich sinn nuair a tha sinn an Glaschu? 8. 'S e duine làidir a ghluaiseas a' chlach seo 9. Nach cùm thu do theanga !10. Leughaidh mi riut an litir a fhuair mi bhuapa

EXERCISE 2 Translate into Gàidhlig 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

LESSON 26: ANSWERS 1 1. I'll build a new house in the glen 2. He says he won't return until tomorrow morning 3. I won't spend a year in that job 4. Who'll buy a dog for me? 5. I'm sure that you'll sleep well tonight 6. It's Calum who marries my daughter tomorrow 7. Where will we stay when we are in Glasgow? 8. It's a strong man who can (will) move this stone 9. Won't you hold your tongue! 10. I'll read (to) you the letter I got from them

LESSON 26: ANSWERS 2 1. An cuir sibh an litir seo anns a' phost dhomh? 2. Tòisichidh mi ri obair mu mheadhan-là 3. Nach suidh thu sìos agus cùm sàmhach? 4. Cò ghabhas drama còmhla rium? 'S mise a ghabhas 5. Am fosgail sibh an uinneag beagan 6. 'S mise a sheinneas aig a' chèilidh a-nochd 7. Bruidhnidh mi riutha a-màireach 8. Cò cheannaicheas còta ùr dhomh ? 9. Chan iarr mi càil eile 10. 'S i mo mhàthair nach leig leam a bhith a' dol dhan tràigh


LESSON 27 The Future Tense - Irregular Verbs

DM ©

The following three verbs which are irregular in the Past Tense are completely regular in the Future Tense. They are given here for completeness: Verbal Noun breith - bearing/catching -/grasping cluinntinn - hearing ruigsinn - reaching/arriving

Root beir

Independent beiridh

Dependent beir

cluinn ruig

cluinnidh ruigidh

cluinn 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: Verbal Noun dèanamh - doing/making dol - going faicinn - seeing faighinn - getting/obtaining ràdh - saying † tighinn - coming toirt - taking/ - giving (+ preposition do)

Root dèan rach faic faigh abair thig thoir

Independent nì thèid chì gheibh their thig bheir

Dependent dèan tèid faic faigh abair tig toir

† 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 dependent to get the negative and interrogative forms of the verb. Example Uses: Nì mi - I will do/make Thèid thu - You will go Cha dèan mi * - I will not do/make Cha tèid thu * - You will not go An dèan thu? - Will you do/make? An tèid thu? - Will you go? Nach dèan thu? - Will you not do/make? Nach tèid thu? - Will you not go? Chì i - She will see Chan fhaic i - She will not see Am faic i? - Will she see? Nach fhaic i? † - Will she not see?

Gheibh sinn - We will get Chan fhaigh sinn - We will not get Am faigh sinn? - Will we get? Nach fhaigh sinn? - Will we not get?

Their i - She will say Chan abair i - She will not say An abair i? - Will she say? Nach abair i? - Will she not say?

Thig mi - I will come Cha tig mi - I will not come An tig thu? - Will you come? Nach tig thu? - Will you not come?


Bheir mi - I will take Cha toir mi - I will not take An toir thu? - Will you take? Nach toir thu? - Will you not take?

DM ©

* 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. With the Dependent Clause Some examples are given below. The pattern is the same as the verb To Be (see Lesson 15): Tha e ag ràdh gun tèid e - He says that he will go Tha e ag ràdh nach tèid e - He says that he will not go Tha e ag ràdh gum faic e thu - He says that he will see you Tha e ag ràdh 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 Some examples are given below. The pattern is the same as the Present Tense of the verb To Be (see Lesson 21): Is mise a chì 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 thèid dhachaigh - It's she who will go home Is ise nach tèid dhachaigh - It's she who will not go home The Interrogative Pronouns Some examples are given below. The pattern is the same as the Present Tense of the verb To Be (see Lesson 22): Dè nì thu leis a' phàipear is glaodh? - What will you make with the paper and glue? Cò gheibh pàipear-naidheachd dhomh? - Who will get me a newspaper? Carson nach toir thu peann dhomh? - Why will you not give me a pen? Ciamar a nì thu sin? - How will you do that? Cuin a chì thu do mhàthair? - When will you see your mother? Càit an tèid sinn a-màireach? - Where will we go tomorrow? With Conjunctions Some examples are given below. 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 càr ùr - When I (will) get the money, I will get a new car Mura tig thu a-màireach chan fhaigh thu tiodhlac - If you do (will) not come tomorrow you wont get a present Page 2 dm© - Chan fhaodar na leasanan seo ath-riochdachadh gun chead bhon ùghdar dm© - These lessons may not be reproduced without permission from the author

NEW WORDS Adjectives iongantach - wonderful

pàipear-naidheachd (m) - newspaper cobhair (f) - help slighe (f) - way, road

DM ©

Nouns dòchas (m) - hope bochdainn(f) - poverty cuirm-chiùil (f) - concert Pronouns cuideigin - someone

tearc - rare

EXERCISE 1 Translate into English 1. Chì mi tràth anns a' mhadainn thu 2. Cha toir e airgead dhomh a h-uile seachdain 3. Am faigh thu pàipear-naidheachd air an t-slighe dhachaigh? 4. An tig thu còmhla rium dhan bhùth? Cha tig 5. An dèan sibh dìnnear dhuinn nuair a thig sinn a-staigh? 6. Nach tèid i a-steach dhan uisge? Cha tèid 7. Nach gabh sibh biadh mus tèid sibh air falbh 8. Tha mi an dòchas gun ruig sinn Inbhir Nis a dh'aithghearr 9. Am faic thu i mus faic mise? 10. Beiridh mi air a' chàr aca 11. An abair sibh rithe na chunnaic sibh? Their 12. Cuin a ruigeas am bus seo Glaschu? 13. Chan fhaic sibh càil anns an dùthaich sin ach bochdainn 14. Cò bheir cobhair dhaibh? EXERCISE 2 Translate into Gàidhlig 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?



Page 4

DM ©

LESSON 27: ANSWERS 1 1. I'll see you early in the morning 2. He doesn't give me money every week 3. Will you get a newspaper on the way home? 4. Will you come with me to the shop? No 5. Will you make dinner for us when we come in? 6. Won't she go into the water? No 7. Won't you take (some) food before you (will) go away 8. I hope that we reach Inverness soon 9. Will you see her before I do? 10. I'll catch up on their car 11. Will you tell her what you saw? Yes 12. When does this bus reach Glasgow? 13. You can't (will not) see anything in that country but poverty 14. Who'll give them (some) help?

LESSON 27: ANSWERS 2 1. Chì mi iad uile ann aig a' chèilidh a-nochd 2. An toir sibh am peann seo do do phiuthar nuair a chì thu i? Chan eil fios agam cuin a ruigeas mi Portrìgh A bheil thu a' smaointinn gum beir i mac? Cha chluinn mi thu a' bruidhinn mar sin Tha fios aca nach fhaic iad an athair-san a-rithist Chan abair e facal ri duine (sam bith) Tha mi cinnteach gun tig duine gar cuideachadh Cluinnidh sibh ceòl iongantach aig a' chuirm-chiùil Dè nì mi nuair a thèid i air falbh? 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

LESSON 28 The Relative Form of the Future Verb

DM ©

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 bith - be bruidhinn - speak ceannaich - buy dùin - close èist - listen fàg - leave glac - catch ith - eat leugh - read meall - deceive nigh - wash òl - drink pòs - marry ruig - reach/arrive sgrìobh - write tog - lift/build ullaich - prepare

Future Tense bithidh bruidhnidh ceannaichidh dùinidh èistidh fàgaidh glacaidh ithidh leughaidh meallaidh nighidh òlaidh pòsaidh ruigidh sgrìobhaidh togaidh ullaichidh

Relative Future bhitheas */bhios bhruidhneas cheannaicheas dhùineas dh'èisteas dh'fhàgas ghlacas dh'itheas leughas mheallas nigheas dh'òlas phòsas ruigeas sgrìobhas thogas dh'ullaicheas

* Emphatic form only. Generally bhios will suffice.

When to use the Relative Future Use the relative future verb after: the interrogative words Cò, Cuin, Ciamar, Carson and Dè; the conjunctions ged, fhads, nuair, ma, mar, (bh)on; and the relative pronouns a and na. NEW WORDS Nouns ròs (m) - rose mìlseag (f) - sweet, confectionary

Verbs coinnich, coinneachadh (ri) - meet (with) nigh, nighe - wash ullaich, ullachadh - prepare

pòg (f) - kiss

glac, glacadh - catch meall, mealladh - deceive


DM ©

EXERCISE 1 Translate into English 1. Ged a bhios e a' fuireach ann an Portrìgh a-nochd, bidh e ann an Glaschu a-màireach 2. Nuair a dh'fhàgas mi an eaglais, bidh mi a' dol dìreach dhachaigh 3. Mar a thèid thu seachad air a' bhùth, chi thu a' phàirc 4. Ma chuireas tu dhìot do chòta cha bhi thu cho blàth 5. On a ruigeas sinn am baile ro mheadhan-là bidh mi a' dol dhan taigh-òsta airson (for) dìnnear EXERCISE 2 Translate into Gàidhlig 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?

LESSON 28: ANSWERS 1 1. Although he'll be staying in Portree tonight, he'll be in Glasgow tomorrow 2. When I (will) leave the church, I'll be going straight home 3. As you pass the shop, you can (will) see the park 4. If you take off your coat you'll not be so warm 5. Since we'll arrive in town before midday I'll be going to the hotel for dinner

LESSON 28: ANSWERS 2 1. Bidh a' chaileag a choinnicheas tu na seasamh le ròs na làimh 2. Ma bhitheas an oidhche fuar fuirich a-staigh 3. Bidh mi ag obair anns an taigh-òsta sin nuair a dh'fhàgas mi an sgoil 4. Bheir mi mìlseag dhut ma bheir thu pòg dhomh 5. Ach am bith thu toilichte leis na tha agad?


LESSON 29 The Conditional Tense - Regular Verbs

DM ©

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' phàirc - He would be playing in the park Bhiodh e a' cluich anns a' phàirc a h-uile là - 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': Verbal Noun Root Independent Dependent bualadh - hitting buail bhuailinn/ buailinn/ bhuaileamaid/ buaileamaid/ bhuaileadh buaileadh fàgail - leaving fàg dh'fhàgainn/ fàgainn/ dh'fhàgamaid/ fàgamaid/ dh'fhàgadh fàgadh 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 sgrìobhadh - writing sgrìobh sgrìobhainn/ sgrìobhainn/ sgrìobhamaid/ sgrìobhamaid/ sgrìobhadh sgrìobhadh


tog

òl - drinking

òl

thogainn/ thogamaid/ thogadh dh'òlainn/ dh'òlamaid/ dh'òladh

togainn/ togamaid/ togadh òlainn/ òlamaid/ òladh

DM ©

togail - lifting/building

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 (A complete analysis is given for only the first two examples): Bhuailinn - I would hit Dh'fhàgainn - I would leave Bhuaileamaid - We would hit Dh'fhàgamaid - We would leave Bhuaileadh tu ‡/etc - You/etc would hit Dh'fhàgadh tu / etc - You/etc would leave Cha bhuailinn * - I would not hit Chan fhàgainn - I would not leave Cha bhuaileamaid - We would not hit Chan fhàgamaid - We would not leave Cha bhuaileadh tu/etc - You/etc would not hit Chan fhàgadh tu / etc - You/etc would not leave Am buailinn? - Would I hit? Am fàgainn? - Would I not leave? Am buaileamaid? - Would we hit? Am fàgamaid? - Would we not leave? Am buaileadh tu? /etc - Would you/etc hit? Am fàgadh tu? / etc - Would you/etc not leave? Nach buailinn? - Would I not hit? Nach fhàgainn? † - Would I not leave? Nach buaileamaid? - Would we not hit? Nach fhàgamaid? - Would we not leave? Nach buaileadh tu? /etc - Would you/etc not hit? Nach fhàgadh tu? / etc - Would you not leave? Leughadh tu - You would read Cha leughadh tu - You would not read An leughadh tu?- Would you/etc read? Nach leughadh tu? - Would you/etc not read?

Ruitheadh tu - You would run Cha ruitheadh tu - You would not run An ruitheadh tu? - Would you run? Nach ruitheadh tu? - Would you not run?

Sheasadh tu - You would stand Cha sheasadh tu - You would not stand An seasadh tu? - Would you stand? Nach seasadh tu? - Would you not stand?

Sgrìobhadh tu - You would write Cha sgrìobhadh tu - You would not write An sgrìobhadh tu? - Would you write? Nach sgrìobhadh tu? - Would you not write?

Thogadh tu - You would lift Cha thogadh tu - You would not lift An togadh tu? - Would you lift? Nach togadh tu? - Would you not lift?

Dh'òladh tu - You would drink Chan òladh tu - You would not drink An òladh tu? - Would you drink? Nach òladh tu? - Would you not drink?

* Whenever possible cha/chan will lenite the verb. ‡ The second person singular is always tu. † nach lenites verbs beginning with f.


DM ©

With the Dependent Clause Some examples are given below. The pattern is the same as the verb To Be (see Lesson 15): Tha e ag ràdh gum buaileadh e - He says that he would strike Tha e ag ràdh nach buaileadh e - He says that he would not strike Tha e ag ràdh gum fàgadh e - He says that he would leave Tha e ag ràdh nach fhàgadh e - He says that he would not leave

The Relative Verb Some examples are given below. The pattern is the same as the verb To Be (see Lesson 21): 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 fhàgadh thu - It is I who would not leave you Is mise nach fhàgadh 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

With Interrogative Pronouns Some examples are given below. The pattern is the same as the verb To Be (see Lesson 22): Dè thogadh tu air an talamh? - What would you build on the land? Cò sgrìobhadh 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'fhàgadh tu? - When would you leave? Càit an òladh iad? - Where would they drink? With Conjunctions Nan/nam - if replaces ma in the Conditional tense * This and some other examples are given below. The pattern is the same as the verb To Be (see Lesson 23): Bhithinn toilichte nam fàgadh tu - I would be happy if you would leave Bhiodh i as aonais mus òladh 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 ùr - If I had the money, I would build a new house


DM ©

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 Conditional Tense: An sgrìobhadh tu litir thugam?- Would you write me a letter? Sgrìobhadh - Yes Cha sgrìobhadh - No Nach òladh tu am bainne? - Would you not drink the milk? Dh'òladh - Yes Chan òladh - 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 Sgrìobhamaid litir thuige a h-uile là - 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 sgrìobhadh 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 talamh (m) - land, ground

dorchadas (m) - darkness

Verbs atharraich, atharrachadh - change, alter innis, innse (do) - tell, relate (to) reic, reic (ri) - sell (to)

diùlt, diùltadh - deny, refuse loisg, loisgeadh - burn

EXERCISE 1 Translate into English 1. Dh'fhàgadh e an taigh sin a-màireach 2. Thuirt mi nach bruidhninn riutha a-rithist 3. Bha fios aice nach ruitheadh e air falbh 4. Dè a sgrìobhadh sibh anns an litir? 5. Cha choisichinn dhachaigh anns an dorchadas 6. Shaoil i gun tilleadh iad ro mheadhan-là Page 4



Page 5

DM ©

LESSON 29: ANSWERS 1 1. He would leave the house tomorrow 2. I said that I wouldn't speak to them again 3. She knew that he wouldn't run away 4. What would you write in the letter? 5. I wouldn't walk home in the dark 6. She thought that they would return before midday 7. I would never drink out of a bottle 8. He told me he would burn the papers 9. She wouldn't accept money from a stranger 10. Where would you build your new house?

LESSON 29: ANSWERS 2 1. An ceannaicheadh tu an taigh sin? Cheannaicheadh 2. Cha do shaoil thu gun glacadh tu iasg anns an loch sin? 3. Chan fhuirichinn ann an Glaschu idir 4. Thuirt e gun reiceadh e an càr aige a-màireach 5. An atharraicheadh sibh càil anns an rùm? Chan atharraicheadh 6. Chan òladh i càil ach uisge glan 7. Cha diùltainn gun robh e a' coimhead ciontach 8. Thuirt i gun sgrìobhadh i litir gun phàipearnaidheachd 9. Bha dòchas aca gun obraicheadh a h-uile rud gu ceart 10. Chan chanainn gun robh i bòidheach

EXERCISE 2 Translate into Gàidhlig 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 7. 8. 9. 10.

Chan òlainn a-riamh a-mach à botal Dh'innis e dhomh gun loisgeadh e na pàipearan Cha ghabhadh i airgead bho choigreach Càit an togadh sibh ur taigh ùr?

LESSON 30 The Conditional Tense - Irregular Verbs

DM ©

The following four verbs which are irregular in the Past Tense are completely regular in the Conditional Tense. They are given here for completeness: Verbal Noun Root Independent Dependent breith - bearing/catching beir bheirinn/ beirinn/ - /grasping bheireamaid/ beireamaid/ bheireadh beireadh cluinntinn - hear cluinn chluinninn/ cluinninn/ chluinneamaid/ cluinneamaid/ chluinneadh cluinneadh dèanamh - doing/making dèan dhèanainn/ dèanainn/ dhèanamaid/ dèanamaid/ dhèanadh dèanadh ruigsinn - reaching/arriving ruig ruiginn/ ruiginn/ ruigeamaid/ ruigeamaid/ ruigeadh ruigeadh The following six 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: Verbal Noun Root Independent Dependent dol - going ‡ rach rachainn, dheighinn/ rachainn, deighinn/ rachamaid, dheigheamaid/ rachamaid, deigheamaid/ rachadh, dheigheadh rachadh, deigheadh faicinn - seeing faic chìthinn/ faicinn/ chìtheamaid/ faiceamaid/ chìtheadh faiceadh faighinn - getting/ faigh gheibhinn/ faighinn/ - obtaining gheibheamaid/ faigheamaid/ gheibheadh faigheadh ràdh - 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


DM ©

‡ 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. 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 (For compactness the form with the -amaid ending has been omitted in the audio file): Dheighinn - I would go Chìthinn - I would see Dheigheamaid - We would go Chìtheamaid - We would see Dheigheadh tu/etc - You/etc would go Chìtheadh 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 Gheibheamaid - We would get Gheibheadh tu/etc - You/etc would get Chan fhaighinn - I would not get Chan fhaigheamaid - We would not get Chan fhaigheadh tu/etc - You/etc would not get Am faighinn? - Would I get? Am faigheamaid? - Would we get? Am faigheadh tu?/etc - Would you/etc get? Nach fhaighinn? - Would I not get? Nach fhaigheamaid? - Would we not get? Nach fhaigheadh tu?/etc - Would you/etc not get?

Theirinn - I would say Theireamaid - We would say Theireadh tu/etc - You/etc would say Chan abairinn - I would not say Chan abaireamaid - We would not say Chan abaireadh tu/etc - You/etc would not say An abairinn? - Would I say? An abaireamaid? - Would we say? An abaireadh tu?/etc - Would you/etc say? Nach abairinn? - Would I not say? Nach abaireamaid? - Would we not say? Nach abaireadh tu?/etc - Would you/etc not say?


Bheirinn - I would take Bheireamaid - We would take Bheireadh tu/etc - You/etc would take Cha toirinn - I would not take Cha toireamaid - We would not take Cha toireadh tu/etc - You/etc would not take An toirinn? - Would I take? An toireamaid? - Would we take? An toireadh tu?/etc - Would you/etc take? Nach toirinn? - Would I not take? Nach toireamaid? - Would we not take? Nach toireadh tu?/etc - Would you/etc not take?

DM ©

Thiginn - I would come Thigeamaid - We would come Thigeadh tu/etc - You/etc would come Cha tiginn - I would not come Cha tigeamaid - We would not come Cha tigeadh tu/etc - You/etc would not come An tiginn? - Would I come? An tigeamaid? - Would we come? An tigeadh tu?/etc - Would you/etc come? Nach tiginn? - Would I not come? Nach tigeamaid? - Would we not come? Nach tigeadh tu?/etc - Would you/etc not come?

* Whenever possible cha/chan will lenite the irregular verb, except for verbs beginning with d and t. † The second person singular is always tu. ‡ nach lenites verbs beginning with f. With the Dependent Clause Some examples are given below. The pattern is the same as the verb To Be (see Lesson 15): 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-màireach - He thought that he would come tomorrow Chreid mi nach tigeadh e - I believed that he would not come The Relative Verb Some examples are given below. The pattern is the same as the Present Tense of verb To Be (see Lesson 21): Is mise a chìtheadh an solas agus is tusa nach fhaiceadh - It's me who could (would) see and you who could not Is i Màiri a thigeadh mura robh droch shìde ann - It's Màiri who would come unless there was bad weather With Interrogative Pronouns: Some examples are given below. The pattern is the same as the Present Tense of verb To Be (see Lesson 22): Dè gheibhinn do mo mhàthair? - What could (would) I get for my mother? Cò 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 chìtheadh tu a-rithist e? - When would you see him again? Càit am faighinn lethbhreac? - Where could (would) I get a copy?


DM ©

With Conjunctions Some examples are given below. The pattern is the same as the Present Tense of verb To Be (see Lesson 23): 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 dhèanainn sin mus faigheadh tu-fhèin cothrom - I wouldn't do that before you got (would get) a chance NEW WORDS Nouns cothrom (m) - chance, opportunity geata (m) - gate caraid (m) - friend uiseag (f) - skylark

eilean (m) - island lethbhreac (m) - copy

EXERCISE 1 Translate into English 1. Thuirt e gun tigeadh e dhan chèilidh a-nochd 2. Tha mi cinnteach gun dèanadh 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 dhèanadh an dìnnear 7. Thuirt iad gun ruigeadh iad am baile ann an ùine ghoirid 8. Bha i an dòchas 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 bàta EXERCISE 2 Translate into Gàidhlig 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?



Page 5

DM ©

LESSON 30: ANSWERS 1 1. He said he would come to the ceilidh tonight 2. I'm sure they would do that 3. I told them they wouldn't see the forest from their window 4. I didn't know what I would say to them 5. Would you give (some) help to that man? Yes 6. It's me who would make dinner 7. They said they would reach the town in a short while 8. She was hoping that she would get (some) money from her friend 9. I said that I could (would) hear them playing outside 10. They said that they wouldn't go out in a boat

LESSON 30: ANSWERS 2 1. Cha tigeadh i leam dhan chuirm-chiùil 2. Tha fios agam nach dèanadh iad a leithid de rud 3. Tha mi cinnteach gum beirinn orra mus ruigeadh iad an geata 4. 'S ann air an dùthaich a chluinneadh sibh uiseag a' seinn Cuin a dhèanadh tu an obair? Ruigeadh iad an t-eilean ron mhadainn Thuirt duine nach fhaigheadh i a h-airgead air ais Cha toirinn dhut sgillinn airson càr mar sin Carson nach rachadh sibh leam/còmhla rium? An abaireadh tu gun robh e eireachdail? 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

LESSON 31 Cardinal Numbers 1 - 30

DM ©

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 dhà ‡

12

a dhà dheug †

22

a dhà air fhichead

3

a trì

13

a trì deug

23

a trì air fhichead

4

a ceithir

14

a ceithir deug

24

a ceithir air fhichead

5

a còig

15

a còig deug

25

a còig 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

‡ dà is always lenited to dhà after a. † deug always becomes dheug after dhà.

b. Decimal (These are the same as traditional forms for numbers 1 to 20): 1

a h-aon

11

a h-aon deug

21

fichead 's a h-aon

2

a dhà ‡

12

a dhà dheug †

22

fichead 's a dhà

3

a trì

13

a trì deug

23

fichead 's a trì

4

a ceithir

14

a ceithir deug

24

fichead 's a ceithir

5

a còig

15

a còig deug

25

fichead 's a còig

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


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:

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

aon chat (m) †

aon chat dheug #

aon chat fichead $

DM ©

1

aon chearc (f) dà chat

dà chirc ‡ trì cait

trì cearcan

ceithir cait

ceithir cearcan còig cait

còig cearcan sia cait

sia cearcan

seachd cait

seachd cearcan ochd cait

ochd cearcan naoi cait

naoi cearcan deich cait

deich cearcan

11

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20

aon chearc dheug dà chat dheug # dà chirc dheug

trì cait dheug *

trì cearcan deug

ceithir cait dheug

ceithir cearcan deug còig cait dheug

còig cearcan deug sia cait dheug

sia cearcan deug

seachd cait dheug

seachd cearcan deug ochd cait dheug

ochd cearcan deug naoi cait dheug

naoi cearcan deug fichead cat §

21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

fichead cearc

aon chearc fichead dà chat fichead

dà chirc fichead trì cait fichead

trì cearcan fichead ceithir cait fichead ceithir cearcan fichead còig cait fichead

còig cearcan fichead sia cait fichead

sia cearcan fichead seachd cait fichead seachd cearcan fichead ochd cait fichead

ochd cearcan fichead naoi cait fichead

naoi cearcan fichead deich cait fichead deich cearcan fichead

† aon lenites all nouns except those beginning with d, t, and occasionally s. ‡ dà 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 dà. 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.


b. Decimal (These are the same as traditional forms for numbers 1 to 20):

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

aon chat (m) † aon chearc (f) dà chat dà chirc ‡

11 12

aon chat dheug # aon chearc dheug dà chat dheug # dà chirc dheug

21 22

fichead 's a h-aon chat fichead 's a h-aon chearc fichead 's a dà chat fichead 's a dà chirc

DM ©

1

trì cait

trì cearcan

ceithir cait

ceithir cearcan còig cait

còig cearcan sia cait

sia cearcan

seachd cait

seachd cearcan ochd cait

ochd cearcan naoi cait

naoi cearcan deich cait

deich cearcan

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20

trì cait dheug *

trì cearcan deug

ceithir cait dheug

ceithir cearcan deug còig cait dheug

còig cearcan deug sia cait dheug

sia cearcan deug

seachd cait dheug

seachd cearcan deug ochd cait dheug

ochd cearcan deug naoi cait dheug

naoi cearcan deug fichead cat §

23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

fichead cearc

fichead 's a trì cait fichead 's a trì cearcan fichead 's a ceithir cait fichead 's a ceithir cearcan fichead 's a còig cait fichead 's a còig cearcan fichead 's a sia cait fichead 's a sia cearcan fichead 's a seachd cait fichead 's a seachd cearcan fichead 's a h-ochd cait fichead 's a h-ochd cearcan fichead 's a naoi cait fichead 's a naoi cearcan trithead cat †

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 mìle - mile The remaining cardinal numbers are reviewed in Lesson 44. NEW WORDS Adverbs a dh'aois - of age

a-mhàin - only

Nouns buntàta (m) - potato(es) sporan (m) - sporran, purse tombaca (m) - tobacco aois (f) - age

punnd (m) - pound weight taigh-seinnse (m) - public house ùnnsa (m) - ounce bò (f) - cow


cluas (f) - ear iomlaid (f) - change, exchange sgillinn (f) - penny

crìoch (f) - end mìle (f) - mile

DM ©

Prepositions airson - for

Verbs cunnt, cunntadh - count cosg, cosg - cost, spend faighnich, faighneachd (de) - ask, enquire (of) dìochuimhnich, dìochuimhneachadh (air) - forget (about) EXERCISE 1 Translate into English 1. Thuirt e gu bheil dà thaigh aige 2. Bha trì duine fichead anns an taigh-sheinnse 3. Fhuair mi fichead nota mar dhuais 4. Chunnt sinn fichead seòmar anns an taigh-òsta 5. Tha dà chluais, dà làimh, agus dà shùil againn uile 6. Tha a trì is a trì a' dèanamh a sia 7. Dè na tha agad nad phòcaid? Fichead sgillinn a-mhàin 8. Dè na tha sin a' cosg? Ochd notaichean mas e do thoil e 9. Fuirich, na dìochuimhnich d' iomlaid. Seo dhut dà nota 10. Shaoil mi gun robh ochd nota fichead nam sporan 11. Tha mo bhràthair ceithir bliadhna a dh'aois 12. Dè an aois a tha do phiuthar? Ochd bliadhna fichead

EXERCISE 2 Translate into Gàidhlig 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



Page 5

DM ©

LESSON 31: ANSWERS 1 1. He said he had two houses 2. There were twenty three an the hotel 3. I got twenty pounds as a prize 4. We counted twenty rooms in the hotel 5. We all have two ears, two hands, and two eyes 6. Three and three is six 7. How much do you have in your pocket? Only twenty pence 8. How much does that cost? Eight pounds please 9. Wait, don't forget your change. Here (for you) two pounds 10. I thought that there was twenty eight pounds in my purse 11. My brother is four years old (of age) 12. What age is your sister? Twenty eight (years)

LESSON 31: ANSWERS 2 1. Dè na tha agad de airgead? Còig nota is fichead sgillinn 2. Tha a còig agus a còig a' dèanamh a deich 3. Chosg sinn seachd nota fichead anns a' bhùth sin 4. Cheannaich mi leabhar ùr airson naoi nota is còig sgillinn deug 5. Chan eil ach aon sùil aig an fhear sin 6. Dh'fhaighnich mi dheth dè na bha aige de chloinn 7. Dh'ith e faisg air fichead mìlseag ron dìnnear 8. Tha sia truinnsearan agus sia copannan ann anns a' phreas 9. Tha a' chrìoch den rathad seo deich mìle air falbh 10. Tha mi ag iarraidh còig puinnd de bhuntàta agus trì ùnnsachan de thombaca mas e ur toil e

LESSON 32 Telling the Time

DM ©

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 dà uair - two o'clock ochd uairean - eight o'clock trì uairean - three o'clock naoi uairean - nine o'clock ceithir uairean - four o'clock deich uairean - ten o'clock còig uairean - five o'clock aon uair deug - eleven o'clock sia uairean - six o'clock dà uair dheug - twelve o'clock meadhan là - mid-day meadhan oidhche - mid-night † aon is not used before uair to signify one o'clock Divisions of the hour: còig mionaidean - 5 minutes deich mionaidean - 10 minutes còig mionaidean deug - 15 minutes cairteal - quarter

fichead mionaid - 20 minutes còig mionaidean fichead - 25 mins lethuair - half (half an hour)

Examples: For to the hour use gu, and after the hour use an dèidh: Dè an uair a tha e? - What time is it? (in speech this is often shortened to Dè 'n uair a tha e?) 1.00 - The e uair - It is one o'clock 2.00 - The e dà uair - It is two o'clock 3.05 - Tha e còig mionaidean an dèidh a trì 2.55 - Tha e còig mionaidean gu trì ‡ 4.10 - Tha e deich mionaidean an dèidh a ceithir 3.50 - Tha e deich mionaidean gu ceithir 5.15 - Tha e cairteal an dèidh a còig 4.45 - Tha e cairteal gu còig 6.20 - Tha e fichead mionaid an dèidh a sia 5.40 - Tha e fichead mionaid gu sia 7.25 - Tha e còig mionaidean fichead an dèidh a seachd 6.35 - Tha e còig mionaidean fichead gu seachd 8.30 - Tha e lethuair an dèidh a h-ochd 12pm - Tha e meadhan-oidhche/Tha e dà uair dheug 12am - Tha e meadhan-là/Tha e dà uair dheug ‡ the a before numbers is dropped after gu.


It is not uncommon to find an uaireadair (lit. of the watch) or a thìde (lit. of time) tagged on to the end of the reply when talking about elapsed time: Bha mi ann dà uair an uaireadair - I was there for two hours

DM ©

As in English you do not strictly have to reply starting with Tha e; simply state the time: Question: Dè an uair a tha e? Answer: Trì uairean NEW WORDS Adjectives pongail - punctual, exact

Adverbs air dheireadh - behind (slow as a clock) air thoiseach - ahead (fast as a clock) a thìde - 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 trì 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 trèan (m) - train uaireadair (m) - watch, timepiece lethuair (f) - half-hour mionaid (f) - minute uair (f) - hour, time Prepositions an dèidh - after

Verbs caith, caitheamh - spend (time), wear cuir seachad, cur seachad - spend (time) seall, sealltainn (do) - look, show (to)

mair, mairsinn - last, endure

EXERCISE 1 Translate into English 1. Bidh an t-itealan a' falbh aig cairteal gu trì feasgar 2. Bidh sinn anns an adhar airson còig uairean a thìde 3. Tòisichidh a' choinneamh mu chòig mionaidean gu ceithir 4. Cuin a bhitheas am bus gu Inbhir Nis a' falbh? 5. Aig lethuair an dèidh a dhà 6. Tha m' uaireadair còig mionaidean deug air dheireadh Page 2



Page 3

DM ©

LESSON 32: ANSWERS 1 1. The aeroplane leaves at quarter to three in the afternoon We'll be in the air for five hours The meeting will start about five minutes to four When will the bus to Inverness be leaving? At half past two My watch is fifteen minutes slow/behind The clock was showing quarter past one My girlfriend/boyfriend was half an hour late The candle burnt away in an hour and a half We were at the ceilidh until quarter to eleven 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

LESSON 32: ANSWERS 2 1. Thill am mac-talla an dèidh deich diogan 2. Chuir iad seachad trì chairteal na h-uarach a' leughadh 3. Ràinig am bàta gu pongail aig còig uairean 4. Thuirt e gun do chuir iad seachad trì uairean a' streap Beinn Neibhis 5. Fhuair iad an dìnnear-san aig uair 6. Ruigidh an trèan aig cairteal an dèidh a ceithir 7. Bha an gleoc faisg air deich mionaidean air thoiseach 8. Thuirt e gun tigeadh e mu lethuair an dèidh a hochd 9. Mhair an searmon uair gu leth 10. Bha mi aig an sgoil ro naoi uairean

EXERCISE 2 Translate into Gàidhlig 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 7. 8. 9. 10.

Bha an gleoc a' sealltainn cairteal an dèidh uair Bha mo leannan lethuair a thìde fadalach Loisg an coinneal air falbh ann an uair gu leth Bha sinn aig a' chèilidh gus cairteal gu aon uair deug

LESSON 33 Days, Months, Seasons, & Special Days

DM ©

Làithean na Seachdain - The Days of the Week: là (m) - day seachdain (f) - week Monday - Diluain Friday - Dihaoine Tuesday - Dimàirt Saturday - Disathairne Wednesday - Diciadain Sunday - Didòmhnaich Thursday - Diardaoin - Là na Sàbaid

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 Ràinig e dhachaigh oidhche Chiadain - He arrived home (on) Wednesday night Thàinig iad madainn Dimàirt - They came (on) Tuesday morning Dh'fhàg i feasgar Disathairne - She left (on) Saturday evening Mìosan na Bliadhna - The Months of the Year: mìos (m) - month Am Faoilteach (m) - January An t-Iuchar (m) - July An Gearran (m) - February An Lùnastal (m) - August Am Màrt (m) - March An t-Sultain (f) - September An Giblean (m) - April An Dàmhair (f) - October An Cèitean (m)/Am Màigh (m) - May An t-Samhain (f) - November An t-Òg-mhìos (m) - June An Dùbhlachd/An Dùdlachd (f) - December Na Ràithean - The Seasons: ràith (f) - season An t-earrach (m) - spring An samhradh (m) - summer

Am foghar (m) - autumn 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


DM ©

Làithean àraidh - Special Days: A' Bhliadhn' Ùr - The New Year Là na Bliadhn' Ùire - New Year's Day aig àm na Bliadhn' Ùire - at the New Year (time) A' Chàisg (f) - Easter Là na Càisge - Good Friday aig àm na Càisge - at Easter time Oidhche Shamhna - Halloween Nollaig (f) - Christmas Oidhche na Nollaige - Christmas Eve Là na Nollaige - Christmas Day aig àm na Nollaige - at Christmas time Oidhche Challainn - Hogmanay


LESSON 34 The Genitive Singular Case of Masculine Nouns The Genitive Case is the form of the noun used to express possession and attributes.

DM ©

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 (ò >> ùi): Dative Singular Definite Genitive Singular Definite Genitive Singular Indefinite leis a' bhall - with the member làmh a' bhuill - hand of the member làmh buill - hand of a member (- the member's hand) (- a member's hand) air a' bhòrd - on the table cas a' bhùird - leg of the table cas bùird - 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' bhùrn - in the water blas a' bhùirn - taste of the water blas bùirn - taste of water (- the taste of the water) (- a taste of water) leis a' ghaol - with the love blàths a' ghaoil - the warmth of the love blàths gaoil - the warmth of love Page 1 dm© - Chan fhaodar na leasanan seo ath-riochdachadh gun chead bhon ùghdar dm© - These lessons may not be reproduced without permission from the author

anns an leabhar - in the book air an t-sagart - on the priest

còmhdach an leabhair - cover of the book (- the book cover) taigh an t-sagairt - house of the priest (- the priest's house)

còmhdach leabhair - cover of a book (- a book cover) taigh sagairt - house of a priest (- a priest's house)

DM ©

Type 3 In polysyllabic nouns the final vowel group ea will change to ei or i (common in the group -each >> -ich): Dative Singular Definite Genitive Singular Definite Genitive Singular Indefinite air an eilean bòidhchead an eilein - beauty of the island bòidhchead eilein - beauty of an island (- the beauty of the island) (- the beauty of an island) leis an Ileach - with the Islayman bàta an Ilich - boat of the Islayman bàta Ilich - boat of an Islayman (- the Islayman's boat) (- an Islayman's boat) anns a' phàipear - in the paper dath a' phàipeir - colour of the paper dath pàipeir - colour of a paper (- the paper colour) (- a paper colour) Type 4 The monosyllabic nouns the vowel group ea will change to i: Dative Singular Definite Genitive Singular Definite ris an fhear - to the man còta an fhir - coat of the man (- the man's coat) anns a' pheann - in the pen gob a' phinn - nib of the pen the pen nib) (- a pen nib)

Genitive Singular Indefinite còta fir - coat of a man (- a man's coat) gob pinn - nib of a pen (-

Type 5 In a small number of monosyllabic nouns the diphthong ia will change to èi: Dative Singular Definite Genitive Singular Definite Genitive Singular Indefinite leis an fhiadh - with the deer biadh an fhèidh - the deer food biadh fèidh - deer food Type 6 In a small number of monosyllabic nouns the diphthong ìo will change to ì: Dative Singular Definite Genitive Singular Definite Genitive Singular Indefinite leis an t-sìol - with the seed plaosg an t-sìl - the seed pod plaosg sìl - a seed pod Type 7 In a small number of monosyllabic nouns the diphthong eu will change to eòi: Dative Singular Definite Genitive Singular Definite Genitive Singular Indefinite anns a' bheul - in the mouth oir a' bheòil - the edge of the mouth oir beòil - the edge of a mouth leis an eun - with the bird sgriach an eòin - the screech of the bird sgriach eòin - the screech of a bird anns an fheur - in the grass fàileadh an fheòir - the smell of the grass fàileadh feòir - the smell of grass


DM ©

Type 8 In a small number of monosyllabic nouns the vowel group eò will change to iùi: Dative Singular Definite Genitive Singular Definite Genitive Singular Indefinite leis a' cheòl - with the music gràdh a' chiùil - the love of the music gràdh ciùil - the love of music air an t-seòl - on the sail oir an t-siùil - the edge of the sail oir siùil - 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: Dative Singular Definite Genitive Singular Definite Genitive Singular Indefinite anns a' bhàta - in the boat seòl a' bhàta - the boat's sail seòl bàta - 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 cù a' ghille - the boy's dog cù gille - a boy's dog ris an iasgair - to the fisherman làmh an iasgair - the fisherman's hand làmh iasgair - a fisherman's hand

Some common irregular genitives are best learned. All family members lose the final i : Dative Singular Definite Genitive Singular Definite Genitive Singular Indefinite leis an athair - with the father taigh an athar - the father's house taigh athar - a father's house ris a' bhràthair - to the brother càr a' bhràthar - the brother's car càr bràthar - a brother's car leis a' chù - to the dog earball a' choin - the tail of the dog earball coin - the tail of a dog aig a' mhac - at the son cù a' mhic - the son's dog cù mic - a son's dog leis a' mhìr - with the piece meud a' mhìre - the size of the piece meud mìre - 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 eòin - 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. làmh mo mhic - my son's hand meud do bheòil - the size of your mouth blàths a chridhe - the warmth of his heart/blàths a cridhe (- the warmth of her heart) NEW WORDS Adjectives cùbhraidh - fragrant goirt - sore, sour

goirid - short milis - sweet


beachd (m) - opinion blàths (m) - warmth bùrn (m) - fresh water còmhdach (m) - cover dath (m) - colour earball (m) - tail fuachd (m) - cold, coldness gob (m) - beak, nib gunna (m) - gun meud (m) - size mullach (m) - roof, ceiling pìos (m) - piece sabhal (m) - barn Slànaighear - Saviour, healer taillear (m) - tailor uachdar (m) - surface, cream oir (f) - edge spòg (f) - paw, claw

Verbs cuir, cur - plant, put, place

srac, sracadh - tear

DM ©

Nouns adhbhar (m) - reason, cause blas (m) - taste bòidhchead (m) - beauty coigreach (m) - stranger cridhe (m) - heart deireadh (m) - end fàileadh (m) - smell gaol (m) - love gràdh (m) - love iasgair (m) - fisherman mìr (m) - piece òr (m) - gold plaosg (m) - pod (normally of a legume) sgriach (m) - shriek sreath (m) - row, series tuathanach (m) - farmer aghaidh (f) - face prìs - price (f)

EXERCISE 1 Translate into English 1. Bha làmh a' bhalaich air làimh a leannain 2. Tha e na sheasamh aig doras an taighe 3. Ruith cù an tuathanaich tron t-sràid 4. Tha ceann a' bhogsa sracte 5. Bhiodh fàileadh cùbhraidh an fhraoich cho bòidheach 6. A bheil sibh ag iarraidh pìos arain? 7. Tha dath a' phinn agam gorm 8. Bha an taigh aca aig ceann an rathaid 9. Bha spòg a' chait goirt 10. Nach eil cas a' bhùird briste? 11. Tha earball cù mo bhràthar goirid 12. Tha blas uisge an uillt milis

EXERCISE 2 Translate into English 1. làmh a' bhodaich; doras an t-seòmair; botal bainne; cas balaich 2. bràthair m' athar; bogsa guail; làr an talla; dath a' chòta 3. rathad a' ghlinn; seòrsa duine; airgead an sgàthain; meud an rùim 4. earball èisg; fraoch a' mhonaidh; allt a' chladaich; blas uisge 5. prìs òir; sabhail a' chruidh; mullach an t-sabhail 6. dath an t-solais; làmh a' chopain; obair saoir Page 4 dm© - Chan fhaodar na leasanan seo ath-riochdachadh gun chead bhon ùghdar dm© - These lessons may not be reproduced without permission from the author


Page 5

DM ©

LESSON 34: ANSWERS 1 1. The boy's hand was on his girlfriend's hand 2. He was standing at the door of the house 3. The farmer's dog ran through the street 4. The lid of the box is torn 5. The fragrant smell of the heather would be so beautiful Do you want a piece of bread? The colour of my pen is blue Their house was at the end of the road The cat's paw was sore Isn't the table leg broken? The tail of my brother's dog is short The taste of the stream water is sweet 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.

3. 4. 5. 6.

7. 8. 9.

10.

LESSON 34: ANSWERS 2 1. the old man's hand; the room door; a bottle of milk; a boy's leg 2. my paternal uncle; a box of coal; the hall floor; the colour of the coat

11. 12. 13.

the glen road; sort of man; the silver of the mirror; the size of the room a fish tail; the heather of the moor; the shore burn; a taste of water price of gold; the cattle barn; the barn roof the colour of the light; the cup handle; work of a joiner a cry of pain; the hair of my head; the door of the bank the wall of the port; the minister's house; a soldier's gun the priest's sermon; the poet's tale; the castle wall a library shelf; the beauty of the view; the woman's cat the baby's bed; a stranger's face; the island music my brother's dog; her son's cat; her father's house a brother's love; the town hall; the walls of my house

7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.

sgriach pèin; falt mo chinn; doras a' bhanca balla a' phuirt; taigh a' mhinisteir; gunna saighdeir searmon an t-sagairt; sgeul bàird; balla a' chaisteil sgeilp leabharlainn; bòidhchead an t-seallaidh; cat a' bhoireannaich leabaidh an leanaibh; aghaidh coigrich; ceòl an eilein cù mo bhràthar; cat a mic; taigh a h-athar gaol bràthar; talla a' bhaile; ballachan an taighe agam

LESSON 35 The Genitive Singular Case of Feminine Nouns The Genitive Case is the form of the noun used to express possession and attributes.

DM ©

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 le circ - with a hen biadh circe - the food of a hen air cois - on a leg aig crìch - at a boundary air làimh - on a hand air luing - on a ship

le sgian - with a knife

Genitive Singular Definite biadh na circe - the food of the hen (- the hen's food) cùl coise - the back of a leg cùl na coise - the back of the leg callaid crìche - the fence of a boundary callaid na crìche - the fence of the boundary (- a boundary fence) (- the boundary fence) cùl làimhe - the back of a hand cùl na làimhe - the back of the hand neart luinge - the power of a ship neart na luinge - the power of the ship (- a ship's power) (- the ship's power) 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): Dative Singular Indefinite Genitive Singular Indefinite Genitive Singular Definite 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) Page 1 dm© - Chan fhaodar na leasanan seo ath-riochdachadh gun chead bhon ùghdar dm© - These lessons may not be reproduced without permission from the author

le maraig - with a pudding fo uinneig - under a window

mìlsead maraig(e) - the sweetness of a pudding glainne uinneig(e) - the glass of a window

mìlsead na maraig(e) - the sweetness of the pudding glainne na h-uinneig(e) - the glass of the window

DM ©

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 dàil - with the delay fad na dàlach - 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 bùrn 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: Dative Singular Indefinite Genitive Singular Indefinite Genitive Singular Definite ann an rìoghachd - in a kingdom ceann rìoghachd - the head of a kingdom ceann na rìoghachd - the head of the kingdom Some common irregular genitives are best learned: Dative Singular Indefinite Genitive Singular Indefinite ann am bùth - in a shop uinneag bùtha - the window of a shop (- a shop window) le caora - with a sheep ceann caorach - the head of a sheep (- a sheep's head) ann an sùil - in an eye oisean sùla - the corner of an eye air tràigh -on a beach allt tràghad - the stream of a beach (- a beach stream) le màthair - with a mother mac màthar - the son of a mother (- a mother's son) ri piuthar - to a sister leabhar peathar - the book of a sister (- a sister's book) le seanmhair - with a grandmother cidsin seanmhar - the kitchen of a grandmother (- a grandmother's kitchen)

Genitive Singular Definite uinneag na bùtha - the window of the shop (- the shop window) ceann na caorach - the head of the sheep (- the sheep's head) oisean na sùla - the corner of the eye allt na tràghad - the stream of the beach (- the beach stream) mac na màthar - the son of the mother (- the mother's son) leabhar na peathar - the book of the sister (- the sister's book) cidsin na seanmhar - the kitchen of the grandmother (- 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 bùrn na h-aibhne - the taste of the water of the river (- the taste of the river water) blàths gainmheach na tràghad - the warmth of the sand of the beach Page 2 dm© - Chan fhaodar na leasanan seo ath-riochdachadh gun chead bhon ùghdar dm© - These lessons may not be reproduced without permission from the author

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) bràthair mo mhàthar - my mother's brother (- my maternal uncle) cùis ar litreach - the subject of our letter

DM ©

NEW WORDS Nouns blas (m) - accent, taste fad (m) - length guth (m) - voice neart (m) - energy, strength smal (m) - mark ad (f) - hat buidheann (f) - group glainne (f) - glass piuthar (f) - sister seanmhair (f) - grandmother

cùl (m) - back side fallas (m) - sweat mìlsead (m) - sweetness oisean (m) - corner

bas (f) - palm (of hand) callaid (f) - fence ite (f) - feather saothair (f) - labour, toil

Verbs glais/glas, glasadh - lock

EXERCISE 1 Translate into English 1. Dh'fhuirich màthair na caileig aig an taigh 2. Bhris am balach uinneag na bùtha 3. Tha bùrn 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-ùine? 7. Bha solas na grèine a' tighinn tron uinneig 8. Tha smal ann air cùl a làimhe 9. Tha falt na caillich fada 10. Tha blas na Gàidhlig aca

EXERCISE 2 Translate into English 1. bus na h-oidhche; ad mo mhàthar; loch na mara; dèideag a pheathar 2. guth na h-uiseig; biadh na maidne; fuaim na mara 3. doras na sgoile; làmh na sgeine; casan na leapa 4. fàileadh toite; gob circe; ite sgèithe; glainne na h-uinneig 5. callaid na pàirce; saothair obrach; neart na stoirme 6. dath a sùla; gainmheach na tràghad; eun coille 7. mullach na beinne; pian bochdainn; mìlsead a pòige 8. dath na h-ite; meud a h-aid; fallas mo shaothrach



Page 4

DM ©

LESSON 35: ANSWERS 1 1. The girl's mother stayed at home 2. The boy broke the shop window 3. The water of this river is dirty 4. The church door was locked 5. The men were at sea fishing 6. Weren't they in(side) all (of) the time? 7. The sunlight was coming through the window 8. There is a mark on the back of her hand 9. The old woman's hair is long 10. They have a Gàidhlig accent

LESSON 35: ANSWERS 2 1. the night bus; my mother's hat; the sea loch; his sister's toy

2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

7. 8.

the lark's voice; the morning meal; the sound of the sea the school door; the handle of the knife; the legs of the bed smell of smoke; a hen's beak; a wing feather; the window glass the park's fence; toil of work; the power of the storm the colour of her eye; the beach sand; a forest bird the top of the mountain; pain of poverty; the sweetness of her kiss the colour of the feather; the size of the hat; the sweat of my labour

LESSON 36 Using the Genitive Case of Nouns

DM ©

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 (- a girl's hat) ite ad caileig(e) - the feather of the hat of a girl (- the feather of a girl's hat)

ad na caileig(e) - the hat of the girl (- the girl's hat) ite ad na caileig(e) - the feather of the hat of the girl (- the feather of the girl's hat)

cù tuathanaich -the dog of a farmer (- a farmer's dog) cas cù tuathanaich - the leg of the dog of a farmer farmer(- a farmer's dog's leg)

cù an tuathanaich -the dog of the farmer (- the farmer's dog) cas cù an tuathanaich - the leg of the dog of the (- the farmer's dog's leg)

Use the genitive case after the prepositions chun, rè, thar and trìd (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-sìde math rè na bliadhna - The weather was good throughout the year Dh'ionnsaich iad trìd 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 mòine - I am cutting peat Tha mi a' gearradh na mòna - I am cutting the peat However, when more than one noun follows genitive: Tha iad a' faicinn ad caileig(e) - They see the hat of a girl (- They see a girl's hat) A bheil thu a' cluinntinn fuaim uillt? - Do you hear the sound of a stream?

the verbal noun only the last noun is in the Tha iad a' faicinn ad na caileig(e) - They see the hat of the girl (- They see the girl's hat) A bheil thu a' cluinntinn fuaim an uillt? - Do you hear the sound of the stream?


DM ©

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 cù 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: Mòrag taigh Mhòraig/taigh Mòraig - Marion's house Catrìona cat Chatrìona/cat Catrìona - Catherine's cat Pèigi gàrradh Phèigi/gàrradh Pèigi - 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 Gàidhlig - The Society of Gàidhlig Ceannard Chomann na Gàidhlig - The head of the Society of Gàidhlig Bòrd an Dealain - The Electricity Board Oibriche Bhòrd 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 breac (m) - trout bean (f) - wife, woman colaiste (f) - college sìde (f) - weather

stoc (m) - scarf

comhairle (f) - council, counsel, advice mòine (f) - peat

Verbs eadar-theangaich, eadar-theangachadh - translate cladhaich, cladhach - dig feuch, feuchainn (ri) - try (to) figh, fighe - knit geàrr, gearradh - cut lìon, lìonadh - fill teagaisg, teagasg (do) - teach (to) EXERCISE 1 Translate into English 1. Tha taigh Sheumais làn 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 EXERCISE 2 Translate into English 1. Bha e ag eadar-theangachadh na sgeulachd 2. An robh iad a' cladhach a' ghàrraidh? Bha 3. Tha i a' sgrìobhadh na litreach gu a màthair



Page 3

DM ©

LESSON 36: ANSWERS 1 1. Seumas' house is full of joy 2. Will you be seeing Calum tonight? No 3. At one time I was working for Comhairle nan Eilean 4. Are you reading a good book? Yes LESSON 36: ANSWERS 2 1. He was translating the story 2. Were they digging the garden? Yes 3. She was writing the letter to her mother 4. He was quietly reading the book 5. My grandmother was knitting the scarf for me 6. My father was using his boat last night 7. I saw him throwing a stone at the dog

LESSON 36: ANSWERS 3 1. Bha iad a' togail taigh ùr 2. Bha e a' leughadh an leabhair nuair a chunnaic mi e 3. Bha iad nan seasamh fo ghleoc tall' a' bhaile 4. An toir thu pìos càise leis an aran? 5. Bidh an long a' fàgail a' phuirt aig 6.30 anns a' mhadainn Tha mi a' teagasg Gàidhlig do mo chàirdean Càit an do chuir thu iuchair doras an taighe? Thuirt mi gun robh e a' lìonadh a' bhotail le bùrn Bha dathan a' bhric cho Bòidheach Am bi sibh a' gearradh na mòna a-màireach? Bithidh 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

EXERCISE 3 Translate into Gàidhlig 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 Gàidhlig 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 4. 5. 6. 7.

Bha e a' leughadh an leabhair gu sàmhach Bha mo sheanmhair a' fighe an stuic dhomh Bha m' athair a' cleachdadh a' bhàta aige a-raoir Chunnaic mi e a' tilgeil clach ris a' chù

LESSON 37 Summary of Dative and Genitive Changes in Singular Nouns

DM ©

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'; 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; 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

am bàrd - the poet

dhan bhàrd - to the poet

a' bàird - of the poet

an ròn - the seal

bhon ròn - from the seal

an ròin - of the seal

an dùn - the fort

anns an dùn - in the fort

an dùin - of the fort

an gaol - the love

leis a' ghaol - with the love

a' ghaoil - of the love


Internal Vowel Changes addition of i a >> ai o >> oi u >> ui ao >> aoi

Dative

Genitive

an t-allt - the stream

anns an t-allt - in the stream

an uillt - of the stream

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

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 sìol - seed

anns an t-sìol - in the seed

an t-sìl - of the seed

an coibhneas - the kindness

leis a' choibhneas - with the kindness

a' choibhneis - of the kindness

an ceum - the step

anns a' cheum - in the step

a' chèim - of the step

am fiadh - the deer

fon fhiadh - under the deer

an fhèidh - of the deer

an t-iasg - the fish

air an iasg - on the fish

an èisg - of the fish

an dall - blindman

ris an dall - to the blindman

an doill - of the blindman

am beul - the mouth

air a' bheul - on the mouth

a' bheòil - of the mouth

an t-eun - bird

don eun - to the bird

an eòin - of the bird

am feur - grass

anns an fheur - in the grass

an fheòir - of the grass

an ceòl - the music

tron cheòl - through the music

a' chiùil - of the music

an seòl - the sail

fon t-seòl - under the sail

an t-siùil - of the sail

Internal Vowel Changes

a & o >> ui

DM ©

Nominative

a, ea & io >> i

ea, eu & ia >> ei

a >> oi

eu >> eoi

eo >> iui

Feminine 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, 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.


The Dative Case: The definite article is 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; The nouns undergo internal vowel modifications ‡ : with the general trend of narrowing the final internal vowel to i.

DM ©

2.

‡ 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.

Nominative

Dative

Genitive

a' mharag - the pudding

anns a' mharaig - in the pudding

na maraig(e) - of the pudding

an tòn - the rump

air an tòin - on the rump

na tòine - of the rump

an long - the ship

air an luing - on the ship

na luinge - of the ship

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

a' chrìoch - the boundary

aig a' chrìch - at the boundary

na crìche - of the boundary

a' bhas - palm

air a' bhois - on the palm

na boise - of the palm

a' clann - the children

dhan chloinn - to the children

na cloinne - of the children

fon fhrois - under the shower

na froise - of the shower

an fhras - the shower


Internal Vowel Changes addition of i a >> ai o >> oi

o >> ui

ea & io >> i

a >> oi

Dative

Genitive

a' chaileag - the girl

dhan chaileig - to the girl

na caileig(e) - of the girl

a' chreach - the plunder

anns a' chreich - in the plunder

na creiche - of the plunder

anns an t-seilg - in the hunt

na seilge - of the hunt

a' bhreug - the lie

leis a' bhrèig - with the lie

na brèige - of the lie

a' ghrian - the sun

ris a' ghrèin - to the sun

na grèine - of the sun

an iall - the strap

air an èill - on the strap

na h-èille - of the strap

Internal Vowel Changes

DM ©

Nominative

an t-sealg - the hunt

ea, eu & ia >> ei

NEW WORDS Nouns (with genitive singular and nominative plural)

allt, g. & pl. uillt (m) - stream ball, g.& pl. buill (m) - member beul, g. & pl. beòil (m) - mouth car, g. cuir, pl. caran (m) - twist càirdeas, g. càirdeis (m) - friendship càrn, g. & pl. càirn & cùirn (m) - carn ceum, g. cèim, pl. ceumannan (m) -step, pace clag, g. & pl. cluig (m) - bell cliabh, g. & pl. clèibh (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. deòir (m) - tear dùn, g. & pl. dùin (m) - fort eun, g.& pl. eòin (m) - bird lìon, g. & pl. lìn (m) - net mac, g. & pl. mic (m) - son meur, g. pl. meòir (m) - finger nèamh, g. nèimh, pl. nèamhan (m) - heaven neul, g. & pl. neòil (m) - cloud olc, g. uilc (m) - evil òrd, g. & pl. ùird (m) - hammer sìol, g. & pl. sìl (m) - seed sliabh, g. slèibh, pl. slèibhtean (m) - hill, hillside toll, g. & pl. tuill (m) - hole tonn, g. & pl. tuinn (m) - wave breug, g. brèige, pl. breugan (f) - lie cealg, g. ceilge, pl. cealgan (f) - deceit ciall, g. cèille, pl. cialltan (f) - sense creach, g. creiche, pl. creachan (f) - plunder, raid creag, g. creige, pl. creagan (f) - cliff, crag, rock crìoch, g. crìche, pl. crìochan (f) - limit, boundary fras, g. froise, pl. frasan (f) - shower geug, g. gèige, pl. geugan (f) - branch, bough iall, g. èille, 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. sgeòil (f) - story tonn, g. tuinne, pl. tonnan (f) - wave


DM ©

EXERCISE 1 Translate into English 1. òrain a' bhàird; ad a' bhoireannaich; clachan a' chùirn; 2. fuaim a' chluig; ceann fir; cas coilich; làmh a' mhic; 3. meud an lìn; ceann an èisg, earball fèidh; seinn Eòin; 4. sruth deòir; drochaid na luinge; ruith tuinne; callaid crìche; 5. gob circe; dèideagan cloinne; là na seilge; fear na creiche

EXERCISE 2 Translate into Gàidhlig 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 LESSON 37: ANSWERS 1 1. the poet's songs; the woman's hat; the stones of the cairn; 2. the sound of the bell; a man's head; the cockerel's leg; the son's hand; 3. the size of the net; the head of the fish; a deer's tail; the singing of a bird; 4. the flow of a tear; the ship's bridge; a run of a wave; a boundary fence; 5. a hen's beak; children's toys; the day of the hunt; the man of the raid

LESSON 37: ANSWERS 2 1. blas arain; làmh balaich; uisge an uillt; ionaltradh cruidh; 2. rathad a' ghlinn; ceann bric; taigh mo mhic; coibhneas càirdeis; 3. feur an t-slèibh; crìoch an sgeòil; dath an neòil; 4. gluasad an t-siùil; pian na coise; meud na cloiche; 5. boireannach ceilge; glainne uinneig; ciall na sgeòil


LESSON 38 The Nominative and Dative Plural of Nouns

DM ©

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: nì (m) - thing nithean - things cnò (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 bòrd - a table bùird - of a table bùird - tables fear - a man fir - of a man fir - men port - a port puirt - of a port puirt - ports òran - a song òrain - of a song òrain - 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 pàipear - a paper pàipearan - papers taillear - a tailor taillearan - tailors 3. A terminal -a changes to -achan or -aichean and in a few cases to -annan: Nominative Singular Nominative Plural baga - a bag bagannan - bags balla - a wall ballachan - walls bogsa - a box bogsaichean - boxes còta - a coat còtaichean - coats Page 1 dm© - Chan fhaodar na leasanan seo ath-riochdachadh gun chead bhon ùghdar dm© - These lessons may not be reproduced without permission from the author

4. A terminal -ar and more rarely -air change to -raichean: Nominative Singular Nominative Plural athair - a father athraichean - fathers leabhar - a book leabhraichean - books

DM ©

5. Mostly recently monosyllabic borrowings, adding either -achan or -aichean: Nominative Singular Nominative Plural bus - a bus busaichean - buses càr - a car càraichean - 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: Nominative Singular Nominative Plural 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: Nominative Singular Nominative Plural 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: Nominative Singular Nominative Plural cathair - a chair cathraichean - chairs màthair - a mother màthraichean - 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 neònach - strange flathail - majestic Nouns cogadh (m) - war

domhainn - deep

dust (m) - dust Page 2 dm© - Chan fhaodar na leasanan seo ath-riochdachadh gun chead bhon ùghdar dm© - These lessons may not be reproduced without permission from the author

fad (m) - length sgudal (m) - rubbish, junk Alba (f) - Scotland co-fharpais (f) - competition

nì (m) - thing cnò (f) - nut craobh (f) -tree

DM ©

Verbs sabaid, sabaid (ri) - fight (with, against)

EXERCISE 1 Translate into English 1. An do shabaid a h-athair anns na cogaidhean? 2. Tha iad nan rìghrean 3. Bha fuaimean neònach a' tighinn bhon t-seòmar 4. Bha na còin 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' fàs glè fhuar a-nis 9. Fhuair mo bhràithrean 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 glè thrang 2. Tha snàthad glè gheur 3. Tha an nead falamh 4. Bha an sgoil dùinte an-dè 5. Tha an loch domhainn 6. Càit A bheil an taigh-òsta? 7. An robh an làr fliuch? 8. Tha am bogsa làn de sgudal 9. Cò bhris an uinneag? 10. An robh sibh a-riamh air a' bhàta sin? 11. Tha e (change to iad) na leabaidh 12. Dè tha iad ag ràdh anns an litir? 13. Thilg sinn anns an teine e 14. Tha cù ann fon bòrd 15. A bheil càr aig do bhràthair? 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 là fliuch 22. A bheil peann agaibh? 23. Bidh mo làmh blàth Page 3



Page 4

DM ©

LESSON 38: ANSWERS 1 1. Did her father fight in the wars? 2. They are kings 3. There were strange noises coming from the room 4. Those dogs were barking all night long (the length of the night) There are ten green bottles on the wall I read four books last week The years go past so quickly The mornings are becoming (growing) very cold now My brothers got prizes in the competitions The mountains of Scotland are so majestic 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

LESSON 38: ANSWERS 2 1. Tha na fir glè thrang 2. Tha na snàthadan glè gheur 3. Tha na nid falamh 4. Bha na sgoiltean dùinte an-dè 5. Tha na lochan domhainn 6. Càit a bheil na taighean-òsta? 7. An robh na làir fliuch? 8. Tha na bogsaichean làn de sgudal 9. Cò bhris na h-uinneagean? 10. An robh sibh a-riamh air na bàtaichean sin?

11. Tha iad nan leapannan 12. Dè tha iad ag ràdh anns na litrichean? 13. Thilg sinn anns na teintean iad 14. Tha coin ann fo na bùird 15. A bheil càraichean aig do bràithrean? 16. Cuir bainne anns na copannan 17. Tha gunnachan aig na saighdearan 18. Tha eòin ann an craobhan anns na coilltean 19. Is toil leam bainnsean 20. Bha na h-eaglaisean fuar 21. Bha na làithean fliuch 22. A bheil pinn agaibh? 23. Bidh mo làmhan blàth 24. Tha leabhraichean agam nam phòcaidean 25. Cuir do sgeinean air falbh 26. Cuir na cearcan anns na poitean 27. Ghlac mi èisg anns na lochan 28. Chaidh sinn do na bùithean 29. Tha mo chàirdean tinn an-dràsta 30. Tha dust nam shùilean 31. Bha leabhraichean air na sgeilpean 32. Chaidh sinn fo dhrochaidean 33. Bha na feasgaran blàth is tioram

24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33.

Tha leabhar agam nam phòcaid Cuir do sgian air falbh Cuir a' chearc anns a' phoit Ghlac mi iasg anns an loch Chaidh sinn dhan bhùth Tha mo charaid tinn an-dràsta Tha dust nam shùil Bha leabhar air an sgeilp Chaidh mi fo dhrochaid Bha am feasgar blàth is tioram

LESSON 39 The Genitive Plural of Nouns

DM ©

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

balaich - boys

Nominative Singular balach - a boy

Final narrow vowel

pinn - pens

bogsaichean - boxes

peann - a pen

Genitive Plural

nam balach - of the boys bhalach - of boys

nam peann - of the pens pheann - of pens

bogsa - a box

nam bogsaichean - of the boxes bhogsaichean - of boxes nan iasgairean - of the fishermen

Final broad vowel iasgairean - fishermen iasgair - a fisherman

iasgairean - of fisherman

taillearan - tailors

taillear - a tailor

nan taillearan - of the tailors

thaillearan - of tailors


For Feminine Nouns Nominative Plural caileagan - girls

Nominative Singular

Genitive Plural

caileag - a girl

nan caileagan - of the girls

DM ©

chaileagan - of girls

cearcan - hens

Final broad vowel in nominative plural

cùisean - matters

cearc - a hen

nan cearcan - of the hens chearcan - of hens

nan cùisean - of the matters

cùis - matter

chùisean - of matters

eaglaisean - churches

nan eaglaisean - of the churches

eaglais - a church

eaglaisean - of churches

sgoiltean - schools

nan sgoiltean - of the schools

sgoil - a school

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

Final broad vowel in nominative singular

caileag - a girl

Nominative Plural caileagan - girls

Genitive Plural

nan caileag - of the girls chaileag - of girls

cearc - a hen

cùise - a matter

nan cearc - of the hens

cearcan - hens

chearc - of hens

nan cùisean - of the matters

cùisean - matters

chùisean - of matters

Final narrow vowel in nominative singular

eaglais - a church

nan eaglaisean - of the churches

eaglaisean - churches

eaglaisean - of churches

sgoil - a school

sgoiltean - schools

nan sgoiltean - of the schools sgoiltean - of schools


DM ©

EXERCISE 1 Make the following plural 1. màthair na caileig; uinneag na bùtha; bùrn na h-aibhne 2. doras na h-eaglais; cùl a làimhe; falt na caillich 3. làmh a' bhalaich; doras an taighe; cù an tuathanaich 4. ceann a' bhogsa; dath a' phinn; spòg cait; cas a' bhùird EXERCISE 2 Make the following plural 1. dèideag a pheathar; guth na h-uiseig; biadh na maidne 2. doras na sgoile; làmh na sgeine; casan na leapa 3. gob circe; ite sgèithe; glainne na h-uinneig 4. callaid pàirce; neart na stoirme; dath Sùla EXERCISE 3 Make the following plural 1. gainmheach na tràghad; mullach na beinne 2. mìlsead na pòige; dath na h-ite; meud na h-aid 3. fallas an t-saothrach; làmh a' bhodaich 4. doras an t-seòmair; botal bainne; cas balaich 5. bràthair m' athar; bogsa guail 6. làr an talla; dath a chòta

EXERCISE 4 Make the following plural 1. meud an rùim; earball an èisg; allt a' chladaich 2. mullach an t-sabhail; dath an t-solais; làmh copain 3. obair saoir; doras a' bhanca; gunna saighdeir 4. searmon an t-sagairt; sgeul bàird; cat a' bhoireannaich LESSON 39: ANSWERS 4 1. meud nan rùm; earballan nan iasg; uillt nan cladach 2. mullaichean nan sabhal; dathan nan solas; làmhan chopan 3. obair shaor; dorais nam bancaichean; gunnachan shaighdear 4. searmonan nan sagart; sgeòil bhàrd; cait nam boireannach

LESSON 39: ANSWERS 2 1. dèideagan am peathraichean; guthan nan uiseag; biadh nam maidnean 2. dorais nan sgoiltean; làmhan nan sgeinean; casan nan leapannan 3. guib chearc; itean sgiathan; glainne nan uinneag 4. callaidean phàircean; neart nan stoirmean; dathan shùilean

3. 4. 5. 6.

LESSON 39: ANSWERS 1 1. màthraichean nan caileag; uinneagan nam bùth; bùrn nan aibhnichean 2. dorais nan eaglaisean; cùil an làmhan; falt nan cailleach 3. làmhan nam balach; dorais nan taighean; coin nan tuathanach 4. cinn nam bogsaichean; dathan nam peann; spògan chat; casan nam bòrd

LESSON 39: ANSWERS 3 1. gainmheach nan tràighean; mullaichean nam beanntan 2. mìlsead nam pòg(an); dathan nan itean; meud nan ad(an) fallas nan saothraichean; làmhan nam bodach dorais nan seòmar; botail bhainne; casan bhalach bràithrean ar n-athraichean; bogsaichean guail làir nan tallachan; dathan nan còtaichean


LESSON 40 More Incomplete Verbs

DM ©

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

Am faod mi/thu/e/i/sinn/sibh/iad? May I/you/he/she/we/you/they?

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?

Interrogative

Faodaidh - Yes Chan fhaod - No

Negative interrogative *

Relative

Dh'fhaodadh - Yes Chan fhaodadh - No

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/ Ought you/he/she/we/you/they not Dh'fhaodadh - Yes Chan fhaodadh - No

'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 f are usually aspirated after the negative particle Nach.


b. The Auxiliary Verb Feum: Forms

Conditional Tense

Feumaidh mi/tu ‡/e/i/sinn/sibh/ iad - I/you/he/she/we/you/they will need (=must)

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

Am feum mi/thu/e/i/sinn/sibh/iad? Will I/you/he/she/we/you/they need?

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?

Interrogative

Feumaidh - Yes Chan fheum - No

Negative interrogative *

Relative

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

DM ©

Statement

Future Tense

Dh'fheumadh - Yes Chan fheumadh - No

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

'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

‡ 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 f are 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-là - 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 Page 2 dm© - Chan fhaodar na leasanan seo ath-riochdachadh gun chead bhon ùghdar dm© - These lessons may not be reproduced without permission from the author

DM ©

Am feumadh iad càr? Dh'fheumadh - Would they need a car? Yes Dh'fheumamaid suidhe sìos - We would need to sit down Feumaidh sinn suidhe sìos - We must (need to) sit down Chan fheumadh iad a thighinn - They wouldn't need to come Chan fhaod i a dhol dhan chèilidh - 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 ceòl a chluinntinn? - May I hear some music? Feumaidh e an t-uisge òl - He must drink the water Am feumainn an càr 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 dhèanamh? 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 ceàrr - 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 ceàrr - Perhaps they were wrong Dh'fhaodadh nach tig i anns an stoirm seo - Maybe she'll not come in this storm


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 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

DM ©

Statement

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 bàthadh? - 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 càr 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 shàbhaladh - 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 sàbhaladh - They almost didn't save it (piseag = feminine) Nach do theab sinn a sgriosadh? - Didn't we almost ruin it (taigh = masculine)?


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 mòr. Compare with some examples from the use of Theab: Using Theab I almost fell

Cha mhòr nach do thuit mi

DM ©

Theab mi tuiteam

Using Assertive Verb

An do theab thu bàthadh?

Did you nearly drown?

Nach mòr nach do bhàth thu?

Cha do theab i a thighinn

She almost didn't come

Cha mhòr gun tàinig i

Nach do theab i a dhol fodha?

Did it not almost sink?

Nach mòr gun deach i fodha?

Theab mi an càr a bhualadh

I nearly hit the car

Cha mhòr nach do bhuail mi an càr

An do theab thu an duine a mharbhadh?

Did you nearly kill the man?

Nach mòr nach do mharbh thu an duine?

Cha do theab i a' phiseag a shàbhaladh

She almost didn't save the cat

Cha mhòr gun do shàbhail i a' phiseag

Nach do theab sinn an taigh a sgriosadh?

Didn't we almost ruin the house

Nach mòr gun do sgrios sinn an taigh?

Theab mi a bhualadh

An do theab thu a mharbhadh? Cha do theab iad a sàbhaladh

Nach do theab sinn a sgriosadh?

I almost hit him/it

Did you nearly kill him?

Cha mhòr nach do bhuail mi e

Nach mòr nach do mharbh thu e?

They almost didn't save it

Cha mhòr gun do shàbhail iad i

Didn't we almost ruin it?

Nach mòr 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 ‡) - go away, shoo thallaibh (fhalbhaibh‡) - go away, 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


Nouns fiaclair (m) - dentist feòil (f) - meat, flesh

puinnsean (m) - poison piseag (f) - kitten

bàth, bàthadh - drown marbh, marbhadh - kill sgrios, sgriosadh - ruin

DM ©

Verbs aidich, aideachadh - admit, confess rach fodha, dol fodha - sink sàbhail, sàbhaladh - save togair, togairt - want, desire

EXERCISE 1 Translate into English 1a. Cha mhòr 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-màireach 3. Tha mi glè dhuilich ach feumaidh mi falbh 4a. Theab e tuiteam sìos na staidhrichean 4b. Cha mhòr nach do thuit e sìos na staidhrichean 5. Am feum thu a bhith ag ithe cho luath? Feumaidh 6. Am faod mi an dealbh dhìot fhaicinn? Chan fhaod 7. Trobhad agus bheir mi dhut mìlseag 8. Siuthad, dèan na thogras tu 9. Càit am faod mi mo chàr fhàgail? 10. Faodaibh sibh suidhe far na thogras sibh 11a. Theab mi am puinnsean òl 11b. Cha mhòr nach do dh'òl mi am puinnsean 12a. Thuirt e gun do theab e a òl 12b. Thuirt e nach mòr nach do dh'òl e e

EXERCISE 2 Translate into Gàidhlig 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 (feòil = feminine)



Page 7

DM ©

LESSON 40: ANSWERS 1 1. He nearly broke his leg when he fell 2. I must go to the doctor tomorrow 3. I am very sorry but I must leave 4. He almost fell down the stairs 5. Must you eat so fast? Yes 6. May I see the picture of you? No 7. Come here and I'll give you a sweet 8. Go on, do as you please 9. Where can (may) I leave my car 10. You may sit where you like (desire) 11. I almost drank the poison 12. He said he almost drank it

LESSON 40: ANSWERS 2 1. "Tha mi cho duilich," ars' ise 2a. Theab iad tuiteam dhan abhainn 2b. Cha mhòr nach do thuit iad dhan abhainn

3. Feumaidh mi aideachadh gum b' fheàrr leam cofaidh 4. Chan fhaod thu suidhe anns a' chathair sin, is leam i 5. Tha dèideadh orm. Feumaidh mi am fiaclair fhaicinn a-màireach 6. Feumaidh mi ràdh gu bheil mi a' smaointinn gur balach olc e 7. Siuthadaibh, leumaibh thairis air an abhainn 8. Tiugainn leam do na bùithean 9. Dh'fheumainn a bhith cinnteach nach robh e a' dol a chosg an airgid air sgudal 10. Chan fheum iad fuireach air falbh bhon sgoil 11a. Cha mhòr nach do dh'òl mi an t-uisge salach 11b.Theab mi an t-uisge salach òl 12a.Thuirt e gun do theab e a h-ithe 12b.Thuirt e nach mòr nach do dh'ith e i

LESSON 41 More Conjunctions

DM ©

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: Present Past Future Conditional a tha a bha a bhios a bhithinn/a bhiodh nach eil nach robh nach bi nach bithinn/nach biodh ‡ 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 còir 's a bhios e, cha toir e an càr aige air iasad dhut/Ge b' e cho còir 's a bhios e, cha toir e an càr 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' deàrrsadh, tha e fhathast fuar a-muigh/Ge b' e cho soilleir 's a tha a' ghrian a' deàrrsadh, 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 sgìth '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 blàth a-muigh leis cho soilleir 's a tha a' ghrian a' deàrrsadh - 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 sgàth 's - lit. for the sake airson 's - lit. for do bhrìgh '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.


The ones most commonly used in everyday speech are: a chionn 's, air sgàth 's and airson 's.

air eagal 's - for fear, lest mar ‡ - as if

DM ©

Some others fall into this group: air chor 's - on condition, so that cho .. 's - so .. that

‡ 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: Present Past Future Conditional gu bheil gun robh gum bi gum bithinn/gum biodh nach eil nach robh nach bi nach bithinn/nach 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 mì-mhodhail ris an tidsear - He got a punishment because he was rude to the teacher Cha bhi mi ann aig a' chèilidh 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 chòta a chur dhìom air sgàth '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 tràth dha mo leabaidh leis gu bheil mi cho sgìth - I'm going to bed early because I am so tired Ri linn 's gum bi e blàth brèagha a-màireach, gabhaidh sinn cuirm-chnuic air an tràigh - 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'fhàg mi an doras fosgailte ach an cluinninn an còmhradh aca - I left the door open so that I might (could ) hear their conversation Gluaisidh mi a' chathair ach am faigh thu mòran rùim - I'll move the chair so that you may get more room Page 2 dm© - Chan fhaodar na leasanan seo ath-riochdachadh gun chead bhon ùghdar dm© - These lessons may not be reproduced without permission from the author

Sheas e eadar a' chlann is an cù ach am biodh iad sàbhailte - He stood between the children and the dog so that they might (would) be safe

DM ©

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 chòta orm - I was out in the rain with no coat on Tha mo bhean a' cluiche goilf; agus mise a-staigh a' deasachadh na dìnnearach - My wife is playing golf, meanwhile I'm indoors preparing the dinner Bha cù 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 freagarrach - suitable modhail - polite

deiseil (de) - finished (with) mì-mhodhail - rude soilleir - bright

Adverbs air iasad - on loan

thall thairis - abroad, overseas

Conjunctions ach - so (subjectively) agus - with, meanwhile air chor 's - on (the) condition, so that air sgàth 's - because airson 's - for, because ge b' e cho .. 's - no matter how .. ri linn - due to, because Nouns cùirtear, cùrtair (m) - curtain nàbaidh (m) - neighbour soitheach (m) - dish, vessel uilebheist (m) - monster deigh (f) - ice gaoth (f) - wind lèine (f) - shirt

a chionn 's - since, because air cho .. 's - no matter how .. air eagal 's - for fear, lest cho .. 's - as .. as do bhrìgh 's - because leis cho .. 's - seeing as .. so

fuaradair (m) - refrigerator peanas (m) - punishment, penalty teas (m) - heat cuirm-chnuic (f) - picnic dreasa (f) - dress iris (f) - magazine miotag (f) - glove

Verbs càraich, càradh - repair, mend cuir air, cur air - turn on (light, radio etc) cuir dheth, cur dheth - turn off (light, radio etc) deàrrs, deàrrsadh - shine fuiling, fulang - suffer Page 3 dm© - Chan fhaodar na leasanan seo ath-riochdachadh gun chead bhon ùghdar dm© - These lessons may not be reproduced without permission from the author

rach am falach, dol am falach - hide, go into hiding (intransitive verb) sèid, sèideadh - blow, swell thoir air iasad (do), toirt air iasad (do) - lend (to)

DM ©

Verbal Phrases cuir air, cur air - put on (clothes) cuir orm/ort etc, cur orm/ort etc e.g. Chuir mi orm lèine 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 dhìom/dhìot etc, cur dhìom/dhìot etc e.g. Chuir mi dhìom mo chòta - I took off my coat Chuir mo mhàthair 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 EXERCISE 1 Translate into English 1. Cha tèid mi dhan chèilidh air sgàth 's nach eil dreasa agam 2. B' fheàrr leam fulang a chionn 's gu bheil an t-eagal orm ron fhiaclair 3. Do bhrìgh '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 sgìth dhen chòmhradh 6. Dh'fhosgail mi an cùirtear air chor 's gum faicinn mo nàbaidh a' tighinn 7. Thug mi mìlseag dhì air chor 's gum biodh i math 8. Air eagal 's gun cailleadh e airgead, chàraich a mhàthair an toll am pòcaid a bhriogais 9. Thug mi an iris do mo charaid airson 's gun robh mi deiseil dheth 10. Bidh mi ag èirigh tràth a-màireach ri linn 's gum feum mi trèan a ghlacadh aig sia uairean 11. Dh'innis e an sgeul mar gur e an fhìrinn a bha innte 12. Rinn mo mhac na soithichean air eagal 's nach fhaigheadh e airgead-pòcaid EXERCISE 2 Translate into Gàidhlig each of the following using (a) a chionn, (b) air sgàth 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 EXERCISE 3 Translate into English 1. Ge b' e cho trom 's a bhios an t-uisge, thèid sinn gu muir 2. Coisichidh sinn dhachaigh leis cho brèagha 's a tha am feasgar Page 4 dm© - Chan fhaodar na leasanan seo ath-riochdachadh gun chead bhon ùghdar dm© - These lessons may not be reproduced without permission from the author


Page 5

DM ©

LESSON 41: ANSWERS 1 3a. Dh'fheumadh sinn an doras a ghlasadh a chionn 's 1. I'll not go to the ceilidh because I don't have a gun robh a' ghaoth a' sèideadh gu làidir dress 3b. Dh'fheumadh sinn an doras a ghlasadh air sgàth 's 2. I'd rather suffer because I'm very afraid of the gun robh a' ghaoth a' sèideadh gu làidir dentist 3c. Dh'fheumadh sinn an doras a ghlasadh airson 's gun 3. Because she was late in last night, she is still in her robh a' ghaoth a' sèideadh gu làidir bed 4a. Bha fallas orra a chionn 's gun robh iad ag obair 4. They'll be going abroad because they like heat cho cruaidh 5. He fell asleep because he was tired of the 4b. Bha fallas orra air sgàth 's gun robh iad ag obair conversation cho cruaidh 6. I opened the curtain so that I could (would) see my 4c. Bha fallas orra airson 's gun robh iad ag obair cho neighbour coming cruaidh 7. I gave her a sweet on the condition that she would 5a. Fàgaidh mi air an solas a chionn 's gum bi eagal ort be good ron dorchadas 8. For fear that he would lose his money, his mother 5b. Fàgaidh mi air an solas air sgàth 's gum bi eagal ort mended the hole in his trouser pocket ron dorchadas 9. I gave my friend the magazine because I was 5c. Fàgaidh mi air an solas airson 's gum bi eagal ort finished with it ron dorchadas 10. I will be getting up early tomorrow since I need to 6a. Bha am bainne goirt a chionn 's nach do chuir i air catch a train at six o'clock ais anns an fhuaradair e 11. He related the story as if it were the truth 6b. Bha am bainne goirt air sgàth 's nach do chuir i air 12. My son did the dishes for fear that he wouldn't ais anns an fhuaradair e get his pocket money 6c. Bha am bainne goirt airson 's nach do chuir i air ais anns an fhuaradair e LESSON 41: ANSWERS 2 1a. Bu toil leam mo dhìnnear a-nis a chionn 's gu bheil an t-acras orm 1b. Bu toil leam mo dhìnnear a-nis air sgàth 's gu bheil an t-acras orm 1c. Bu toil leam mo dhìnnear a-nis airson 's gu bheil an t-acras orm 2a. Cumaidh i na cùirtearan dùinte a chionn 's nach toil leatha an sealladh 2b. Cumaidh i na cùirtearan dùinte air sgàth 's nach toil leatha an sealladh 2c. Cumaidh i na cùirtearan dùinte airson 's nach toil leatha an sealladh

LESSON 41: ANSWERS 3 1. No matter how heavy the rain, we will go to sea 2. We will walk home being as the evening is so fine 3. I will go to the meeting that I may get a chance to talk 4. My wife and children have Gàidhlig, meanwhile here am I without a word of it 5. No matter how hard the work, she is always happy 6. The water was so hot that I burnt my hand

3. 4. 5. 6.

Thèid mi dhan choinneimh ach am faigh mi cothrom bruidhinn Tha a' Ghàidhlig aig mo bhean is a' chlann, agus seo mise gun fhacal agam dhith Air cho cruaidh 's a bhios an obair, bidh i daonnan toilichte Bha an t-uisge cho teth 's gun do loisg mi mo làmh

LESSON 42 The Declension of Adjectives

DM ©

As mentioned in Lesson 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:

Singular

Nominative

Dative

Genitive

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 mòr - a big cat an cat mòr - the big cat

le cat mòr - with a big cat leis a' chat mhòr - with the big cat

cait mhòir - of a big cat a' chait mhòir - of the big cat

All plurals add a terminal -a or an -e to the basic form

Plural

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 mhòra † - big cats na cait mhòra - the big cats

le cait mhòra † - with big cats leis na cait mhòra † - with the big cats

chat mòra - of big cats nan cat mòra - of the big cats

Nominative

Dative

Genitive

† Nouns (whether masculine or feminine) which have a final i in their plural always lenite the following adjective


Feminine Nouns The nominative, dative and genitive forms of feminine nouns were met in Lesson 3, Lesson 6, Lesson 34 and Lesson 39 respectively: Nominative

Dative

Singular

Lenite the basic form and insert an i if final vowel is broad ‡

DM ©

For definite nouns lenite the Lenite the basic form and insert an basic form i if final vowel is broad †

Genitive

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

cùis mhòr - a big affair a' chùis mhòr - the big affair

le cùis mhòir - with a big affair leis a' chùis mhòir - with the big affair

cùise mòire - of a big affair na cùise mòire - of the big affair

All plurals add a terminal -a or an -e to the basic form

Plural

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

cùisean mòra - big affairs na cùisean mòra - the big affairs

le cùisean mòra - with big affairs leis na cùisean mòra - with the big affairs

chùisean mòra - of big affairs nan cùisean mòra - of the big affairs

Nominative

Dative

Genitive

† 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 terminal -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 Lesson 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 consequentially remain unlenited.


DM ©

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 mòire - of a big seagull na faoileige mòire - of the big seagull

faoileig mòire na faoileig mòire

faoileige mhòir na faoileige mhòir

faoileig mhòir na faoileig mhòir

cùise mòire - of a big affair na cùise mòire - of the big affair

cùise mhòir na cùise mhòir

cùis mhòir na cùis mhòir

làimhe glice - of a wise hand na làimhe glice - of the wise hand

làimhe ghlic na làimhe ghlic

làimh ghlic na làimh 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 Internal Change

Masculine Genitive Singular (lenited)

Feminine Genitive Singular

beartach - rich

beartaich

bheartaich

beartaich

bòidheach - beautiful

bòidhich

bhòidhich

bòidhich

dìleas - loyal

dìlis

dhìlis

dìlis

freagarrach - suitable

freagarraich

fhreagarraich

freagarraich

salach - dirty

salaich

shalaich

salaich

Basic


There is no internal change where the adjective already has a final i or when the it ends in a vowel: 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

Internal Change

DM ©

Basic

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: Internal Change


Feminine Genitive Singular (terminal -e)

àrd - high

àird

àird

àirde

blàth - warm

blàith

bhlàith

blàithe

caol - narrow

caoil

chaoil

caoile

mòr - big

mòir

mhòir

mòire

Basic

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: Internal Change



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


Type 3 The substitution of a final broad vowel in a diphthong with i, e.g. ea and eu >> ei Internal Change



dearg - red

deirg

dheirg

deirge

deas - right

deis

dheis

deise

geur - sharp

gèir

ghèir

gèire

searbh - bitter

seirbh

sheirbh

seirbhe

Internal Change



beag - small

big

bhig

bige

geal - white

gil

ghil

gile

sean - old

sin

shin

sine

Internal Change



cian - distant

cèin

chèin

cèine

ciar - dusky, swarthy

cèir

chèir

cèire

liath - grey, greyed out

lèith

lèith

lèithe

DM ©

Basic

Type 4 The substitution of a diphthong with i, e.g. ea >> i: Basic

Type 5 The substitution of the diphthong ia with èi: Basic

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 fìor - true, exceptional gach - each iomadach, iomadh - many a prìomh - main, prime mion - minor, petty sàr - exceptional seann - old

These adjectives do not change in any case. They all however lenite the following noun except for a h-uile, iomadach/iomadh and gach: an ath bhliadhna - next year a h-uile duine - everyone corra dhuine - a few men deagh dhùrachdan - good wishes an dearbh rud - the ideal thing, the very thing droch shìde - bad weather Page 5 dm© - Chan fhaodar na leasanan seo ath-riochdachadh gun chead bhon ùghdar dm© - These lessons may not be reproduced without permission from the author

DM ©

fìor ghaisgeach - a true hero gach madainn - each day iomadach là/iomadh là - many a day prìomh shràid - main street mion chànanan - minority languages sàr 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: mòr bheinn - great mountain dearg amadan - a total fool cruaidh fheum - desperate need cruaidh-chàs - extreme hardship garbh bheinn - rough mountain dubh-fhacal - enigma (dark word) dearg chuthach - derangement dubh-chàineadh - intense criticism NEW WORDS Adjectives ath - next (before noun) bog - soft caol - narrow ciar - dusky, swarthy cruinn - round deagh - good (before noun) deas - right (side) garbh - rough gruamach - grumpy, gloomy òg - young seann - old (before noun) sracte - torn

beartach - rich breac - speckled cian (cèin also as basic form) - distant clì - left dall - blind dearbh - exact, the very (before noun) droch - bad (before noun) gòrach - stupid mìlis - sweet sean - old (after noun) searbh - bitter trom - heavy

Nouns amadan (m) - fool, clown càineadh (m) - criticism càs (m) - hardship faobhar (m) - edge of a blade gleans (m) - shine, finish greim/grèim (m) - grip, a portion of food turas (m) - trip, journey, instance bruach (f) - bank (of river etc) dùrachd (f) - wish, tiding làmh (f) - handle

bata (m) - walking stick, baton cànan (m), cànain (f) - language cuthach (m) - rage gaisgeach (m) - hero gràdh (m) - love mòran (m) - much, many, a lot

corrag (f) - finger feadhainn (f) - some, ones (collective noun)


All exercises use a high register. As you do these think about the low colloquial forms you are likely to hear.

DM ©

EXERCISE 1 Translate into English 1. Bha mòran uinneagan beaga anns an t-seann chaisteal ann 2. 'S toil leam flùraichean gorma ach 's beag orm an fheadhainn phurpaidh 3. Gheàrr mi mo chorrag air faobhar na sgeine gèire 4. Tha mo bhean a' glanadh nan soithichean salach 5. Thèid sinn a-rithist an sin an ath thuras 6. A bheil sibh eòlach air prìomh shràid a' bhaile ùir? 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 mhòir 10. Tha na caoraich dhubha ag ithe an fheòir mhìlis 11a. Bha mi nam laighe fon ghrèin bhlàith 11b. Bha mi nam laighe ann an teas na grèine blàithe 12a. Bha an t-eun breac air druim an eich dhuibh 12b. Tha na h-eòin bheaga air druim na caorach duibhe 13a. Cùm grèim math air làmh a' chopain daoir 13b. Cùm an copan daor sin sàbhailte nad ghrèim 14a. Shuidh corra dhuine còmhla air a' chathair mhòir ghuirm 14b. Shuidh mi air an fheur ghrod fhliuch 15a. Fosgail doras an t-seòmair bhig 15b. Dùin doras na h-eaglaise bige 16a. Ràinig a h-uile duine mullach na beinne àirde 16b. Bha iad air mullach an t-seann chaisteil 17a. Chaidh e a-muigh anns an uisge throm 17b. Thàinig i a-staigh dhan t-seòmar bhlàth 18a. Bha a' ghlainne ghlan nam làimh dheis 18b. An robh am peann nad làimh chlì? Bha 19a. Tha dèideag bhriste aig a' chaileig òig 19b. Tha dèideag na caileige òige briste 20a. Tha an cat fon bhòrd bheag 20b. Tha an cù fon chathair bhig 21a. Dè tha ceàrr air spòg na piseige bige? 21b. Dè tha ceàrr air spòg 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 pòcaid mhòir oirre 23b. Tha pòcaid na seacaide duinne agam sracte 24a. 'S toil leam gleans an fhuilt bhàin fhada aice 24b. 'S toil leam gleans an fhuilt chèir ghoirid aige 25a. Chluich iad anns an allt gharbh 25b. Shiùbhail iad air an abhainn ghairbh Page 7 dm© - Chan fhaodar na leasanan seo ath-riochdachadh gun chead bhon ùghdar dm© - These lessons may not be reproduced without permission from the author

DM ©

26a. Tha iomadach duine ann dhen bharail neònaich sin 26b. Tha iomadh tè ann dhen bharail ghòraich 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 mnà gruamaich 30a. Bha na caileagan òga nan suidhe air an leabaidh bhuig chofhartail 30b. Bha na balaich òga nan suidhe air a' chloich fhuair chruaidh

EXERCISE 2 Translate into English anns an àite shàbhailte; air oidhche chiùin; leis na balaich dhona biadh nan cearc(an) dubha; eaglais a' bhaile mhòir; bruach na h-aibhne luaithe air a' mhuir ghuirm; aig deireadh na sgeulachd fada; aig an uinneig fhosgailte spòg a' chait dhuinn; làmh a' chopain chruinne; anns a' ghlainne chruinn teas là ghrianaich; bhon oibriche dhìleas; anns an allt dhomhainn fad a fuilt lèith; thairis air an drochaid chaoil; earball na lucha bige comhairle duine ghlic; cobhair deagh charaid; blasad bainne ghoirt ceòl a guth bhòidhich; air a' chois chlì agam; air na h-achaidhean gorma teas nan teintean blàtha; cinn nam balach beaga; gràdh na caileige bàine



Page 9

DM ©

LESSON 42: ANSWERS 1 1. There were many small windows in the old castle 2. I like blue flowers but I dislike the purple ones 3. I cut my finger on the edge of the sharp knife 4. My wife is cleaning the dirty dishes 5. We'll go there again next time 6. Are you acquainted with the main street of the new town? 7. He's a fool with his short speckled pattern trousers 8. The man gave us some good advice 9. She was delirious with a great anger 10. The black sheep are eating the sweet grass 11a. I was lying under the warm sun 11b.I was lying in the heat of the warm sun 12a.The speckled bird was on the back of the black horse 12b.The small birds were on the back of the black sheep 13a.Keep a good grip on the expensive cup 13b.Keep that expensive cup safe in your grip 14a.A few folk sat together on the big blue chair 14b.I sat on the rotten wet grass 15a.Open the door of the small room 15b.Close the door of the small church 16a.Everyone reached the top of the tall mountain 16b.They were on the roof of the old castle 17a.He went out in the heavy rain 17b.She came in to the warm room 18a.The clean glass was in my right hand 18b.Did you have a pen in your left hand? Yes 19a.The young girl has a broken toy 19b.The young girl's toy is broken 20a.The cat is under the wee table 20b.The dog is under the wee chair 21a.What wrong with the wee kitten's paw? 21b.What wrong with the wee dog's paw? 22a.It's bad news 22b.It's good news

23a.I have a brown jacket with a large pocket on it 23b.The pocket of my brown jacket is torn 24a.I like the shine of her long blond hair 24b.I like the shine of his short dark hair 25a.They played in the rough burn 25b.They travelled on the rough river 26a.Many a man is of that strange opinion 26a.Many a woman is of that silly opinion 27a.I looked at the work of the heavy boy 27b.I looked at the work of the heavy girl 28a.Here's the old blind woman's walking stick 28b.Here's the old blind man's walking stick 29a.I heard the story from the grumpy man's daughter 29b.I heard the news from the grumpy woman's son 30a.The young girls were sitting on the soft comfortable bed 30b.The young boys were sitting on the cold hard stone LESSON 42: ANSWERS 2 in the safe place; on a calm night; with the bad boy the food of the black hens; the city('s) church; the bank of the rapid river on the blue sea; at the end of the long story; at the open window the brown cat's paw; the handle of the round cup; in the round glass the heat of a sunny day; from the loyal worker; in the deep burn the length of her grey hair; over the narrow bridge; the tail of the small mouse the advice of a wise man; the help of a good friend; the taste of sour milk the music of her beautiful voice; on my left leg; on the green fields the heat of the warm fires; the small boys' heads; the love of the fair girl

LESSON 43 The Comparison of Adjectives

DM ©

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 sgìth ri cù - 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 Màiri cho spìocach riut - Màiri 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 mì-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 bhrògan 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 cù 's a tha aigesan - A dog has as much sense as him (he has)


DM ©

Second Level Comparison: Comparatives and Superlatives 1. Regular Formation The form for both the comparative and the superlative is the same in Gàidhlig. 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 Gàidhlig this is often elided. Remember a number of important adjectives will undergo internal vowel modifications: Feminine Genitive Singular Adjective

Second Level Comparison

na beinne àirde - of the high mountain

àirde

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


na dreasa bòidhich - of the beautiful dress

bòidhche

na h-aibhne domhainn - of the deep river

doimhne

na mnà dìlis - of the loyal woman

dìlse

na mnà 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 Màiri nas àirde na Calum - Màiri is taller than Calum Tha Màiri nas àirde na mise † - Màiri is taller than me Tha Màiri a-nis nas bòidhche na bha i a-riamh - Màiri is now more beautiful than she ever was Tha an cù seo nas fhiadhaiche na am fear eile ‡- This dog is wilder than the other one Bha an taigh sin na bu bhòidhche na am fear seo § - That house was more beautiful than this one Bha Màiri na bu toilichte na mise § - Màiri was happier than me


† 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

DM ©

Literally what is being said is: Tha an cù 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 bhòidhche na am fear seo - That house was the thing that was more beautiful than this one It is not uncommon in spoken Gàidhlig 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 bòidhche 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 òige anns a' chlas - I am the youngest in the class Bu mhise a b' òige anns a' chlas - I was the youngest in the class 'S mise as òige 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 Sìm a bu ghlice § - Simon was the wisest An e Calum a b' àirde ? ‡ - 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. Page 3 dm© - Chan fhaodar na leasanan seo ath-riochdachadh gun chead bhon ùghdar dm© - These lessons may not be reproduced without permission from the author

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 òige anns a' chlas - It is I who is the younger/youngest in the class Bu mhise a b' òige anns a' chlas - It was I who was the younger/youngest in the class

DM ©

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 Uses As/A Bu

duine nas àirde/duine na b' àirde

an duine as àirde/an duine a b' àirde

cù nas òige/cù na b' òige

an cù as òige/an cù a b' òige

baile nas bòidhche/baile na bu bhòidhche

am baile as bòidhche/am baile a bu bhòidhche

'S e duine nas àirde a tha sinn ag iarraidh - We want a taller man. lit It's a taller man that we want 'S e an duine as àirde a tha sinn ag iarraidh - We want the tallest man. lit It's the tallest man that we want 'S e Dìleas an cù as òige ‡ - Dìleas is the youngest dog 'S e cù nas òige a tha dhìth orm - I want a younger dog. lit. It' s a younger dog that I want 'S e Glaschu am baile as bòidhche ‡ - Glasgow is the most beautiful town ‡ You could drop the noun and simply have: 'S e Dìleas as òige ‡ - Dìleas is the youngest 'S e Glaschu as bòidhche - Glasgow is the most beautiful

2. Irregular Formation There are a number of common irregular Second Level Comparisons: Basic Form


Basic Form


beag - small

lugha

làidir - strong

cumhang - narrow

cuinge

treasa & regular làidire

dona, olc - bad

miosa

leathan - broad

leatha

duilich - difficult, sorry

duilghe

math - good

fheàrr

mòr - big

motha, mò

fada - long

fhaide

reamhar - fat

reamhra

furasta - easy

fhasa

tana - thin, narrow

taine

goirid - short

giorra

teth - hot

teotha


DM ©

Some Common Idioms Using the Second Level Comparison When directly describing an action after the Assertive Verb: 'S e Calum am fear as àirde 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 càr 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 sgìthe a dh'fhàs e - The further he walked the more tired he became Mar as àirde 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 furasta - easy rag - stiff sgiobalta - neat, tidy tana - thin uasal - noble

cumhang - narrow, thin leathan - broad, wide ruadh - red, auburn spìocach - mean, miserly tapaidh - smart, clever, robust

Nouns cidsin (m) - kitchen flùr (m) - flower iarann (m) - iron togalach (m) - building Gàidhealtachd (f) - Gàidhlig speaking area fiodh (f) - wood, timber troigh (f) - foot

fitheach (m) - raven gnìomh (m) - act, deed sràbh (m) - straw fiacail (f) - tooth gualainn (f) - shoulder stàilinn (f) - steel

Verbs tagh, taghadh - choose, elect

EXERCISE 1 Translate into English 1. Tha e cho mòr ri each 2. Chan eil e cho glic rithe 3. Tha an togalach sin cho àrd ri beinn 4. Tha i cho bòidheach 's a bha i a-riamh 5. 'S urrainn dha ruith nas luaithe na thusa


Is leamsa a' chathair as cofhartaile anns an rùm B' e sin an là a b' fhliche a chunnaic mi a-riamh 'S i Màiri an tè as tapaidhe anns an sgoil Tha an seòmar agamsa nas sgiobalta na an seòmar agadsa Tha stàilinn nas cruaidhe na iarann 'S e an cidsin an rùm as glaine anns an taigh agam Bha na fiaclan aice cho geal ris an t-sneachd 'S e Calum as miosa de na bràithrean Tha an abhainn nas cuinge faisg air an drochaid Thagh mi an sràbh as giorra Cò am fear as treasa dhiubh? Is ise as lugha den teaghlach ach an neach as sine 'S ann aigesan a tha na troighean as motha a chunnaic mi a-riamh Tha mo thaigh-sa nas motha na do thaigh-sa Bha a' cheist sin na b' fhasa na an tè eile

DM ©

6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20.

EXERCISE 2 Translate into Gàidhlig 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



Page 7

DM ©

LESSON 43: ANSWERS 1 1. He is as big as a horse 2. He isn't as prudent as her 3. That building is as high as a mountain 4. She is as beautiful as she ever was 5. He can run faster than you 6. I possess the most comfortable chair in the room 7. That was the wettest day I ever saw 8. Màiri's the smartest one in the school 9. My room is tidier than your room 10. Steel is harder than iron 11. The kitchen is the cleanest room in my house 12. Her teeth were as white as the snow 13. Calum is the worst of the brothers 14. The river is narrower near the bridge 15. I chose the shortest straw 16. Who's the strongest (man) of them? 17. She's the smallest of the family but the oldest 18. He has the biggest feet I ever saw 19. My house is larger than your house 20. That question was easier than the other one

LESSON 43: ANSWERS 2 1. Tha i cho sàmhach ri luch 2. Tha am falt aice cho dubh ri gual 3. 'S esan an duine as deanadaiche as aithne dhomh 4. Bha an seòmar fada (mòran) na bu bhlàithe nuair a bha teine guail againn

5. Càit am faigh mi a' chaileag as bòidhche anns an t-saoghal? 6. Bha am falt aige cho geal ris an t-sneachd 7. 'S ann air a' Ghàidhealtachd a gheibh sibh a' chraobh as àirde 8. Bha mi mòran na bu chaoile nuair a bha mi nam bhalach òg 9. Tha am falt aige mòran nas ruaidhe na falt a pheathar as òige 10a.'S ann aig an fhraoch a tha am flùr as cùbhraidhe 10b.'S e flùr an fhraoich as Cùbhraidhe 11. Bha an rùm na bu teotha le teine guail 12a.Bha a ghuailnean fada na bu leatha na a bhràthair 12b.Bha na guailnean aige fada na bu leatha na a bhràthair 13. 'S ann aca a tha an gàrradh as lugha a chunnaic mi a-riamh 14. Tha rathad a' ghlinn nas fhaide na chuimhnich mi 15. Rinn e an gnìomh a bu mhiosa 16. Bha a' phrìomh rathad na bu leatha na am fear seo 17. Tha stàilinn nas treasa na fiodh 18. Bha mi fada na bu taine nuair a bha mi òg 19. 'S e Dùn Èideann am prìomh bhaile as trainge ann an Albainn 20. 'S e Calum as luaithe a ruith a' bheinn 21. Mar as fhaide a shnàmh sinn, 's ann as fhuaire a dh'fhàs a' mhuir 22. Mar as sine a dh'fhàs i, 's ann as raige a bha i

LESSON 44 Cardinal Numbers From 30 Upwards See Lesson 31 for cardinal numbers 1- 30

DM ©

1. Without a noun a. Traditional:

30 a deich air fhichead

60

trì fichead †

90

ceithir fichead 's a deich

31

a h-aon deug air fhichead

61

trì fichead 's a h-aon

91

ceithir fichead 's a h-aon deug

32 a dhà dheug air fhichead

62

trì fichead 's a dhà

92

ceithir fichead 's a dhà dheug

33 a trì deug air fhichead

63

trì fichead 's a trì

93

ceithir fichead 's a trì deug

etc

etc

etc

40 dà fhichead

70

trì fichead 's a deich

100 ceud

41

71

trì fichead 's a h-aon deug

200 dà cheud ‡

42 dà fhichead 's a dhà

72

trì fichead 's a dhà dheug

300 trì cheud ‡ †

43 dà fhichead 's a trì

73

trì fichead 's a trì deug

400 ceithir cheud ‡

dà fhichead 's a h-aon

etc

50

etc

dà fhichead 's a deich/ lethcheud

500 còig ceud

80

ceithir fichead

81

ceithir fichead 's a h-aon

1,000 mìle

etc

51

dà fhichead 's a h-aon deug/ lethcheud 's a h-aon

52

dà fhichead 's a dhà dheug/ 82 lethcheud 's a dhà

ceithir fichead 's a dhà

2,000 dà mhìle

53

dà fhichead 's a trì deug/ lethcheud 's a trì

ceithir fichead 's a trì

3,000 trì mìle †

etc

83

etc

etc

1,000,000 millean

2,000,000 dà mhillean 3,000,000 trì millean † etc

‡ ceud is lenited after dà, trì and ceithir. † fichead, ceud, mìle and millean remain singular after other numerals.


b. Decimal: 30 trithead

60

seasgad

90

naochad

31

61

seasgad 's a h-aon

91

naochad 's a h-aon

32 trithead 's a dhà

62

seasgad 's a dhà

92

naochad 's a dhà

33 trithead 's a trì

63

seasgad 's a trì

93

naochad 's a trì

DM ©

trithead 's a h-aon

etc

etc

etc

40 ceathrad

70

seachdad

100 ceud

41

71

seachdad 's a h-aon

200 dà cheud

42 ceathrad 's a dhà

72

seachdad 's a dhà

300 trì cheud

43 ceathrad 's a trì

73

seachdad 's a trì

400 ceithir cheud

etc

500 còig ceud

ceathrad 's a h-aon

etc

50 caogad

80

ochdad

51

81

ochdad 's a h-aon

1,000 mìle

52 caogad 's a dhà

82

ochdad 's a dhà

2,000 dà mhìle

53 caogad 's a trì

83

ochdad 's a trì

3,000 trì mìle †

caogad 's a h-aon

etc

etc

etc

etc

1,000,000 millean

2,000,000 dà mhillean 3,000,000 trì 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 31 32 33

deich cait fichead

60

deich cearcan fichead

aon chat deug air fhichead

aon chearc deug air fhichead dà chat dheug air fhichead

61

62

dà chirc dheug air fhichead trì cait dheug air fhichead

trì cearcan deug air fhichead

63

etc

40 41

trì fichead cat

trì fichead cearc

trì fichead cat 's a h-aon

trì fichead cearc 's a h-aon trì fichead cat 's a dhà

trì fichead cearc 's a dhà trì fichead cat 's a trì

trì fichead cearc 's a trì

90 91

92 93

ceithir fichead cat 's a deich ceithir fichead cearc 's a deich ceithir fichead cat 's a h-aon deug ceithir fichead cearc 's a h-aon deug

ceithir fichead cat 's a dhà dheug ceithir fichead cearc 's a dhà dheug ceithir fichead cat 's a trì deug ceithir fichead cearc 's a trì deug

etc

dà fhichead cat ‡

70

dà fhichead cearc

dà fhichead cat 's a h-aon

dà fhichead cearc 's a h-aon

71

trì fichead cat 's a deich

trì fichead cearc 's a deich

trì fichead cat 's a h-aon deug

trì fichead cearc 's a h-aon deug

etc

100

200

ceud cat ‡

ceud cearc

dà cheud cat

dà cheud cearc


42 dà fhichead cat 's a dhà

72

dà fhichead cat 's a trì

73

dà fhichead cearc 's a trì

dà fhichead cat 's a deich/ lethcheud cat

53

400 500

ceithir cheud cat ceithir cheud cearc còig ceud cat còig ceud cearc

ceithir fichead cat

dà fhichead cearc 's a deich/ lethcheud cearc

80

lethcheud cat 's a h-aon

dà fhichead cearc 's a h-aon deug/

dà fhichead cat 's a dhà dheug/ lethcheud cat 's a dhà

dà fhichead cearc 's a dhà dheug/ leth-cheud cearc 's a dhà

dà fhichead cat 's a trì deug/ lethcheud cat 's a trì dà fhichead cearc 's a trì deug/ leth-cheud cearc 's a trì

etc

etc

ceithir fichead cearc

ceithir fichead cat 's a h-aon

1,000

ceithir fichead cearc 's a h-aon

mìle cat ‡ mìle cearc

81

lethcheud cearc 's a h-aon

52

trì fichead cearc 's a trì deug etc

dà fhichead cat 's a h-aon deug/

51

trì fichead cat 's a trì deug

trì cheud cearc

DM ©

etc

50

300 trì cheud cat

trì fichead cearc 's a dhà dheug

dà fhichead cearc 's a dhà

43

trì fichead cat 's a dhà dheug

ceithir fichead cat 's a dhà

82

ceithir fichead cearc 's a dhà ceithir fichead cat 's a trì

83

ceithir fichead cearc 's a trì etc

2,000

dà mhìle cat dà mhìle cearc

3,000

trì mìle cat trì mìle cearc etc

1,000,000

millean cat ‡ millean cearc

2,000,000

dà mhillean cat dà mhillean cearc

3,000,000

trì millean cat trì millean cearc etc

‡ fichead, ceud, mìle and millean are followed by the singular noun.


b. Decimal:

31 32 33

trithead cat ‡

60

trithead cearc trithead 's a h-aon chat trithead 's a h-aon chearc trithead 's a dhà chat

61 62

trithead 's a dhà chirc trithead 's a trì cait

63

trithead 's a trì cearcan etc

40 41 42 43

51

52

ceathrad cat ‡

70

ceathrad cearc

ceathrad 's a h-aon chat

ceathrad 's a h-aon chearc ceathrad 's a dhà chat

ceathrad 's a dhà chirc ceathrad 's a trì cait

ceathrad 's a trì cearcan

71

72 73

seasgad 's a h-aon chat seasgad 's a h-aon chearc seasgad 's a dhà chat

caogad cat ‡

caogad cearc

caogad 's a h-aon chat

seasgad 's a dhà chirc seasgad 's a trì cait

seasgad 's a trì cearcan seachdad cat ‡

seachdad cearc

seachdad 's a h-aon chat

seachdad 's a h-aon chearc seachdad 's a dhà chat

seachdad 's a dhà chirc seachdad 's a trì cait

seachdad 's a trì cearcan etc

80

81

91

naochad cat ‡ naochad cearc naochad 's a h-aon chat naochad 's a h-aon chearc naochad 's a dhà chat

93

naochad 's a dhà chirc naochad 's a trì cait naochad 's a trì cearcan

100

200 300 400 500

ceud cat ‡

ceud cearc

dà cheud cat

dà cheud cearc trì cheud cat

trì cheud cearc ceithir cheud cat ceithir cheud cearc còig ceud cat

còig ceud cearc

ochdad 's a h-aon chat

caogad 's a dhà chat

ochdad 's a dhà chat

82

etc

ochdad cearc

ochdad 's a h-aon chearc

caogad 's a a trì cait

92

ochdad cat ‡

caogad 's a h-aon chearc

caogad 's a dhà chirc

53

seasgad cearc

90

etc

etc

50

seasgad cat ‡

DM ©

30

ochdad 's a dhà chirc

83

ochdad 's a trì cait

etc

1,000

mìle cat ‡ mìle cearc

2,000

dà mhìle cat dà mhìle cearc

3,000

caogad 's a trì cearcan

ochdad 's a trì cearcan

trì mìle cat trì mìle cearc

etc

etc

etc

1,000,000

millean cat ‡ millean cearc

2,000,000

dà mhillean cat dà mhillean cearc

3,000,000

‡ trithead, ceathrad, caogad, seasgad, seachdad, ochdad and naochad are followed by the singular noun.

trì millean cat trì millean cearc etc


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: 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

triùir - three, three people

triùir bhalach - three boys

triùir chaileag - three girls

ceathrar - four, four people

ceathrar - four, four people

ceathrar chaileag - four girls

còignear - five, five people

còignear bhalach - five boys

còignear 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

DM ©

Without Noun

‡ 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 All augmented prepositions are shown in Appendix 1. NEW WORDS Nouns aonan (m) - one person còignear (m) - five people deichnear (m) - ten people ochdnar (m) - eight people sianar (m) - six people ubhal (m) - apple dithis (f) - two people triùir (f) - three people

ceathrar (m) - four people cròileagan (m) - playgroup, crèche naoinear (m) - nine people seachdnar (m) - seven people sreath (m) - row, series ugh (m) - egg bascaid (f) - basket


DM ©

EXERCISE 1 Translate into Gàidhlig Using the traditional system: (a) without a noun , and (b) bòrd (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 Gàidhlig 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 EXERCISE 3 Translate into Gàidhlig 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



Page 7

DM ©

LESSON 44: ANSWERS 1a 3. seasgad 's a còig 1. còig deug air fhichead 4. seachdad 's a dhà 2. dà fhichead 's a seachd 5. dà cheud 's a sia 3. dà fhichead 's a trì deug 6. trì cheud, caogad 's a dhà 4. ceithir fichead 's a trì 7. dà mhìle, ceud 's a deich 5. ceithir fichead 's a dhà deug 8. còig mìle, ceithir cheud is caogad 6. ceud 's a seachd deug 7. mìle, dà cheud is fichead LESSON 44: ANSWERS 2b 8. dà mhìle, seachd ceud, ceithir fichead 's a sia 1a. trithead ' s a seachd taighean 1b. trithead ' s a seachd longan LESSON 44: ANSWERS 1b 2a. ceathrad 's a h-aon taigh 1a. còig bùird dheug air fhichead 2b. ceathrad 's a h-aon long 1b. còig clachan deug air fhichead 3a. seasgad 's a còig taighean 2a. dà fhichead bòrd 's a seachd 3b. seasgad 's a còig longan 2b. dà fhichead clach 's a seachd 4a. seachdad 's a dhà thaigh 3a. dà fhichead bòrd 's a trì deug 4b. seachdad 's a dhà luing 3b. dà fhichead clach 's a trì deug 5a. dà cheud 's a sia taighean 4a. ceithir fichead is trì bùird 5b. dà cheud 's a sia longan 4b. ceithir fichead is trì clachan 6a. trì cheud, caogad 's a dhà thaigh 5a. ceithir fichead bòrd 's a dhà dheug 6b. trì cheud, caogad 's a dhà luing 5b. ceithir fichead clach 's a dhà dheug 7a. dà mhìle, ceud 's a deich taighean 6a. ceud 's a seachd bùird dheug 7b. dà mhìle, ceud 's a deich longan 6b. ceud 's a seachd clachan deug 8a. còig mìle, ceithir cheud is caogad taigh 7a. mìle, dà cheud is fichead bòrd 8b. còig mìle, ceithir cheud is caogad long 7b. mìle, dà cheud is fichead clach 8a. dà mhìle, seachd ceud, ceithir fichead 's a sia bùird LESSON 44: ANSWERS 3 8b. dà mhìle, seachd ceud, ceithir fichead 's a sia 1. Bha trì ùbhlan ann air a' bhòrd clachan 2. Bha triùir fhear ann ag obair anns a' phàirc 3. Thog iad na sia taighean anns an aon sreath 4. Tha naoinear chaileag is ochdnar bhalach anns a' chròileagan 5. Tha deich uighean anns a' bhasgaid ann LESSON 44: ANSWERS 2a 1. trithead ' s a seachd 2. ceathrad 's a h-aon

LESSON 45 More Prepositional Pronouns

DM ©

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 à / às ‡ - out of, from (a place): asam - out of me asainn - out of us asad - out of you asaibh - out of you às ‡ - out of him asta ‡ - out of them aiste - out of her ‡ Although accented às 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 fòpa - 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 Page 1


‡ The prepositional pronouns of thar are rarely heard and should be reserved for formal prose. Instead use the prepositional pronouns of air after thairis.

DM ©

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 Using ro - 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 càit 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 dhèanamh - I decided to make coffee Chuir i roimhpe am fiolm ùr fhaicinn - She decided to see the new film An do chuir e roimhe an litir a fhreagairt? - Did he decide to answer the letter? When the object of the sentence is a pronoun then the pronoun is replaced by its possessive 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-làithean - 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-là - I decided not to take a holiday (lit. I decided not to be taking a holiday)


DM ©

Some Useful Idioms Using às - out of Chan eil mi cinnteach às - I am not sure of it/him Cha chuireadh i earbsa asta - She wouldn't trust them Cò às 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 bàta às a chèile - The boat fell apart NEW WORDS Adverbs às a chèile - apart

Nouns fiolm (m) - film earbsa (f) - trust gailleann (f) - storm

fuath (f) - hatred, loathing saighead (f) - arrow

Verbs cuir roimh, cur roimh - decide rach fodha, dol fodha - sink

dòirt, dòrtadh - pour

Verbal Phrases gun a bhith (+ present participle) - not to

EXERCISE 1 Translate into English 1. Dhòirt e an t-uisge thairis oirnn 2. Thilg e a' chlach troimhpe (uinneag) 3. Chaidh am bàta fodha 4. Thàinig fuath eat orra 5. Bhris an tonn thairis orra 6. Chaidh a bràthair 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 dhèanamh? 11. Na innis do dhuine eile sin, cùm eadarainn e 12. Chuir i roimhpe fhaicinn a-rithist EXERCISE 2 Translate into Gàidhlig 1. The car went over him 2. The dog went under it (table) 3. He came between us 4. The pain cut through me



Page 4

DM ©

LESSON 45: ANSWERS 1 1. He poured the water over us 2. He threw the stone through it 3. The boat went under (sank) 4. A hatred came between them 5. The wave broke over them 6. Her brother went in advance of her (before her) 7. We sent (to) him a letter 8. He was afraid of (before) them 9. I decided that I would go to the cinema 10. Will you not decide what you are going to do? 11. Don't tell anyone else that, keep it between us 12. She decided to see him again

LESSON 45: ANSWERS 2 1. Chaidh an càr thairis 2. Chaidh an cù fodha 3. Thàinig e eadarainn 4. Gheàrr am pian tromham 5. Sgrìobh mi litir thuca 6. Dh'fhàg i romham 7. Siuthad romham/Gabh romham 8. Chaidh an saighead troimhe 9. Chuir iad romhpa gun a bhith a' dol dhan chèilidh 10. Chuir mi romham suidhe sìos 11. Cuir a-nall thugam e 12. An do chuir thu romhad gun a bhith a' dol ann?

5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.

I wrote a letter to them She left before me Go ahead (before) of me The arrow went through him They decided not to go to the cèilidh I decided to sit down Pass it across to me Did you decide not to go there?

LESSON 46 More Interrogative Pronouns

DM ©

The Interrogative Pronoun Cò 1. Cò + 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

Cò aige tha an taigh sin? ‡ - Whose house is that? (lit. Who at is that house?)

air - on

Cò ai a tha thu a' coimhead? - Who are you looking at? (Who on are you looking?)

às - from, out of

Cò às a tha thu cinnteach? - Who are you sure of? (lit. Who of are you sure?)

bho - from

Cò bhuaithe gheibh thu sin? ‡ - Who will you get that from? (lit. Who from will you get that?)

do/dha - to

Cò dha thug thu a' chomhairle? - To whom did you give the advice? (Who to did you give the advice?)

de - of, off

Cò dheth a dh'fhaighnich thu? - Of whom did you enquire? (Who of did you enquire?)

fo - under, below

Cò fodha a chuir thu a' chluasag? - Who did you put the pillow under? (lit. Who under did you put the pillow?)

le - with

Cò leis a tha an càr? - Who owns the car? (lit. Who with is the car?)

gu - to

Cò thuige a tha an litir a' dol? - Who is the letter going to? (lit. Who to is the letter going?)

mu - about

Cò uime tha i a' bruidhinn? ‡ - Who is she speaking about? (lit. Who about is she speaking?)

ri - to, against

Cò ris a bha thu a' bruidhinn? - Who were you speaking to? (lit. Who to were you speaking?)

‡ 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 Cò in the above examples could equally well be What, Where, or Which depending on the context: Cò air a tha thu a' coimhead? - What are you looking at? Cò uime tha i a' bruidhinn? - What is she speaking about? Cò fodha a chuir thu a' chluasag? - What did you put the pillow under? Cò às a tha thu cinnteach? - What are you sure of? Cò às a tha thu ? - Where are you from? Page 1 dm© - Chan fhaodar na leasanan seo ath-riochdachadh gun chead bhon ùghdar dm© - These lessons may not be reproduced without permission from the author

DM ©

2. Cò + definite noun + relative clause. Again the meaning Who, What or Which is understood from the context: Cò am fear a chunnaic an tubaist? - Who's the one (man) who saw the accident? Cò a' chaileag a ghlac am breac? - Who's the girl who caught the trout? Cò a' bhùth a tha seo? - What/which shop is this? 3. Cò + dhiubh (3rd person plural prepositional pronoun of de) + relative clause meaning Whether: Cò dhiubh a bhios mi ann no nach bi ‡ - Whether I'll be there or not Cò dhiubh a bha mi ann no nach robh - Whether I was there or not Cò 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-sràid? - How many houses are on the street? Cia mheud boireannach a bha anns a' chòisir? - How many women were in the choir? The Interrogative Pronoun Dè 1. Dè + 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: Dè na tha sin? - How much is it? (lit. What all that is that?) Dè na bha ann anns a' bhàta? - How many were in the boat? (lit. What all that was in the boat?) 2. Dè + na + relative clause + de again meaning either How many or How much depending on the context: Dè na tha ann de dh'airgead? - How much money is there? (lit. What all that is there of money?) Dè na bha ann de bhàtaichean? - 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: Dè na tha agad de dh'airgead? ‡ - How much money do you have? (lit. What all that is there at you of money?) Page 2 dm© - Chan fhaodar na leasanan seo ath-riochdachadh gun chead bhon ùghdar dm© - These lessons may not be reproduced without permission from the author

Dè na bha aca de leabhraichean? - How many books did they have? (lit. What all that was there at them of books?)

DM ©

‡ The dh' before an indefinite noun beginning with a vowel is very common after the preposition de. 4. Dè + cho + adjective + 's + relative clause to enquire of an attribute: Dè cho àrd 's a tha do bhràthair? - How tall is you brother?- lit. How so tall is your brother? Dè cho trang 's a bhios tu? - How busy will you be? - lit. How so busy will you be? Dè cho cruaidh 's a bha thu ag obair? - How hard were you working? - lit. How so hard were you working? Dè 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 Dè + dimension + relative clause + ann to ask about dimensions. The meaning can be similar to Example 4 above. The dimensions are: fad - length (also faide) àirde - height doimhne - depth leud - width, breadth cudrom - weight tìde - time, duration Dè am fad a tha anns an t-sràid? - What length is the street? (mean. How long is street?) Dè an àirde a tha anns an togalach? - What height is the building? (mean. How high is building?) Dè an doimhne a tha anns an uisge? - What depth is the water? (mean. How deep is water?) Dè an leud a bha anns an abhainn? - What width was the river? (mean. How wide was river?) Dè an cudrom a tha innte? ‡ - What weight is she? (mean. How heavy is she?)

the the the the

‡ 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'àirde † - of height a dhoimhne - of depth a leud - of width, of breadth a chudrom - of weight a thìde - of time † a dh'fhaid and a dh'àird are acceptable alternatives. Tha an t-sràid ceud slat a dh'fhaid Tha ceud slat a dh'fhaid anns an t-sràid

The street is one hundred yards long Page 3


The building is two thousand feet high The water is a ten inches deep The river was a dozen metres wide

DM ©

The an togalach dà mhìle troigh a dh'àird The dà mhìle troigh a dh'àird anns an togalach Tha an t-uisge deich òirlich a dhoimhne Tha deich òirlich 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 nàiseanta - national pinc - pink

She is fifty kilograms in (of) weight

pailt - plentiful, abundant

Nouns ceudameatair (m) - centimetre co-ogha (m) - cousin cudrom (m) - weight iasad (m) - loan òirleach (m & f) - inch rèidio (m) - radio taigh-beag (m) - toilet uncail (m) - uncle àirde (f) - height cluasag (f) - pillow doimhne (f) - depth leud (f) - width slat (f) - yard (measure) Verbs buannaich, buannachadh - win pàigh, pàigheadh - pay

cileagram (m) - kilogram crannchur (m) - lottery dusan (m) - dozen meatair (m) - metre pasgan (m) - parcel seòmar-suidhe (m) - sitting room, lounge tiodhlac (m) - gift, present antaidh (f) - aunt còisir (f) - choir faide (f) - length [alternative to fad (m)] mìle (f) - mile

gabh, gabhail - hold (contain)

EXERCISE 1 Translate into English 1. Cò aige tha fios? 2. Cia mheud duine a ghabhas do chàr? Ceathrar 3. Dè cho tric 's a bhios tu a' tighinn an seo? 4. Cò às a tha do mhàthair? Tha i à Inbhir Nis 5. Cò uime bha sibh a' faighneachd? 'S ann mu Mhàiri 6. Dè cho pailt 's a tha na bric anns an loch seo? 7. Chan eil fios agam cia mheud slat a tha ann am mìle 8. Cò air tha thu a' smaointinn? Mo sheanair 9. Cia mheud turas a bha sibh ann am Portrìgh? 10. Cò air a tha an cnatan? 'S ann ormsa Page 4


Dè cho fada 's a bhios e a' fuireach leibh? Chan eil fios agam idir cò bhuaithe gheibh mi iasad Dè an àirde a tha annad? Meatair is seasgad ceudameatair A bheil fios agad na tha agam de dh'airgead? Chan eil Dè na phàigh thu airson an taigh? Cò an tè a bhuannaich an crannchur nàiseanta? 'S e tè à Dùn Èideann Cò uime a bha iad a' sgrìobhadh? Dè cho leathan 's tha an seòmar-suidhe? Cò dha dh'innseas mi an sgeul? Innis do Mhàiri i Cia mheud òirleach a tha ann an slait?

DM ©

11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20.

EXERCISE 2 Translate into Gàidhlig 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? Màiri 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?



Page 6

DM ©

LESSON 46: ANSWERS 1 LESSON 46: ANSWERS 2 1. Who knows? 1. Dè cho fad 's a bha sibh ag obair aig muir? Trì 2. How many people can (will) your car take (hold)? bliadhna Four 2. Cò uime a bha iad a' bruidhinn? 'S ann umpa fhèin 3. How often do you come here? 3. Chan eil fios agam cò às a tha e 4. Where is your mother from? She's from Inverness 4. Cia mheud iasg a ghlac thu an-dè? A h-aon 5. Who were you enquiring about? (It's) about Màiri 5. Cia mheud turas a dh'fheumas mi sin a ràdh 6. How abundant are the trout in this loch? 6. Cò leis a tha an taigh air a' chnoc? Is le Calum e 7. I don't know how many yards there are in a mile 7. Cò aige tha am peann dearg? 'S agamsa e 8. Who are you thinking about (on)? My grandfather 8. Cò air a rug thu air an làimh? 9. How many times were you in Portree? 9. Dè na tha agad de dh'iomlaid nad phòcaid? 10. Who has a cold? (It's on) me 10. Cò thuige bha i a' sgrìobhadh? 'S ann gu a 11. How long will he be staying with you? seanmhair 12. I don't know at all who I can (will) get a loan from 11. Cò air a tha an dèideadh? 'S ann oirrese 13. What height are you? One metre and sixty 12. Cò dha thug sibh an tiodhlac? 'S ann do mo charaid centimetres 13. Cò air a bha an dreasa phinc? 'S ann air Màiri 14. Do you know how much money I have? No 14. Cò am fear a ghlac an t-iasg as motha? 'S e Calum 15. How much did you pay for the house? 15. Cò ris a bha thu ag èisteachd air an rèidio? 16. Who's the woman that won the national lottery? 16. Dè na chosg an leabhar? Sia notaichean (It's) a woman from Edinburgh 17. Cò thuige a chuir thu am pasgan? 'S ann gu m' 17. Who/What are you writing about? uncail 18. How broad is the sitting room? 18. Cò bhuaithe a fhuair thu am pasgan? 'S ann bho m' 19. Who can (will) I tell the story to? Tell it to Màiri antaidh 20. How many inches are there in a yard? 19a. Am faca tu na bha ann de dhaoine? 19b. Am faca tu cia mheud duine a bha ann? 20. Cò aige tha fhios cuin a chì sinn a-rithist iad

LESSON 47 Non-Dative Prepositions

DM ©

1. Simple Prepositions Taking the Genitive Case of Nouns There are a few one word prepositions which require the genitive case of nouns: bhàrr/far - from off, off chun/thun - to, towards rè - during thar - over tre - by means of, through trìd - through Some Examples: bhàrr a' bhalla - from off the wall chun na coinneimhe - to the meeting rè an t-samhraidh ‡ - during the summer thar an rathaid - over the road tre sgrìobhaidh ‡ - by means of writing trìd na glainne - through the glass

‡ rè + an and tre + an frequently combine to give rèn 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 cùlaibh/air chùl - behind air feadh - throughout air muin - atop, on top (of) air sgàth - 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 àite - instead (of), in place (of) an comhair - in the direction (of) an dèidh/às dèidh - after an làthair - in the presence (of) a rèir - according to às aonais - without às leth - on behalf (of) a thaobh - regarding, with regard to fa chomhair - in front (of)/before (place) mu choinneimh/mu choinneamh - opposite mu dhèidhinn - 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 chùl an taighe - behind the house air feadh an t-saoghail - throughout the world air muin nan leabhraichean - on top of the books


DM ©

air sgàth 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 àite mo mhàthar - instead of my mother an comhair - see section below an dèidh na dìnnearach - after the dinner an làthair a' bhanaltraim - in the presence of the nurse a rèir an t-sagairt - according to the priest às aonais airgid - without money às 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 cùise - concerning the matter mun cuairt na pàirce - 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 Gàidhlig 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 chùil - I fell backward Thuit thu an comhair do chùil - You fell backward an comhair a' chùil - backward Thuit e an comhair a chùil - He fell backward (lit. in the direction of the back) Thuit i an comhair a cùil - She fell backward etc Thuit mi an comhair mo chinn - I fell headlong Thuit thu an comhair do chinn - You fell headlong an comhair a' chinn - headlong Thuit e an comhair a chinn - He fell headlong (lit. in the direction of the head) 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 rèir - according to you dha mo thaobh - with regard to me air mo bheulaibh - in front of me air a chùlaibh - behind him air a feadh - throughout it [sgeul (f) - story] Page 2 dm© - Chan fhaodar na leasanan seo ath-riochdachadh gun chead bhon ùghdar dm© - These lessons may not be reproduced without permission from the author

air ar sgàth - for our sake às d' aonais - without you fa ar comhair ‡ - in front of us mu mo dheidhinn ‡ - concerning me os a cionn - above her

DM ©

air am muin - on top of them air mo shon - for my sake às a leth - on her behalf mu ur coinneimh ‡ - opposite you mu an timcheall ‡ - around them 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-àite - in your place (instead of you) nad dhèidh - after you nar làthair - 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 rèir - 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 sgàth-ne - for our sake air mo shon-sa - for my sake às 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 dhèidh-sa - after you nar làthair-ne - in our presence 3. Other Prepositions One important preposition takes the nominative noun: eadar - between

Some Examples: Bha cù 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 Page 3 dm© - Chan fhaodar na leasanan seo ath-riochdachadh gun chead bhon ùghdar dm© - These lessons may not be reproduced without permission from the author

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

DM ©

Followed by an Indefinite Noun

‡ 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 fasgadh (m) - shelter geàrd (m) - guard saoghal (m) - world tarbh (m) - bull cèis-litreach (f) - envelope mòinteach (f) - moor

cead (m) - permission, licence fear-seòlaidh (m) - guide, leader prìosanach (m) - prisoner seanchaidh (m) - story teller teaghlach (m) - family eanchainn (f) - brain

Prepositions a dh'aindeoin - despite air beulaibh - in front of air feadh - throughout air sgàth - on account (of), because (of) am broinn - within, inside an aghaidh - against an comhair - in the direction (of) an làthair - in the presence of às aonais - without a thaobh - regarding, with regard to chun/thun - to, towards mu choinneimh - opposite mun cuairt - around os cionn - above, over thar - over trìd - through

a dh'ionnsaigh - towards air cùlaibh/air chùl - behind air muin - atop, on top (of) airson - for, for the sake (of) am measg - among an àite - instead of an dèidh/às dèidh - after a rèir - according to às leth - on behalf of bhàrr/far - from off, off fa chomhair - in front of/before mu dhèidhinn - concerning mu thimcheall - around, aroundabout ri taobh - besiderè - during tre - by means of, through


Pronoun sa chèile - of one another

cìr, cìreadh - comb cuir am falach, cur am falach - hide (transitive

DM ©

Verbs ceileir, ceileireadh - sing (as a bird) cruinnich, cruinneachadh - gather, collect verb) deasaich, deasachadh - prepare, edit seòl, seòladh - sail

leum, leum - jump, leap

EXERCISE 1 Translate into English 1. Sheas am prìosanach eadar an dà gheàrd fa chomhair a' bhritheimh 2. Bha an teine air mo bheulaibh agus a' chathair air mo chùl(aibh) 3. Sheòl am bàta chun a' phuirt air sgàth 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 màthar 6. An robh iad a' bruidhinn mu mo dhèidhinn? 7. Shiùbhail iad mun cuairt an t-saoghail às aonais na cloinne aca 8. Chuir e na leabhraichean air muin a chèile 9. Chaidh e dhan choinneimh nam àite, agus às aonais mo chead 10. Shabaid iad an aghaidh na gaoithe a dh'ionnsaigh an fhasgaidh 11. Sheas i mu choinneimh an sgàthain agus chìr i a falt 12. Bha fios againn gun robh sinn am measg charaidean 13. Sgrìobh i an litir às ar leth 14. Dha rèir, bidh sneachd ann a-màireach 15. Dh'fhàg iad an càr aca mu choinneimh a' bhanca 16. Ruith na geàrdan às dèidh a' phrìosanaich 17. Bidh mi ann a dh'aindeoin a' chnatain a tha orm 18. Dè thuirt e a thaobh na litreach? EXERCISE 2 Translate into Gàidhlig 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 Page 5 dm© - Chan fhaodar na leasanan seo ath-riochdachadh gun chead bhon ùghdar dm© - These lessons may not be reproduced without permission from the author


Page 6

DM ©

LESSON 47: ANSWERS 1 1. The prisoner stood between the two guards in front of the judge 2. The fire was in front of me and the chair behind me 3. The boat sailed towards the port because of the storm 4. The bull jumped over the burn and went among the cattle 5. They cleaned around the house for their mother 6. Were they speaking about me? 7. They travelled around the world without their children 8. He put the books on top of one another 9. He went to the meeting in my place, and without my permission 10. They fought against the wind towards (the) shelter 11. She stood before (opposite) the mirror and combed her hair We knew we that were among friends She wrote the letter on our behalf According to him, there will be snow tomorrow They left their car opposite the bank The guards ran after the prisoner I'll be there despite the cold I have What did he say regarding the letter? 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18.

LESSON 47: ANSWERS 2 1. Chruinnich a h-uile duine mun cuairt/mu thimcheall an t-seanchaidh 2. Chaidh e a dh'ionnsaigh/chun an dorais air mo shon-sa 3. Bha stoirm uabhasach ann rè na h-oidhche 4. Tha gàrradh ann air beulaibh an togalaich 5. Thàinig na fir a-staigh an dèidh nam boireannach 6. Cha bu toil leam a bhith nad àite/nur n-àite 7. Rèn gheamhraidh cha bhithinn as aonais teine guail 8. Dheasaich i dìnnear airson an teaghlaich air fad 9. Bha am balach ladarna an làthair a' mhaighistirsgoile 10. Choisich e mun cuairt an t-seann chaisteil air chùl an fhir-sheòlaidh 11. Ruith mi air feadh na pàirce an dèidh a' choin 12. Chuir i an coire air a' bhòrd ri taobh na poite 13. Chuir i an t-airgead am falach air muin a' phreasa 14. Chuir iad a' chairt am broinn na cèise-litreach 15. Choisich an tuathanach thar na drochaide a dh'ionnsaigh na coille 16. Bha na h-uiseagan a' ceileireadh gu binn os cionn na mòintiche 17. Chaidh iad a sheòladh a dh'aindeoin na droch shìde 18. A thaobh an iasaid, chan fheum thu a phàigheadh air ais dhomh

14. 15. 16. 17. 18.

They put the card in the envelope The farmer walked over the bridge towards the wood The larks were singing sweetly (melodiously) above the moor They went sailing (to sail) despite the bad weather Regarding the loan, you don't (won't) need to pay it back to me

LESSON 48 If-type Conjunctions

Verb

To Be

DM ©

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: Tense

Example

Present

Ma tha thu fuar, cuir ort do chòta - 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'fhàg thu? - If you were happy there, why did you leave?

Future

Ma bhios sìde mhath ann, gabhaidh sinn cuirm-chnuic air an tràigh - If the weather is (will be) good, we'll have a picnic on the beach Mas e do roghainn e, ceannaich e ‡ - If it's your preference, buy it

Assertive

Present

Past

All Others

Future

Mas ann fuar a bhios an là, cha ghabh sinn cuirm-chnuic air an tràigh - If the day is cold, we will not have a picnic on the beach

Bidh e fhathast ann, ma dh'fhàg thu an sin e - It will still be there if you left it there Bidh tu nas cofhartaile, ma chuireas tu dhìot do chòta comfortable, if you take off your coat

You'll be more

‡ 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 Conditional tense 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

To Be

Assertive

All Others

Tense

Example

Past

Nan robh mi na bu shine, phòsainn a-màireach thu - If I were older I would marry you tomorrow

Conditional

Nan robh thu sàmhach chluinneadh tu mi † - If you were quiet you would hear me

Conditional

Conditional

Nam b' e an-diugh an-dè, cha bhitheadh tu cho gòrach - If today were yesterday, you would not be so foolish

Nam b' ann an-dè a thòisich thu, bhiodh tu deiseil an-diugh - If you had started yesterday, you would be finished today Nam biodh tu sàmhach chluinneadh tu mi † - If you would (= were to) be quiet you would hear me

Nan suidheadh sibh sìos 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. Page 1 dm© - Chan fhaodar na leasanan seo ath-riochdachadh gun chead bhon ùghdar dm© - These lessons may not be reproduced without permission from the author

DM ©

The use the Past tense of the verb To Be in Gàidhlig 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' chèilidh

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 cèilidh?

Chan fhaca mi an robh càr ùr 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 ùr

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

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 dèan thu an obair, chan fhaigh thu duais - Unless you do the work, you will not get an reward Mura bi thu sàmhach, dùisgidh tu an leanabh - If you are not quiet, you'll waken the baby Mur ith mi an dràsta, 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


DM ©

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 shnàmh 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 coma - indifferent, without a care Nouns cairt-iùil (m) - map putan (m) - button tuarastal (m) - wage, salary càin (f) - fine cìs (f) - tax mearachd (f) - mistake roghainn (f) - choice, preference ticead (f) - ticket

air chall - lost, astray

deireadh-sheachdain (m) - weekend sgàilean-uisge (m) - umbrella

comain (f) - favour, obligation dàil (f) - delay obair-dachaigh (f) - homework slàinte (f) - health

Pronouns an dithis againn/an triùir againn/etc - the two of us/the three of us/etc an dithis agaibh/an triùir agaibh/etc - the two of you/the three of you/etc an dithis aca/an triùir aca/etc - the two of them /the three of three/etc

Verbs dùisg, dùsgadh - wake, awaken èist, èisteachd (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 EXERCISE 1 Translate into English 1. Ma tha fios agad far a bheil i, innis dhomh gun dàil 2. Mura cùm thu ri d' obair anns an sgoil chan fhaigh thu obair mhath 3. Chan eil fios agam an tèid mi dhan chèilidh Page 3 dm© - Chan fhaodar na leasanan seo ath-riochdachadh gun chead bhon ùghdar dm© - These lessons may not be reproduced without permission from the author

Nam bu mhise do mhàthair chuirinn chun an t-seòmair agad thu Mur èist thu rium cha bhi fios agad mar a nì thu e Ma thèid thu a Ghlaschu, tadhail air mo phàrantan Mur urrainn dhut innse dhomh an sgeul, faighnichidh mi de dhuine eile Mur toil leat càl, fàg air oir an truinnseir e Nam b' urrainn dhut sin a dhèanamh dhomhsa, bhithinnsa fada nad chomain Nan laigheadh tu sìos, thuiteadh tu nad chadal Mura leugh sinn gu ceart e, nì sinn mearachd Ith an càl, ged nach toil leat e Ged a tha e beartach, feumaidh e feitheamh mar a h-uile duine eile Nan robh fios agam an-dè na tha agam an-diugh Mura dèan iad an obair-dachaigh, gheibh iad peanas anns an sgoil a-màireach Ma rinn sibh gu ceàrr e, dèanaibh a-rithist e Ma phutas tusa is mise an càr gluaisidh e Mur eil cairt-iùil agaibh, thèid sibh air chall

DM ©

4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18.

EXERCISE 2 Translate into Gàidhlig 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. Even if 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



Page 5

DM ©

LESSON 48: ANSWERS 1 LESSON 48: ANSWERS 2 1. If you know where she is, tell me immediately 1. Ma tha thu ann an deagh shlàinte faodaidh tu a' (without delay) bheinn a streap 2. If you don't keep at your work in school you'll not 2. Mur eil sgàilean-uisge agaibh fàsaidh sibh fliuch get a good job 3. Nan robh thu làidir thogadh tu an cudrom mòr sin 3. I don't know whether (if) I'll go to the cèilidh 4. An nigh thu na soithichean air mo shon ma bheir mi 4. If I were your mother I would send you to your nota dhut? room 5. Nam putadh an dithis againn an càr tha mi 5. Unless you listen to me you won't know how (as) cinnteach gun tòisicheadh e you'll do it 6. Dh'fhaighnich mi dhith am fuigheileadh i putan air 6. If you go to Glasgow visit my parents mo lèine 7. If you can't tell me the story, I will ask someone 7. Nam peantadh sinn na ballachan geal, bhiodh an else seòmar na bu shoilleire 8. If you don't like cabbage, leave it on the edge of 8. Nan glaiseadh iad an doras a dh'oidhche, bhiodh an the plate taigh na bu shàbhailte 9. If you could possibly do that for me, I would be 9. Nan suidheadh tu gu dìreach, cha bhiodh do dhruim much obliged to you goirt 10. If you were to lie down, you would fall asleep 10. Ged a tha thusa coma, cùmaidh mi sùil orra 11. If we don't read it correctly, we'll make a mistake 11. Mur èist sibh ri mo chomhairle, thèid sibh air chall 12. Eat the cabbage, even if you don't like it 12. Mura pàigh iad na cìsean a dh'aithghearr, feumaidh 13. Even if he is wealthy, he will need to wait like every iad càin a phàigheadh one else 13. Mura nigh thu na soithichean, chan fhaigh thu 14. If I knew yesterday what I know today airgead aig an deireadh-sheachdain 15. If they don't do their homework, they will get a 14. Ged nach toil leam iad, cha bu toil leam am faicinn punishment in school tomorrow gun bhiadh is àite-fuirich 16. If you did it wrong, do it again 15. Mura cluich a' chlann gu sàmhach, cuiridh mi a17. If you and I push the car it will move muigh iad 18. If you don't have a map you'll get lost 16. Nan sgrìobhadh iad na bu mhaille, bhiodh an sgrìobhadh aca na bu sgiobalta

LESSON 49 Compound Tenses

DM ©

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 mìlsean ithe † - She will have eaten the sweet Bhiodh iad air an càr a ghlanadh † - They would have cleaned the car † The noun remains nominative after air

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: 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 (reòiteag (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 sgrìobhadh - I had not written Am biodh iad air ruith? - Would they have run? Nach eil i air coiseachd? - Has she not walked?


DM ©

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

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' mhìlsein † - She will have been eating the sweet Bhiodh iad air a bhith a' glanadh a' chàir† - 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 (seòmar (m) - room) All augmented prepositions are shown in Appendix 1.


NEW WORDS Adjectives reamhar - fat, obese

o chionn - ago, since, for

Nouns aodach (m) - clothes, cloth fònadh (m) - phone call greis (f) - short time, short while reòiteag (f) - ice-cream

cus (m) - excessive amount = too much post (m) - mail, post lite (f) - porridge

DM ©

Adverbs air mhisg - drunk turas - once/dà thuras - twice/etc

Pronouns an dà chuid - both

Verbs còrd, còrdadh (ri) - please, agree riaraich, riarachadh - satisfy, set table tiormaich, tiormachadh - dry

fritheil, frithealadh (air) - attend, wait (on) sguab, sguabadh - sweep, brush fòn, fònadh (gu) - phone

Verbal Phrases Tha am biadh a' còrdadh rium/riut/ris/etc - I am/you are/he is/etc enjoying the food EXERCISE 1 Translate into English 1. Chan eil mi air m' athair fhaicinn o chionn bliadhna 2. Tha a' bhanais air còrdadh gu mòr rium 3. An robh e air dìnnear a dhèanamh mus d'ràinig thu? 4. Tha mi air feitheamh ort fada gu leòr 5. Nan robh airgead aca, bhiodh iad air càr na b' fheàrr 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-fhìn ann 9. Bha an dà chuid a' ghaoth is a' ghrian air na h-aodaich a thiormachadh 10. Tha mi air an làr a sguabadh agus na soithichean a nighe 11. Tha mi air a bhith a' càradh a' chàir 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. Cò tha air a bhith ag ithe mo lite? 15. 'S mise tha air am bòrd a riarachadh 16. Cò na leabhraichean a tha sibh air leughadh às an leabharlann sin? 17. Tha sinn air cus ciùil pop a chluinntinn 18. Bha iad air mo mhealladh gu dona Page 3 dm© - Chan fhaodar na leasanan seo ath-riochdachadh gun chead bhon ùghdar dm© - These lessons may not be reproduced without permission from the author

19. Tha sinn air flùraichean ùra a chur anns a' ghàrradh 20. Cò bhiodh air a leithid de rud a dhèanamh?

DM ©

EXERCISE 2 Translate into Gàidhlig 1. She has heard that the mountains are a beautiful sight 2. Have you learnt Gàidhlig? 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



Page 5

DM ©

LESSON 49: ANSWERS 1 1. I haven't seen my father for (since) a year 2. I have enjoyed the wedding immensely 3. Had he made dinner before you arrived? 4. I have waited on you long enough 5. If they had money, they would have bought a better car 6. Have you heard, he was drunk again 7. I asked her if she had put (any) milk in the porridge 8. I wouldn't have believed that if I hadn't been there myself 9. Both the wind and sun had dried the clothes 10. I have swept the floor and washed the dishes 11. I have been repairing the car 12. He would have been eighty years old this week 13. You have not satisfied us with your answer 14. Who has been eating my porridge? 15. I have set the table 16. Which book have you read from that library? 17. We have heard too much pop music 18. They had deceived me badly 19. We have planted new flowers in the garden 20. Who could (would) have done such a thing? LESSON 49: ANSWERS 2 1. Tha i air cluinntinn gu bheil na beanntan nan sealladh Bòidheach

2. A bheil sibh air Gàidhlig ionnsachadh? 3. Nan robh sinn na bu bheartaiche bhiodh sinn air taigh na bu mhotha a thogail 4. Tha mi air trì coinneamhan fhrithealadh cheana 5. Thuirt e gun robh e air litir a sgrìobhadh dhachaigh gach là a bha e air falbh 6. Dh'innis iad dhomh gun robh iad air uilebheist fhaicinn anns an loch 7. Tha a' chlann air fàs cho àrd on a chunnaic mi roimhe iad 8. Dh'innis e do na caraidean aige gun robh e air trì bric reamhar a ghlacadh 9. Tha mi cinnteach gu bheil mi air mo làmh dheas a bhriseadh 10. Chan eil mi a' smaointinn gu bheil sibh air mo thuigsinn air fad 11. Tha sinne air a bhith ann an Aimeireaga dà thuras 12. Bhiomaid air tadhal orra, ach bha an t-sìde grod 13. Cò tha air mo sporan fhaicinn? 14. Tha iad air bàta ùr a cheannach 15. Nach eil thu air d' fhiaclan a ghlanadh fhathast? 16. Chan eil i air a bhith math o chionn greis 17. A bheil sibh air na briosgaidean air fad ithe? 18. Thuirt iad gun robh iad air a bhith ro thrang airson fònadh thugad 19. A bheil thu air an t-airgead agam a chosg? 20. Tha sinn air am balla a pheantadh

LESSON 50 More Incomplete Verbs

DM ©

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: Present Tense Past and Conditional Tenses 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 I/you/etc remember

Bu chuimhne leam/leat/etc I/you/etc remembered I/you/etc would remember

Is dòcha leam/leat/etc I/you/etc suppose, think it likely

Bu dòcha leam/leat/etc I/you/etc supposed, thought it likely I/you/etc would suppose, would think it likely

Is fada leam/leat/etc I/you/etc long

B' fhada leam/leat/etc I/you/etc longed I/you/etc would long

Is iongnadh leam/leat/etc I/you/he/etc wonder, am astonished

B' iongnadh leam/leat/etc I/you/etc wondered, was astonished I/you/etc would wonder, would be astonished

Is leisg leam/leat/etc I/you/etc am loath, reluctant

Bu leisg leam/leat/etc I/you/etc was loath, was reluctant I/you/etc would be loath, would be reluctant

Is miann leam/leat/etc I/you/etc desire, wish

Bu mhiann leam/leat/etc I/you/etc desired, wished I/you/etc would desire, would wish

Is truagh leam/leat/etc I/you/etc pity, feel sorrow pity, would feel sorrow

Bu truagh leam/leat/etc I/you/etc pitied, felt sorrow

A number of these can be rendered using regular verbs: cuimhnich, cuimhneachadh - remember Tha mi a' cuimhneachadh - I remember Page 1


I/you/etc would

miannaich, miannachadh - desire, wish Mhiannaich e - He desired gabh iongantas, gabhail iongantas - be astonished Ghabhadh e iongantas - He would be astonished

DM ©

b. Assertive form of verb + preposition do. With the prepositional pronouns these are: Present Tense Past and Conditional Tenses Is èiginn dhomh/dhut/etc B' èiginn 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 fheàrr dhomh/dhut/etc † It's better for me/you/etc

B' fheàrr dhomh/dhut/etc It was better for me/you/etc It would be better for me/you/etc

Is fheudar dhomh/dhut/etc † I/you/etc have to, must

B' fheudar dhomh/dhut/etc I/you/etc had to I/you/etc would have to

Is fhiach dhomh/dhut/etc ‡ It's worth my/your/etc while

B' fhiach dhomh/dhut/etc 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 for negative statements Cha mhiann leam sin - I don't desire that Chan fhada leam mo dhùthaich fhèin - I don't long for my own country

An for interrogative An èiginn dhut falbh? - Do you really have to leave? 'S èiginn - Yes, Chan èiginn - No An truagh leibh e? - Do you pity him? 'S truagh - Yes, Cha truagh - No Nach for negative interrogative 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


For the past and conditional tenses add: Cha for negative statements 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

DM ©

Am for interrogative Am miann leò taigh ùr? - 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 for negative interrogative 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 dùthaich agaibh fhèin ? - Don't you long to return to your own (native) country? Bu dòcha 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 leò bruidhinn rinn - They were loath to speak to us Bu mhiann leam suidhe sìos - I wished to sit down B' èiginn dha coiseachd dhachaigh - He really had (was compelled) to walk home Is fheàrr dhaibh a bhith cùramach - 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 ceòl 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 chòta a chur ort - You wouldn't have to put your coat on Nach b' fheàrr dha litir a sgrìobhadh ga mhàthair? - 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 Page 3 dm© - Chan fhaodar na leasanan seo ath-riochdachadh gun chead bhon ùghdar dm© - These lessons may not be reproduced without permission from the author

DM ©

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 b' iongnadh leò 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' fheàrr 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 dèidh + 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 dèidh do Mhàiri a dhol dhachaigh, dheasaich i an dìnnear - After Màiri went home, she prepared the dinner An dèidh dhomh trod ris, thòisich 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 nouns beginning with vowel or beginning with f + vowel: An dèidh do Mhàiri an dìnnear a dheasachadh - After Màiri prepared the dinner An dèidh dhomh am balach fhaicinn - After I saw the boy An dèidh dhì an litir a fhreagairt - After she answered the 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: An dèidh do Mhàiri a deasachadh - After Màiri prepared it (the dinner) An dèidh dhomh fhaicinn - After I saw him (the boy) An dèidh dhì 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 Màiri ri dhol dhachaigh † - Màiri has to go home Bha aig Màiri ri thighinn dhachaigh - Màiri had to come home Bidh aig Màiri ri bruidhinn riutha - Màiri will need to speak to them Bhiodh aig Màiri ri bhith sàmhach - Màiri 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. Page 4 dm© - Chan fhaodar na leasanan seo ath-riochdachadh gun chead bhon ùghdar dm© - These lessons may not be reproduced without permission from the author

DM ©

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 nouns beginning with vowel or beginning with f + vowel: Bha aig Màiri ri(s) an dìnnear a dheasachadh ‡ - Màiri 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. 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: Bha aig Màiri ra (ri a) deasachadh † - Màiri 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 Màiri a dhol dhachaigh - Màiri has to go home Bha aige trod rithe - He had to scold her Bha aig Màiri an dìnnear a dheasachadh - Màiri 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 Màiri ri thighinn dhachaigh † - Màiri 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 fiach (m) - value, worth iongantas (m) - astonishment, phenomenon miann (m) - desire, wish

feum (m & f) - need foirm (m) - form leisgeul (m) - excuse, apology pàrtaidh (m) - party


stiùireadh (m) - instruction boglach (f) - bog(land) èiginn (f) - compulsion, emergency riaghailt-bhìdh (f) - diet

cuimhne (f) - memory pile (f) - pill

DM ©

Verbs aidich, aideachadh - admit, confess beàrr, 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

EXERCISE 1 Translate into English 1. B' fheàrr dhuibh ur seacaid a chur oirbh 2. 'S coma leam cofaidh 3. Nach fhada leat na saor-làithean? 4. B' iongnadh leam an tigeadh e dhan phàrtaidh 5. Bu leisg dha aideachadh gun d'rinn e an eucoir 6. B' fhada leatha pìos mòr de chèic sheòclaid 7. 'S truagh leam cluinntinn mu bhàs do mhàthar 8. 'S èiginn dhut a dhol air riaghailt-bhìdh 9. Nach b' fheàrr dhì an obair-sgoile a dhèanamh anns an t-seòmar aice fhèin? 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 dèidh dhì na soithichean a nighe, thug i a leabaidh oirre 14. Bha agam ra fhaicinn dhomh fhèin 15. Thuirt e nach robh feum aige ri faradh a' bhus a phàigheadh 16. Chuir mi umam mo lèine an dèidh dhomh bearradh 17. An dèidh dha an talamh fheuchainn, choisich e thairis air a' bhoglaich 18. Cha chuimhne leam sin innse dhaibh EXERCISE 2 Translate into Gàidhlig 1. You really must tell me the truth 2. I was sorry to hear them say he was guilty



Page 7 4. Cha robh mi cinnteach nam b' iongnadh leatha m' fhaicinn 5. B' fheàrr dhut na stiùiridhean a leughadh a-rithist 6. Cha bu mhiann leam do bhuaireadh 7. Cha b' iongnadh le Calum an naidheachd mhuladach a chluinntinn 8. Nach b' fheàrr dhaibh am foirm a lìonadh arithist? 9. An dèidh dhomh an suidheachadh aca fhiosrachadh, bu truagh leam iad 10. 'S iongnadh leam gun d'rinn iad mar a dh'iarr thu orra 11a. Bha agam ri dèanamh cinnteach gun robh a h-uile nì ceart gu leòr 11b.B' fheudar dhomh dèanamh cinnteach gun robh a h-uile nì ceart gu leòr 12. B' èiginn dhaibh an taigh aca a thogail faisg air an abhainn 13. Eil fhios agad an cuimhne leis mi? 14. Cha d 'fhiach leatha na pilichean a ghabhail 15. Bu leisg le Màiri am pàrtaidh a chumail anns an taigh aice fhèin 16. B' fhada leò ùine chiùin dhaibh fhèin 17. Cha mhiann le duine sam bith na breugan agad a chluinntinn 18a.Bha agam ri obair ùr fhaighinn 18b.B' fheudar dhomh obair ùr fhaighinn

DM ©

LESSON 50: ANSWERS 1 1. You had better put on your jacket 2. I don't care for coffee 3. Do you not long for the holidays? 4. I would be surprised if he came to the party 5. He was reluctant to admit he committed the crime 6. She longed for a large piece of chocolate cake 7. I am sorry to hear of your mother's death 8. You really must go on a diet 9. Would she not be better doing her schoolwork in her own room? 10. It wasn't worth my time chastising them 11. Excuse me but I don't remember you telling me your name I had better feed the chickens After she washed the dishes she went off to bed I had to see it (him) for myself He said he didn't need to pay the bus fare I put on my shirt after I shaved After testing the ground, he walked over the bog I don't remember telling them the story 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18.

LESSON 50: ANSWERS 2 1. 'S èiginn dhut an fhìrinn innse dhomh 2. Bu truagh leam cluinntinn iad ag ràdh gun robh e ciontach 3. Tha fios agam gun gabh e iongantas nuair a chluinneas e sin

3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18.

I know he will be astonished when he hears that I wasn't sure if she would be surprised to see me You would be better reading the instructions again I wouldn't wish to upset you Calum was not surprised to hear the sad news Would it not be better for them to fill (out) the form again? After I experienced their situation, I pitied them I am astonished he did as you asked him I had to make sure everything was alright They were compelled to build their house near the river Do you know if he remembers me? It's not worth her while taking the pills Màiri was reluctant to hold the party in her own house They longed for a calm moment to themselves No-one wishes to hear your lies I had to get a new job

LESSON 51 The Passive Voice of Verbs - Literary Form

DM ©

The Passive Voice, like the Active Voice, is found in three tenses: Future (Habitual Present), Past & Conditional. Gàidhlig 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: 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

fàg - leave

Am fàgar sinn? * - Will we be left? Chan fhàgar sinn ‡ - We will not be left Nach fhàgar sinn? § - Will we not be left?

Fàgar sinn - We will be left

dh'fhàgar

òl - drink

An òlar e? - Will it be drunk? Chan òlar e ‡ - It will not be drunk Nach òlar e? - Will it not be drunk?

Òlar e - It will be drunk

dh'òlar

sgrìobh - write

An sgrìobhar i? - Will it be written? Cha sgrìobhar i - It will not be written Nach sgrìobhar i? - Will it not be written?

Sgrìobhar i - It will be written

sgrìobhar

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

* 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.


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: Dependent

Independent

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

fàg - leave

An do dh'fhàgadh sinn? - Were we left? Cha do dh'fhàgadh sinn - We were not left Nach do dh'fhàgadh sinn? - Were we not left?

Dh'fhàgadh sinn - We were left

dh'fhàgadh

òl - drink

An do dh'òladh e? - Was it drunk? Cha do dh'òladh e - It was not drunk Nach do dh'òladh e? - Was it not drunk?

Dh'òladh e - It was drunk

dh'òladh

sgrìobh - write

An do sgrìobhadh i? - Was it written? Cha do sgrìobhadh i - It was not written Nach do sgrìobhadh i? - Was it not written?


An do thogadh iad? - Were they lifted? Cha do thogadh iad - They were not lifted Nach do thogadh iad? - Were they not lifted?

DM ©

Verb Root

Sgrìobhadh i - It was written

Thogadh iad † - They were lifted

Relative

sgrìobhadh

thogadh

† This one is commonly used in speech: Thogadh mi ann an Dùn Èideann - 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: Verb Root

Dependent

Independent

Relative

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

fàg - leave

Am fàgte sinn? * - Would we be left? Chan fhàgte sinn ‡ - We would not be left Nach fhàgte sinn? § - Would we not be left?

Dh'fhàgte sinn - We would be left

dh'fhàgte

òl - drink

An òlte e? - Would it be drunk? Chan òlte e ‡ - It would not be drunk Nach òlte e? - Would it not be drunk?

Dh'òlte e - It would be drunk

dh'òlte

An sgrìobhte i? - Would it be written? sgrìobh - write Cha sgrìobhte i - It would not be written Nach sgrìobhte i? - Would it not be written?

Sgrìobhte i - It would be written

sgrìobhte

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



DM ©

* 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: Verb Root

Dependent

Independent

Relative

buail - hit/ strike

Am buailiste mi? - Would I be struck? etc

Bhuailiste mi - I would be struck

bhuailiste

fàg - leave

Am fàgaiste sinn? - Would we be left? etc

Dh'fhàgaiste sinn - We would be left

dh'fhàgaiste

òl - drink

An òlaiste e? - Would it be drunk? etc

Dh'òlaiste e - It would be drunk

dh'òlaiste

sgrìobh - write

An sgrìobhaiste i? - Would it be written? etc

Sgrìobhaiste i - It would be written

sgrìobhaiste


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

abair - say

beir - bear/ catch/grasp

cluinn - hear

dèan - make/do

faic - see

Mood

Future (Present Habitual)

Past

Conditional (Past Habitual)

Independent & Relative

theirear

thuirteadh

theirte/theiriste

Dependent

abrar

tuirteadh

abairte/abairiste


beirear

rugadh †

bheirte/bheiriste

Dependent

beirear

d'rugadh

beirte/beiriste


cluinn(t)ear

chualas

chluinnte/chluinniste

Dependent

cluinn(t)ear

cualas

cluinnte/cluinniste


nithear

rinneadh

dhèante/dhèanaiste

Dependent

dèanar

d'rinneadh

dèante/dèanaiste


chìthear

chunnacas

chìte/chithiste

Dependent

faicear

facas

faicte/faiciste


faigh - get

rach - go *

gheibhear

fhuaras

gheibhte/gheibhiste

Dependent

faighear

d'fhuaras

faighte/faighiste


thèidear

chaidheas

rachte/dheighiste

Dependent

tèidear

deachas

rachte/deighiste


ruigear

ràiningeadh

ruigte/ruigiste

DM ©

ruig - reach/ arrive


thig - come * thoir - give/ take

Dependent

ruigear

d'ràiningeadh

ruigte/ruigiste


thigear

thàinigeas

thigte/thigiste

Dependent

tigear

tàinigeas

tigte/tigiste


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 Dùn Èideann - 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

feum - must

faod - may

Mood

Future (Present Habitual)

Past

Conditional (Past Habitual)


feumar

dh'fheumadh

dh'fheumte/ dh'fheumaiste

Dependent

feumar

feumadh

feumte/feumaiste


faodar

dh'fhaodadh

dh'fhaoite/ dh'fhaodaiste

Dependent

faodar

faodadh

faoite/faodaiste

The rule regarding word order inversion applies: Feumar taigh ùr a thogail - A new house must be built (One would need to build a new house) Chan fheumadh taigh ùr 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) Page 4 dm© - Chan fhaodar na leasanan seo ath-riochdachadh gun chead bhon ùghdar dm© - These lessons may not be reproduced without permission from the author

Nach fheumte a' cheist a fhreagairt - Would the question not need to be answered (Would one not need to answer the question)

DM ©

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.


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' seòladh fad na h-oidhche - The sailing took all night (= One was sailing all night)

Bha iad a' seòladh fad na h-oidhche - They sailed all night

DM ©

Formal

Am bithear ri iasgach fad na seachdain? Am bi iad ri iasgach fad na seachdain? - Will Will the fishing take all week? (= Will one be they be fishing all week? fishing all week?) USAGE With the Dependent Clause Some examples are given below: Tha e ag ràdh gun togar taigh ùr - He says that a new house will be built Tha e ag ràdh nach do dhùineadh an doras - He says that the door was not closed Tha e ag ràdh gun cumte (cumaiste) an uinneag fosgailte - He says that the window would be kept open Tha e ag ràdh 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. Some examples are given below: Is tusa a chunnacas a' briseadh na h-uinneig - It's you who was seen breaking the window Is iadsan a dh'fhàgadh air ais - It's they who were left behind Seo an cù nach cuirear gu bàs - 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 With Interrogative Pronouns The same rules apply as the active voice. Some examples are given below: Dè sgrìobhadh anns an litir? - What was written in the letter? Cò chunnacas còmhla riut - Who was seen by you? Carson nach do dhùineadh an doras? - Why was the door not close? Ciamar a rinneadh sin? - How was that done? Cuin a dh'fhàgadh nan aonar iad? - When were they left alone? Càit an òlar Sake? - Where is (habitual) Sake drunk?

With Conjunctions The same rules apply as the active voice. Some examples are given below: Ruith an cù a-staigh mus do dhùineadh an doras - The dog ran in before the door was closed Page 6 dm© - Chan fhaodar na leasanan seo ath-riochdachadh gun chead bhon ùghdar dm© - These lessons may not be reproduced without permission from the author

Chan eil fhios agam far am faighte àite na b' fheàrr - I don't know where a better place could (would) be found Na gluais gus an sèidear an fheadag - Don't move until the whistle is blown Mura dùinear an uinneag thig cuileagan a-staigh - If the window is not closed flies will get in

DM ©

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 Gàidhlig iad? - Will they be raised with Gàidhlig? 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 mì-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-màireach 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 dà-chànanach - bilingual doirbh - difficult fallain - healthy neònach - strange ùrar - fresh = new Adverbial Phrases le bhith - by, with, by means of Nouns bàs (m) - death ceapaire (m) - sandwich gèama (m) - game mèirleach (m) - thief cruach (f) - stack cuileag (f) - fly dreuchd (f) - post, career linn (f ) - century mil (f) - honey oifis (f) - office sgeir (f ) - skerry, reef

cathraiche (m) - chairperson co-là-breith (m) - birthday manach (m) - monk taobh (m) - side cuideachd (f) - company dachaigh f) - home iuchair (f) - key mèinn (f) - mine mìlsean (m) - sweet, dessert sanas (m) - sign, advertisement, clue sgioba (m & f) - crew


caill, call - lose fuadaich, fuadachadh - exile, banish meall, mealladh - deceive, cheat treabh, treabhadh - plough spealg, spealgadh - shatter, splinter suidhich, suidheachadh - situate

DM ©

Verbs bleoghainn, bleoghann - milk clòbhuail, clòbhualadh - print goid, goid - steal meudaich, meudachadh - increase mìlsich, mìlseachadh - sweeten tarraing, tarraing - draw, pull ceadaich, ceadachadh - permit, license

EXERCISE 1 Translate into English 1. Thuirt an cathraiche gun cùmar a' choinneamh aig seachd uairean 2. Rugadh agus thogadh mi ann an Steòrnabhagh 3. Bhleoghainnte an crodh dà thuras gach là 4. Gheàrradh am feur agus thogadh na cruachan leis an tuathanach 5. Fàgar an cù na aonar fad an là gun chuideachd 6. Cha do bhruidhneadh Gàidhlig riutha nuair a bha iad òg 7. Cuirear dhan leabaidh thu mura bi thu modhail 8. Chualas fuaim neònach taobh a-muigh 9. Glacar deagh bhric anns an abhainn sin 10. Clòbhuailear na leabhraichean ann an Dùn Èideann 11. Dh'iarradh orm a dhol gu taigh mo sheanmhar 12. Chìthear iad anns a' phàirc aig gach meadhan-là 13. Nach do sgrìobhadh an seann leabhar sin le manaich 14. Caillear mòran obraichean le bhith a' dùnadh na mèinne 15. Dh'fheumte sanas soilleir a chur air a' bhalla 16. Cò chuireadh taobh a-muigh an dorais? 17. Thuirt e gum meallte thall thairis iad 18. Càit an suidhichear an oifis ùr? 19. Nithear ceapairean ùrar an seo gach là 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 dà-chànanach airson na dreuchd ùire

EXERCISE 2 Translate into Gàidhlig 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 (trè) the difficult route 9. They were seen stealing in the shop 10. What was written in the letter you got from your sister? Page 8 dm© - Chan fhaodar na leasanan seo ath-riochdachadh gun chead bhon ùghdar dm© - These lessons may not be reproduced without permission from the author


Page 9

DM ©

LESSON 51: ANSWERS 1 1. The chairman said that the meeting will be held at seven o'clock 2. I was born and raised in Stornoway 3. The cattle were (habitual past) milked twice daily 4. The grass was cut and the stacks built by the farmer 5. The dog will be left alone all day without company 6. Gàidhlig wasn't spoken to them when they were young 7. You'll be put to bed unless you're polite 8. A strange noise was heard outside 9. Good trout are caught in that river 10. The books will be printed in Edinburgh 11. I was asked to go to my grandmother's house 12. They are seen in the park every midday 13. Wasn't that old book written by monks? 14. Many jobs will be lost by closing the mine 15. A clear sign would need to be put on the wall 16. Who was put outside the door? 17. He said that they would be cheated abroad 18. Where will the new office be situated? 19. Fresh sandwiches are made here daily 20. Food and drink is not permitted in the hall 21. Ploughing was done by horses last century 22. A bilingual person is required for the new post

LESSON 51: ANSWERS 2 1. Ghlacadh am mèirleach agus chuireadh ann am prìosan e 2. Dh'fhuadaicheadh mòran daoine às na dachaighean aca air a' Ghàidhealtachd 3. Rinneadh is dh'itheadh dìnnear ann an na bu lugha na lethuair a thìde 4. Mhealladh na daoine nuair a mheudaicheadh na cìsean 5. Bheirte dèideag ùr dhan leanabh air a co-là-breith 6. Rugadh nighean bhòidheach fhallain dhì 7. Chìthear bochdainn air feadh Afraga 8. Ràinigeadh mullach na beinne trè na slighe doirbhe 9. Chunnacas iad a' goid anns a' bhùth 10. Dè sgrìobhadh anns an litir a fhuair thu bho do phiuthar? 11. Carson a thilleadh am biadh dhan bhùth? 12. Cluichear an gèama anns an uisge 13. Chan fhaighear càise air a' ghealaich, ach gheibhear creagan tioram ann 14. Cha do ghlaiseadh na dorsan no na h-uinneagan 15. Eadar-theangaichear na sgeòil bho Ghàidhlig gu Beurla 16. Chailleadh an sgioba air fad nuair a chaidh an long aca fodha 17. Carson nach gluaiste an càr? 18. Seo na daoine a lorgadh math sàbhailte nuair a spealgadh an long air an sgeir leis an stoirm 19. Mìlsichear am mìlsean le mil 20. Chuireadh na solais air nuair a tharraingeadh na cùirtearan Dùinte

Why was the food returned to the shop? The game will be played in the water Cheese will not be found on the moon, but dry rocks will Neither the doors nor the windows were locked The stories will be translated from Gàidhlig to English The entire crew were lost at sea when their ship went down Why could (would) the car not be moved? 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 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18.

LESSON 52 Passive Forms of Verbs -Part 2

DM ©

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

Thèid an taigh a thogail - The house will be built

Thèid - Will go

Thèid a' cheist a fhreagairt - The question will be answered Thèid an uinneag fhosgladh - The window will be opened

Thèid an dìnnear ullachadh - The dinner will be prepared

For all other forms replace Thèid with appropriate form: Forms


Statement

Thèid an doras a dhùnadh - The door will be closed

Negative

Cha tèid an doras a dhùnadh - The door will not be closed

Interrogative

An tèid an doras a dhùnadh? - Will the door be closed?

Negative Interrogative

Nach tèid an doras a dhùnadh? - Will the door not be closed?

In the Past Passive:

Active Future Verb

Past Passive Construction

Chaidh an taigh a thogail - The house was built

Chaidh - Went

Chaidh a' cheist a fhreagairt - The question was answered Chaidh an uinneag fhosgladh - The window was opened

Chaidh an dìnnear ullachadh - The dinner was prepared

For all other forms replace Chaidh with appropriate form: Forms


Statement

Chaidh an doras a dhùnadh - The door was closed

Negative

Cha deach an doras a dhùnadh - The door was not closed

Interrogative

An deach an doras a dhùnadh? - Was the door closed?


Nach deach an doras a dhùnadh? - Was the door not closed?


In the Conditional Passive: Active Conditional Verb

Conditional Passive Construction Rachadh an taigh a thogail - The house would be built Rachadh a' cheist a fhreagairt - The question would be answered

DM ©

Rachadh † - Would go

Rachadh an uinneag fhosgladh - The window would be opened

Rachadh an dìnnear ullachadh - The dinner would be prepared

For all other forms replace Rachadh with appropriate form: Forms

Conditional Passive Construction

Statement

Rachadh an doras a dhùnadh - The door would be closed

Negative

Cha rachadh an doras a dhùnadh - The door would not be closed

Interrogative

An rachadh an doras a dhùnadh? - Would the door be closed?


Nach rachadh an doras a dhùnadh? - Would the door not be closed?

† 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: Thèid a thogail - It (house = masculine) will be built Cha tèid 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 dhèanamh? - 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: Thèid faighneachd dhen bhalach - The boy will be asked Chaidh iarraidh air a' chaileig a dhol dhachaigh - The girl was requested to go home Rachadh èisteachd 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: Thèid faighneachd dhìot - You will be asked Chaidh iarraidh orm an cù a thoirt dhachaigh - I was requested to take the dog home Rachadh èisteachd rium - I would be listened to


DM ©

EXERCISE 1 Change the following to Method 2 1. Thuirt an cathraiche gun cùmar a' choinneamh aig seachd uairean 2. Rugadh agus thogadh mi ann an Steòrnabhagh 3. Bhleoghainnte an crodh dà thuras gach là 4. Gheàrradh am feur agus thogadh na cruachan leis an tuathanach 5. Fàgar an cù na aonar fad an là 6. Cha do bhruidhneadh Gàidhlig riutha nuair a bha iad òg 7. Cuirear dhan leabaidh thu mura bi thu math 8. Chualas fuaim neònach taobh a-muigh 9. Glacar deagh bhric anns an abhainn sin 10. Clòbhuailear na leabhraichean ann an Dùn Èideann 11. Dh'iarradh orm a dhol gu taigh mo sheanmhar 12. Chìthear anns a' phàirc iad a h-uile meadhan-là 13. Nach do sgrìobhadh an seann leabhar sin le manaich 14. Caillear mòran obraichean le bhith a' dùnadh na mèinne

EXERCISE 2 a. Translate into Gàidhlig using Method 2 b. Translate into Gàidhlig using Method 2 replacing the nouns subjects with pronouns 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. Neither the doors nor the windows were locked 7. Poverty is seen throughout Africa 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 11. The stories will be translated from Gàidhlig to English 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 EXERCISE 3 Translate into Gàidhlig 1. Why was the food returned to the shop? 2. What was written in the letter you got from your sister? 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? Page 3 dm© - Chan fhaodar na leasanan seo ath-riochdachadh gun chead bhon ùghdar dm© - These lessons may not be reproduced without permission from the author


Page 4

DM ©

LESSON 52: ANSWERS 1 1. Thuirt an cathraiche gun tèid a' choinneamh a chumail aig seachd uairean 2. Chaidh mo bhreith agus mo thogail ann an Steòrnabhagh 3. Rachadh an crodh a bhleoghann dà thuras gach là 4. Chaidh am feur a ghearradh is na cruachan a thogail leis an tuathanach 5. Thèid an cù fhàgail na aonar fad an là 6. Cha deach Gàidhlig a bhruidhinn riutha nuair a bha iad òg 7. Thèid do chur dhan leabaidh mura bi thu math 8. Chaidh fuaim neònach a chluinntinn taobh a-muigh 9. Thèid deagh bhric a ghlacadh anns an abhainn sin 10. Thèid na leabhraichean a chlòbhualadh ann an Dùn Èideann 11. Chaidh iarraidh orm a dhol gu taigh mo sheanmhar 12. Thèid am faicinn anns a' phàirc a h-uile meadhan-là 13. Nach deach an seann leabhar sin a sgrìobhadh le manaich 14. Thèid mòran obraichean a chall le bhith a' dùnadh na mèinne

LESSON 52: ANSWERS 2a 1. Chaidh am mèirleach a ghlacadh agus a chur ann am prìosan 2. Chaidh mòran daoine fhuadachadh às an dachaighean air a' Ghàidhealtachd 3. Chaidh dìnnear a dhèanamh is ithe ann an na bu lugha na lethuair a thìde 4. Chaidh na daoine a mhealladh nuair a chaidh na cìsean a mheudachadh 5. Rachadh dèideag ùr a thoirt dhan leanabh air a colà-breith 6. Cha deach na dorsan no na h-uinneagan a ghlasadh 7. Thèid bochdainn fhaicinn air feadh Afraga 8. Chaidh mullach na beinne a ruigsinn tre na slighe doirbhe 9. Chaidh na balaich fhaicinn a' goid anns a' bhùth

10. Thèid an gèama a chluich anns an uisge 11. Thèid na sgeòil eadar-theangachadh bho Ghàidhlig gu Beurla 12. Chaidh doras a' chàir fhàgail gun a ghlasadh 13. Chaidh leughadh gun chaileag (chun na caileig) gu sàmhach 14. Thèid bruidhinn ris a' bhalach a-màireach LESSON 52: ANSWERS 2b 1. Chaidh a ghlacadh agus a chur ann am prìosan 2. Chaidh am fuadachadh às an dachaighean air a' Ghàidhealtachd 3. Chaidh a dèanamh is a h-ithe ann an na bu lugha na lethuair a thìde 4. Chaidh am mealladh nuair a chaidh na cìsean a mheudachadh 5. Rachadh a toirt dhan leanabh air a co-là-breith 6. Cha deach an glasadh 7. Thèid bochdainn fhaicinn air feadh Afraga 8. Chaidh mullach na beinne a ruigsinn tre na slighe doirbhe 9. Chaidh am faicinn a' goid anns a' bhùth 10. Thèid a chluich anns an uisge 11. Thèid an eadar-theangachadh bho Ghàidhlig gu Beurla 12. Chaidh fhàgail gun a ghlasadh 13. Chaidh leughadh thuice gu sàmhach 14. Thèid bruidhinn ris a-màireach LESSON 52: ANSWERS 3 1. Carson a chaidh am biadh a thilleadh dhan bhùth? 2. Dè chaidh a sgrìobhadh anns an litir a fhuair thu bho do phiuthar? Cuin a thèid an taigh a thogail? Càit an tèid an gèama a chluich? Cuin a chaidh an rathad a chàradh? Cò chaidh fhàgail gun deoch? Ciamar a rachadh sin a dhèanamh? 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

LESSON 53 Passive Forms of Verbs -Part 3

DM ©

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

Statement

Negative

Present Passive Construction

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

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 dìnnear 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

Statement

Negative


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

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? Page 1 dm© - Chan fhaodar na leasanan seo ath-riochdachadh gun chead bhon ùghdar dm© - These lessons may not be reproduced without permission from the author

In the Future (Habitual Present) Passive: Forms


Statement

Bidh an sgeul air a mìneachadh - The story will be explained/The story will have been explained

DM ©

Bidh i air a mìneachadh - It will be explained/It will have been explained

Negative

Interrogative

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

Am bi am pàiste 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 sìos? - Will the tree not be cut down?/ Will the tree not have been cut down? Nach bi i air a gearradh sìos? - 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 prògram air a dhèanamh - 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

Interrogative


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

Am biodh an càr air a chàradh? - Would the car be repaired?/Would the car have been repaired? Am biodh e air a chàradh? - 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 Dè, Cò and Cia Mheud The possessive adjective a (his/its) always precedes the verbal noun: Dè bhiodh air a thogail an-sin? - What would be built there? Cò bhios air fhàgail air ais? - Who will be left behind? Cia mheud duine a bha air a chur air falbh? - How many people were sent away? Page 2 dm© - Chan fhaodar na leasanan seo ath-riochdachadh gun chead bhon ùghdar dm© - These lessons may not be reproduced without permission from the author

DM ©

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 the subject. 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

Tha mi gam bhualadh - I am being hit

Present

Chan eil taigh ga thogail - A house is not being built A bheil iad gan giùlan? - Are they being carried?

Nach eil litir ga cur? - Is a letter not being sent? Bha e ga fhàgail - He was being left

Cha robh an càr ga ghluasad? - The car was not being moved?

Past

An robh sinn gar coinneachadh? - Were we being met?

Nach robh na cearcan gam biadhadh? - Were the chickens not being fed?

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-òrd ri bhualadh - Is the hammer to be struck Bha sinn ri ghiùlan - 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-òrd ri bhualadh - Is the hammer to be struck Bha sinn rir giùlan - We were to be carried An robh i ra gluasad? - Was she to be moved? All augmented prepositions are shown in Appendix 1


DM ©

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 dùinte - The door was closed Bidh an obair dèante (dèanta) - The work will be done Bhiodh an duine pòsta - The man would be married Method 5. Using the Third Person Plural with the Active Verb Frequently in spoken Gàidhlig the passive is conveyed as in English by using the 3rd person plural in an impersonal way: Tha iad a' togail bùth ùr - A new shop is being built - lit. They are building a new shop A bheil iad a' reic buntàta an seo? - Are potatoes sold here? - lit. Do they sell potatoes here? NEW WORDS Nouns pàiste (m) - child, infant

prògram (m) - programme

Verbs mìnich, mìneachadh (do) - explain (to)

EXERCISE 1 Change the following to Method 3 1. Thuirt an cathraiche gun cùmar a' choinneamh aig seachd uairean 2. Rugadh agus thogadh mi ann an Steòrnabhagh 3. Bhleoghainnte an crodh dà thuras gach là 4. Gheàrradh am feur agus thogadh na cruachan leis an tuathanach 5. Fàgar an cù na aonar fad an là 6. Cha do bhruidhneadh Gàidhlig riutha nuair a bha iad òg 7. Cuirear dhan leabaidh thu mura bi thu math 8. Chualas fuaim neònach taobh a-muigh 9. Glacar deagh bhric anns an abhainn sin 10. Clòbhuailear na leabhraichean ann an Dùn Èideann 11. Dhùinte na dorsan aig meadhan oidhche 12. Chìthear anns a' phàirc iad a h-uile meadhan-là 13. Nach do sgrìobhadh an seann leabhar sin le manaich 14. Caillear mòran obraichean le bhith a' dùnadh na mèinne

EXERCISE 2 a. Translate into Gàidhlig using Method 3 b. Translate into Gàidhlig using Method 3 replacing the nouns subjects with pronouns 1. The thief was caught and put in prison 2. Many people were banished from their homes in the highlands Page 4 dm© - Chan fhaodar na leasanan seo ath-riochdachadh gun chead bhon ùghdar dm© - These lessons may not be reproduced without permission from the author

Dinner was made and eaten in less than an hour The people were deceived when the taxes were increased The baby would be given a new toy on her birthday Neither the doors nor the windows were locked Poverty is seen throughout Africa The top of the mountain was reached by (tre) the difficult route The boys were seen stealing in the shop The game will be played in the rain The stories will be translated from Gàidhlig to English The car door was left unlocked (gun a ghlasadh)

DM ©

3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.

EXERCISE 3 Translate into Gàidhlig 1. Why was the food returned to the shop? 2. What was written in the letter you got from your sister? 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? EXERCISE 4 Translate into English 1. Bha dìnnear ga deasachadh anns a' chidsin 2. Chan ann tric a tha breac ga ghlacadh anns an allt seo 3. Tha na caoraich gan cruinneachadh còmhla 4. Tha saoghalan eile gan ruigsinn a-nis 5. A bheil prìsean gam meudachadh anns a' bhùth aca? 6. Tha a' choille seo ri ghearradh sìos a dh'aithghearr EXERCISE 5 Translate into Gàidhlig 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



Page 6

DM ©

LESSON 53: ANSWERS 1 1. Thuirt an cathraiche gum bi a' choinneamh air a cumail aig seachd uairean 2. Bha mi air mo bhreith agus mo thogail ann an Steòrnabhagh 3. Bhiodh an crodh air am bleoghann dà thuras gach là 4. Bha am feur air a ghearradh is na cruachan air an togail leis an tuathanach 5. Bidh an cù air fhàgail na aonar fad an là 6. Cha robh Gàidhlig air a bruidhinn riutha nuair a bha iad òg 7. Bidh thu air do chur dhan leabaidh mura bi thu math 8. Bha fuaim neònach air a cluinntinn taobh a-muigh 9. Bidh deagh bhric air an glacadh anns an abhainn sin 10. Bidh na leabhraichean air an clòbhualadh ann an Dùn Èideann 11. Bhiodh na dorsan air an dùnadh aig meadhan oidhche 12. Bidh iad air am faicinn anns a' phàirc a h-uile meadhan-là 13. Nach robh an seann leabhar sin air a sgrìobhadh le manaich 14. Bidh mòran obraichean air an call le bhith a' dùnadh na mèinne

LESSON 53: ANSWERS 2a 1. Bha am mèirleach air a ghlacadh agus a chur ann am prìosan 2. Bha mòran daoine air am fuadachadh às an dachaighean air a' Ghàidhealtachd 3. Bha dìnnear air a dèanamh is ithe ann an na bu lugha na lethuair a thìde 4. Bha na daoine air am mealladh nuair a bha na cìsean air am meudachadh 5. Bhiodh dèideag ùr air a toirt dhan leanabh air a co-là-breith 6. Cha robh na dorsan no na h-uinneagan air an glasadh 7. Bidh bochdainn air a faicinn air feadh Afraga 8. Bha mullach na beinne air a ruigsinn tre na slighe doirbhe 9. Bha na balaich air am faicinn a' goid anns a' bhùth 10. Bidh an gèama air a chluich anns an uisge 11. Bidh na sgeòil air an eadar-theangachadh bho Ghàidhlig gu Beurla 12. Bha doras a' chàir air fhàgail gun a ghlasadh

LESSON 53: ANSWERS 2b 1. Bha e air a ghlacadh agus a chur ann am prìosan 2. Bha iad air am fuadachadh às an dachaighean air a' Ghàidhealtachd 3. Bha i air a dèanamh is a h-ithe ann an na bu lugha na lethuair a thìde 4. Bha iad air am mealladh nuair a bha na cìsean air am meudachadh 5. Bhiodh i air a toirt dhan leanabh air a co-là-breith 6. Cha robh iad air an glasadh 7. Bidh i air a faicinn air feadh Afraga 8. Bha e air a ruigsinn tre na slighe doirbhe 9. Bha iad air am faicinn a' goid anns a' bhùth 10. Bidh e air a chluich anns an uisge 11. Bidh iad air an eadar-theangachadh bho Ghàidhlig gu Beurla 12. Bha e air fhàgail gun a ghlasadh LESSON 53: ANSWERS 3 1. Carson a bha am biadh air a thilleadh dhan bhùth? 2. Dè bha air a sgrìobhadh anns an litir a fhuair thu bho do phiuthar? Cuin a bhios an taigh air a thogail? Càit am bi an gèama air a chluich? Cuin a bha an rathad air a chàradh? Cò bha air fhàgail gun deoch? Ciamar a bhiodh sin air a dhèanamh? Càit am bi na soithichean air an cur? 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

LESSON 53: ANSWERS 4 1. Dinner was being prepared in the kitchen 2. It isn't often that trout are caught in this burn 3. The sheep are being rounded together 4. Other worlds are being reached now 5. Are prices being increased in their shop? 6. This forest is to felled soon LESSON 53: ANSWERS 5 1. Tha taigh ga thogail ann am meadhan na pàirce 2. Bha gual ga ghiùlan air an druim aige 3. Bha sgeul ga leughadh leis an sgoilear 4. Bha a' chailleach ga gluasad gu ospadal eile 5. Tha e ga mhealladh leotha 6. Tha sin ri fhaicinn airson a chreidsinn

LESSON 54

DM ©

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

1st - 1mh

a' chiad chat *

a' chiad chearc *

2nd - 2mh

an dàrna cat ‡

an dàrna cearc

3rd - 3mh

an treas cat †

an treas cearc

4th - 4mh

an ceathramh cat

a' cheathramh cearc

5th - 5mh

an còigeamh cat

a' chòigeamh cearc

6th - 6mh

an siathamh cat

an t-siathamh cearc

7th - 7mh

an seachdamh cat

an t-seachdamh cearc

8th - 8mh

an t-ochdamh cat

an ochdamh cearc

9th - 9mh

an naoidheamh cat

an naoidheamh cearc

10th - 10mh

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 trìtheamh may also be heard. ‡ dara is an optional form.

Ordinals from 11th to 20th For ordinals from 11th upwards aona † replaces ciad: Ordinal

With Masculine Noun

With Feminine Noun

11th - 11mh

an t-aona cat deug

an t-aona chearc dheug ‡ §

12th - 12mh

an dàrna cat deug

an dàrna cearc dheug

13th - 13mh

an treas cat deug

an treas cearc dheug

14th - 14mh

an ceathramh cat deug

a' cheathramh cearc dheug

15th - 15mh

an còigeamh cat deug

a' chòigeamh cearc dheug

16th - 16mh

an siathamh cat deug

an t-siathamh cearc dheug

17th - 17mh

an seachdamh cat deug

an t-seachdamh cearc dheug


18th - 18mh

an t-ochdamh cat deug

an ochdamh cearc dheug

19th - 19mh

an naoidheamh cat deug

an naoidheamh cearc dheug

20th - 20mh

am ficheadamh cat

an fhicheadamh cearc

DM ©

† 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

Ordinal

With Masculine Noun

With Feminine Noun

21st - 21mh

an t-aona cat air fhichead

an t-aona chearc air fhichead

22nd - 22mh

an dàrna cat air fhichead

an dàrna cearc air fhichead

23rd - 23mh

an treas cat air fhichead

an treas cearc air fhichead

24th - 24mh

an ceathramh cat air fhichead

a' cheathramh cearc air fhichead

25th - 25mh

an còigeamh cat air fhichead

a' chòigeamh cearc air fhichead

26th - 26mh

an siathamh cat air fhichead

an t-siathamh cearc air fhichead

27th - 27mh

an seachdamh cat air fhichead

an t-seachdamh cearc air fhichead

28th - 28mh

an t-ochdamh cat air fhichead

an ochdamh cearc air fhichead

29th - 29mh

an naoidheamh cat air fhichead

naoidheamh cearc air fhichead

30th - 30mh

an deicheamh cat air fhichead

deicheamh cearc air fhichead

31st - 31mh

an t-aona cat deug air fhichead

an t-aona cearc dheug air fhichead

39th - 39mh

an naoidheamh cat deug air fhichead an naoidheamh cearc dheug air fhichead

40th - 40mh

an dà fhicheadamh cat

an dà fhicheadamh cearc

41st - 41mh

an dà fhicheadamh cat 's a h-aon

an dà fhicheadamh cearc 's a h-aon

49th - 49mh

an dà fhicheadamh cat 's a naoi

an dà fhicheadamh cearc 's a naoi

50th - 50mh

an dà fhicheadamh cat 's a deich/ an dà fhicheadamh cearc 's a deich/ an lethcheudamh cat an lethcheudamh cearc

51st - 51mh

an dà fhicheadamh cat 's a h-aon deug/ an dà fhicheadamh cearc 's a h-aon deug/ an lethcheudamh cat 's a h-aon an lethcheudamh cearc 's a h-aon

59th - 59mh

an dà fhicheadamh cat 's a naoi deug/ an dà fhicheadamh cearc 's a naoi deug/ an lethcheudamh cat 's a naoi an lethcheudamh cearc 's a naoi Page 2 dm© - Chan fhaodar na leasanan seo ath-riochdachadh gun chead bhon ùghdar dm© - These lessons may not be reproduced without permission from the author

60th - 60mh

an trì ficheadamh cat

an trì ficheadamh cearc

61st - 61mh

an trì ficheadamh cat 's a h-aon

an trì ficheadamh cearc 's a h-aon

69th - 69mh

an trì ficheadamh cat 's a naoi

an trì ficheadamh cearc 's a naoi

70th - 70mh

an trì ficheadamh cat 's a deich

an trì ficheadamh cearc 's a deich

an trì ficheadamh cat 's a h-aon deug an trì ficheadamh cearc 's a h-aon deug

79th - 79mh

an trì ficheadamh cat 's a naoi deug an trì ficheadamh cearc 's a naoi deug

DM ©

71st - 71mh

80th - 80mh

an ceithir ficheadamh cat

a' cheithir ficheadamh cearc

81st - 81mh

an ceithir ficheadamh cat 's a h-aon a' cheithir ficheadamh cearc 's a h-aon

89th - 89mh

an ceithir ficheadamh cat 's a naoi a' cheithir ficheadamh cearc 's a naoi

90th - 90mh

an ceithir ficheadamh cat 's a deich a' cheithir ficheadamh cearc 's a deich

91st - 91mh

an ceithir ficheadamh cat 's a h-aon deug

99th - 99mh

an ceithir ficheadamh cat 's a naoi deug a' cheithir ficheadamh cearc 's a naoi deug

100th - 100mh

an ceudamh cat

a' cheithir ficheadamh cearc 's a h-aon deug

a' cheudamh cearc

b. Decimal Although the preferred system in education and formal writing it is rarely heard by older speakers: Ordinal

With Masculine Noun

With Feminine Noun

21st - 21mh

am ficheadamh cat 's a h-aon

an fhicheadamh cearc 's a h-aon

22nd - 22mh

am ficheadamh cat 's a dhà

an fhicheadamh cearc 's a dhà

23rd - 23mh

am ficheadamh cat 's a trì

an fhicheadamh cearc 's a trì

29th - 29mh

am ficheadamh cat 's a naoi

an fhicheadamh cearc 's a naoi

30th - 30mh

an tritheadamh cat

an tritheadamh cearc

31st - 31mh

am tritheadamh cat 's a h-aon

an tritheadamh cearc 's a h-aon

40th - 40mh

an ceathradamh cat

a' cheathradamh cearc

41st - 41mh

an ceathradamh cat 's a h-aon

a' cheathradamh cearc 's a h-aon

50th - 50mh

an caogadamh cat

a' chaogadamh cearc

51st - 51mh

an caogadamh cat 's a h-aon

a' chaogadamh cearc 's a h-aon

60th - 60mh

an seasgadamh cat

an t-seasgadamh cearc

61st - 61mh

an seasgadamh cat 's a h-aon

an t-seasgadamh cearc 's a h-aon

70th - 70mh

an seachdadamh cat

an t-seachdadamh cearc

71st - 71mh

an seachdadamh cat 's a h-aon

an t-seachdadamh cearc 's a h-aon


an t-ochdadamh cat

an ochdadamh cearc

81st - 81mh

an t-ochdadamh cat 's a h-aon

an ochdadamh cearc 's a h-aon

90th - 90mh

an naochadamh cat

an naochadamh cearc

91st - 91mh

an naochadamh cat 's a h-aon

an naochadamh cearc 's a h-aon

100th - 100mh

an ceudamh cat

a' cheudamh cearc

101st - 101mh

an ceudamh cat 's a h-aon

a' cheudamh cearc 's a h-aon

201st - 201mh

an dà cheudamh cat 's a h-aon

an dà cheudamh cearc 's a h-aon

315th - 315mh

an trì ceudamh cat 's a còig deug

an trì ceudamh cearc 's a còig deug

423rd - 423mh

an ceithir ceudamh cat, fichead 's a trì a' cheithir ceudamh cearc, fichead 's a trì

532nd - 532mh

an còig ceudamh cat, trithead 's a dhà a' chòig ceudamh cearc, trithead 's a dhà

DM ©

80th - 80mh

648th - 648mh

an sia ceudamh cat, ceathrad 's a h-ochd

an t-sia ceudamh cearc ceathrad 's a h-ochd

755th - 755mh

an seachd ceudamh cat, caogad 's a còig an t-seachd ceudamh cearc, caogad 's a còig

863th - 863mh

an t-ochd ceudamh cat, seasgad 's a trì an ochd ceudamh cearc, seasgad 's a trì

996th - 996mh

an naoi ceudamh cat, naochad 's a sia

an naoi ceudamh cearc, naochad 's a sia

1000th - 1000mh

am mìleamh cat

a' mhìleamh cearc

2001st - 2001mh

an dà mhìleamh cat 's a h-aon

an dà mhìleamh cearc 's a h-aon

3015th - 3015mh

an trì mìleamh cat 's a còig deug

an trì mìleamh cearc 's a còig

4023rd - 4023mh

an ceithir mìleamh cat, fichead 's a trì

a' cheithir mìleamh cearc, fichead 's a trì

5101st - 5101mh

an còig mìleamh cat, ceud 's a h-aon a' chòig mìleamh cearc, ceud 's a h-aon

6205th - 6205mh

n sia mìleamh cat, dà cheud 's a còig an t-sia mìleamh cearc, dà cheud 's a còig

7519th - 7519mh

an seachd mìleamh cat, còig ceud 's a naoi deug

8622nd - 8622mh

an t-ochd mìleamh cat, sia ceud, fichead 's a dhà an ochd mìleamh cearc, sia ceud, fichead 's a dhà

9385th - 9385mh

an naoi mìleamh cat, ochdad 's a còig

an naoi mìleamh cearc, ochdad 's a còig

10000th - 10000mh

an deich mìleamh cat

an deich mìleamh cearc

11000th - 11000mh

an t-aona mìleamh deug cat

an t-aona mìleamh deug cearc

23000th - 23000mh

am fichead 's a trì mìleamh cat

an fhichead 's a trì mìleamh cearc

45001st - 45001mh

an ceathrad 's a còig mìleamh cat 's a h-aon

a' cheathrad 's a còig mìleamh cearc 's a h-aon

65013st - 650013mh

an seasgad 's a còig mìleamh cat 's a trì deug

an t-seasgad 's a còig mìleamh cearc 's a trì deug

83022nd - 83022mh

an t-ochdad 's a trì mìleamh cat, fichead 's a dhà

an ochdad 's a trì mìleamh cearc, fichead 's a dhà

1000000th - 1000000mh

an milleanamh cat

a' mhilleanamh cearc

an t-seachd mìleamh cearc, còig ceud 's a naoi deug


For traditional ordinals above 100 the decimal element of method b should be replaced by the equivalent unit of twenty value, e.g. With Masculine Noun

With Feminine Noun

532nd - 532mh

an còig ceudamh cat, fichead 's a dhà dheug

a' chòig ceudamh cearc, fichead 's a dhà dheug

648th - 648mh

an sia ceudamh cat, dà fhichead 's a h-ochd

an t-sia ceudamh cearc dà fhichead 's a h-ochd

755th - 755mh

an seachd ceudamh cat, dà fhichead 's a còig deug

an t-seachd ceudamh cearc, dà fhichead 's a còig deug

863th - 863mh

an t-ochd ceudamh cat, trì fichead 's a trì

an ochd ceudamh cearc, trì fichead 's a trì

996th - 996mh

an naoi ceudamh cat, ceithir fichead 's a sia deug

an naoi ceudamh cearc, ceithir fichead 's a sia deug

DM ©

Ordinal

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: 138th - 138mh

an sia ficheadamh cat 's a h-ochd deug an t-sia ficheadamh cearc 's a h-ochd deug

NEW WORDS Adjectives coltach (ri) - similar (to)

an t-ochdamh salm deug thar sia fichead - the 138th psalm

mu dheireadh - last

Adverbs tarsainn - across

Nouns gnàth-cheannaiche (m) - customer paca (m) - pack salm (m) - psalm tòimhseachan (m) - puzzle tòimhseachan-tarsainn (m) - crossword puzzle deuchainn (f) - examination, test rèile (f) - railway pàirt (f) - part Verbs meal, mealtainn - enjoy

pàirtich, pàirteachdh - share

Verbal Phrases meal do naidheachd! - congratulations! (informal and singular) mealaibh ur naidheachd! - congratulations! (formal and plural) EXERCISE 1 Translate into English 1 .'S e sin a' chòigeamh mìlseag a ghabh thu 2. Seinnidh sinn an sia ficheadamh salm 3. Bha a' chiad chearc gu math coltach ris an dàrna tè 4. Bha gach dàrna uinneag aig an t-seann taigh briste Page 5


Thàinig e anns an deicheamh àite anns a' cho-fharpais 'S e an dà fhicheadamh co-là-breith a tha agam a-màireach Nach e sin a' mhilleanamh uair a dh'innis mi sin dhut sin a dhèanamh? Bha na truinnsearan air mullach na treas sgeilpe bhuamsa Thoir seo dhan chiad duine a chì thu Bha iad nan suidhe anns a' cheathradamh sreath 's a naoi Tha an leabharlann mu choinneimh na treas bùth air an làimh chlì Bha i na suidhe anns an trì ficheadamh sreath 's a deich Cha do thuig mi e a' chiad turas a chuala mi e a' bruidhinn Gàidhlig 'S e seo deireadh na ciad pàirte 'S e seo deireadh a' chiad phàirt (a' chiad commonly persists in the genitive with feminine nouns)

DM ©

5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14a. 14b.

EXERCISE 2 Translate into Gàidhlig 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



Page 7

DM ©

LESSON 54: ANSWERS 1 1. That's the fifth sweet you've taken 2. We will sing the one hundred and twentieth psalm 3. The first hen was much the same as the second one 4. Every second (alternate) window of the old house was broken 5. He came in tenth place in the competition 6. It's my fortieth birthday tomorrow 7. Isn't that the millionth time I told you to do that 8. Tha plates were on top the third shelf from me 9. Give this to the first person you see 10. They were sitting in the forty ninth row 11. The library is opposite the third shop on the left 12. She was sitting in the seventieth row 13. I didn't understand him the first time I heard him speaking Gàidhlig 14. This is the end of the first part

LESSON 54: ANSWERS 2 1. A bheil fios agad air an t-siathamh freagairt tarsainn dhen tòimhseachan-tarsainn seo? 2. 'S e sin an treas is an cothrom mu dheireadh agad 3. Phòs e airson an dàrna turais an-dè 4. Chan fhaigh thu an dàrna cothrom 5a. Mealaibh ur naidheachd air ur trì ficheadamh bliadhna 's a còig 5b. Mealaibh ur naidheachd air ur seasgadamh bliadhna 's a còig

6a. B' e sin an ceithir ficheadamh càr 's a naoi deug ri dhol fon drochaid 6b. B' e sin an naochadamh càr 's a naoi ri dhol fon drochaid 7a. B' e bànrigh an dà fhicheadamh cairt 's a trì anns a' phaca 7b. B' e bànrigh a' cheathradamh cairt 's a trì anns a' phaca 8a. Ràinig e anns a' cheudamh àite, dà fhichead 's a deich anns a' mharaton 8b. Ràinig e anns a' cheudamh àite 's a caogad anns a' mharaton 9. Phàirtich dithis sgoilearan an dàrna àite anns an deuchainn 10a.Seo mo shiathamh obair ann an trì bliadhna 10b.Seo an t-siathamh obair agam ann an trì bliadhna 11. Gabh an còigeamh tionndadh air an làimh dheis às dèidh na dàrna drochaide-rèile 12. B' e Armstrong a' chiad duine a choisich air a' ghealaich 13a.Thòisich an teine air a' cheithir ficheadamh ùrlar 's a dhà dhen togalach 13b.Thòisich an teine air an naochadamh ùrlar 's a dhà dhen togalach 14a.Bha e na mhilleanamh gnàth-cheannaiche anns a' bhùth 14b.B' esan am milleanamh gnàth-cheannaiche anns a' bhùth

LESSON 55 Verbs and Prepositions

DM ©

As in English many verbs in Gàidhlig 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

tòisich air - start to

Thòisich iad air seinn - They started singing

airson †

any verb + to ( in order to)

Sheas sinn airson seinn - We stood to sing

cuir gu - send to / remit

Cò 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

sgrìobh gu - write to

Sgrìobhaidh 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?

mìnich do - explain to

Cha deach sin a mhìneachadh dhomh - That wasn't explained to me

rach do - go (in)to

Thèid sinn dhan bhùth - We'll go into the shop

seall do - show to

Sheall e dhomh an càr ùr aige - He showed (to) me his new car

teagaisg do/ionnsaich do teach to

Dè dh'ionnsaich iad dhut? - What did they teach (to) you?

thoir do - give to

Thoir dhomh do làmh - Give me your hand

any verb + to ( in order to)

Thàinig mi gus seinn - I came to sing

bruidhinn ri - speak to

Cò 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

èist ri - listen to

An do dh'èist thu ris an tidsear? - Did you listen to the teacher?

chun †/gu

do/dha

gus

ri(s)


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 càr aice ris - She sold her car to him

DM ©

ri(s)

feuch ri - try to

tòisich ri - start to

Thòisich 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): Thòisich i air ràdh ris an duine - She started to say to the man Dh'fheuch e ri breith air - He tried to catch up on him Dh'èist mi a-rithist gu bhith cinnteach - I listened again to be sure Chrom mi gus èisteachd 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: Thòisich 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 dìnnear a dheasachadh - I had to prepare the dinner Dh'fheuch e ri dealbh fhaicinn - He tried to see a picture Thòisich i ri am bainne òl - She started to drink the milk Chaidh mi gus a' chlann a thogail - I went to collect the children Thàinig e airson càr ùr a cheannach dhì - He came to buy her a car Sheas mi gus an dealbh fhaicinn na b' fheàrr - I stood to see the picture better 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. In a number of cases augmented prepositions can be used (see Appendix 1): Dh'fheuch iad ri freagairt - They tried to answer her Thòisich i air a bhiadhadh - She started to feed him Bha agam ri òl - I had to drink it Page 2 dm© - Chan fhaodar na leasanan seo ath-riochdachadh gun chead bhon ùghdar dm© - These lessons may not be reproduced without permission from the author

Thàinig mi gan gluasad - I came to (in order to) move them Sheas mi ga fhaicinn na b' fheàrr - I stood to see it better Tha mi a' dol ga choinneachadh - I am going to meet her

DM ©

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 dèonach litir a sgrìobhadh dhomhsa? - Are you willing to write a letter for me? 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: Bhithinn toilichte an cuideachadh - I would be pleased to help them An robh i èasgaidh a dhèanamh? - Was she keen to do it? NEW WORDS Adjectives èasgaidh - keen

Nouns bonnach (m) - cake cùis (f) - subject, matter

salann (m) - salt

Verbs crom, cromadh - bend, stoop iomair, iomramh - row tachair, tachairt - happen

fuin, fuine - bake sguir, sgur (de) - stop, desist

EXERCISE 1 Translate into English 1. Thòisich sinn ri am bàta iomramh 2. Dh'fheuch mi ri iasg a ghlacadh anns an allt sin 3. Bha aice ri bonnaich fhuine airson a' chèilidh 4. Cuin a thòisich sibh ri Gàidhlig ionnsachadh? 5. An do dh'fheuch thu mullach na beinne a ruigsinn 6. Bidh agad ri an làr salach a sguabadh 7. Feuchaidh mi ri an rathad dhan bhaile a shealltainn dhaibh 8. Càit an tòisich mi ri innse dhaibh na thachair 9. Thàinig sinn gus na beanntan fhaicinn 10. Is math ur faicinn a-rithist



Page 4

DM ©

LESSON 55: ANSWERS 1 1. We started to row the boat 2. I tried to catch a fish in that burn 3. She had to bake some cakes for the ceilidh 4. When did you start learning Gàidhlig? 5. Did you try to reach the top of the mountain 6. I'll need to sweep the dirty floor 7. I'll try to show them the road to town 8. Where can (will) I begin to tell them what happened 9. We came to see the mountains 10. It's good to see you again

LESSON 55: ANSWERS 2 1. Thòisich i ri trod ris a chionn 's gun do bhris e an truinnsear 2. Dh'fheuch am balach ri mo bhualadh le cloich 3. Thòisich i ri fighe nuair a bha i gu math òg 4. Dh'fheuch e ri a bhràthair a ghiùlan air a ghuailnean 5. An sguir thu dem mealladh? 6. Na feuchaibh ri teine a thogail le fiodh fliuch 7. Am feuch sibh ri am botal seo fhosgladh dhomh 8. Bha aca ri a' chomhairle aige a ghabhail anns a' chùis 9. Bha mi cho toilichte an guth aice a chluinntinn 10. Chaidh i gus a' chlann a chuideachadh

EXERCISE 2 Translate into Gàidhlig 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

SUPPLEMENT 1 Useful Prepositional Idioms

2.

DM ©

aig 1. With verb To Be Tha aig Calum ri dhol dhachaigh - Calum has to go home Tha agam ri litir a sgrìobhadh - I have to write a letter Bha againn ri bhith sàmhach - We had to be quiet

With verb To Go Chaidh aig Calum air sin a dhèanamh - Calum was able to do that


SUPPLEMENT 2 Parsing The Tenses Of The Verb TO BE The Impersonal/Passive Voice Of The Verb The Present Tense

DM ©

Thathar

Chan

?Nach

Thuirt e

eilear

nach gu

a' togail taigh

bheilear

?A

The Past Tense

Bhathar

Cha

?Nach ?An

Thuirt e

robhar

a' togail taigh

gun

nach

The Future Tense/The Present Habitual Mood

Bithear

Cha

bhithear

?Nach

a' togail taigh

?An

Thuirt e

bithear

gum

nach

The Conditional Tense/The Past Habitual

Bhithte/Bhithiste

Cha

bhithte/bhithiste

?Nach ?An

Thuirt e

gum

a' togail taigh

bithte/bithiste

nach

See Appendix 2 for the active voice of the verb To Be. Page 1 dm© - Chan fhaodar na leasanan seo ath-riochdachadh gun chead bhon ùghdar dm© - These lessons may not be reproduced without permission from the author

SUPPLEMENT 3 Parsing The Tenses Of Regular Verbs The Passive Voice Of The Verb

DM ©

(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

Cha

?Nach ?An

Thuirt e

do bhuaileadh

am bòrd

gun

nach


Buailear

Cha

bhuailear

?Nach ?Am

Thuirt e

am bòrd

buailear

gum

nach

The Conditional Tense/The Past Habitual Mood

Bhuailte/Bhuailiste †

Cha

bhuailte/bhuailiste

?Nach ?Am

Thuirt e

gum

buailte/buailiste

nach

† the ending -iste is restricted to the the Lewis dialect Page 1 dm© - Chan fhaodar na leasanan seo ath-riochdachadh gun chead bhon ùghdar dm© - These lessons may not be reproduced without permission from the author

am bòrd

Verbs beginning with a vowel The Past Tense Dh'itheadh Cha a' bhriosgaid

DM ©

?Nach ?An

Thuirt e

do dh'itheadh

gun

nach


Ithear

Chan

?Nach ?An

Thuirt e

ithear

a' bhriosgaid

gun

nach

The Conditional Tense/The Past Habitual Mood Dh'ithte/Dh'ithiste† Chan

ithte/ithiste

?Nach

a' bhriosgaid

?An

Thuirt e

gun

nach

† the ending -iste is restricted to the the Lewis dialect. Verbs beginning with F The Past Tense

Dh'fhilleadh

Cha

?Nach ?An

Thuirt e

do dh'fhilleadh

gun

nach


am pàipear

The Future Tense/The Present Habitual Mood Fillear Chan ?Nach ‡

fhillear

am pàipear

DM ©

nach ‡

Thuirt e

gum

fillear

?Am

‡ it is common in the spoken language to lenite f after nach. The Conditional Tense/The Past Habitual Mood

Dh'fillte/Dh'filliste†

Chan

?Nach ‡

Thuirt e

fhillte/fhilliste

nach ‡ gum

?Am

fillte/filliste

?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.


am pàipear

SUPPLEMENT 4 Parsing The Past Tense Of Irregular Verbs The Passive Voice Of The Verb

DM ©

(Intransitive verbs can never be passive and must be regarded as impersonal forms) Where an alternative form exists the most commonly used is given first Breith - Catching, Bearing, Grasping (Root = Beir)

Rugadh

Cha

?Nach ?An

Thuirt e

do rugadh=d'rugadh

orra

gun

nach

Cluinntinn - Hearing (Root = Cluinn)

Chualas/Chualadh

Cha

chualas/chualadh

?Nach ?An

Thuirt e

gun

ceòl

cualas/cualadh

nach

Dèanamh - Doing, Making (Root = Dèan)

Rinneadh

Cha

?Nach ?An

Thuirt e

do rinneadh=d'rinneadh

gun

nach


an dìnnear

Dol - Going (Root = Rach) Chaidheas Cha ?Nach deachas

dhachaigh

DM ©

?An

Thuirt e

gun

nach

Faicinn - Seeing (Root = Faic)

Chunnacas/Chunnacadh

Chan

?Nach

fhacas/fhacadh

an tubaist

?Am

Thuirt e

facas/facadh

gum

nach

fhacas/fhacadh

Faighinn - Getting, Obtaining (Root = Faigh)

Fhuaras/Fhuaradh

Cha

?Nach ?An

Thuirt e

d'fhuaras/d'fhuaradh

an cothrom

gun

nach

Ràdh - Saying (Root = Abair)

Thuirteadh †

Cha

?Nach ?An

Thuirt e

tuirteadh †

gun

nach

† Thubhairteadh and tubhairteadh are emphatic forms.


facal

Ruigsinn - Reaching, Arriving (Root =Ruig) Ràinigeadh/Ràinigear Cha ?Nach do ràinigeadh=d'ràinigeadh/ do ràinigear=d'ràinigear

dhachaigh

DM ©

?An

Thuirt e

gun

nach

Tighinn - Coming (Root = Thig)

Thàinigear/Thàinigeas

Cha

?Nach ?An

Thuirt e

tàinigear/tàinigeas

dhachaigh

gun

nach

Toirt - Taking, Giving (+ preposition do) (Root = Thoir)

Thugadh/Thugas

Cha

?Nach ?An

Thuirt e

tugadh/thugas

dhachaigh

gun

nach

See Appendix 4 for the active voice of the past tense of the irregular verbs.


SUPPLEMENT 5 Parsing The Future Tense Of Irregular Verbs The Passive Voice Of The Verb

DM ©

(Intransitive verbs can never be passive and must be regarded as impersonal forms) Where an alternative form exists the most commonly used is given first 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. Breith - Catching, Bearing, Grasping (Root = Beir)

Beirear

Cha

bheirear

?Nach ?Am

Thuirt e

orra

beirear

gum

nach


Cluinnear

Cha

chluinnear

?Nach ?An

Thuirt e

ceòl

cluinnear

gun

nach


Nithear/Nitear

Cha

?Nach ?An

Thuirt e

dèanar/dèantar

gun

nach Page 1 dm© - Chan fhaodar na leasanan seo ath-riochdachadh gun chead bhon ùghdar dm© - These lessons may not be reproduced without permission from the author

an dìnnear

Dol - Going (Root = Rach) Thèidear Cha ?Nach tèidear

dhachaigh

DM ©

?An

Thuirt e

gun

nach


Chithear

Chan

fhaicear

?Nach

an tubaist

?Am

Thuirt e

faicear

gum

nach

fhaicear


Gheibhear

Cha

fhaighear

?Nach

an cothrom

?Am

Thuirt e

faighear

gum

nach

fhaighear

Ràdh - Saying (Root = Abair) (The regular verb Cantainn - Saying is preferred in the future. Theirear

Cha

?Nach ?An

Thuirt e

abrar

gun

nach


facal

Ruigsinn - Reaching, Arriving (Root =Ruig) Ruigear Cha ?Nach ruigear

dhachaigh

DM ©

?An

Thuirt e

gun

nach


Thigear

Cha

?Nach ?An

Thuirt e

tigear

dhachaigh

gun

nach

Toirt - Taking, Giving (+ preposition do) (Root = Thoir)

Bheirear

Cha

?Nach ?An

Thuirt e

toirear

dhachaigh

gun

nach

See Appendix 5 for the active voice of the future tense of the irregular verbs.


SUPPLEMENT 6 Parsing The Conditional Tense Of Irregular Verbs The Passive Voice Of The Verb

DM ©

(Intransitive verbs can never be passive and must be regarded as impersonal forms) Where an alternative form exists the most commonly used is given first All irregular verbs are given even although Beir - Catch, Cluinn - Hear, Dèan - 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. Breith - Catching, Bearing, Grasping (Root = Beir)

Bheirte=Bheiriste

Cha

bheirte=bheiriste

?Nach ?Am

Thuirt e

gum

orra

beirte=beiriste

nach


Chluinnte=Chluinniste

Cha

chluinnte=chluinniste

?Nach ?An

Thuirt e

gun

ceòl

cluinnte=cluinniste

nach


Dhèante=Dhèanaiste

Cha

?Nach ?An

Thuirt e

dèante=dèanaiste

gun

nach


an dìnnear

Dol - Going (Root = Rach) Rachte=Dheighte/ Dheighiste † Cha dhachaigh

DM ©

?Nach ?An

Thuirt e

rachte=deighte/deighiste †

gun

nach

† the forms based on Dheigh-/deigh- are limited mainly to the Lewis dialect. Faicinn - Seeing (Root = Faic)

Chìte=Chithiste

Chan

?Nach

fhaicte=fhaiciste

an tubaist

?Am

Thuirt e

faicte=faiciste

gum

nach

fhaicte=fhaiciste


Gheibhte=Gheibhiste

Cha

?Nach ?Am

Thuirt e

gum

nach

fhaighte=fhaighiste

an cothrom

faighte=faighiste

fhaighte=fhaighiste

Ràdh - Saying (Root = Abair) (The regular verb Cantainn - Saying is preferred in the future.

Theirte=Theiriste

Cha

?Nach ?An

Thuirt e

abairte=abairiste

gun


facal

Ruigsinn - Reaching, Arriving (Root =Ruig) Ruigte=Ruigiste Cha ?Nach ruigte=ruigiste

dhachaigh

DM ©

?An

Thuirt e

gun

nach


Thigte=Thigiste

Cha

?Nach ?An

Thuirt e

tigte=tigiste

dhachaigh

gun

nach

Toirt - Taking, Giving (+ preposition do) (Root = Thoir) An alternative less used vernacular form given.

Bheirte=Bheiriste/ Thugte=Thugaiste

Cha

?Nach ?An

Thuirt e

toirte=toiriste/ tugte=tugaiste

dhachaigh

gun

nach

See Appendix 6 for the active voice of the conditional tense of the irregular verbs.


APPENDIX 5 Parsing The Future Tense Of Irregular Verbs The Active Voice Of The Verb

DM ©

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.As with regular verbs any independent forms ending in -idh take the second person singular pronoun tu instead of thu.The future tense also conveys the Habitual Present mood. Breith - Catching, Bearing, Grasping (Root = Beir) Beiridh

Cha

bheir

?Nach ?Am

Thuirt e

beir

gum

mi, thu, e, i sinn, sibh, iad Mòrag am balach na daoine

orra


ceòl


an dìnnear

nach


Cluinnidh

Cha

chluinn

?Nach ?An

Thuirt e

cluinn

gun

nach


Nì

Cha

?Nach ?An

Thuirt e

dèan

gun

nach


Dol - Going (Root = Rach) Thèid Cha ?Nach tèid

dhachaigh


an tubaist

DM ©

?An


Thuirt e

gun

nach


Chì

Chan

fhaic

?Nach ?Am

Thuirt e

faic

gum

nach

fhaic

Faighinn - Getting, Obtaining (Root = Faigh) (The regular verb Cantainn - Saying is preferred in the future tense) Gheibh

Cha

?Nach ?Am

Thuirt e

fhaigh

faigh

gum

nach


an cothrom


facal

fhaigh


Their

Cha

?Nach ?An

Thuirt e

abair

gun

nach


Ruigsinn - Reaching, Arriving (Root =Ruig) Ruigidh Cha ?Nach ruig

dhachaigh


dhachaigh


rud dhan chù

DM ©

?An


Thuirt e

gun

nach


Thig

Cha

?Nach ?An

Thuirt e

tig

gun

nach

Toirt - Taking, Giving (+ preposition do) (Root = Thoir) Bheir

Cha

?Nach ?An

Thuirt e

toir

gun

nach

See Supplement 5 for the passive voice of the future tense of the irregular verbs.


APPENDIX 6 Parsing The Conditional Tense Of Irregular Verbs The Active Voice Of The Verb

DM ©

All irregular verbs are given even although Beir - Catch, Cluinn - Hear and Ruig - Reach/ 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. Breith - Catching, Bearing, Grasping (Root = Beir) Bheireadh

Cha

tu, e, i sinn, sibh, iad Mòrag am balach na daoine

bheireadh

?Nach ?Am gum

Thuirt e

beireadh

nach gum

beirinn

?Am

?Nach Cha

bheirinn

Bheirinn


orra

Cluinntinn - Hearing (Root = Cluinn) Chuinneadh Cha

chluinneadh

?Nach

DM ©

?An


gun

Thuirt e

cluinneadh

nach gun

ceòl

cluinninn

?An

?Nach Cha

chluinninn

Chluinninn


Dhèanadh

Cha

?Nach ?An

dèanadh

gun

Thuirt e


nach gun

?An

dèanainn

?Nach Cha

Dhèanainn


an dìnnear

Dol - Going (Root = Rach) Rachadh/ Dheigheadh † Cha

DM ©

?Nach


rachadh/deigheadh †

?An gun

Thuirt e

nach

dhachaigh

gun

?An

rachainn/deighinn †

?Nach Cha

Rachainn/Dheighinn †

† the forms based on Dheigh-/deigh- are limited mainly to the Lewis dialect. Faicinn - Seeing (Root = Faic)

Chitheadh

Cha

?Nach ?Am gum

Thuirt e

nach


fhaiceadh

faiceadh

fhaiceadh

fhaicinn

gum

faicinn

?Am

?Nach

fhaicinn

Cha

Chithinn


an tubaist

Faighinn - Getting, Obtaining (Root = Faigh) Gheibheadh Cha ?Nach

DM ©

?Am


fhaigheadh

gum

Thuirt e

nach

faigheadh

fhaigheadh

fhaighinn

gum

an cothrom

faighinn

?Am

?Nach

fhaighinn

Cha

Gheibhinn

Ràdh - Saying (Root = Abair) The regular verb Cantainn - Saying is preferred in the conditional tense. Theireadh

Cha

?Nach ?An

abradh

gun

Thuirt e


nach gun

?An

abrainn

?Nach Cha

Theirinn


facal

Ruigsinn - Reaching, Arriving (Root =Ruig) Ruigeadh tu, e, i sinn, sibh, iad Mòrag am balach na daoine

Cha ?Nach ruigeadh

DM ©

?An gun

Thuirt e

nach

dhachaigh

gun

?An

ruiginn

?Nach Cha

Ruiginn


Thigeadh


Cha

?Nach ?An

tigeadh

gun

Thuirt e

nach gun

?An

tiginn

?Nach Cha

Thiginn


dhachaigh

Toirt - Taking, Giving (+ preposition do) (Root = Thoir) An alternative less used vernacular form given. Bheireadh/Thugadh Cha

DM ©

?Nach


?An

toireadh/tugadh

gun

Thuirt e

nach

rud dhan chù

gun

?An

toirinn/tugainn

?Nach Cha

Bheirinn/Thugainn

See Supplement 6 for the passive voice of the conditional tense of the irregular verbs.


APPENDIX 7 Parsing The Present Tense Of The Assertive Verb The terms subject and object are used in the sense of the English meaning.

DM ©

A. The Present Tense (With pronoun subject and definite object) Is/'S

Cha § ?An

?Nach

Thuirt e

gur

nach

mise †‡ tusa† esan ise

an dotair

sinne sibhse iadsan

na dotairean

† 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

dotair

mi thu e i

dotairean

sinn sibh iad

Is/'S

Cha † ?An

?Nach

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

a tha

annam annad ann innte

a tha

annainn annaibh annta

Is/'S

dotair

Chan ?An

e

?Nach

Thuirt e

gur

dotairean

nach


D. The Present Tense (With noun subject and definite noun object) Is/'S Chan ?An

e

an dotair

DM ©

?Nach

Calum Mòrag † a' chaileag † am balach

Thuirt e

gur

nach

† i may be used in place of e for feminine subjects.

E. The Present Tense (With noun subject and indefinite noun object). Is/'S Chan ?An

e

?Nach

Thuirt e

dotair

a tha

gur

ann am Mòrag ann an Calum anns a' chaileig anns a' bhalach

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

Chan † ?An

iasg

?Nach

Thuirt e

gur

nach

† Cha becomes Chan before a vowel.


bradan

G. The Present Tense (Definite noun subject and adjective) High register form becoming less common in the spoken language Is/'S Cha † ?An

am bradan

DM ©

mòr

?Nach gur

Thuirt e

nach

† 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 Chan ?An

?Nach

Thuirt e

ann

mòr

a tha

gur

nach


am bradan

APPENDIX 8 Parsing The Past Tense Of The Assertive Verb

DM ©

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 ‡

Cha

?Am

?Nach

Thuirt e

bu ‡

gum

nach

mhise † tusa esan ise

an dotair

sinne sibhse iadsan

na dotairean

† 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

dotair

mi thu e i

dotairean

sinn sibh iad

Bu †

Cha

?Am

?Nach

Thuirt e

bu †

gum

nach

† Bu will lenite a following word beginning with b, f, m, p, c, or g.


C. The Past Tense (With pronoun subject and indefinite object). Preferred spoken form to B B' e † dotair

Cha

a bha

DM ©

?Am

?Nach

Thuirt e

b' e †

gum

dotairean

a bha

nach

annam annad ann innte

annainn annaibh annta

† 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

Cha

?Am

?Nach

Thuirt e

b' e

gum

Calum Mòrag † a' chaileag † am balach

an dotair

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 †

a bha

Cha

?Am

?Nach

Thuirt e

dotair

b' e †

gum

a bha

ann am Mòrag ann an Calum anns a' chaileig anns a' bhalach

nach

† The Present Tense is frequently used in the spoken language. The sense coming from the subordinate clause's verb and tense.


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 † Cha ?Am

iasg

DM © ?Nach

Thuirt e

bu †

bradan

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 †

Cha

?Am

?Nach

Thuirt e

mhòr †

bu †

am bradan

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' †

Cha

?Am

?Nach

Thuirt e

ann

mòr

a bha

am bradan

b' †

gum

nach

† The Present Tense is frequently used in the spoken language. The sense coming from the subordinate clause's verb and tense.


APPENDIX 9 Declension of 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 Singular Definite Noun

Changes >>>

Dative Singular Definite Noun ‡

Genitive Singular Definite Noun

an t-òran - the song

Nouns beginning with a vowel lose the t- from the definite article: an t- >> an

anns an òran - in the song

deireadh an òrain - the end of the song

anns a' bhainne - in the milk

uachdar a' bhainne - the top of the milk

DM ©

Nominative Article

The article is an t- before nouns beginning with a vowel

am bainne - the milk

The article is am feasgar - the anns an fheasgar - in the am before evening evening Nouns beginning with b, f, nouns beginning air a' mhonadh - on the m, p, c or g all lenite. with am monadh - the moor moor The definite article b, f, m, or p changes from am/an to a' anns a' phàipear - in the am pàipear - the paper ‡ except for f where it paper remains an anns a' chàise - in the an càise - the cheese cheese

The article is an before all other nouns

blàths an fheasgair - the warmth of the evening fraoch a' mhonaidh - the heather of the moor dath a' phàipeir - the colour of the paper

blas a' chàise - the taste of the cheese

an gille - the boy

air a' ghille - on the boy

màthair a' ghille - the mother of the boy

an duine - the man

aig an duine - at the man

bean an duine - the wife of the man

an leabhar - the book

anns an leabhar - in the house

còmhdach an leabhair - the cover of the book

an nead - the nest

anns an nead

am broinn an nid - inside the nest

ris an sgoilear - to the pupil

leabhar an sgoileir - the book of the pupil

leis an smal - with the stain

dath an smail - the colour of the stain

Nouns beginning with d, t, l, n, r, sg, sm, sp or an sgoilear - the pupil st show no initial change. The definite article remains an an smal - 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

air an t-slaod - on the sledge

meud an t-slaoid - the size of the sledge

an sneachd - the snow an sreath - the row an saoghal

anns an t-sneachd - in the fuachd an t-sneachda - the Nouns beginning with cold of the snow snow sl, sn, sr, or s+vowel add t- to the definite article: deireadh an t-sreatha anns an t-sreath an >> an tthe end of the row 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. Page 1 dm© - Chan fhaodar na leasanan seo ath-riochdachadh gun chead bhon ùghdar dm© - These lessons may not be reproduced without permission from the author

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

Nominative & Dative Article

Nominative Singular Definite Noun

Dative Singular Definite Noun ‡ §

DM ©

Definite Noun †

<<< Changes

ceann na slaite - the end of the rod

rinn na snàthaid(e) - the point of the needle

taobh na sràide - the side of the street

an t-slat - the rod

an t-snàthad - the The article is an tneedle before nouns beginning with sl, sn, an t-sràid - the street sr, or s+vowel

leis an t-slait - with the rod air an t-snàthaid - on the needle

air an t-sràid - on the street

boladh na seòbhraich(e) - the fragrance of the primrose

an t-seòbhrach - the primrose

anns an t-seòbhraich in the primrose

àirde na beinne - the height of the mountain

a' bheinn - the mountain

air a' bheinn - on the mountain

mullach na cruaiche - the top of the stack

sgiath na faoileig(e) - the wing of the gull

earball na gearra - the tail of the hare fuachd na mòintich(e) - the cold of the moor

làmh na poite - the handle of the pot

meadhan na dùthcha - the middle the country

The article is a' anns a' chruaich - in a' chruach - the stack before nouns the stack beginning with ris an fhaoileig - to the an fhaoileag - the gull b, f, m, p, c or g gull but an before nouns air a' gheàrr - on the beginning with f. All a' gheàrr - the hare The genitive hare these nouns are singular article is a' mhòinteach - the air a' mhòintich - on lenited. na (na h- before moor the moor a vowel) for all anns a' phoit - in the a' phoit - the pot nouns. There is no pot initial change an dùthaich - the air an dùthaich - in the before the nouns. country country

cùl na làimhe - the back of the hand

dreasa na nighinn(e) - the dress of the girl

doras na sgoile - the door of the school

blas na smeura - the taste of the bramble faobhar na speala - the edge of the scythe

an làmh - the hand

leis an làimh - by the hand

leis an nighinn - with an nighean - the girl Nouns beginning the girl with d, t, l, n, r, sg, anns an sgoil - in the an sgoil - the school sm, sp or st or a school vowel show no initial anns an smeur - in the change. The article an smeur - the bramble bramble is an before all an speal -the scythe leis an speal - with the these nouns. 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. Page 2 dm© - Chan fhaodar na leasanan seo ath-riochdachadh gun chead bhon ùghdar dm© - These lessons may not be reproduced without permission from the author

APPENDIX 1 Prepositions Pronouns Prepositions have conjugated forms with personal pronouns. The first element is the simple preposition, followed by the personal pronoun:

me

you

him

her

us

you

them

aig

agam

agad

aige

aice

againn

agaibh

aca

at, possession

orm

ort

air

oirre

oirnn

oirbh

orra

on

annam

annad

ann

innte

annainn

annaibh

annta

in, into, exist as

asam

asad

às

aiste

asainn

asaibh

asta

out of, from a place

bhuam /uam

bhuat /uat

bhuaithe /uaithe

bhuaipe /uaipe

bhuainn /uainn

bhuaibh /uaibh

bhuapa /uapa

from

dhìom

dhìot

dheth

dhith

dhinn

dhibh

dhiubh

of, off

dhomh

dhut

dha

dhì

dhuinn

dhuibh

dhaibh

to, for

eadarainn

eadaraibh

eatarra

between, both

air ann

às

bho/o de do/dha eadar fo gu le mu thar † ri ro tro

DM ©

Click on preposition below for idioms

Preposition

Personal Pronoun

Preposition

fodham

fodhad

fodha

foipe

fodhainn

fodhaibh

fòpa

under

thugam

thugad

thuige

thuice

thugainn

thugaibh

thuca

to,toward

leam

leat

leis

leatha

leinn

leibh

leotha

with, ownership

umam

umad

uime

uimpe

umainn

umaibh

umpa

about

tharam

tharad

thairis

thairte

tharainn

tharaibh

tharta

over

rium

riut

ris

rithe

rinn

ribh

riutha

to, against

romham

romhad

roimhe

roimhpe

romhainn

romhaibh

romhpa

before

tromham

tromhad

troimhe

troimhpe tromhainn

tromhaibh

tromhpa

through

mi

thu

e

sibh

iad

i

sinn

Personal Pronoun

Preposition

† 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

thairis air

Personal Pronoun

me

thairis orm

you

him

thairis ort thairis air

her

us

you

them

thairis oirre

thairis oirnn

thairis oirbh

thairis orra


Preposition

over

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: agamsa

agadsa

aigesan

aicese

againne

agaibhse

acasan

air

ormsa

ortsa

airsan

oirrese

oirnne

oirbhse

orrasan

ann às bho de do eadar

DM ©

aig

annamsa

annadsa

annsan

inntese

annainne

annaibhse

anntasan

asamsa

asadsa

às-san

aistese

asainne

asaibhse

astasan

bhuamsa

bhuatsa

bhuaithesan

bhuaipese

bhuainne

bhuaibhse

bhuapasan

dhìomsa

dhìotsa

dhethsan

dhithse

dhinne

dhibhse

dhiubhsan

dhomhsa

dhutsa

dhasan

dhìse

dhuinne

dhuibhse

dhaibhsan

eadarainne

eadaraibhse

eatarrasan

fo

fodhamsa

fodhadsa

fodhasan

foipese

fodhainne

fodhaibhse

fòpasan

gu

thugamsa

thugadsa

thuigesan

thuicese

thugainne

thugaibhse

thucasan

le

leamsa

leatsa

leis-san

leathase

leinne

leibhse

leothasan

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

mu


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:

me

you

him

her

us

you

them

aig

gam

gad

ga

ga

gar

gur

gan/gam

at, possession

nam

nad

na

na

nar

nur

nan/nam

in, into, exist as

(bh)om

(bh)od

(bh)o

(bh)o

(bh)or

(bh)or

(bh)on/(bh)om

from

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

dham

dhad

dha

dha

dhar

dhur

dhan/dham

dom

dod

do

do

dar

dur

dan/dam

fom

fod

fo

fo

for

for

fon/fom

under

gam

gad

ga

ga

gar

gur

gan/gam

to,toward

lem

led

le

le

ler

ler

len/lem

with, ownership

mum

mud

ma

ma

mar

mur

mun/mum

about

rim

rid

ri

ri

rir

rir

rin/rim

to, against

rom

rod

ro

ro

ror

ror

ron/rom

before

trom

trod

tro

tro

tror

tror

tron/trom

through

mo

do

a

a

ar

ur

an/am

ann (bh)o d(h)e dha do fo gu le mu ri ro tro

DM ©

Click on preposition below for idioms

Preposition

Possessive Adjective

Possessive Adjective


Preposition

to, for

Preposition

APPENDIX 2 Parsing The Tenses Of The Verb TO BE The Active Voice Of The Verb The Present Tense

DM ©

Tha

Chan

?Nach

Thuirt e

eil

nach gu

bheil

?A

bheil


sgìth

The Past Tense

Bha

Cha

?Nach ?An

Thuirt e

robh

gun


sgìth

nach


Bidh †

Cha

bhi ‡

?Nach ?Am

Thuirt e

gum

bi $

mi, thu *, e, i sinn, sibh, iad Mòrag am balach na daoine

sgìth

nach

† Bithidh, ‡ bhith and $ bith are preferred in stressed situations* tu is often used after Bidh


The Conditional Tense/The Past Habitual Mood Bhiodh † Cha


bhiodh †

?Nach

DM ©

?Am gum

Thuirt e

biodh ‡

nach gum

bithinn

?Am

?Nach Cha

bhithinn

Bhithinn

† Bhitheadh and * bitheadh are preferred in stressed situations. See Supplement 2 for the passive voice of the verb To Be.


sgìth

APPENDIX 3 Parsing The Tenses Of Regular Verbs The Active Voice Of The Verb

DM ©

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

Cha

?Nach ?An

Thuirt e

do bhuail

gun


am bòrd


am bòrd

nach


Buailidh †

Cha

?Nach ?Am

Thuirt e

buail

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.


The Conditional Tense/The Past Habitual Mood Bhuaileadh † Cha

bhiodh †

?Nach

DM ©

?Am


bhuaileadh

gum

Thuirt e

nach gum

am bòrd

buailinn

?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

Cha

?Nach ?An

Thuirt e

do dh'ith

gun


a' bhriosgaid


a' bhriosgaid

nach


Ithidh †

Chan

?Nach ?An

Thuirt e

ith

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. Òlaidh


The Conditional Tense/The Past Habitual Mood Dh'itheadh † Chan


bhiodh †

?Nach

DM ©

?An

itheadh

gun

Thuirt e

nach

a' bhriosgaid

gun

?An

ithinn

?Nach Chan

Dh'ithinn

† Ending will be -adh for verb root with final broad vowel, e.g. Dh'òladh Verbs beginning with F The Past Tense

Dh'fhill

Cha

?Nach ?An

Thuirt e

do dh'fhill

gun


am pàipear


a' bhriosgaid

nach


Fillidh †

Chan

?Nach ‡

Thuirt e

fhill

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. Fàgaidh.‡ it is common in the spoken language to lenite f after nach. Page 3 dm© - Chan fhaodar na leasanan seo ath-riochdachadh gun chead bhon ùghdar dm© - These lessons may not be reproduced without permission from the author

The Conditional Tense/The Past Habitual Mood Dh'fhilleadh † Chan ?Nach ‡

DM ©

?Am


fhilleadh

gum

Thuirt e

nach

filleadh

fhilleadh

fhillinn

gum

a' bhriosgaid

fillinn

?Am

?Nach

fhillinn

Chan

Dh'fhillinn

† The ending will be -adh for verb root with final broad vowel, e.g. Dh'fhàgadh. ‡ it is common in the spoken language to lenite f after nach. See Supplement 3 for the passive voice of the regular verbs.


APPENDIX 4 Parsing The Past Tense Of Irregular Verbs The Active Voice Of The Verb Breith - Catching, Bearing, Grasping (Root = Beir)

DM ©

Rug

Cha

?Nach ?An

Thuirt e

do rug=d'rug

gun


orra


ceòl


an dìnnear


dhachaigh

nach


Chuala

Cha

chuala

?Nach ?An

Thuirt e

cuala

gun

nach


Rinn

Cha

?Nach ?An

Thuirt e

do rinn=d'rinn

gun

nach

Dol - Going (Root = Rach)

Chaidh

Cha

?Nach ?An

Thuirt e

deach

gun


Faicinn - Seeing (Root = Faic) Chunnaic Chan

fhaca

?Nach

an tubaist


an cothrom


facal


dhachaigh

DM ©

?Am


Thuirt e

faca

gum

nach

fhaca


Fhuair

Cha

?Nach ?An

Thuirt e

d'fhuair

gun

nach


Thuirt †

Cha

?Nach ?An

Thuirt e

tuirt †

gun

nach

† Thubhairt and tubhairt are emphatic forms. Ruigsinn - Reaching, Arriving (Root =Ruig)

Ràinig

Cha

?Nach ?An

Thuirt e

do ràinig=d'ràinig

gun

nach


Tighinn - Coming (Root = Thig) Thàinig Cha ?Nach tàinig

dhachaigh


rud dhan chù

DM ©

?An


Thuirt e

gun

nach

Toirt - Taking, Giving (+ preposition do) (Root = Thoir) Thug

Cha

?Nach ?An

Thuirt e

tug

gun

nach

See Supplement 4 for the passive voice of the past tense of the irregular verbs.


Pronunciation Guide Vowel Sounds Short Vowels

a

e

i

o u

Nearest English Imitation

Gàidhlig Samples


DM ©

Gàidhlig Samples

Long Vowels

fad ball, bann § lagh ‡ adhbhar ‡ sabhal ‡ balla †

bat cow burn burn saw father

dheth set teth rate baile † father

sir feet tinn, till § king

bog bowl orra modest tonn, toll, tom§ cow guth full

bàn far

a

e

i

dè fame fèath shed sìn me

o

òr fawn bò bold

u

ùr 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


Diphthongs Based on Short Vowels Gàidhlig Samples


Gàidhlig Samples

tais bat tairbh hit -aidh (terminal) see

ai

ao

ea

ei eo eu ia io iu oi ua ui


fàilte far ‡ dàimh eye

DM ©

ai

Based on Long Vowels

* lean, beatha set ** dealt, eala yak § ceann, geall yowl (ok so its not a real word)

daor burn but longer, like French fleur

ceàrr yard

ea

deich rate

ei

cèile fame

deoch yonder

eo

eòlas yawl

† feur seer ceum fame

eu

ciall seer

ia

ciont yucca iomlan sit

io

diugh yule

iu

iùl you

cois modest cloimh boy

oi

tòisich fawn clòimh cloister

fuar fluent

ua

sluig full tuinn, tuill suing

ui

fìor seer

dùil poor

‡ diphthong ài 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 (set) is only found preceding a single consonant (or its lenited equivalent) § short vowels are nasalised before terminal nn & ll


Consonants

Gàidhlig Samples

b bh

c

ch chd d

dh

f

Slender Consonants Two Gàidhlig Samples are given where E & I have distinct influences on preceding consonants. Further Gàidhlig Samples indicate where the non-initial consonant is different Gàidhlig

DM ©

Broad Consonants A, O, & U have similar influences on consonants. Further Gàidhlig Samples indicate where the non-initial consonant is different


Gàidhlig Samples

bàn bar obair top

b

bhàn van § sabhal saw

bh

cat cot bac loch+k sound

bochd

beò beauty bith bee

bheò view bhith via ceò kew cìr key taic like German Ich+k

c

chat loch as spoken by a Scot

cheò like German Ich chìr

ch

loch+k

dà door sad softer d but no real equivalent

d

dhà guttural g but no real equivalent § adhbhar silent but affects preceding vowel

deàrrs jew dìth jig dheth yes

dh †

fàn fan

f

feàrr few fìon feel

fh

fhìon silent except in fhèin, fhathast and fhuair

fhàn silent

fh



Gàidhlig Samples

gh l ‡ ll

m mh n ‡

nn

ng p ph r ‡ s sh t th

Gàidhlig Samples

gon got sgar, rag scar, rack

g


geàrr ague gin give sgeul, gèig scale, tick

DM ©

g


ghon guttural g but no equivalent là close to ball

ghin yes

gh † l ‡

toll weak l preceded by a nasal ow but no real equivalent

till million

ll

mòr mop

mhòr vole § samhradh how

na close to nap

lìon lure

m

meall mew mìn meal

mh

mheall view mhìn veal

n ‡

nigh new

tonn weak n preceded by a nasal ow but no real equivalent

tinn pinion

nn

trang longitude pos pan

p

phos fan

rag trilled r but no real equivalent

peann pew

pheann few

r ‡

ris soft r but no real equivalent

son so

s

sìn she

shon hoe

sh

sheall hew

tum toe

t

thum hoe

th

tìr chew

thìr hew

† 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 Gàidhlig § bh, dh, gh & mh very often lose their consonant qualities when preceded by an unaccented a or o


Gaelic Lessons

Recommend Documents