Gaelic Lessons

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©�LESSON 1�

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

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 blàth - warm�fliuch - wet fuar - cold�leisg - lazy, reluctant, loath mòr - big, large�sgìth - tired tioram - dry�trang - busy snog - nice�toilichte - pleased, happy�

Nouns�là - day fear - male, man�

Pronouns�mi - I, me sinn - we, us�thu - you (singular, familiar) sibh - you (plural, formal)�e - he, him, it iad - they, them�i - she, her, it�



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©�EXERCISE 1 Translate into English�

1. Tha mi 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�



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©�5. Nach eil iad leisg?�

6. A bheil sibh fuar?�

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 �

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�

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� 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�



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©�LESSON 2�

Part 1 - Some Simple Adverbs�

The adjective�uabhasach - terrible/awful� is often used to convey the meaning�very�when�used with another adjective:�Tha e uabhasach 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 uabhasach - terrible, awful, very�Adverbs�cho - so glè - very�ro - too, excessively�

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�



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©�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? Chan eil - No Tha - Yes�Nach eil iad àrd - Aren't they tall? Chan eil - No Tha - Yes�

In the past tense:�An robh sibh trang? - Were you busy? Cha robh - No Bha - Yes�Nach robh i leisg? - Wasn't she lazy? Cha robh - No Bha - Yes�

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�



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©�5. Nach robh am fear leisg?�

6. Bha iad trang agus toilichte�7. Bha an là fliuch ach blàth�8. An robh thu blàth? Bha�9. Nach eil iad snog? Chan eil�

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�

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 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 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 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�

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LESSON 3The Nominative Case of Nouns

This is the basic form used when the noun is either the subject or the direct object in asentence.E.g. in English:boy as subject The boy is coldboy as direct object I saw the boy

There is no word for a or an in Gàidhlig. All indefinite nouns are simply entered without anarticle. Nouns are considered to be either masculine or feminine, you will see these in theNEW WORDS and Vocabulary sections as either (m) or (f) respectively:doras (m) - door eaglais (f) - churchbalach (m) - boy leabaidh (f) - bedtaigh (m) - house caileag (f) - girl

Masculine NounsThe masculine nominative nouns have the definite article as an t- before a vowel; am beforewords beginning with b, f, m, or p; and an in all other instances:An t-òran ‡ - The song An t-each ‡ - The horseAm balach - The boy Am peann - The penAn duine - The man An seòmar - The room

‡ The omission of the initial t- is not uncommon in colloquial speech

Feminine NounsFeminine nominative nouns beginning with b, f, m, p, c or g are all lenited with the definitearticle a' (or an with lenited f). Words beginning with sl, sn, sr or s+vowel have the definitearticle as an t-. In all other instances the definite article is an:A' chaileag - The girl An fhearg - The angerAn t-snàthad - The needle An t-sìth - The peaceAn 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 handAn sgàthan (m) - The mirror An sgian (f) - The knifeAn nead (m) - The nest An nighean (f) - The daughter

PluralsThe nominative plural definite article in all cases is na:Na taighean (m) - The houses Na caileagan (f) - The girls



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

NEW WORDSAdjectivesfalamh - empty geur - sharpglan - clean ìosal - lowsalach - dirty teth - hot

Nounsbalach (m) - boy bàta (m) - boatdoras (m) - door duine (m) - person, husbandeach (m) - horse gille (m) - ladlàr (m) - floor leabhar (m) - bookloch (m) - loch nead (m) - nestòran (m) - song peann (m) - penrathad (m) - road seòmar (m) - roomsgàthan (m) - mirror taigh (m) - houseteine (m) - fire abhainn (f) - rivercaileag (f) - girl eaglais (f) - churchfearg (f) - anger làmh (f) - handleabaidh (f) - bed litir (f) - letternighean (f) - girl, daughter oidhche (f) - nightsgian (f) - knife sgoil (f) - schoolsìth (f) - peace snàthad (f) - needle

EXERCISE 1 Translate into English1. Chan eil an sgoil glè ghlan2. Tha an eaglais fuar3. An robh an sgian geur? Cha robh4. A bheil an litir mòr? Chan eil5. Tha am peann tioram6. Nach eil an loch ìosal? Tha7. Tha an t-snàthad glè gheur8. Bha an nead falamh9. A bheil an seòmar blàth? Chan eil10. Cha robh an t-òran snog

EXERCISE 2 Translate into Gàidhlig1. Was the book small? No2. The lad is terribly tired3. Is the door dry?4. The floor wasn't wet



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5. The mirror isn't clean6. The peace was nice (good)7. Wasn't the house empty? Yes8. The fire was hot9. The hand was wet10. Isn't the night cold? Yes11. The bed wasn't clean12. The girl wasn't too happy13. The anger was great

LESSON 3: ANSWERS 11. The school isn't very clean2. The church is cold3. Was the knife sharp? No4. Is the letter big? No5. The pen is dry6. Isn't the loch low? Yes7. The needle is very sharp8. The nest was empty9. Is the room warm? No10. The song wasn't nice

LESSON 3: ANSWERS 21. An robh an leabhar beag? Cha robh2. Tha an gille uabhasach sgìth3. A bheil an doras tioram?4. Cha robh an làr fliuch5. Chan eil an sgàthan glan6. Bha an t-sìth math7. Nach robh an taigh falamh? Bha8. Bha an teine teth9. Bha an làmh fliuch10. Nach eil an oidhche fuar? Tha11. Cha robh an leabaidh glan12. Cha robh a' chaileag ro thoilichte13. Bha an fhearg mòr



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LESSON 4Introduction to Adjectives

You saw in Lesson 1 that adjectives can be used predicately, following the verb To Be. Theadjective never changes in this situation:Masculine noun Tha am balach beag - The boy is smallFeminine noun Tha a' chaileag beag - The girl is smallPlural 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 directlydescribes. This is called the attribute position. For nominative (basic) forms of nouns theseare as follows:Masculine singular (no change in adjective) Gille mòr - A big lad An gille mòr - The big ladFeminine singular (lenite adjective if possible) † Caileag mhòr - A big girl A' chaileag mhòr - The big girlPlural 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 narrowvowel (i.e. i or e) then the following syllable must begin with a narrow vowel. Similarly if asyllable ends in a broad vowel (i.e. a, o or u) then the following syllable must begin with abroad vowel. Hence mòr >> mòra, glic (wise) >> glice.

The adjectives seo - this/these and sin - that/those never change in any position:Masculinean gille seo - this lad an gille sin - that ladan gille mòr seo - this big lad an gille mòr sin - that big ladna gillean seo - these lads na gillean sin - those ladsna gillean mòra seo - these big lads na gillean mòra sin - those big lads

Femininea' chaileag seo - this girl a' chaileag sin - that girla' chaileag bheag seo - this small girl a' chaileag bheag sin - that small girlna caileagan seo - these girls na caileagan sin - those girlsna caileagan beaga seo - these small girls na caileagan beaga sin - those small girls



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As nouns have either masculine or feminine gender in Gàidhlig. So when you want to describesomething using its pronoun you must refer to it by either e or i for masculine and femininenouns respectively. Both mean it:

Masculine pronoun Tha an seòmar fuar - The room is cold Tha e fuar - It is coldFeminine pronoun Tha an eaglais fuar - The church is cold Tha i fuar - It is cold

NEW WORDSAdjectivesdearg - red dona - badfada - long goirid - shortgorm - blue, verdant green math - goodinntinneach - interesting seo - thissin - that tinn - ill, sickùr - new

Pronounse - it (masculine subject) i - it (feminine subject)

EXERCISE 1 Translate into English1. Chan eil an sgoil mhòr cho glan2. Tha an eaglais bheag làn3. An robh an sgian ùr geur? Cha robh4. Bha am peann gorm tioram5. Tha an litir seo inntinneach6. Bha an taigh sin falamh7. Tha an snàthad gheur salach8. Tha an gille dona sin leisg9. An robh an seòmar beag blàth? Cha robh10. Cha robh a' chaileag bheag tinn

EXERCISE 2 Translate into Gàidhlig1. Was the small book wet? No2. The long river was very dirty3. Was the new door dry?4. The short floor was wet5. That dirty mirror isn't new6. The long peace was good7. Was the house not empty? Yes8. The hot fire was very good9. That red hand is wet10. The long night was cold11. The blue boat isn't full



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12. The bad girl wasn't pleased13. That man is dry and warm14. That long loch was high

LESSON 4: ANSWERS 11. The big school isn't so clean2. The small church is full3. Was the new knife sharp? No4. The blue pen was dry5. This letter is interesting6. That house was empty7. The sharp needle is dirty8. That bad lad is lazy9. Was the small room warm? No10. The little girl wasn't ill

LESSON 4: ANSWERS 21. An robh an leabhar beag fliuch? Cha robh2. Bha an abhainn fhada glè shalach3. An robh an doras ùr tioram?4. Bha an làr goirid fliuch5. Chan eil an sgàthan salach sin ùr6. Bha an t-sìth fhada math7. Nach robh an taigh falamh? Bha8. Bha an teine teth glè mhath9. Tha an làmh dhearg sin fliuch10. Bha an oidhche fhada fuar11. Chan eil am bàta gorm làn12. Cha robh a' chaileag dhona toilichte13. Tha am fear sin tioram agus blàth14. Bha an loch fada sin àrd



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©�LESSON 5�

Introduction to the Simple Prepositions�

To help recognise trends the Simple Prepositions are best placed into distinct groups:�

Group 1�aig - at air - on�

aig doras - at a door air leabaidh - on a bed� aig an doras - at the door air an leabaidh - on the bed�

gun - without mar - as, like� gun chù - without a dog�*� mar dhuine - like a man�*� gun an cù - without the dog mar an duine - like the man�

�*�mar� and�gun� lenite indefinite nouns except those beginning with�l�,� n�,� r�,� sg�,� sm�,� sp�or� st�. �(You probably recognise these exceptions from Lesson 4 ).�

Group 2�These prepositions all lenite an indefinite noun except those beginning with�l�,� n�,� r�,� sg�,� sm�,� sp�or� st�.�All combine with the singular definite article�an�.�The definite article�an� loses its initial�a�; e.g.�bho + an� >>�bhon�.�

bho/o - from de - of, off� bho leabhar/o leabhar - from a book de theine - of fire� bhon leabhar/on leabhar - from the book den teine�*� - of the fire�

dha/do - to fo - under, below� dha taigh/do thaigh�†� - to a house fo thruinnsear - under a plate� dhan taigh/don taigh - to the house fon truinnsear - under the plate�

mu - about ro - before� mu dhealbh - about a picture ro thubaist - before a accident� mun dealbh - about the picture ron tubaist - before the accident�

tro - through� tro dhoras - through a door� tron doras - through the door�

*�den� often appears as�dhen� in both the spoken and written language.�† dha�does not lenite the following indefinite noun.�do�is the preferred preposition with the�indefinite noun.�



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©�do�has the special reduced form�a� (�a dh'� before a vowel) when used before placenames�:�

a Ghlaschu - to Glasgow a dh'Inbhir Nis - to Inverness�

Group 3�These prepositions have separate forms for definite and indefinite nouns. The prepositions�assume a final�s� before definite articles.�

à (às - with definite noun) - from, out of ann an (anns - with definite noun) - in� à taigh - out of a house ann an leabaidh - in a bed� às an taigh - out of the house ann am bàta - in a boat�*� anns an leabaidh - in the bed�

gu (also: gus - with definite noun) - to, until le (leis - with definite noun) - with, by� gu taigh - to a house le leabhar - with a book� gun taigh (also: gus an taigh) - to the house leis an leabhar - with the book�

ri (ris - with definite noun) - to, at, against� ri 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 dealbh (m) - picture�rùm (m) - room, free space taigh-òsta (m) - hotel�truinnsear (m) - plate �sgeilp (f) - shelf sgeul (f) - story�tubaist (f) - accident toit (f) - smoke�



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©�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)�



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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. He was in the picture of that story�11. The room was dirty with the smoke�12. The boy was in the house�13. There isn't an empty room in this house�



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LESSON 6The Dative Case of Nouns

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

Features in Common with the Nominative CaseDative plural nouns are identical to nominative plural nouns, and the plural definite articleremains na:Masculine plural nouns balaich - boys na balaich - the boys le balaich - with boys leis na balaich - with the boysFeminine 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 NounThe dative indefinite noun is identical to the nominative indefinite noun:Nominative Indefinite Singular Dative Indefinite Singularbòrd - table air bòrd - on a tableleabhar - book le leabhar - with a book

The Definite NounThe masculine dative singular noun undergoes identical initial changes as the femininenominative 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 thenominative definite nouns. Combined forms of the definite article with the simpleprepositions bho, de, do, fo, mu, ro and tro are maintained:Nominative Definite Singular Dative Definite Singularan doras - the door tron doras - through the dooran sgoilear - the pupil leis an sgoilear - with the pupilan taigh - the house aig an taigh - at the house

The definite article of dative nouns beginning with a vowel drop the t- of the nominativedefinite 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 Singularan t-òran - the song leis an òran - with the songan t-ùrlar - the floor fon ùrlar - under the floor



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Dative nouns beginning with sl, sn, sr or s+vowel have t- added to the definite article.Combined forms of the definite article with the simple prepositions bho, de, do, fo, mu, roand tro are maintained:Nominative Definite Singular Dative Definite Singularan seòl - the sail air an t-seòl - on the sailan seòmar - the room anns an t-seòmar - in the rooman sneachd - the snow leis an t-sneachd - with the snowan 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 thedefinite 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 beginningwith f:Nominative Definite Singular Dative Definite Singularam bòrd - the table air a' bhòrd - on the table fon bhòrd - under the tableam feasgar - the evening anns an fheasgar - in the evening den fheasgar - of the eveningam monadh - the moor air a' mhonadh - on the moor dhan mhonadh - to the mooram pàipear - the paper anns a' phàipear - in the paper bhon phàipearan cù - the dog air a' chù - on the dog mun chù - about the dogan gille - the boy ris a' ghille - to the boy ron ghille - before the boyNEW WORDSAdjectivesbòidheach - beautiful brèagha - lovelyciùin - calm donn - brownluath - fast mall - slowstoirmeil - stormy uaine - green

Nounsachadh (m) - field allt (m) - burn (stream)aran (m) - bread baile (m) - townbainne (m) - milk bogsa (m) - boxbòrd (m) - table cèilidh (m) - ceilidhcladach (m) - shore cnoc (m) - hillfalt (m) - hair feasgar (m) - eveningfeur (m) - grass fiadh (m) - deergleann (m) - glen gual (m) - coaliasg (m) - fish ìm (m) - buttermonadh (m) - moor, mountain òran (m) - song



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pàipear (m) - paper ròn (m) -sealsaoghal (m) - world seòl (m) - sailsgoilear (m) - pupil, scholar sneachd (m) - snowsruth (m) - stream uisge (m) -waterùrlar (m) - floor

EXERCISE 1 Translate into English1. Tha caileag bhòidheach anns a' phàipear ann2. Tha an cù donn beag ann fon bhòrd sin3. An robh sibh air a' mhonadh? Bha4. Tha an t-ìm air an aran glè mhath5. Bha ròn ann air a' chladach6. Tha an gleann sin brèagha air là ciùin7. Bha e uabhasach stoirmeil anns an fheasgar8. Chan eil uisge ann anns an t-sruth9. Tha teine math teth ann bhon ghual seo10. An robh e luath leis an t-seòl?11. Bha sìth ann tron t-saoghal12. Tha am bainne bhon fhiadh sin uabhasach math?13. Nach eil aran ùr anns a' bhocsa ann? Tha14. Bha an duine, leis a' chù, cho mall air a' chnoc15. Tha taigh ann thairis air an t-sruth

EXERCISE 2 Translate into Gàidhlig1. The dog is in the box under the table2. There is (some) coal in the stream3. Brown hair is very beautiful4. I was on the road to the town5. A day on the moor is good for you(dhut)6. The floor was wet with water7. There is green grass in the field8. The new house is near the fast burn9. The shore is past the moor10. Are they not going to the ceilidh in the town? No11. There are no fish in the burn (There is not a fish in the burn)12. The table in that room is very nice13. There was water under the table14. The boat was under sail15. There was a seal in the water, and on the shore



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© LESSON 6: ANSWERS 11. There is a beautiful girl in the paper2. The small brown dog is under that table3. Were you on the moor? Yes4. The butter on the bread is very good5. There was a seal on the shore6. That glen is lovely on a calm day7. It was really stormy in the evening8. There is no water in the stream9. There is a good hot fire from this coal10. Was he quick with the sail?11. There was peace through(out) the world12. The milk from that deer is very good?13. Isn't there fresh bread in the box? Yes14. The man, with the dog, was so slow on the hill15. There is a house there over the stream

LESSON 6: ANSWERS 21. Tha an cù anns a' bhogsa fon bhòrd2. Tha gual ann anns an t-sruth3. Tha falt donn glè bhòidheach4. Bha mi air an rathad dhan bhaile5. Tha là air a' mhonadh math dhut6. Bha an làr fliuch le uisge7. Tha feur gorm ann anns an achadh8. Tha an taigh ùr faisg air an allt luath9. Tha an cladach seachad air a' mhonadh10. Nach eil iad a' dol dhan chèilidh anns a' bhaile?

Chan eil11. Chan eil iasg anns an allt ann12. Tha am bòrd anns an t-seòmar sin glè shnog13. Bha uisge ann fon bhòrd14. Bha am bàta fo sheòl15. Bha ròn ann anns an uisge, agus air a' chladach



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LESSON 7The Dative Singular Case of Feminine Nouns

Features in Common with the Nominative Singular NounsThe definite article and definite nouns are identical to nominative singular definite nouns(see Lesson 3).

Features in Common with the Dative Singular Masculine NounsCombined 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 NounsAdditionally, feminine dative singular nouns show a variety of internal modifications. Thesechanges are the same for both definite and indefinite feminine singular nouns. The generalprinciple is to make the final vowel of a word narrow, i.e. an i. This practice is known asslenderisation.

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 areused 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 nominativedefinite singular noun is given as a reference point.

Type 1In monosyllabic nouns a letter i is inserted after the last broad vowel after a change in thefinal broad vowel.Most common changes are a >> oi and o >> ui:Nominative Definite Singular Dative Definite Singular Dative Indefinite Singulara' chas - the leg air a' chois - on the leg air cois - on a legan long - the ship air an luing - on the ship air luing - on a ship

Type 2In both mono- and polysyllabic nouns a letter i is inserted after the broad vowel a:Nominative Definite Singular Dative Definite Singular Dative Indefinite Singularan làmh - the hand air an làimh - on the hand air làimh - on a handa' mharag - the pudding leis a' mharaig - with the pudding le maraig - with a puddingan tò(i)n - the rump air an tòin - on the rump air tòin - on a rump



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Type 3In 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 Singulara' chaileag - the girl aig a' chaileig - at the girl aig caileig - at a girlan uinneag - the window ris an uinneig - against the window ri uinneig - against a window

Type 4The vowel group ea will change to i:Nominative Definite Singular Dative Definite Singular Dative Indefinite Singulara' chailleach - the old woman dhan chaillich - to the old woman do chaillich - to an old womana' chearc - the hen fon chirc - under the hen fo chirc - under a hen

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

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

Type 7There 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 Singulara' chaora - the sheep fon chaora - under the sheep fo chaora - under a sheepan naidheachd - the news leis an naidheachd - with the news le naidheachd - with newsa' 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 Singulara' bhùth - the shop anns a' bhùth - in the shop ann am bùth - in a shopa' bhean - the wife leis a' mhnaoi - with the wife le mnaoi - with a wife

NEW WORDSAdjectivesdubh - black geal - whiteolc - evil sàbhailte - safe

Conjunctionsoir - for, because



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NounsThe datives are given in this lesson. For others see the Vocabulary section.bùth (f) - shop cailleach, caillich (f) - old womancaora (f) - sheep cas, cois (f) - leg,footcearc, circ (f) - hen, chicken cèilidh (f) - ceilidhcrìoch, crìch (f) - end, boundary feannag, feannaig (f) - crowfearg, feirg (f) - anger Gàdhlig (f) - Gàidhlig languagegrian, grèin (f) - sun làmh, làimh (f) - handmadainn (f) - morning muir (f) - seanaidheachd (f) - news poit (f) - potsgeulachd (f) - story, tale slat, slait (f) - rod, wandsgiath, sgèith (f) - wing, shield sràid (f) - streettò(i)n, tòin (f) - rump, backside ùine (f) - time, spelluinneag, uinneig (f) - window

EXERCISE 1 Translate into English (In brackets are common spoken forms. These shouldnot be written)1. Tha an litir seo dhan chaillich (dhan chailleach)2. Bha a' ghrian blàth anns a' mhadainn3. Nach robh iad aig a' mhuir tron oidhche? Bha4. Bha i anns an leabaidh tron mhadainn5. Bha sgeul mun chaileig (mun chaileag) sin anns an naidheachd6. Tha a' Ghàidhlig glè inntinneach, nach eil?7. Bha sgeulachd inntinneach anns an litir8. Tha an nighean ris an uinneig (ris an uinneag) oir tha a' ghrian blàth9. Bha slat fhada ùr ann anns a' bhùth10. Tha bùth ùr ann air an t-sràid sin11. Nach robh iad ùine fhada anns a' bhaile12. Tha an sgeulachd ghoirid seo anns a' Ghàidhlig13. 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 Gàidhlig1. The old woman was in the shop in the morning2. She was at the shop along with the girl3. The girl was safe under the shield4. The evil hand was on the wand5. I wasn't at the window in the morning6. He was in bed through the night7. He was red with anger8. The chicken is in the pot9. The black sheep (sing.) is very hot under the sun10. Weren't you at the ceilidh? Yes, I was there a short spell11. The dog was near the girl



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©LESSON 7:ANSWERS 11. This letter is for the old woman2. The sun was warm in the morning3. Were they not at (the) sea through the night? Yes4. She was in (the) bed during (through) the morning5. There was a story about that girl in the news6. Gàidhlig is very interesting, isn't it?7. There was an interesting story in the letter8. The girl is at the window because the sun is warm9. There was new long (fishing) rod in the shop10. There is a new shop on that street11. Weren't they a long time in (the) town?12. This short story is in Gàidhlig13. The brown dog on the grass was (exposed) to the

sun14. The hen had a brown wing (lit. There was a brown

wing on the hen)

LESSON 7: ANSWERS 2(In brackets are commonspoken forms. These should not be written)

1. Bha a' chailleach anns a' bhùth anns a' mhadainn2. 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'

mhadainn6. Bha e anns an leabaidh tron oidhche7. Bha e dearg le feirg (le fearg)8. Tha a' chearc anns a' phoit9. Tha a' chaora dhubh glè theth fon ghrèin (fon

ghrian)10. Nach robh thu ann aig a' chèilidh? Bha, bha mi ann

ùine ghoirid11. 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' mhuir14. Bha an sgeulachd uabhasach aig a' chrìch (aig a'

chrìoch)

12. Crows are black, but there is a white wing on that crow13. The girl is wet because she was in the sea14. The story was terrible at the end



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©�LESSON 8�

Verbal Nouns, the Present Participle, and the Infinitive�

Verbal Nouns�Verbal nouns, like other nouns, are either masculine or feminine (although the vast majority�are masculine). Here are some basic guidelines to gender of verbal nouns:�Masculine� the word ends in�-adh� (the most common ending) 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�k�iarraidh�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�



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©�There are a number of common Present Participles that do not always express continuous�

actions :�Present Participles Action�ag iarraidh - wanting Tha mi ag iarraidh airgead - I want some money� Bha mi ag iarraidh airgead - I wanted some money�ag obair - working Tha mi ag obair ann am banca - I am working in a bank/I work�

in a bank� Bha mi ag obair ann am banca - I was working in a bank/ I�

worked in a bank�a' creidsinn - believing Tha mi a' creidsinn sin - I believe that� Bha mi a' creidsinn sin - I believed that�a' smaointinn - thinking Tha e a' smaointinn - He is thinking/He thinks� Bha e a' smaointinn - He was thinking/He thought�a' ciallachadh - meaning Tha e a' ciallachadh - It means� Bha e a' ciallachadh - It meant�

Infinitives�The infinitive is formed from the verbal noun preceded by�a�. This� a� is the remains of the�preposition�do�(meaning�to�)�and like�do� will lenite an initial consonant whenever possible.�Lenition of initial consonant after the preposition�a:� a bhith - to be a dhol - to go�a chluiche - to play a sheinn - to sing�a thogail - to build, to lift�

Lenited�fh� is silent and like verbal nouns beginning with a vowel lenition is marked by adding�dh�' immediately after the preposition�a:�a dh'fhuireach - to stay a dh'ithe - to eat�a dh'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�



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©�The present participle�iarraidh�is followed by the verbal noun. Three exceptions to this rule�

are with�a thighinn - to come�,�a dhol - to go�and�a bhith - to be�:�Tha mi ag iarraidh coiseachd air an fheur - I want to walk on the grass�Tha i ag iarraidh a dhol dhan 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 banca (m) - bank�òrd (m) - hammer talla (m) - hall�pàirc (f) - park �

Placenames�Dun Deagh - Dundee Obar Dheathain - Aberdeen�Peairt - Perth Portrìgh - Portree�Struighle - Stirling Tairbeart - Tarbert�

Verbs�The first element is the verb root (equivalent to the second person imperative) followed by�the verbal noun.�bruidhinn, bruidhinn (ri) - speak (to) buail, bualadh - strike�ceannaich, ceannach (do) - buy (for) cluich, cluiche - play�coisich, coiseachd - walk cuir, cur - put, place�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�



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©�6. A bheil sinn a' dol dhan talla? Tha�

7. Bha an gille ag iasgach aig a' mhuir�8. Nach robh thu a' ruith air an rathad? Cha robh�9. Nach eil i ag obair aig an taigh?�10. Tha i ag iarraidh sgrìobhadh gun fhear sin�11. Tha mi ag iarraidh a dhol gu Dun Deagh�12. Tha iad a' cur iasg ann an uisge�13. Bha iad ag ithe mun bhòrd�14. Tha Màiri a' dol a dh'ithe anns an taigh-òsta�

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�

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�



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©�LESSON 9�

The Future Tense of the Verb TO BE�

The�independent� form of the future tense of the verb to be is�Bidh� (or�Bithidh� for more�emphatic usage) and the�dependent� is Bi (or�Bith� for more emphatic usage). As with the�present and past tenses (Lesson 1 and Lesson 2) these are used with the dependent particles�Cha�,� Am�and� Nach� to provide the four forms of the verb:�

Bidh� - for positive statements�Bidh e fuar - It will be cold�Bidh tu fuar�†� - You will be cold�

Cha bhi�- for negative statements�*�Cha bhi e fuar - 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�



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©�Nouns�

Là na Sàbaid (m) - The Sabbath meadhan (m) - middle, mid�meadhan-là (m) - mid-day meadhan-oidhche (m) - midnight�

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?�



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LESSON 10More Adverbs

The simplest way to form an adverb is by placing the word gu before an adjective:luath - quick Bha e a' ruith gu luath - He was running quicklymath - 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 tomorrowBha e a' dol dhachaigh - He was going home(ward)

Adverbs are best placed into distinct categoriesAdverbs of Manner:mar seo - thus, so Bidh e ag obair mar seo - It works like thisslaodach - 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 (seeLesson 2) and except for cho they all lenite the adjective whenever possible:fìor - true Tha e ag obair fìor mhath - He is working extremely wellcho - so Chan eil e a' dèanamh cho math - He is not doing so wellglè - very Tha mi glè mhath - I am very wellro - too, excessively Bha i ag obair ro chruaidh - She was working too hardcho - so Bha iad a' ruith cho slaodach - They were running so slowly

NEW WORDSAdjectivescruaidh - hard deanadach - diligent, industrious, hard-workingfìor - true luath - fast, quickslaodach - slow uile - all

Adverbsair fad - altogether, wholly, entirely air leth - separatelygu dearbh - indeed gu lèir - entirelygu leòr - enough idir - at allchèile - one another, togethermar seo - like this, thus mar sin - like that, thus



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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 - therean siud - yonder thall - over therean siud 's an seo - here and there thall 's a-bhos - here and therea-steach - in (motion) a-staigh - insidea-mach - out (motion) a-muigh - outsidea dh'aithghearr - soon a-màireach - tomorrowam-bliadhna - this year an-dràsta - just nowan-dè - yesterday a-nis - nowa-nochd - tonight a-raoir - last nightan-uiridh - last year a-rithist - againchaoidh /a-chaoidh - ever (future tense) cheana - alreadydaonnan - always fhathast - still, yetgu bràth - forever mar thà - alreadya-riamh/a-riamh - ever (past & perfect tenses) roimhe - before, previously

EXERCISE 1 Translate into English1. Tha e daonnan aig an sgoil, ach chan eil e ag obair gu math2. Cha robh mi a-riamh toilichte ag obair aig muir3. Bha e shuas anns an leabaidh4. Gàidhlig gu bràth5. Anns a' mhadainn an-diugh bha iad anns a' phàirc6. Bha mi anns a' bhaile an-dè. A-màireach bidh mi a' dol dhan eaglais7. Tha mi a' dol dhachaigh a-nis8. Bidh sinn aig an taigh a-nochd9. A bheil sibh fhathast sgìth? Tha gu dearbh10. 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 leth14. Am bi thu a' dol sìos an t-sràid? Bidh an dràsta

EXERCISE 2 Translate into Gàidhlig1. Were you ever in Glasgow? Yes2. You will never work in this town3. They are working together well enough4. I stay here, Mòrag stays there, and Niall stays over yonder5. I am going out to a ceilidh. Are you? No, I'm staying in6. We were working there before7. There was a man working over there yesterday8. He will be running over the moor tomorrow



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9. They were all together here yesterday10. Are you going fishing (to fish) then? No I was fishing this morning already11. The girl was playing outside on the street12. Were you out running last night? Yes13. He was walking home from the ceilidh14. She was forever eating

LESSON 10: ANSWERS 11. He is always at (the) school, but he is not working

well2. I was never happy working at sea3. He was up in (the) bed4. Gàidhlig for ever5. This morning they were in the park6. I was in (the) town yesterday. Tomorrow I will be

going to (the) church7. I am going home now8. We will be home (at the house) tonight9. Are you still tired? Yes indeed10. Are they not always busy?11. Last year we were in Inverness, this year we will be

in Portree12. Are Màiri and Calum not speaking to one another?13. Does she stay with Seumas? Not at all, they stay

apart14. Will you be going down the street? Yes just now

LESSON 10: ANSWERS 21. An robh thu a-riamh ann an Glaschu? Bha2. Cha bhi thu ag obair a chaoidh anns a' bhaile seo3. Tha iad ag obair còmhla math gu leòr4. Tha mi a' fuireach an seo, tha Mòrag a' fuireach an

sin, agus tha Niall a' fuireach an siud thall5. Tha mi a' dol gu cèilidh. A bheil thusa? Chan eil,

Tha mi a' fuireach a-staigh6. Bha sinn ag obair an sin roimhe7. Bha fear ag obair thall an sin an-dè8. Bidh e a' ruith thairis air a' mhonadh a-màireach9. Bha iad uile còmhla an seo an-dè10. A bheil thu a' dol a dh'iasgach ma-tà? Chan eil, bha

mi ag iasgach madainn an-diugh cheana11. Bha an nighean a' cluich a-muigh air an t-sràid12. An robh thu a-muigh a' ruith a-raoir. Bha13. Bha e a' coiseachd dhachaigh bhon chèilidh14. Bha i a-riamh ag ithe



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©�LESSON 11�

The Conditional Tense of the Verb TO BE�

The independent form of the verb is�Bhiodh� (or�Bhitheadh� for more emphatic usage), and�the dependent form�Biodh� (or�Bitheadh� for more emphatic usage). As with the other tenses�the dependent forms are used with the dependent particles�Cha�,� Am�and� Nach�to provide�the four forms of the verb. There are, however separate forms for the 1st person singular -�Bhithinn�, and 1st person plural�Bhiomaid†� (or�Bhitheamaid� for more emphatic usage):�

Bhithinn/Bhiodh/Bhiomaid� - for positive statements�Bhithinn fuar - I would be cold�Bhiodh tu� ‡�/e/i/sibh/iad fuar - You/he/she/you/they would be cold�Bhiomaid fuar - We would be cold�

Cha bhithinn/Cha bhiodh/Cha bhiomaid� - for negative statements�§�Cha bhithinn fuar - I would not be cold�Cha bhiodh tu/e/i/sibh/iad fuar - You/he/she/you/they would not be cold�Cha bhiomaid fuar - We would not be cold�

Am bithinn?/Am biodh?/Am biomaid?�- for asking a question (interrogative)�Am bithinn fuar? - Would I be cold?�Am biodh tu/e/i/sibh/iad fuar? - Would you/he/she/you/they be cold?�Am biomaid fuar - Would we be cold?�

Nach bithinn?/Nach biodh?/Nach biomaid?� - for a negative question (negative�interrogative)�Nach bithinn fuar? - Would I not be cold?�Nach biodh tu/e/i/sibh/iad fuar? - Would you/he/she/you/they not be cold?�Nach biomaid fuar - Would we not be cold?�

†�This form is becoming less common, and particularly in spoken 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�



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©�Repeated Past and Continuous Conditional Tenses�

The conditional tense of the verb�To Be� with a�present participle� conveys either a�continuous conditional action or a repeated past action. The meaning is understood from the�context:�Bhithinn ag obair anns an sgoil - I would be working in the school�Bhithinn ag obair a h-uile 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) cinnteach - certain�cofhartail - comfortable sona - happy�

Nouns�àm (m) - occasion, time balla (m) - wall�bodach (m) - old man cat (m) - cat�càise (m) - cheese còta (m) -coat�crodh (m) - cattle gual (m) - coal�preas (m) - cupboard, press solas (m) - light�cathair (f) - chair�

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�



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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�



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©�LESSON 12�

The Verb TO HAVE�

The title is a bit of an anomaly since there is no verb TO HAVE in 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 agam�sa� -�I� have a dog�agad� sa� Nach eil peann agad�sa�?- Do�you� not have a pen?�aige� san� Bha leabhar aige�san� -�He� had a book�aice� se� Tha càt aice�se� -�She� has a cat�againn� ne� The taigh ùr again�ne� -�We� have a new house�agaibh� se� A bheil gàrradh agaibh�se�? - Do�you� have a garden?�aca� san� Chan eil biadh aca�san� -�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�



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©�Tha preposition�aig� can be used with a definite noun to give a genitive meaning:�

Tha a' chathair aig a' bhalach cofhartail - The boy's chair is comfortable�Seo am peann agam - Here's my pen�Tha na taighean aca 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 botal (m) - bottle�ceann (m) - head copan (m) - cup�fios (m) - knowledge gàrradh (m) - garden�pian (m) - pain saor-là (m) - holiday�uisge (m) - water�Beurla (f) - English language ceist (f) -question�freagairt (f) - answer seacaid (f) - jacket�obair (f) - work, job�

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�



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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�7. I'll have a new job in the hotel�8. The sheep would have fresh grass in that field�9. I was in Anna's shop yesterday�10. We wouldn't be going out in our new boat�

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�5. Tha pian dona agam anns a' cheann�6. Tha obair ùr aige a-nis�7. Chan eil Gàidhlig acasan�8. Tha aran agus càise agamsa anns a' phreas�9. Tha fios agam air an fhreagairt den cheist sin�



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©�LESSON 13�

Possessive Adjectives�

The possessive adjectives are:�mo - my (lenites next word) ar - our�do - your (lenites next word) ur, bhur - your�‡�a - his (lenites next word) an/am - their�†�a - her�

† am - their� is used before nouns beginning with�b�,� f�,� m�or� p�‡ bhur - your�is often used following a word ending in a vowel�

Examples:�mo chòta - my coat ar còta - our coat�do chòta - your coat ur còta - your coat�a chòta - his coat an còta - their coat�a còta - her 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.�



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©�Confusion in these situations can also be avoided by using the emphatic suffices you met in�

Lesson 12:�a sgoil-san - his school�a sgoil-se - her school�an sgoil-san - their school�an taigh-san - their house�

NEW WORDS�Adjectives�bàn - fair, blond buidhe - yellow�ceàrr - wrong ceart - correct�tràth - early�

Adverbs�gu math - well, rather, fairly�

Conjunctions�is - and (for familiar associations)�

Nouns�athair (m) - father bràthair (m) - brother�cofaidh (m) -coffee ospadal (m) - hospital�freagairt (f) - answer màthair (f) - mother�piuthar (f) - sister�

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�



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8. Will my money be safe in that box? Yes, certainly�9. My mother and (is) my father are not so young now�10. Your sheep were in our garden yesterday�

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�



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©�LESSON 14�

Emphasising Self�

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�



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©�NEW WORDS�

Verbs�coimhead, coimhead (air) - look (at) fairich, faireachdainn - feel�ionaltair, ionaltradh - graze�

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�



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©�LESSON 15�

Reported Speech (The Dependent Clause) - The Verb TO BE�

In English this can be expressed in two ways:�He says that he is cold�or omitting the conjunction� He says he is cold�

In 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 dìleas - loyal, faithful�grianach - sunny uile - all�

Nouns�port (m) - port, dock�eucoir (f) - crime stoirm (f) - storm�



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©�Verbs�

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

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 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 a-�

raoir�

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 an-�

diugh�4. Tha mi a' creidsinn gun robh na balaich uile�

ciontach den eucoir�

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�



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©�LESSON 16�

The Root of the Verb, Imperatives and Past Participles�

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 Verb Root and 2nd Person Plural Imperative� 2nd Person Singular Imperative� bualadh - striking buail - strike buailibh - strike� togail - lifting tog - lift togaibh - lift� sgrìobhadh - writing sgrìobh - write 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�



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©�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�

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 dìnnear (f) - dinner�sùil (f) - eye, glimpse, look teanga (f) - tongue�

Phrases�mas e do thoil e - please (informal,singular)�mas e ur toil e - please (formal,plural)�thoir sùil air - take a look at it�

Verbs�can, cantainn (ri) - say (to) cluinn, cluinntinn - hear�cum/cùm, cumail - keep, hold faigh, faighinn - get, find�fan, fantainn (ri) - wait (for) fàs, fàs - grow�fosgail, fosgladh - open gluais, gluasad - move�rach, dol - go seas, seasamh - stand�suidh, suidhe - sit thig, tighinn - come�thoir, toirt (do) - take, give (to) tilg, tilgeil (air) - throw (at)�tog, togail - lift, build�

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�



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©�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 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 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�

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�



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©�LESSON 17�

Augmented Prepositions�

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.)�



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©�2. VERBS OF ACTION�

Verbs expressing continuous actions use the augmented preposition based on�ann� (in) in place�of�ag�, giving rise to the following:�nam - in my nar - in our�nad - in your nur - in your�na - in his nan/nam - in their�na - in her�

The verbal nouns commonly affected are ones describing a condition: standing, sitting, lying,�running, stopping, waking, stretching out, sleeping & being still/quiet/at rest:�Tha mi nam shuidhe�*�‡� - I am sitting down/I am seated (lit. I am in my sitting)�Thu thu nad chadal�*�‡� - You are sleeping/You are asleep (lit. You are in your sleeping (sing.)�Tha e na 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�.�



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©�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 air falbh - away�cuideachd - also, too uair - once (once upon a time)�

Nouns�banaltram (m) - nurse dealbhaiche (m) - designer�ministear (m) - minister neach-teagaisg (m) - teacher�saighdear (m) - soldier sagart (m) - priest�saor (m) - carpenter seòladair (m) - sailor�sgrìobhadair (m) - writer� tàmh (m) - rest, stillness�

Verbs�caidil, cadal - sleep cuidich, cuideachadh - help�cuimhnich, cuimhneachadh (air) - remember dùisg, dùsgadh - awake, wake up�laigh, laighe - lie down sìn, sìneadh - stretch out�stad, stad - stop 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�



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1. He was a soldier but now he is a carpenter�2. He says that he wasn't throwing them away�3. Do you see it now? Yes I see it�4. They were all standing on the road�5. Was she sleeping in your bed last night? Indeed not�6. I think (that) you hear me very well�7. I don't remember him at all�8. Will you be taking him to the park tomorrow? Yes�9. I want you (sibh) to go down the street to the shop�10. Don't you understand me at all?�11. He was a teacher but he will soon be a designer�12. He is the priest in this parish and she is the minister�

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�



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©�LESSON 18�

Prepositional Pronouns�

You have already met the prepositional pronouns of the preposition�aig�in Lesson 12. All the�other simple prepositions similarly have their own prepositional pronouns.�

But first those of�aig - at� are given again:�agam - at me againn - at us�agad - at you agaibh - at you�aige - at him aca - at them�aice - at her�

The prepositional pronouns of�ann - in�:�annam - in me annainn - in us�annad - in you annaibh - in you�ann - in him annta - in them�innte - in her�

The prepositional pronouns of�air - on:�orm - on me oirnn - on us�ort - on you oirbh - on you�air - on him orra - on them�oirre - on her�

The prepositional pronouns of�bho/o - from:�(bh)uam - from me (bh)uainn - from us�(bh)uat - from you (bh)uaibh - from you�(bh)uaithe - from him (bh)uapa - from them�(bh)uaipe - from her�

The prepositional pronouns of�de - of/off:�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�



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©�The prepositional pronouns of�le - with/by:�

leam - with me leinn - with us�leat - with you leibh - with you�leis - with him leotha/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)�



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©�Nouns�

acras (m) - hunger cnatan (m) - cold (illness)�dèideadh (m) - toothache eagal (m) - fear�iongnadh (m) - wonderment pathadh (m) - thirst�briogais (f) - trousers clann (f) - children, clan�seachdain (f) -week taibhse (f) - ghost�

Verbal phrases�cuir eagal orm/ort etc - frighten me/you etc�cuir fearg orm/ort etc - anger me/you etc�cuir iongnadh orm/ort etc - surprise me/you etc�

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�



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©�

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�7. Bha iongnadh orm a dh'fhaicinn gun robh i cho òg�8. Bha fearg orra a chluinntinn gun robh e ga bualadh�9. Tha fios aige nach eil thu ga thuigsinn�10. Tha eagal orm nach eil airgead agam�



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©�LESSON 19�

The Assertive Verb�

The Assertive Verb is used to bring part of a sentence forward for emphasis. This is�required in 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 Is sinne - It's we, We are�'S tusa - It's you, You are Is sibhse - It's you, You are,�'S esan - It's he, He is 'S iadsan - It's they, They are�'S ise - It's she, She is�

Note�: All personal pronouns used with the Assertive Verb are usually in their emphatic�forms, with�tusa� replacing�thusa�after�Is�

e) demonstrative pronouns, with�'S e� being optional and understood e.g.�('S e) seo ... - This is ...�('S e) sin ... - That is ...�('S e) siud ... - Yon is ...�



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©�2�. To translate the verb�To Be� when the first word is either (a) an adjective or (b) an�

indefinite noun. The word order is the reverse of English. The meaning is�very� emphatic and�except for category (a) is mostly restricted to the written language.�(a) adjective:�Is 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?�



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©�Other Tenses of the Assertive Verb�

The past and conditional forms are identical and the meaning arises from context.�

The independent form is�Bu�, and lenites the following word if possible. Before words�beginning with a vowel or�fh� this is contracted to�B'� in both literature and speech:�B' e sin mo bhean - It was my wife�Bu 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�



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©�Using the Assertive Verb to Introduce Adverbial and Prepositional Clauses�

There is a special form of the Assertive Verb to introduce and emphasise adverbial and�prepositional phrases. In practice only the present tense is used as the tense and meaning�are realised by the subordinate clause.�

In the present tense this is� Is ann�, which in both literature and spoken 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)�



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

2�. Personal attributes and professions with a sense of permanence and completeness can be�conveyed using the prepositional�ann� and its prepositional pronouns with the assertive verb:�'S e saor a tha ann an Iain - Iain is a carpenter (lit. It's a carpenter that is in Iain)�Chan e balach a tha ann - He is not a boy (lit. It's not a boy that is in him)�'S e 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 eireachdail - handsome�fiadhaich - fierce, wild neo-chiontach - innocent�sona - happy tiugh - thick, dense�

Adverbs�thall thairis - abroad�Nouns�beud (m) - fault, pity bradan (m) - salmon�companaidh (m) - company eun (m) - bird�lighiche (m) - doctor, medic (commonly: dotair (m)�seinneadair (m) - singer Sgiathanach (m) - Skye person�sgoilear (m) - pupil, scholar Uibhisteach (m) - Uist person�àrdsgoil (f) - high school, secondary school�iolaire (f) - eagle long (f) - ship�rùnaire (f) - secretary�

Verbs�comhartaich, comhartaich - bark snàmh, snàmh - swim�teagaisg, teagasg (do) - teach (to)�



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©�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�



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©�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�



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©�

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 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�

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�

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�



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©�LESSON 20�

Incomplete Verbs�

Many idiomatic verbal expressions are constructed from the association of prepositional�pronouns with the Assertive Verb. These are classed as incomplete or auxiliary verbs as not�all tenses are found.�

Group 1: Verbs based on the Assertive Verb�

a. Assertive form of the verb + preposition�le�. With the prepositional pronouns these are:�Present Tense Past and Conditional Tenses�Is toil leam/leat/etc - Bu toil leam/leat/etc -� I/you/etc like I/you/etc liked� I/you/etc would like�

'S fheàrr leam/leat/etc�‡� - B' fheàrr leam/leat/etc -�I/you/etc prefer I/you/etc preferred� I/you/etc would prefer�

Is leamsa/leatsa/etc - Bu leamsa/leatsa/etc -�I/you/etc own I/you/etc owned� I/you/etc would own�

‡� Words beginning with�f� are lenited after�Is�

b. Assertive form of verb + preposition�do�. With the prepositional pronouns these are:�Present Tense Past and Conditionals Tense�Is 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 - B' urrainn dhomh/dhut/etc -�I/you/etc are able to I/you was/were able to� I/you would be able to�

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

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



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©�c. Assertive form of verb + preposition�air�. With the prepositional pronouns these are:�

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 - Bu lugha orm/ort/etc -� I/you/etc loathe I/you/etc loathed� I/you/etc would loathe�

The Other Forms of the Verb�For the present tense drop the�Is� and add:�Cha� for negative statements�Chan aithne dhomh e - I don't know him�Chan urrainn dhaibh innse dhut - They are unable to tell you�

An� for interrogative�An toil leat 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 - No�Nach 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�



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©�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 eile - other�fadalach - late (in arriving) sam bith - any�

Adverbs�air neo - (or) else roimhe seo - by now�



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©�Nouns�

càl (m) - cabbage duine (m) - person (any sex), man, husband�guth (m) - voice làn-spàin (m) - spoonful�maighistir-sgoile (m) - schoolmaster pàrant (m) - parent�taigh-dhealbh (m) - cinema samhradh (m) - summer�siùcar (m) - sugar tì (m) - tea�cabhag (f) - haste coinneamh (f) - meeting�dùthaich (f) - country, countryside spàin (f) - spoon�tè (f) - one, female tèile (f) - other female (from: tè + eile)�Verbal phrases�Tha cabhag orm - I am in a hurry Tha cabhag oirnn - We are in a hurry�Tha cabhag ort - You are in a hurry Tha cabhag oirbh - You are in a hurry�Tha cabhag air - He is in a hurry Tha cabhag orra - They are in a hurry�Tha cabhag oirre - She is in a hurry�

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�



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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�5. I didn't know that she knew them�6. She usually walks early in the morning�7. Ought not he go to the doctor? Yes�8. I like this girl but I dislike the other one�9. Can you speak Gàidhlig? Yes�10. Would the boy prefer to be outside? No�11. I think that he dislikes swimming�12. She says that she dislikes cabbage�

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�

4. An toil leis a' chù a bhith a' cluich anns a' phàirc?�'S toil�

5. Chan urrainn dhuinn a thighinn gad fhaicinn a-�màireach�

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' ur-�

rainn�



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©�LESSON 21�

Relative Pronouns�

For positive relative clauses the relative pronouns�who�,� which� and�that� are all expressed by�the word�a�. This conjugates with the independent form 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�no-�

one lives�In some dialects an alternative form somewhat analogous to the poorer grammatical form in�spoken English is found. The structure is based on the relative pronouns�a�and� nach�. In this�case, however, a prepositional pronoun agreeing in both gender and plurality with the subject�is used. It is included here for completeness and many do not regard it as good practice:�An esan am fear� a� bha thu a' bruidhinn� ris�? - Is he the man�whom�you were�talking�to�?�



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©�'S iadsan na fir�a� bha mi a' bruidhinn� riutha�? - They are the men�whom�I was talking�to�?�

'S ise a' chaileag�a� bha thu a' bruidhinn� rithe�? - She's the girl�whom� I was�talking�to�?�

NEW WORDS�Adjectives�briste - broken liath - grey, greyed�òir - golden purpaidh - purple�

Nouns�baga (m) - bag bàrd (m) - bard, poet�cliù (m) - praise, respect dath (m) - colour�fraoch (m) - heather gleann (m) - glen�iomadh (m) - many a (+ singular noun) Mòd (m) - Gàidhlig music and Arts festival�speur (m) - sky�beinn (f) - mountain, ben gainmheach (f) - sand�coille (f) - forest drochaid (f) - bridge�luch (f) - mouse pòcaid (f) - pocket�rìoghachd (f) - kingdom tràigh (f) - beach�

Verb�coisinn�, cosnadh - earn, win dìrich, dìreadh - climb, straighten�falbh, falbh - leaving, (+ le - dating) 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�



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©�

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�



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©�LESSON 22�

Interrogative Pronouns - Asking Questions�

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

Tenses of the Verb TO BE�Present Past Future Conditional�a tha a bha a bhitheas/a bhios a bhithinn/a bhiodh�nach eil nach robh nach bi nach bithinn/nach biodh�

Uses�:�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?�



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©�NEW WORDS�

Adverbs�air ais - back, behind�

Nouns�ainm (m) - name àite (m) - place�caisteal (m) - castle ceannard (m) - chief, head�comann (m) - society leabharlann (m) - library�sealladh (m) - view, sight seòrsa (m) - sort, type, kind�not(a) (m) - pound sterling piàna (m) - piano�banais (f) - wedding deoch (f) - drink�duais (f) - prize liosta )f) - list�ùpraid (f) - din, carry-on�

Verbs�giùlain, giùlan - carry siubhail, siubhal - travel�streap, streap - climb�

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�

EXERCISE 1 Translate into English�1. Cò tha a' falbh leis an nighean sin? 'S mise�2. Dè seòrsa (de) bhiadh a tha sibh ag iarraidh?�3. Càit am bi iad a' fuireach a-nochd?�4. Cò tha a' dol a chosnadh duais aig a' Mhòd am bliadhna?�5. Ciamar a bha do mhàthair a' faireachdainn a-raoir?�6. Cò 's urrainn cluiche air a' phiàna?�7. Dè an t-ainm a tha air ur piuthar?�8. Cò am fear ris an robh iad a' bruidhinn a-raoir?�9. Dè bha ga cumail air ais?�10. Cuin a bhitheas iad a' fàgail Ghlaschu?�11. Carson as toil leibh an sealladh den chaisteal?�12. 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?�



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©�6. What type of place does she live in?�

7. Who works in the new library?�8. What were they carrying in the bag?�9. What sort of carry-on were they making?�10. Why was Màiri not at school today?�11. Who can't climb up that hill?�12. Where are they going to play?�

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?�9. What was keeping her back/behind?�10. When will they be leaving Glasgow?�11. Why do you like the view of the castle?�12. When will you be returning home?�

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



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©�LESSON 23�

Some Common Conjunctions�

Group 1�agus - and/as�, � ach - but/however�,� oir - for/because�These are considered to be the simple conjunctions as they are followed by the simple�statement forms of the verb (positive and negative):�

Tenses of the Verb TO BE�Present Past Future Conditional�tha bha bidh bhithinn/bhiodh�chan eil cha robh cha bhi cha bhithinn/cha bhiodh�

Uses�:�Cha bhi mi a' dol a-muigh oir tha an t-uisge ann - I will not be going out because it is raining�

Group 2�fhads - while�, � ged - although�,� mar - as/how�,� ma - if�,� nuair - when, on/bhon -�since�These are all followed by the relative clause:�

Tenses of the Verb TO BE�Present Past Future Conditional�a tha a bha a bhios a bhithinn/a bhiodh�nach eil nach robh nach bi 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.�



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©�Group 3�

far - where�, � mus�,�mun/mum - before�, � gus - until/in order that�,�mur/mura - unless�,�if�not�These are all followed by the the interrogative forms of the verb:�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 deiseil - ready�deònach - willing dorch - dark�glic - wise làidir - strong�mì-chàilear - unpleasant/distasteful�

Conjunctions�far - where ged - although�gus - until mar/man - as�mur - unless, if not mus, mun/mum - before�nuair - when oir - for, because�on, bhon - since�

Nouns�bus (m) - bus rud (m) - thing�càil (f) - anything�Verbal phrases�



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©�Tha an t-uisge ann - It is raining Bha an t-uisge ann - It was raining�

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�

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�5. Do as I say�6. It will be dark before she's (will be) home�7. I couldn't buy a car since I hadn't any money�8. She was so beautiful when she was young�9. If you are tired sit down�10. As you can see I don't have anything in my pocket�11. I was speaking to her while we were walking�12. 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�



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©�LESSON 24�

The Past Tense - Regular Verbs�

As you discovered in a continuous action in the past is expressed by using the past tense of�the verb�To Be� with the�present participle�:�Bha e a' cluich anns a' 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 Root Independent * Dependent�bualadh - hitting buail bhuail do bhuail�fàgail - leaving fàg dh'fhàg do dh'fhàg�leughadh - reading leugh leugh do leugh�ruith - running ruith ruith do ruith�seasamh - standing seas sheas do sheas�sgrìobhadh -writing sgrìobh sgrìobh do sgrìobh�òl - drinking òl dh'òl do dh'òl�togail - lifting/building tog thog do thog�

As with the verb�To Be� add either�Cha�,�An/Am� or�Nach� to the dependent form to get the�negative and interrogatives.�

*�Grammar: Historically the Independent and Dependent were identical. However, in the�Independent�do� was in an unstressed initial position and was subsequently lost but its leniting�influence remains.�

Example Uses�:�Bhuail iad - They hit Dh'fhàg iad - They left�Cha do bhuail iad - They didn't hit Cha do dh'fhàg iad - They didn't leave�An do bhuail iad? - Did they hit? An do dh'fhàg iad? - Did they leave?�Nach do bhuail iad? - Didn't they hit? Nach do dh'fhàg iad? - Didn't they leave?� �Leugh iad - They read Ruith iad - They ran�Cha do leugh iad - They didn't read Cha do ruith iad - They didn't run�An do leugh iad? - Did they read? An do ruith iad? - Did they run?�Nach do leugh iad? - Didn't they read? Nach do ruith iad? - Didn't they run?� �



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©�Sheas iad - They stood Sgrìobh iad - They wrote�

Cha do sheas iad - They didn't stand Cha do sgrìobh iad - They didn't write�An do sheas iad? - Did they stand? An do sgrìobh iad? - Did they write?�Nach do sheas iad? - Didn't they stand? Nach do sgrìobh iad? - Didn't they write?� �Thog iad - They lifted Dh'òl iad - They drank�Cha do thog iad - They didn't lift Cha do dh'òl iad - They didn't drink�An do thog iad? - Did they lift? An do dh'òl iad? - Did they drink?�Nach do thog iad? - Didn't they lift? Nach do dh'òl iad? - Didn't they drink?�

With the Dependent Clause�The pattern is the same as the verb�To Be� (see Lesson 15):�Tha e ag 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)?�



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©�Saying Yes and No�

The pattern is the same for the verb�To Be�. You need to use the positive or negative forms�of the verb in the Past Tense:�n do bhuail iad an 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 coire (m) - kettle, corry�leanabh (m) - baby pàipear-naidheachd (m) - newspaper�briosgaid (f) - biscuit dèideag (f) - toy, bauble�leithid (f) - like, type staidhre (f) - stair�

Verbs�bris, briseadh - break caidil, cadal - sleep�freagair, freagairt - answer goil, goil - boil, seethe�pòs, pòsadh (aig) - marry saoil, saoilsinn (air) - think (about)�tòisich, tòiseachadh (air) - start (to) 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�



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©�7. Who moved my chair away from the fire? It's him that moved it�

8. Why did you marry that man/that woman?�9. I wrote a long letter when I returned home�10. They played quietly while she slept�

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�



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©�LESSON 25�

The Past Tense - Irregular Verbs�

As you discovered in Lesson 8 a continuous action in the past is expressed by using the past�tense of the verb�To Be� with the�present participle�:�Bha e a' cluich anns a' 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 Root Independent Dependent�breith - bearing/catching/ beir rug d'rug�†� - grasping�cluinntinn - hearing cluinn chuala cuala�dèanamh - doing/making dèan rinn d'rinn�†�dol - going rach chaidh deach�faicinn - seeing faic chunnaic faca�faighinn - getting/obtaining faigh fhuair�*� d'fhuair�ràdh - saying abair thuirt tuirt�ruigsinn - reaching/arriving� ‡� ruig ràinig d'ràinig�†�tighinn - coming thig thàinig tàinig�toirt - taking/ thoir thug tug� - giving (+ preposition do)�

*� the initial�fh� of�fhuair� is not silent but is voiced as�h�.�†� the vestigial�d'� is optional.�‡ ruighinn� and�ruigheachd� are alternative verbal nouns.�

As with the regular verb add either�Cha�/�Chan� (before a vowel),� An�/�Am� or�Nach� to the�dependent form to get the negative and interrogative forms of the verb. Remember�Cha�/�Chan� will lenite words beginning with�b�,� f�,� m�,� p�,� c�or� g�.�

Example Uses�:�Rug i orm - She grasped me Rinn mi - I did/made�Cha d'rug i orm - She didn't grasp me Cha d'rinn mi - I didn't do/make�An d'rug i orm? - Did she grasp me? An d'rinn thu? - Did you do/make?�Nach d'rug i orm? - Didn't she grasp me? Nach d'rinn thu? - Did you not do/make?�



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©�Chuala tu�*� - You heard Chaidh mi - I went�

Cha chuala tu - You didn't hear Cha deach mi - I didn't go�An cuala tu? - Did you hear? An deach thu? - Did you go?�Nach cuala tu? - Did you not hear? Nach deach thu? - Did you not go?�

Chunnaic thu - You saw Fhuair mi - I got�Chan fhaca tu�†� - You didn't see Cha d'fhuair mi - I didn't get�Am faca tu? - Did you see? An d'fhuair thu? - Did you get?�Nach fhaca tu?�‡� - Did you not see? Nach d'fhuair thu? - Did you not get?�

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

Thàinig mi - I came Thug mi - I took�Cha tàinig mi - I didn't come Cha tug mi - I didn't take�An tàinig thu? - Did you come? An tug thu? - Did you take?�Nach tàinig thu? - Did you not come? Nach tug thu? - Did you not take?�

*� use�tu� instead of�thu� with both the dependent and independent forms of the past tense of�the verb�cluinn�.�†�use� tu� instead of�thu� with the dependent forms of the past tense of the verb�faic�.�‡�faca� changes to�fhaca� after the dependent particle�nach�.�

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�



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©�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 sinn air ar dòigh - We are overjoyed�Tha thu air do dhòigh - You are overjoyed Tha sibh air ur dòigh - You are overjoyed�Tha e air a dhòigh - He is overjoyed Tha iad air an dòigh - They are overjoyed�Tha i air a dòigh - She is 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?�



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©�10. Nach tuirt e gun deach i air falbh a-raoir? Thuirt�

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�

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�6. Chunnaic sinn iolaire anns an speur�7. Cò fhuair litir bhuapa?�8. Carson nach tuirt iad gun robh iad sgìth?�9. Chuala sinn fuaim uabhasach�10. Bha mi toilichte mus tàinig e�



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LESSON 26The Future Tense - Regular Verbs

The formation of the Future Tense of regular verbs is identical to that seen in Lesson 9 forthe verb To Be. As you discovered the Future Tense of the verb To Be is used with thepresent 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 parkBidh 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 actionas 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 theverb take the root and add either -idh or -aidh according to the spelling rule:

Verbal Noun Root Independent Dependentbualadh - hitting buail buailidh buailfàgail - leaving fàg fàgaidh fàgleughadh - reading leugh leughaidh leughruith - running ruith ruithidh ruithsgrìobhadh - writing sgrìobh sgrìobhaidh sgrìobhseasamh - standing seas seasaidh seastogail - lifting/building tog togaidh togòl - drinking òl òlaidh òl

As with the verb To Be add either Cha/Chan (before a vowel), An/Am or Nach to thedependent to get the negative and interrogative forms of the verb.Example Uses:Buailidh mi - I will hit Fàgaidh mi - I will leaveCha bhuail mi - I will not hit Chan fhàg mi - I will not leaveAm 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 Ruithidh tu ‡ - You will runCha leugh mi - I will not read Cha ruith thu * - You will not runAn leugh mi? - Will I read? An ruith thu? - Will you run?Nach leugh mi? - Will I not read? Nach ruith thu? - Will you not run?

Sgrìobhaidh mi - I will write Seasaidh tu ‡ - You will standCha sgrìobh mi - I will not write Cha sheas thu * - You will not standAn sgrìobh mi? - Will I write? An seas thu? - Will you stand?Nach sgrìobh mi? - Will I not write? Nach seas thu? - Will you not stand?



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Òlaidh tu - You will drink Togaidh mi - I will liftChan òl thu - You will not drink Cha thog mi * - I will not liftAn òl thu - Will you drink? An tog thu - Will you lift?Nach òl thu? - Will you not drink? Nach tog thu? - Will you not lift?

* cha/chan should only lenite verbs beginning with b, f, m, p, c or g. However there is agrowing 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 formof the verb.

With the Dependent ClauseSome 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 meTha e ag ràdh nach buail e mi - He says that he will not hit meTha e ag ràdh gum fàg e - He says that he will leaveTha e ag ràdh nach fhàg e - He says that he will not leave

The Relative VerbSome 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 haveIs mise nach fhàg thu - It's I who will not leave youSeo an leabhar a leughas tu * - Here's the book you will readAgus 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 becomestu.

With Interrogative PronounsSome 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?



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With ConjunctionsSome 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 leaveMa dh'fhàgas tu an taigh, bidh mi nam aonar - If you (will) leave the house, I'll be aloneLeughaidh mi an leabhar fhads a dh'itheas mi dìnnear - I'll read the book while I (will) eat dinnerMura fàg thu an dràsta bidh tu fadalach - Unless you (will) leave now you will be late

Saying Yes and NoThe pattern is the same for the verb To Be. You need to use the positive or negative formsof the verb in the Future Tense:An sgrìobh thu litir thugam?- Will you write me a letter? Sgrìobhaidh - Yes Cha sgrìobh - NoNach òl thu am bainne? - Will you not drink the milk? Òlaidh - Yes Chan òl - No

Repeated Actions in the PresentThe meaning is understood from the context:Gabhaidh e bracaist a h-uile madainn - He takes breakfast ever morningSgrìobhaidh sinn litir thuige a h-uile là - We write (to) him a letter every day

Able To DoThe Future Tense may convey the idea of being able to do something. This meaning is usuallyunderstood 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 WORDSAdjectivesfadalach - late (in arriving)

Nounsbeagan (m) - little drama (m) - dram of drinkpost (m) - postteanga (f) - tongue

Verbsgabh, gabhail (ri) - accept, betake, have leig, leigeil (le) - let, allowtog dealbh, togail dealbh - take a photograph

Verbal phrasesTha mi nam aonar - I am alone Tha sinn nar n-aonar - We are aloneTha thu nad aonar - You are alone Tha sibh nur n-aonar - You are aloneTha e na aonar - He is alone Tha iad nan aonar - They are aloneTha i na h-aonar - She is alone



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EXERCISE 1 Translate into English1. Togaidh mi taigh ùr anns a' ghleann2. Tha e ag ràdh nach till e gus madainn a-màireach3. Cha chuir mi seachad bliadhna anns an obair sin4. Cò cheannaicheas cù dhomhsa?5. Tha mi cinnteach gun caidil thu gu math a-nochd6. 'S e Calum a phòsas mo nighean a-màireach7. Càit am fuirich sinn nuair a tha sinn an Glaschu?8. 'S e duine làidir a ghluaiseas a' chlach seo9. Nach cùm thu do theanga!10. Leughaidh mi riut an litir a fhuair mi bhuapa

EXERCISE 2 Translate into Gàidhlig1. Will you put this letter in the post for me?2. I start work about mid-day3. Will you not sit down and keep quiet?4. Who will take a dram with me? It's I who will5. Will you please open the window a little6. It's me who will sing at the ceilidh tonight7. I will speak to them tomorrow8. Who will buy me a new coat?9. I will not want anything else10. It's my mother who will not let me (leam) to go to the beach

LESSON 26: ANSWERS 11. I'll build a new house in the glen2. He says he won't return until tomorrow morning3. I won't spend a year in that job4. Who'll buy a dog for me?5. I'm sure that you'll sleep well tonight6. It's Calum who marries my daughter tomorrow7. Where will we stay when we are in Glasgow?8. It's a strong man who can (will) move this stone9. Won't you hold your tongue!10. I'll read (to) you the letter I got from them

LESSON 26: ANSWERS 21. An cuir sibh an litir seo anns a' phost dhomh?2. Tòisichidh mi ri obair mu mheadhan-là3. Nach suidh thu sìos agus cùm sàmhach?4. Cò ghabhas drama còmhla rium? 'S mise a ghabhas5. Am fosgail sibh an uinneag beagan6. 'S mise a sheinneas aig a' chèilidh a-nochd7. Bruidhnidh mi riutha a-màireach8. Cò cheannaicheas còta ùr dhomh ?9. Chan iarr mi càil eile10. 'S i mo mhàthair nach leig leam a bhith a' dol dhantràigh



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©�LESSON 27�

The Future Tense - Irregular Verbs�

The following three verbs which are irregular in the Past Tense are completely regular in the�Future Tense. They are given here for completeness:�

Verbal Noun Root Independent Dependent�breith - bearing/catching beir beiridh beir� -/grasping�cluinntinn - hearing cluinn cluinnidh cluinn�ruigsinn - reaching/arriving ruig ruigidh ruig�

The following seven verbs are irregular in the Future Tense. In most cases the dependent�form is the same as the root of the verb:�

Verbal Noun Root Independent Dependent�dèanamh - doing/making dèan nì dèan�dol - going rach thèid tèid�faicinn - seeing faic chì faic�faighinn - getting/obtaining faigh gheibh faigh�ràdh - saying�†� abair their abair�tighinn - coming thig thig tig�toirt - taking/ thoir bheir toir� - giving (+ preposition do)�

†�In the Future Tense the regular verb�Can� is preferred, particularly in the spoken language�

As with the verb�To Be� add either�Cha�/�Chan�(before a vowel),�An/Am� or�Nach� to the�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 Gheibh sinn - We will get�Chan fhaic i - She will not see Chan fhaigh sinn - We will not get�Am faic i? - Will she see? Am faigh sinn? - Will we get?�Nach fhaic i?�†� - Will she not see? Nach fhaigh sinn? - Will we not get?�

Their i - She will say Thig mi - I will come�Chan abair i - She will not say Cha tig mi - I will not come�An abair i? - Will she say? An tig thu? - Will you come?�Nach abair i? - Will she not say? Nach tig thu? - Will you not come?�



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©� Bheir mi - I will take�

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

*�cha/chan�lenites verbs beginning with�b�,� f�,� m�,� p�,� c�or� g�. The irregular future verbs�beginning�t� and�d� do not lenite after�cha.�† nach� will lenite verbs beginning with�f.�

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�



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©�NEW WORDS�

Adjectives�iongantach - wonderful tearc - rare�

Nouns�dòchas (m) - hope pàipear-naidheachd (m) - newspaper�bochdainn(f) - poverty cobhair (f) - help�cuirm-chiùil (f) - concert slighe (f) - way, road�Pronouns�cuideigin - someone�

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?�



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©�

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?�3. Chan eil fios agam cuin a ruigeas mi Portrìgh�4. A bheil thu a' smaointinn gum beir i mac?�5. Cha chluinn mi thu a' bruidhinn mar sin�6. Tha fios aca nach fhaic iad an athair-san a-rithist�7. Chan abair e facal ri duine (sam bith)�8. Tha mi cinnteach gun tig duine gar cuideachadh�9. Cluinnidh sibh ceòl iongantach aig a' chuirm-chiùil�10. Dè nì mi nuair a thèid i air falbh?�



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©�LESSON 28�

The Relative Form of the Future Verb�

This Lesson is a summary of this special form of the verb.�The relative future verb only exists for verbs which form their Future Tense in a regular�manner.�It is formed by dropping the -�aidh�/-�idh� future endings and adding -�as�/-�eas� respectively and�lenited whenever possible. Remember verbs beginning with a vowel�fh� show lenition as�dh'�:�

Root Future Tense Relative Future�bith - be bithidh bhitheas�*�/bhios�bruidhinn - speak bruidhnidh bhruidhneas�ceannaich - buy ceannaichidh cheannaicheas�dùin - close dùinidh dhùineas�èist - listen èistidh dh'èisteas�fàg - leave fàgaidh dh'fhàgas�glac - catch glacaidh ghlacas�ith - eat ithidh dh'itheas�leugh - read leughaidh leughas�meall - deceive meallaidh mheallas�nigh - wash nighidh nigheas�òl - drink òlaidh dh'òlas�pòs - marry pòsaidh phòsas�ruig - reach/arrive ruigidh ruigeas�sgrìobh - write sgrìobhaidh sgrìobhas�tog - lift/build togaidh thogas�ullaich - prepare ullaichidh dh'ullaicheas�

*� Emphatic form only. Generally�bhios� will suffice.�

When to use the Relative Future�Use the relative future verb after: the interrogative words�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 pòg (f) - kiss�

Verbs�coinnich, coinneachadh (ri) - meet (with) glac, glacadh - catch�nigh, nighe - wash meall, mealladh - deceive�ullaich, ullachadh - prepare�



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1. Ged a bhios e a' fuireach ann an 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?�



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©�LESSON 29�

The Conditional Tense - Regular Verbs�

The formation of the Conditional Tense of regular verbs is identical to that seen in for the�verb�To Be�. As you discovered the Conditional Tense�of the verb�To Be� is used with the�present participle� to express either a continuous conditional action or a repeated past�action:�Bhiodh e a' cluich anns a' 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�



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©�togail - lifting/building tog thogainn/ togainn/�

thogamaid/ togamaid/� thogadh togadh�òl - drinking òl dh'òlainn/ òlainn/� dh'òlamaid/ òlamaid/� dh'òladh òladh�

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 Ruitheadh tu - You would run�Cha leughadh tu - You would not read Cha ruitheadh tu - You would not run�An leughadh tu?- Would you/etc read? An ruitheadh tu? - Would you run?�Nach leughadh tu? - Would you/etc not read?� Nach ruitheadh tu? - Would you not run?�

Sheasadh tu - You would stand Sgrìobhadh tu - You would write�Cha sheasadh tu - You would not stand Cha sgrìobhadh tu - You would not write�An seasadh tu? - Would you stand? An sgrìobhadh tu? - Would you write?�Nach seasadh tu? - Would you not stand? Nach sgrìobhadh tu? - Would you not write?� �Thogadh tu - You would lift Dh'òladh tu - You would drink�Cha thogadh tu - You would not lift Chan òladh tu - You would not drink�An togadh tu? - Would you lift? An òladh tu? - Would you drink?�Nach togadh tu? - Would you not lift? 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�.�



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©�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�



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©�Saying Yes and No�

The pattern is the same for the verb�To Be�. You need to use the positive or negative forms�of the verb in the 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 dorchadas (m) - darkness�talamh (m) - land, ground�

Verbs�atharraich, atharrachadh - change, alter diùlt, diùltadh - deny, refuse�innis, innse (do) - tell, relate (to) loisg, loisgeadh - burn�reic, reic (ri) - sell (to)�

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�



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©�7. Chan òlainn a-riamh a-mach à botal�

8. Dh'innis e dhomh gun loisgeadh e na pàipearan�9. Cha ghabhadh i airgead bho choigreach�10. Càit an togadh sibh ur taigh ùr?�

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�

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 phàipear-�

naidheachd�9. Bha dòchas aca gun obraicheadh a h-uile rud gu�

ceart�10. Chan chanainn gun robh i bòidheach�



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©�LESSON 30�

The Conditional Tense - Irregular Verbs�

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�



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©�‡� You would be better learning the first form which is more common and is regularly derived�

from the root� rach�. The alternative and irregular forms are derived from the root�deigh� and�are confined to only a limited area.�†�In the Conditional Tense the regular verb�Can� is preferred, particularly in the spoken�language.�

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 Theirinn - I would say�Gheibheamaid - We would get Theireamaid - We would say�Gheibheadh tu/etc - You/etc would get Theireadh tu/etc - You/etc would say�Chan fhaighinn - I would not get Chan abairinn - I would not say�Chan fhaigheamaid - We would not get Chan abaireamaid - We would not say�Chan fhaigheadh tu/etc - You/etc would not get� Chan abaireadh tu/etc - You/etc would not say�Am faighinn? - Would I get? An abairinn? - Would I say?�Am faigheamaid? - Would we get? An abaireamaid? - Would we say?�Am faigheadh tu?/etc - Would you/etc get?� An abaireadh tu?/etc - Would you/etc say?�Nach fhaighinn? - Would I not get? Nach abairinn? - Would I not say?�Nach fhaigheamaid? - Would we not get? Nach abaireamaid? - Would we not say?�Nach fhaigheadh tu?/etc - Would you/etc not get?� Nach abaireadh tu?/etc - Would you/etc not say? �



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©�Thiginn - I would come Bheirinn - I would take�

Thigeamaid - We would come Bheireamaid - We would take�Thigeadh tu/etc - You/etc would come Bheireadh tu/etc - You/etc would take�Cha tiginn - I would not come Cha toirinn - I would not take�Cha tigeamaid - We would not come Cha toireamaid - We would not take�Cha tigeadh tu/etc - You/etc would not come� Cha toireadh tu/etc - You/etc would not take�An tiginn? - Would I come? An toirinn? - Would I take?�An tigeamaid? - Would we come? An toireamaid? - Would we take?�An tigeadh tu?/etc - Would you/etc come? An toireadh tu?/etc - Would you/etc take?�Nach tiginn? - Would I not come? Nach toirinn? - Would I not take?�Nach tigeamaid? - Would we not come? Nach toireamaid? - Would we not take?�Nach tigeadh tu?/etc - Would you/etc not come?� Nach toireadh tu?/etc - Would you/etc not take?�

* Whenever possible� cha�/�chan� will lenite the irregular verb, except for verbs beginning with�d�and� t.�†�The second person singular is always�tu�.�‡�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?�



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©�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 eilean (m) - island�geata (m) - gate lethbhreac (m) - copy�caraid (m) - friend�uiseag (f) - skylark�

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?�



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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�5. Cuin a dhèanadh tu an obair?�6. Ruigeadh iad an t-eilean ron mhadainn�7. Thuirt duine nach fhaigheadh i a h-airgead air ais�8. Cha toirinn dhut sgillinn airson càr mar sin�9. Carson nach rachadh sibh leam/còmhla rium?�10. An abaireadh tu gun robh e eireachdail?�



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©�

‡ 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):�

LESSON 31�Cardinal Numbers 1 - 30�

There are two distinct forms: 1) without a noun and 2) with a noun.�There are also two concurrent systems: a) traditional; based on units of twenty and b)�decimal (preferred in education)�

The numbers�aon� (one) to�naoi deug� (nineteen), both simple or compounded, are preceded by�a� (�a h-� before a vowel)�

1. Without a noun�a. Traditional�:�1� a h-aon� 11� a h-aon deug� 21� a h-aon air fhichead�2� a 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�

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�



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©�2. With a noun�

Examples are given for both masculine [�cat, pl. cait (m) - cat�] and feminine [�cearc, pl.�cearcan (f) - hen�] nouns.�

a. Traditional:�

1�aon chat (m)�†�

11�aon chat dheug� #�

21�aon chat fichead�$�

aon chearc (f)� aon chearc dheug� aon chearc fichead�

2�dà chat�

12�dà chat dheug�#�

22�dà chat fichead�

dà chirc� ‡� dà chirc dheug� dà chirc fichead�

3�trì cait�

13�trì cait dheug� *�

23�trì cait fichead�

trì cearcan� trì cearcan deug� trì cearcan fichead�

4�ceithir cait�

14�ceithir cait dheug�

24�ceithir cait fichead�

ceithir cearcan� ceithir cearcan deug� ceithir cearcan fichead�

5�còig cait�

15�còig cait dheug�

25�còig cait fichead�

còig cearcan� còig cearcan deug� còig cearcan fichead�

6�sia cait�

16�sia cait dheug�

26�sia cait fichead�

sia cearcan� sia cearcan deug� sia cearcan fichead�

7�seachd cait�

17�seachd cait dheug�

27�seachd cait fichead�

seachd cearcan� seachd cearcan deug� seachd cearcan fichead�

8�ochd cait�

18�ochd cait dheug�

28�ochd cait fichead�

ochd cearcan� ochd cearcan deug� ochd cearcan fichead�

9�naoi cait�

19�naoi cait dheug�

29�naoi cait fichead�

naoi cearcan� naoi cearcan deug� naoi cearcan fichead�

10�deich cait�

20�fichead cat�§�

30�deich cait fichead�

deich cearcan� fichead cearc� deich cearcan fichead�

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



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

1�aon chat (m)�†�

11�aon chat dheug� #�

21�fichead 's a h-aon chat�

aon chearc (f)� aon chearc dheug� fichead 's a h-aon chearc�

2�dà chat�

12�dà chat dheug�#�

22�fichead 's a dà chat�

dà chirc� ‡� dà chirc dheug� fichead 's a dà chirc�

3�trì cait�

13�trì cait dheug� *�

23�fichead 's a trì cait�

trì cearcan� trì cearcan deug� fichead 's a trì cearcan�

4�ceithir cait�

14�ceithir cait dheug�

24�fichead 's a ceithir cait�

ceithir cearcan� ceithir cearcan deug� fichead 's a ceithir cearcan�

5�còig cait�

15�còig cait dheug�

25�fichead 's a còig cait�

còig cearcan� còig cearcan deug� fichead 's a còig cearcan�

6�sia cait�

16�sia cait dheug�

26�fichead 's a sia cait�

sia cearcan� sia cearcan deug� fichead 's a sia cearcan�

7�seachd cait�

17�seachd cait dheug�

27�fichead 's a seachd cait�

seachd cearcan� seachd cearcan deug� fichead 's a seachd cearcan�

8�ochd cait�

18�ochd cait dheug�

28�fichead 's a h-ochd cait�

ochd cearcan� ochd cearcan deug� fichead 's a h-ochd cearcan�

9�naoi cait�

19�naoi cait dheug�

29�fichead 's a naoi cait�

naoi cearcan� naoi cearcan deug� fichead 's a naoi cearcan�

10�deich cait�

20�fichead cat�§�

30�trithead cat�†�

deich cearcan� fichead cearc� trithead cearc�

† trithead�is always followed by the singular nominative noun.�

Nouns of measure are usually only found in the singular. A few common ones are:�bliadhna - year�sgillinn - penny�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) punnd (m) - pound weight�sporan (m) - sporran, purse taigh-seinnse (m) - public house�tombaca (m) - tobacco ùnnsa (m) - ounce�aois (f) - age bò (f) - cow�



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©�cluas (f) - ear crìoch (f) - end�

iomlaid (f) - change, exchange mìle (f) - mile�sgillinn (f) - penny�

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�



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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�



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©�LESSON 32�

Telling the Time�

Whole hours (o'clock)�Uair� (hour) is used to signify o'clock. With plural numbers this changes to�uairean�:�uair - one o'clock� †� seachd uairean - seven o'clock�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 fichead mionaid - 20 minutes�deich mionaidean - 10 minutes còig mionaidean fichead - 25 mins�còig mionaidean deug - 15 minutes lethuair - half (half an hour)�cairteal - quarter�

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�.�



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©�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�

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) mair, mairsinn - last, endure�seall, sealltainn (do) - look, show (to)�

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�



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©�7. Bha an gleoc a' sealltainn cairteal an dèidh uair�

8. Bha mo leannan lethuair a thìde fadalach�9. Loisg an coinneal air falbh ann an uair gu leth�10. Bha sinn aig a' chèilidh gus cairteal gu aon uair deug�

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�

LESSON 32: ANSWERS 1�1. The aeroplane leaves at quarter to three in the�

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

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 h-�

ochd�9. Mhair an searmon uair gu leth�10. Bha mi aig an sgoil ro naoi uairean�



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LESSON 33Days, Months, Seasons, & Special Days

Làithean na Seachdain - The Days of the Week:là (m) - dayseachdain (f) - weekMonday - Diluain Friday - DihaoineTuesday - Dimàirt Saturday - DisathairneWednesday - Diciadain Sunday - DidòmhnaichThursday - Diardaoin - Là na Sàbaid

The initial Di is dropped when used with oidhche but not with madainn or feasgar:madainn (f) - morningfeasgar (m) - evening, afternoonoidhche (f) - nightRàinig e dhachaigh oidhche Chiadain - He arrived home (on) Wednesday nightThàinig iad madainn Dimàirt - They came (on) Tuesday morningDh'fhàg i feasgar Disathairne - She left (on) Saturday evening

Mìosan na Bliadhna - The Months of the Year:mìos (m) - monthAm Faoilteach (m) - January An t-Iuchar (m) - JulyAn Gearran (m) - February An Lùnastal (m) - AugustAm Màrt (m) - March An t-Sultain (f) - SeptemberAn Giblean (m) - April An Dàmhair (f) - OctoberAn Cèitean (m)/Am Màigh (m) - May An t-Samhain (f) - NovemberAn t-Òg-mhìos (m) - June An Dùbhlachd/An Dùdlachd (f) - December

Na Ràithean - The Seasons:ràith (f) - seasonAn t-earrach (m) - spring Am foghar (m) - autumnAn samhradh (m) - summer An geamhradh (m) - winter

Special short forms are often used for the first three with the preposition anns: Usual Form Short Formin spring/in the spring anns an earrach as t-earrachin summer/in the summer anns an t-samhradh as t-samhradhin autumn / in the autumn anns an fhoghar as t-fhogharin winter/in the winter anns a' gheamhradh none



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Làithean àraidh - Special Days:A' Bhliadhn' Ùr - The New YearLà na Bliadhn' Ùire - New Year's Dayaig àm na Bliadhn' Ùire - at the New Year (time)A' Chàisg (f) - EasterLà na Càisge - Good Fridayaig àm na Càisge - at Easter timeOidhche Shamhna - Halloween Nollaig (f) - ChristmasOidhche na Nollaige - Christmas EveLà na Nollaige - Christmas Dayaig àm na Nollaige - at Christmas timeOidhche Challainn - Hogmanay



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©�LESSON 34�

The Genitive Singular Case of Masculine Nouns�

The Genitive Case is the form of the noun used to express possession and attributes.�

The masculine genitive singular noun exhibits identical initial consonant changes as the�masculine singular dative nouns (see Lesson 3).�

There is also a number of internal vowel modifications analogous to those of the feminine�singular dative nouns (see Lesson 7). These modifications are the same for both definite and�indefinite nouns. The general principle is, by the process of slenderisation, to make the final�vowel of a word narrow, i.e. �i�.�

To help you recognise the changes they are placed here as close as possible into the same�distinct types as the feminine singular dative nouns of Lesson 7.�

Initial changes in the noun and definite article are the same as the masculine dative singular�definite noun so these are given as a reference point.�Only the genitive noun can have the definite article. The meaning of a preceding noun,�whether�a� or�the�, is understood from the context.�

If you are not sure or are looking for the genitive of any noun used in this course then go to�the Vocabulary section�

Type 1�In monosyllabic nouns a letter� i� is inserted after the last broad vowel after a change in the�final broad vowel�Most common changes are�a >> ui�,� o >> ui� (�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�



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©�anns an leabhar - in the book� còmhdach an leabhair - cover of the book� còmhdach leabhair - cover of a book�

(- the book cover) (- a book cover)�air an t-sagart - on the priest� taigh an t-sagairt - house of the priest taigh sagairt - house of a priest� (- the priest's house) (- a priest's house)�

Type 3�In polysyllabic nouns the final vowel group�ea� will change to�ei� or� i� (common in the group�-each�>>� -ich�):�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 Genitive Singular Indefinite�ris an fhear - to the man còta an fhir - coat of the man còta fir - coat of a man� (- the man's coat) (- a man's coat)�anns a' pheann - in the pen gob a' phinn - nib of the pen gob pinn - nib of a pen (-�the pen nib) (- a pen nib)�

Type 5�In a small number of monosyllabic nouns the diphthong�ia� will change to�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�



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©�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 goirid - short�goirt - sore, sour milis - sweet�



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©�Nouns�

adhbhar (m) - reason, cause beachd (m) - opinion�blas (m) - taste blàths (m) - warmth�bòidhchead (m) - beauty bùrn (m) - fresh water�coigreach (m) - stranger còmhdach (m) - cover�cridhe (m) - heart dath (m) - colour�deireadh (m) - end earball (m) - tail�fàileadh (m) - smell fuachd (m) - cold, coldness�gaol (m) - love gob (m) - beak, nib�gràdh (m) - love gunna (m) - gun�iasgair (m) - fisherman meud (m) - size�mìr (m) - piece mullach (m) - roof, ceiling�òr (m) - gold pìos (m) - piece�plaosg (m) - pod (normally of a legume) sabhal (m) - barn�sgriach (m) - shriek Slànaighear - Saviour, healer�sreath (m) - row, series taillear (m) - tailor�tuathanach (m) - farmer uachdar (m) - surface, cream�aghaidh (f) - face oir (f) - edge�prìs - price (f) spòg (f) - paw, claw�

Verbs�cuir, cur - plant, put, place srac, sracadh - tear�

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�



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©�7. sgriach pèin; falt mo chinn; doras a' bhanca�

8. balla a' phuirt; taigh a' mhinisteir; gunna saighdeir�9. searmon an t-sagairt; sgeul bàird; balla a' chaisteil�10. sgeilp leabharlainn; bòidhchead an t-seallaidh; cat a' bhoireannaich�11. leabaidh an leanaibh; aghaidh coigrich; ceòl an eilein�12. cù mo bhràthar; cat a mic; taigh a h-athar�13. gaol bràthar; talla a' bhaile; ballachan an taighe agam�

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�6. Do you want a piece of bread?�7. The colour of my pen is blue�8. Their house was at the end of the road�9. The cat's paw was sore�10. Isn't the table leg broken?�11. The tail of my brother's dog is short�12. The taste of the stream water is sweet�

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�

3. the glen road; sort of man; the silver of the�mirror; the size of the room�

4. a fish tail; the heather of the moor; the shore�burn; a taste of water�

5. price of gold; the cattle barn; the barn roof�6. the colour of the light; the cup handle; work of a�

joiner�7. a cry of pain; the hair of my head; the door of the�

bank�8. the wall of the port; the minister's house; a�

soldier's gun�9. the priest's sermon; the poet's tale; the castle�

wall�10. a library shelf; the beauty of the view; the�

woman's cat�11. the baby's bed; a stranger's face; the island music�12. my brother's dog; her son's cat; her father's�

house�13. a brother's love; the town hall; the walls of my�

house�



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©�LESSON 35�

The Genitive Singular Case of Feminine Nouns�

The Genitive Case is the form of the noun used to express possession and attributes.�

General statement�Polysyllabic genitive singular feminine nouns are for the most part identical to the dative�singular forms. Except for a few irregular nouns the monosyllabic genitive singular feminine�nouns are the same as the dative singular forms save for the addition of a terminal�e�.�

Lesson 7 exemplifies the changes associated with the dative singular feminine nouns.�

The definite article in all instances is�Na� (�Na h-� before a vowel). �The singular noun is never lenited in the genitive singular.�

Only the genitive noun can have the definite article. The meaning of a preceding noun,�whether�a�or� the�, is understood from the context.�

If you are not sure or are looking for the genitive of any noun used in this course then go to�the Vocabulary section.�

Type 1�In monosyllabic nouns a final�e� added to the dative singular:�Dative Singular Indefinite Genitive Singular Indefinite Genitive Singular Definite�le circ - with a hen biadh circe - the food of a hen� biadh na circe - the food of the hen�

(- the hen's food)�air cois - on a leg cùl coise - the back of a leg cùl na coise - the back of the leg�aig crìch - at a boundary� callaid crìche - the fence of a boundary�callaid na crìche - the fence of the boundary� (- a boundary fence) (- the boundary fence)�air làimh - on a hand cùl làimhe - the back of a hand� cùl na làimhe - the back of the hand�air luing - on a ship neart luinge - the power of a ship� neart na luinge - the power of the ship� (- a ship's power) (- the ship's power)�le sgian - with a knife oir sgeine - the edge of a knife� oir na sgeine - the edge of the knife� (- a knife edge) (- the knife edge)�

Type 2�Polysyllabic nouns are the same as the dative singular, with an optional terminal�e� (becoming�less common in the spoken language):�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)�



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©�le maraig - with a pudding� mìlsead maraig(e) - the sweetness of a pudding� mìlsead na maraig(e) - the sweetness of the pudding�

fo uinneig - under a window� glainne uinneig(e) - the glass of a window� glainne na h-uinneig(e) - the glass of the window�

Type 3�Nouns ending in -�ir� add -�rach�/-�reach�. A few monosyllabic nouns ending in -�ail� add -�lach�:�Dative Singular Definite Genitive Singular Definite�anns an litir - in the letter sgeul na litreach - the story of the letter�anns an obair - in the work fallas na h-obrach - the sweat of the work�leis an 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 Genitive Singular Definite�ann am bùth - in a shop� uinneag bùtha - the window of a shop� uinneag na bùtha - the window of the shop� (- a shop window) (- the shop window)�le caora - with a sheep� ceann caorach - the head of a sheep� ceann na caorach - the head of the sheep� (- a sheep's head) (- the sheep's head)�ann an sùil - in an eye oisean sùla - the corner of an eye� oisean na sùla - the corner of the eye�air tràigh -on a beach� allt tràghad - the stream of a beach� allt na tràghad - the stream of the beach� (- a beach stream) (- the beach stream)�le màthair - with a mother mac màthar - the son of a mother� mac na màthar - the son of the mother� (- a mother's son) (- the mother's son)�ri piuthar - to a sister� leabhar peathar - the book of a sister� leabhar na peathar - the book of the sister� (- a sister's book) (- the sister's book)�le seanmhair - with a grandmother� cidsin seanmhar - the kitchen of a grandmother� cidsin na seanmhar - the kitchen of the grandmother� (- a grandmother's kitchen) (- the grandmother's kitchen)�

Where there is more than one noun in the genitive then only the final one can take the�genitive form and only this noun can have a definite article, e.g.�blas 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�



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©�The possessive adjective can also be used with a genitive noun, e.g.�

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

NEW WORDS�Nouns�blas (m) - accent, taste cùl (m) - back side�fad (m) - length fallas (m) - sweat�guth (m) - voice mìlsead (m) - sweetness�neart (m) - energy, strength oisean (m) - corner�smal (m) - mark�ad (f) - hat bas (f) - palm (of hand)�buidheann (f) - group callaid (f) - fence�glainne (f) - glass ite (f) - feather�piuthar (f) - sister saothair (f) - labour, toil�seanmhair (f) - grandmother�

Verbs�glais/glas, glasadh - lock�

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�



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©�

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. the lark's voice; the morning meal; the sound of�the sea�

3. the school door; the handle of the knife; the legs�of the bed�

4. smell of smoke; a hen's beak; a wing feather; the�window glass�

5. the park's fence; toil of work; the power of the�storm�

6. the colour of her eye; the beach sand; a forest�bird�

7. the top of the mountain; pain of poverty; the�sweetness of her kiss�

8. the colour of the feather; the size of the hat; the�sweat of my labour�



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©�LESSON 36�

Using the Genitive Case of Nouns�

Use the genitive case whenever two or more nouns come together.�Whatever the number of nouns�only� the last noun will be in the genitive case. The other�nouns will be indefinite and nominative:�Indefinite Genitive Case Definite Genitive Case�seacaid balaich - the jacket of a boy seacaid a' bhalaich - the jacket of the boy�(- a boy's jacket) (- the boy's jacket)�putan seacaid balaich - the button of the jacket of a boy putan seacaid a' bhalaich - the button of the jacket of the boy�(- the button of a boy's jacket) (- the button of the boy's jacket)�

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

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

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



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©�Genitives of Proper Nouns�

Male names are lenited in the genitive, and exhibit analogous internal vowel modifications to�those found with masculine genitive singular nouns:�Calum taigh Chaluim - Calum's house�Coinneach bean Choinnich - Kenneth's wife�Uilleam 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 stoc (m) - scarf�breac (m) - trout�bean (f) - wife, woman comhairle (f) - council, counsel, advice�colaiste (f) - college mòine (f) - peat�sìde (f) - weather�

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�



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©�4. Bha e a' leughadh an leabhair gu sàmhach�

5. Bha mo sheanmhair a' fighe an stuic dhomh�6. Bha m' athair a' cleachdadh a' bhàta aige a-raoir�7. Chunnaic mi e a' tilgeil clach ris a' chù�

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�

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�6. Tha mi a' teagasg Gàidhlig do mo chàirdean�7. Càit an do chuir thu iuchair doras an taighe?�8. Thuirt mi gun robh e a' lìonadh a' bhotail le bùrn�9. Bha dathan a' bhric cho Bòidheach�10. Am bi sibh a' gearradh na mòna a-màireach?�

Bithidh�



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©�LESSON 37�

Summary of Dative and Genitive Changes in Singular Nouns�

This lesson summarises the changes associated with the dative and genitive changes in�singular masculine and feminine nouns.�

Masculine Nouns�There is no indefinite article in any of the cases.�

1. The Nominative Case:� The definite article is�an� except for nouns beginning with� b�,�f�,� m�&� p�when it is�am�;� A� t-�is placed before definite nouns beginning with a� vowel�.�

2. The Dative Case:� The definite article is otherwise�an� except for nouns beginning with� b�,�m�,� p�,� c�&� g�

when it is�a'�;� Definite nouns beginning with� b�,�f�,� m�,� p�,� c�&� g�lenite the initial consonant;� A� t-� is placed before definite nouns beginning with �sl�,� sn�,� sr�&� s+vowel�;� After prepositions ending in a vowel the definite article remains�an� and fuses with the�

preposition e.g.�dha + an >> dhan�.�

3. The Genitive Case:� The definite article is�an� except for nouns beginning with� b�,�m�,� p�,� c�&� g�when it is�a'�;� 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� Internal Vowel�Changes�

am bàrd - the poet� dhan bhàrd - to the poet� a' bàird - of the poet�addition of i�

a >> ai�o >> oi�u >> ui�

ao >> aoi�

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�



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©�Nominative� Dative� Genitive� Internal Vowel�

Changes�

an t-allt - the stream� anns an t-allt - in the�stream� an uillt - of the stream�

a & o >> ui�an corp - the body� fon chorp - under the�body� a' chuirp - of the body�

am port - the port� ris a' phort - at the port� a' phuirt - of the port�

am mac - the son� leis a' mhac - with the son� a' mhic - of the son�

a, ea & io >> i�an coileach - the cock� fon choileach - under the�

cock� a' choilich - of the cock�

am fear - the man� ris an fhear - to the man� an fhir - of the man�

an 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�

ea, eu & ia >> ei�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� a >> oi�

am beul - the mouth� air a' bheul - on the�mouth� a' bheòil - of the mouth�

eu >> eoi�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�

eo >> iui�an seòl - the sail� fon t-seòl - under the sail� an t-siùil - of the sail�

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�.�



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©�

Nominative� Dative� Genitive� Internal Vowel�Changes�

a' mharag - the pudding� anns a' mharaig - in the�pudding�

na maraig(e) - of the�pudding� addition of i�

a >> ai�o >> oi�an 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�o >> ui�

an tonn - the wave� fon tuinn - under the wave� na tuinne - of the wave�

a' chearc - hen� dhan chirc - to the hen� na circe - of the hen�ea & io >> i�

a' 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 >> oi�a' clann - the children� dhan chloinn - to the�children�

na cloinne - of the�children�

an fhras - the shower� fon fhrois - under the�shower� na froise - of the shower�

2. The Dative Case:� 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�.�

‡�These internal vowel changes are less frequently heard in the spoken language, but still�appear in formal literature�

3. The Genitive Case:� The definite article is always�na� (�na h-� before vowels);� The nouns undergo internal vowel modifications: with the general trend of narrowing the�

final internal vowel to�i�;�A terminal�e� is added to monosyllabic nouns. Polysyllabic nouns exhibit this to a lesser�degree and it is considered optional in both the spoken and written language�.�



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©�Nominative� Dative� Genitive� Internal Vowel�

Changes�

a' chaileag - the girl� dhan chaileig - to the girl� na caileig(e) - of the girl�

ea, eu & ia >> ei�

a' chreach - the plunder� anns a' chreich - in the�plunder�

na creiche - of the�plunder�

an t-sealg - the hunt� anns an t-seilg - in the�hunt�

na seilge - of the hunt�

a' bhreug - the lie� leis a' 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�

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�



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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�



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©�LESSON 38�

The Nominative and Dative Plural of Nouns�

The nominative and dative plurals are identical.�The definite article in all cases is�Na� (�Na h-� before a vowel).�

Remember, however, the following rules are at best guidelines and that plurals are best�learnt when met.�

All monosyllabic nouns ending in a vowel, whether masculine or feminine add�-than�/�-thean� to�the singular:�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�



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©�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�

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 domhainn - deep�flathail - majestic�

Nouns�cogadh (m) - war dust (m) - dust�



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©�fad (m) - length nì (m) - thing�

sgudal (m) - rubbish, junk�Alba (f) - Scotland cnò (f) - nut�co-fharpais (f) - competition craobh (f) -tree�

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�



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©�24. Tha leabhar agam nam phòcaid�

25. Cuir do sgian air falbh�26. Cuir a' chearc anns a' phoit�27. Ghlac mi iasg anns an loch�28. Chaidh sinn dhan bhùth�29. Tha mo charaid tinn an-dràsta�30. Tha dust nam shùil�31. Bha leabhar air an sgeilp�32. Chaidh mi fo dhrochaid�33. Bha am feasgar blàth is tioram�

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)�5. There are ten green bottles on the wall�6. I read four books last week�7. The years go past so quickly�8. The mornings are becoming (growing) very cold now�9. My brothers got prizes in the competitions�10. The mountains of Scotland are so majestic�

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�



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©�LESSON 39�

The Genitive Plural of Nouns�

Consistent Grammatical Features�:�The genitive plural definite article is�nam� before�b�,� f�,� m�or� p�and� nan� in all other situations.�Whenever possible the indefinite plural genitive noun is lenited.�

General Pattern�The rule is for the final vowel of the genitive plural to be broad.�This means if the nominative plural noun has a final broad vowel then the genitive plural noun�is identical, else the genitive plural noun will be same as the nominative singular noun. The�latter is mostly confined to masculine nouns.�

For Masculine Nouns�Nominative Plural� Nominative Singular� Genitive Plural�

Final narrow vowel�

balaich - boys� balach - a boy�nam balach - of the boys�

bhalach - of boys�

pinn - pens� peann - a pen� nam peann - of the pens�

pheann - of pens�

Final broad vowel�

bogsaichean - boxes� bogsa - a box�nam bogsaichean - of the�

boxes�

bhogsaichean - of boxes�

iasgairean - fishermen� iasgair - a fisherman�nan iasgairean - of the�

fishermen�

iasgairean - of fisherman�

taillearan - tailors� taillear - a tailor�nan taillearan - of the�

tailors�

thaillearan - of tailors�



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©�For Feminine Nouns�

Nominative Plural� Nominative Singular� Genitive Plural�

Final broad vowel�in nominative�

plural�

caileagan - girls� caileag - a girl�nan caileagan - of the�

girls�

chaileagan - of girls�

cearcan - hens� cearc - a hen�nan cearcan - of the hens�

chearcan - of hens�

cùisean - matters� cùis - matter�nan cùisean - of the�

matters�

chùisean - of matters�

eaglaisean - churches� eaglais - a church�nan eaglaisean - of the�

churches�

eaglaisean - of churches�

sgoiltean - schools� sgoil - a school�nan sgoiltean - of the�

schools�

sgoiltean - of schools� Some older speakers and older literature may apply an older rule for feminine nouns.�The basic model is if the final vowel of the nominative singular is broad then the genitive�plural is identical to it, else both nominative and genitive plurals are the same. Some are�preserved in familiar combinations such as Taigh chearc - Henhouse. Compare the following�to the above table:�

Nominative Singular� Nominative Plural� Genitive Plural�

Final broad vowel�in nominative�

singular�

caileag - a girl� caileagan - girls�nan caileag - of the girls�

chaileag - of girls�

cearc - a hen� cearcan - hens�nan cearc - of the hens�

chearc - of hens�

Final narrow vowel�in nominative�

singular�

cùise - a matter� cùisean - matters�nan cùisean - of the�

matters�

chùisean - of matters�

eaglais - a church� eaglaisean - churches�nan eaglaisean - of the�

churches�

eaglaisean - of churches�

sgoil - a school� sgoiltean - schools�nan sgoiltean - of the�

schools�

sgoiltean - of schools�



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©�EXERCISE 1 Make the following plural�

1. 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 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 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�

LESSON 39: ANSWERS 3�1. gainmheach nan tràighean; mullaichean nam�

beanntan�2. mìlsead nam pòg(an); dathan nan itean; meud nan�

ad(an)�3. fallas nan saothraichean; làmhan nam bodach�4. dorais nan seòmar; botail bhainne; casan bhalach�5. bràithrean ar n-athraichean; bogsaichean guail�6. làir nan tallachan; dathan nan còtaichean�

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�



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©�LESSON 40�

More Incomplete Verbs�

You have already met the first group of the incomplete verbs based on the verb�Is� in Lesson�20.�

Group 2: This group consists of true auxiliary verbs. These are regular verbs but are�only found in two tenses�.�a. The Auxiliary Verb�Faod:�

Forms� Future Tense� Conditional Tense�

Statement� Faodaidh�mi/tu ‡/e/i/sinn/sibh/iad� -�I/you/he/she/we/you/they� may�

Dh'fhaodainn - I might/ought�Dh'fhaodamaid�†� - We might/ought�Dh'fhaodadh�tu ‡/e/i /sinn/sibh/iad�-�you/he/�she/we/you/they� might/ought�

Negative�statement�

Chan fhaod� mi/thu/e/i/sinn/sibh/iad�-�I/you/he/she/we/you/they� may not�

Chan fhaodainn - I might/ought not�Chan fhaodamaid - We might/ought not�Chan fhaodadh�tu/e/i/sinn/sibh/iad�-�you/he/�she/we/you/they� might/ought not�

Interrogative�

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

Faodaidh - Yes�Chan fhaod - No�

Am faodainn? - Might/Ought I?�Am faodamaid? - Might/Ought we?�Am faodadh�tu/e/i/sinn/sibh/iad�? -�Might/Ought�you/he/she/we/you/they�?�

Dh'fhaodadh - Yes�Chan fhaodadh - No�

Negative�interrogative�*�

Nach fhaod� mi/thu/e/i/sinn/sibh/iad�?�- May�I/you/he/she/we/you/they�not?�

Faodaidh - Yes�Chan fhaod - No�

Nach fhaodainn? - Might/Ought I not?�Nach fhaodamaid? - Might/Ought we not?�Nach fhaodadh�tu/e/i/sinn/sibh/iad� - Might/�Ought �you/he/she/we/you/they� not�

Dh'fhaodadh - Yes�Chan fhaodadh - No�

Relative�'S�mise/tusa/esan/ise/sinne/sibhse/�iadsan� a dh'fhaodas - It's�I/you/he/�she/we/you/they� who may�

'S�mise/tusa/esan/ise/sinne/sibhse/iadsan� a�dh'fhaodadh - It's�I/you/he/she/we/you/they�who might/ought�

‡�Remember�tu� replaces�thu� after the verb endings�-idh� in the future and�-adh� in the�conditional.�†� This synthetic verbs ending in� -maid� are becoming less common and are being replaced by�the generic verbal forms followed by�sinn�.�*� Words beginning with�f �are usually aspirated after the negative particle�Nach�.�



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©�Forms� Future Tense� Conditional Tense�

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

Dh'fheumainn - I would need�Dh'fheumamaid�†� - We would need�Dh'fheumadh�tu ‡/e/i/sinn/sibh/iad�-�You/he/�she/we/you/they� would need�


Chan fheum�mi/thu/e/i/sinn/sibh/iad�-�I/you/he/she/we/you/they� will not�need�

Chan fheumainn - I would not need�Chan fheumamaid - We would not need�Chan fheumadh�tu/e/i/sinn/sibh/iad�-�You/he/�she/we/you/they� would not need�

Interrogative�

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

Feumaidh - Yes�Chan fheum - No�

Am feumainn? - Would I need?�Am feumamaid? - Would we need?�Am feumadh�tu/e/i/sinn/sibh/iad�? - Would�you/he/she/we/you/they� need?�

Dh'fheumadh - Yes�Chan fheumadh - No�

Negative�interrogative�*�

Nach fheum�mi/thu/e/i/sinn/sibh/iad�?�- Will�I/you/he/she/we/you/they� not�need?�

Feumaidh - Yes�Chan fheum - No�

Nach fheumainn? - Would I not need?�Nach fheumamaid? - Would we not need?�Nach fheumadh�tu/e/i/sinn/sibh/iad�? - Would�you/he/she/we/you/they� not need?�

Dh'fheumadh - Yes�Chan fheumadh - No�

Relative�'S�mise/tusa/esan/ise/sinne/sibhse/�iadsan� a dh'fheumas - It's�I/you/he/�she/we/you/they� who will need�

'S�mise/tusa/esan/ise/sinne/sibhse/iadsan� a�dh'fheumadh - It's�I/you/he/she/we/you/they�who would need�

b. The Auxiliary Verb�Feum�:�

‡�Remember�tu� replaces�thu� after the verb endings�-idh� in the future and�-adh� in the�conditional.�†� This synthetic verbs ending in� -maid� are becoming less common and are being replaced by�the generic verbal forms followed by�sinn�.�§�Although structurally a future in most instances this is best translated with a present�mood. See examples below.�* Words beginning with�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�



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©�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 �



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©�Group 3: This group consists of a true auxiliary verb which is only found in the past�

tense.�(a) The Auxiliary Verb�Theab� meaning�Nearly�or� Almost�. It is only found in the past tense:�

Forms� Past Tense�

Statement� Theab�mi/thu/e /i/sinn/sibh/iad�-�I/you/he/she/we/you/�they� nearly�


Cha do theab�mi/thu/e /i/sinn/sibh/iad�-�I/you/he/she/we/�you/they� didn't nearly�

Interrogative� An do theab�mi/thu/e /i/sinn/sibh/iad� - Did� I/you/he/she/�we/you/they� nearly�

Negative�interrogative�

Nach do theab�mi/thu/e /i/sinn/sibh/iad�- Did�I/you/he/�she/we/you/they� not nearly�

Example Uses�As described for Group 2 verbs above when the verb�Theab� is followed directly by a verb,�the verbal noun is used. Exceptions in both literature and the spoken language are the verbs�To Be� (a bhith),�To Go� (a dhol) and�To Come� (a thighinn):�Theab mi tuiteam - I almost fell�An do theab thu 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)?�



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©�In both literature and the spoken language the sense of�Almost�or� Nearly�is more commonly�

expressed by the use of the assertive verb with the adjective� mòr�. Compare with some ex-�amples from the use of�Theab�:�

Using Theab� Using Assertive Verb�Theab mi tuiteam� I almost fell� Cha mhòr nach do thuit mi�

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� I almost hit him/it� Cha mhòr nach do bhuail mi e�

An do theab thu a mharbhadh?� Did you nearly kill him?� Nach mòr nach do mharbh thu e?�

Cha do theab iad a sàbhaladh� They almost didn't save it� Cha mhòr gun do shàbhail iad i�

Nach do theab sinn a sgriosadh?� 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�



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©�Nouns�

fiaclair (m) - dentist puinnsean (m) - poison�feòil (f) - meat, flesh piseag (f) - kitten�

Verbs�aidich, aideachadh - admit, confess bàth, bàthadh - drown�rach fodha, dol fodha - sink marbh, marbhadh - kill�sàbhail, sàbhaladh - save sgrios, sgriosadh - ruin�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)�



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©�

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�



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©�LESSON 41�

More Conjunctions�

You have already met three distinct groups of conjunctions and their usage in Lesson 23.�Group 3 is revisited in this lesson and a fourth group is introduced.�

Group 3�This group also includes a number of idiomatic conjunctions:�air cho .. 's - no matter how ..�leis cho .. ' s - being so .. as�ge b' e cho .. 's - no matter how ..�

Remember Group 3 conjunctions are all followed by the relative clause. For the tenses of the�verb TO BE these are:�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.�



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

's�.�

Some others fall into this group:�air chor 's - on condition, so that air eagal 's - for fear, lest�cho .. 's - so .. that mar�‡� - as if�

‡� as distinct from its meaning in Lesson 23 Group 2�

Group 4 conjunctions are all followed by the dependent clause. For the tenses of the verb�TO BE these are:�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�



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©�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�

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 deiseil (de) - finished (with)�freagarrach - suitable mì-mhodhail - rude�modhail - polite soilleir - bright�

Adverbs�air iasad - on loan thall thairis - abroad, overseas�

Conjunctions�ach - so (subjectively) a chionn 's - since, because�agus - with, meanwhile air cho .. 's - no matter how ..�air chor 's - on (the) condition, so that air eagal 's - for fear, lest�air sgàth 's - because cho .. 's - as .. as�airson 's - for, because do bhrìgh 's - because�ge b' e cho .. 's - no matter how .. leis cho .. 's - seeing as .. so�ri linn - due to, because�

Nouns�cùirtear, cùrtair (m) - curtain fuaradair (m) - refrigerator�nàbaidh (m) - neighbour peanas (m) - punishment, penalty�soitheach (m) - dish, vessel teas (m) - heat�uilebheist (m) - monster cuirm-chnuic (f) - picnic�deigh (f) - ice dreasa (f) - dress�gaoth (f) - wind iris (f) - magazine�lèine (f) - shirt 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�



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©�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)�

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�



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©�3. Thèid mi dhan choinneimh ach am faigh mi cothrom bruidhinn�

4. Tha a' Ghàidhlig aig mo bhean is a' chlann, agus seo mise gun fhacal agam dhith�5. Air cho cruaidh 's a bhios an obair, bidh i daonnan toilichte�6. Bha an t-uisge cho teth 's gun do loisg mi mo làmh�

LESSON 41: ANSWERS 1�1. I'll not go to the ceilidh because I don't have a�

dress�2. I'd rather suffer because I'm very afraid of the�

dentist�3. Because she was late in last night, she is still in her�

bed�4. They'll be going abroad because they like heat�5. He fell asleep because he was tired of the�

conversation�6. I opened the curtain so that I could (would) see my�

neighbour coming�7. I gave her a sweet on the condition that she would�

be good�8. For fear that he would lose his money, his mother�

mended the hole in his trouser pocket�9. I gave my friend the magazine because I was�

finished with it�10. I will be getting up early tomorrow since I need to�

catch a train at six o'clock�11. He related the story as if it were the truth�12. My son did the dishes for fear that he wouldn't�

get his pocket money�

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�

3a. Dh'fheumadh sinn an doras a ghlasadh a chionn 's�gun robh a' ghaoth a' sèideadh gu làidir�

3b. Dh'fheumadh sinn an doras a ghlasadh air sgàth 's�gun robh a' ghaoth a' sèideadh gu làidir�

3c. Dh'fheumadh sinn an doras a ghlasadh airson 's gun�robh a' ghaoth a' sèideadh gu làidir�

4a. Bha fallas orra a chionn 's gun robh iad ag obair�cho cruaidh�

4b. Bha fallas orra air sgàth 's gun robh iad ag obair�cho cruaidh�

4c. Bha fallas orra airson 's gun robh iad ag obair cho�cruaidh�

5a. Fàgaidh mi air an solas a chionn 's gum bi eagal ort�ron dorchadas�

5b. Fàgaidh mi air an solas air sgàth 's gum bi eagal ort�ron dorchadas�

5c. Fàgaidh mi air an solas airson 's gum bi eagal ort�ron dorchadas�

6a. Bha am bainne goirt a chionn 's nach do chuir i air�ais anns an fhuaradair e�

6b. Bha am bainne goirt air sgàth 's nach do chuir i air�ais anns an fhuaradair e�

6c. Bha am bainne goirt airson 's nach do chuir i air ais�anns an fhuaradair e�

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�



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Nominative� Dative� Genitive�

Singular�

Use the basic form� For�definite� nouns lenite the basic�form�

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

broad�

gille glic - a wise boy�an gille glic - the wise boy�

le gille glic - with a wise boy�leis a' ghille ghlic - with the wise�

boy�

gille ghlic - of a wise boy�a' ghille ghlic - of the wise boy�

cat 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�

Plural�

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

gillean glice - wise boys�na gillean glice - the wise�

boys�

le gillean glice - with wise boys�leis na gillean glice - with the wise�

boys�

ghillean glice - of wise boys�nan gillean glice - of the wise�

boys�

cait 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�


LESSON 42�The Declension of Adjectives�

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:�

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



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©�Feminine Nouns�

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


Singular�

For�definite� nouns lenite the�basic form�

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

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

broad� ‡�

caileag ghlic - wise girl�a' chaileag ghlic - the wise�

girl�

le caileig ghlic - with a wise girl�leis a' chaileig ghlic - with the wise�

girl�

caileige glice - of a wise girl�na caileige glice - of the wise�

girl�

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�

Plural�

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

caileagan glice - wise girls�na caileagan glice - the wise�

girls�

le caileagan glice - with wise girls�leis na caileagan glice - with the�

big girls�

chaileagan glice - of wise girls�nan caileagan glice - of the wise�

girls�

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�


†�As mentioned in Lesson 7 the trend is for feminine singular dative nouns, particularly in�the spoken language, to be identical to the nominative. This erosion is also reflected in the�agreement of the adjective.�

‡�A characteristic of monosyllabic feminine singular genitive adjectives is the addition of a�terminal �-e�. Polysyllabic feminine singular genitive adjectives do not generally add a termi-�nal�-e� and the trend (both written and spoken) is for these to be identical to masculine ones.�Monosyllabic feminine singular genitive adjectives resist this trend since the corresponding�monosyllabic feminine singular genitive nouns have mostly retained the terminal�-e� (see Les-�son 35). However, as shown in the table above, it is expected that if you do in fact go ahead�and add a terminal�-e� to polysyllabic nouns then the adjective should agree and consequen-�tially remain unlenited.�



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©�There is at present considerable variation regarding declension of the feminine singular�

nouns and their adjectives. Except for some common idiomatic structures the nominative has�all but replaced the dative in the spoken language. Regarding the feminine singular genitive�there exists a higher register (formal prose and speech) which uses grammatical forms and a�lower register (colloquial spoken and written) which exhibits a marked erosion toward the�equivalent masculine form for both nouns and adjectives:�

High Register� Various Intermediates Might Arise�†� Low Register�

caileige glice - of a wise girl�na caileige glice - of the wise girl�

caileig glice�na caileig glice�

caileige ghlic�na caileige ghlic�

caileig ghlic�na caileig ghlic�

faoileige 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�

Basic� 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�



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©�

However, most monosyllabic adjectives with a final broad vowel undergo an analogous process�of slenderisation as nouns (see Lesson 7 and Lesson 34). As with nouns the process can�involve internal vowel modification with the slenderisation of the final vowel to�i� .�

To help you the Vocabulary section shows the fully slenderised feminine genitive singular�adjective from which other forms can be derived.�

Type 1�An�i� is inserted after the broad vowel. This type contains mostly those with a final�a� or�ao� in�the basic form:�


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�

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:�



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�


Feminine Genitive�Singular�

cofhartail - comfortable� chofhartail� cofhartail�

cruinn - round� chruinn� cruinne�

eireachdail - handsome� eireachdail� eireachdail�

fada - long� fhada� fada�

tana - thin� thana� tana�

tinn - ill� thinn� tinne�

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



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Adjectives Coming Before the Noun�There are a few common adjectives which can only be used before a noun:�ath - next a h-uile - every�corra - a few deagh - good�dearbh - the very, exact, ideal droch - bad�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�

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



beag - small� big� bhig� bige�

geal - white� gil� ghil� gile�

sean - old� sin� shin� sine�

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



cian - distant� cèin� chèin� cèine�

ciar - dusky, swarthy� cèir� chèir� cèire�

liath - grey, greyed out� lèith� lèith� lèithe�

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



dearg - red� deirg� dheirg� deirge�

deas - right� deis� dheis� deise�

geur - sharp� gèir� ghèir� gèire�

searbh - bitter� seirbh� sheirbh� seirbhe�



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©�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) beartach - rich�bog - soft breac - speckled�caol - narrow cian (cèin also as basic form) - distant�ciar - dusky, swarthy clì - left�cruinn - round dall - blind�deagh - good (before noun) dearbh - exact, the very (before noun)�deas - right (side) droch - bad (before noun)�garbh - rough gòrach - stupid�gruamach - grumpy, gloomy mìlis - sweet�òg - young sean - old (after noun)�seann - old (before noun) searbh - bitter�sracte - torn trom - heavy�

Nouns�amadan (m) - fool, clown bata (m) - walking stick, baton�càineadh (m) - criticism cànan (m), cànain (f) - language�càs (m) - hardship cuthach (m) - rage�faobhar (m) - edge of a blade gaisgeach (m) - hero�gleans (m) - shine, finish gràdh (m) - love�greim/grèim (m) - grip, a portion of food mòran (m) - much, many, a lot�turas (m) - trip, journey, instance�bruach (f) - bank (of river etc) corrag (f) - finger�dùrachd (f) - wish, tiding feadhainn (f) - some, ones (collective noun)�làmh (f) - handle�



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©�All exercises use a high register. As you do these think about the low colloquial forms�

you are likely to hear�.�

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�



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©�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�



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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�



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©�LESSON 43�

The Comparison of Adjectives�

First Level Comparison: Similes�There are two constructions for forming similes, both use the word�CHO� meaning�SO�:�1.�cho� in combination with the preposition�ri�. The pattern is:�cho�+ adjective +� ri�+ dative�noun:�Tha am falt aige�cho� dubh�ri� fitheach - His hair is�as�black� as� a raven�Tha mi�cho� 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)�



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©�Second Level Comparison: Comparatives and Superlatives�

1. Regular Formation�The form for both the comparative and the superlative is the same in 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� Second Level Comparison�

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�



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©�†�Pronouns are emphatic following�na�

‡�Adjectives beginning with�f� are always lenited�nas�§� Adjectives are lenited after� na bu�, although adjectives beginning with�d�and� t� resist�lenition�

Literally what is being said is:�Tha an 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.�



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©�You might recognise the forms�as� and�a bu� as relative forms of the Assertive Verb. So what�

is literally being said is:�'S mise as 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�

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� Second Level�Comparison�

beag - small� lugha�

cumhang - narrow� cuinge�

dona, olc - bad� miosa�

duilich - difficult,�sorry�

duilghe�

fada - long� fhaide�

furasta - easy� fhasa�

goirid - short� giorra�

Basic Form� Second Level�Comparison�

làidir - strong� treasa & regular�làidire�

leathan - broad� leatha�

math - good� fheàrr�

mòr - big� motha, mò�

reamhar - fat� reamhra�

tana - thin, narrow� taine�

teth - hot� teotha �



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©�Some Common Idioms Using the Second Level Comparison�

When directly describing an action after the Assertive Verb:�'S e Calum am fear as 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 cumhang - narrow, thin�furasta - easy leathan - broad, wide�rag - stiff ruadh - red, auburn�sgiobalta - neat, tidy spìocach - mean, miserly�tana - thin tapaidh - smart, clever, robust�uasal - noble�

Nouns�cidsin (m) - kitchen fitheach (m) - raven�flùr (m) - flower gnìomh (m) - act, deed�iarann (m) - iron sràbh (m) - straw�togalach (m) - building�Gàidhealtachd (f) - Gàidhlig speaking area fiacail (f) - tooth�fiodh (f) - wood, timber gualainn (f) - shoulder�troigh (f) - foot 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�



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©�6. Is leamsa a' chathair as cofhartaile anns an rùm�

7. B' e sin an là a b' fhliche a chunnaic mi a-riamh�8. 'S i Màiri an tè as tapaidhe anns an sgoil�9. Tha an seòmar agamsa nas sgiobalta na an seòmar agadsa�10. Tha stàilinn nas cruaidhe na iarann�11. 'S e an cidsin an rùm as glaine anns an taigh agam�12. Bha na fiaclan aice cho geal ris an t-sneachd�13. 'S e Calum as miosa de na bràithrean�14. Tha an abhainn nas cuinge faisg air an drochaid�15. Thagh mi an sràbh as giorra�16. Cò am fear as treasa dhiubh?�17. Is ise as lugha den teaghlach ach an neach as sine�18. 'S ann aigesan a tha na troighean as motha a chunnaic mi a-riamh�19. Tha mo thaigh-sa nas motha na do thaigh-sa�20. Bha a' cheist sin na b' fhasa na an tè eile�

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�



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©�

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�



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©�LESSON 44�

Cardinal Numbers From 30 Upwards�

See Lesson 31 for cardinal numbers 1- 30�

1. Without a noun�a. Traditional�:�30� a deich air fhichead� 60� 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� dà fhichead 's a h-aon� 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�‡�

etc� etc� 500� còig ceud�

50�dà fhichead 's a deich/�

80� ceithir fichead� etc�lethcheud�

51� dà fhichead 's a h-aon deug/�lethcheud 's a h-aon� 81� ceithir fichead 's a h-aon� 1,000�mìle�

52� dà fhichead 's a dhà dheug/�lethcheud 's a dhà� 82� ceithir fichead 's a dhà� 2,000�dà mhìle�

53� dà fhichead 's a trì deug/�lethcheud 's a trì� 83� ceithir fichead 's a trì� 3,000�trì mìle�†�


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.�



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©�b. Decimal�:�

30� trithead� 60� seasgad� 90� naochad�31� trithead 's a h-aon� 61� seasgad 's a h-aon� 91� naochad 's a h-aon�32� trithead 's a 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 �

etc� etc� etc�40� ceathrad� 70� seachdad� 100� ceud�41� ceathrad 's a h-aon� 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� etc� 500� còig ceud�50� caogad� 80� ochdad� etc�51� caogad 's a h-aon� 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�†�

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�deich cait fichead�

60�trì fichead�cat�

90�ceithir fichead cat 's a deich�

deich cearcan fichead� trì fichead�cearc� ceithir fichead cearc 's a deich�

31�aon chat deug air fhichead�

61�trì fichead cat 's a h-aon�

91�ceithir fichead cat 's a h-aon deug�

aon chearc deug air fhichead� trì fichead cearc 's a h-aon� ceithir fichead cearc 's a h-aon deug�

32�dà chat dheug air fhichead�

62�trì fichead cat 's a dhà�

92�ceithir fichead cat 's a dhà dheug�

dà chirc dheug air fhichead� trì fichead cearc 's a dhà� ceithir fichead cearc 's a dhà dheug�

33�trì cait dheug air fhichead�

63�trì fichead cat 's a trì�

93�ceithir fichead cat 's a trì deug�

trì cearcan deug air fhichead� trì fichead cearc 's a trì� ceithir fichead cearc 's a trì deug�


40�dà fhichead cat�‡�

70�trì fichead cat 's a deich�

100�ceud cat�‡�

dà fhichead cearc� trì fichead cearc 's a deich� ceud cearc�

41�dà fhichead cat 's a h-aon�

71�trì fichead cat 's a h-aon deug�

200�dà cheud cat�

dà fhichead cearc 's a h-aon� trì fichead cearc 's a h-aon deug� dà cheud cearc�



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©�42� dà fhichead cat 's a dhà� 72� trì fichead cat 's a dhà dheug�300� trì cheud cat�

dà fhichead cearc 's a dhà� trì fichead cearc 's a dhà dheug� trì cheud cearc�

43�dà fhichead cat 's a trì�

73�trì fichead cat 's a trì deug�

400�ceithir cheud cat�

dà fhichead cearc 's a trì� trì fichead cearc 's a trì deug� ceithir cheud cearc�

etc� etc� 500�còig ceud cat�còig ceud cearc�

50�

dà fhichead cat 's a deich/�lethcheud cat�

80�ceithir fichead cat�

etc�dà fhichead cearc 's a deich/�lethcheud cearc� ceithir fichead cearc �

51�

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

81�ceithir fichead cat 's a h-aon� 1,000�

mìle cat�‡�mìle cearc�

dà fhichead cearc 's a h-aon deug/�lethcheud cearc 's a h-aon� ceithir fichead cearc 's a h-aon�

52�dà fhichead cat 's a dhà dheug/�lethcheud cat 's a dhà� 82�

ceithir fichead cat 's a dhà� 2,000�dà mhìle cat�

dà mhìle cearc�dà fhichead cearc 's a dhà dheug/�leth-cheud cearc 's a dhà� ceithir fichead cearc 's a dhà�

53�

dà fhichead cat 's a trì deug/�lethcheud cat 's a trì� 83�

ceithir fichead cat 's a trì� 3,000�trì mìle cat�

trì mìle cearc�dà fhichead cearc 's a trì deug/�leth-cheud cearc 's a trì� ceithir fichead cearc 's a trì�


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.�



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©�b. Decimal�:�

30�trithead cat�‡�

60�seasgad cat�‡�

90�naochad cat�‡�

trithead cearc� seasgad cearc� naochad cearc�

31�trithead 's a h-aon chat�

61�seasgad 's a h-aon chat�

91�naochad 's a h-aon chat�

trithead 's a h-aon chearc� seasgad 's a h-aon chearc� naochad 's a h-aon chearc�

32�trithead 's a dhà chat�

62�seasgad 's a dhà chat�

92�naochad 's a dhà chat�

trithead 's a dhà chirc� seasgad 's a dhà chirc� naochad 's a dhà chirc�

33�trithead 's a trì cait�

63�seasgad 's a trì cait�

93�naochad 's a trì cait�

trithead 's a trì cearcan� seasgad 's a trì cearcan� naochad 's a trì cearcan�etc� etc� etc�

40�ceathrad cat�‡�

70�seachdad cat�‡�

100�ceud cat�‡�

ceathrad cearc� seachdad cearc� ceud cearc�

41�ceathrad 's a h-aon chat�

71�seachdad 's a h-aon chat�

200�dà cheud cat�

ceathrad 's a h-aon chearc� seachdad 's a h-aon chearc� dà cheud cearc�

42�ceathrad 's a dhà chat�

72�seachdad 's a dhà chat�

300�trì cheud cat�

ceathrad 's a dhà chirc� seachdad 's a dhà chirc� trì cheud cearc�

43�ceathrad 's a trì cait�

73�seachdad 's a trì cait�

400�ceithir cheud cat�

ceathrad 's a trì cearcan� seachdad 's a trì cearcan� ceithir cheud cearc�

etc� etc� 500�còig ceud cat�còig ceud cearc�

50�caogad cat�‡�

80�ochdad cat�‡�

etc�caogad cearc� ochdad cearc�

51�caogad 's a h-aon chat�

81�ochdad 's a h-aon chat� 1,000�

mìle cat�‡�mìle cearc�caogad 's a h-aon chearc� ochdad 's a h-aon chearc�

52�caogad 's a dhà chat�

82�ochdad 's a dhà chat� 2,000�

dà mhìle cat�dà mhìle cearc�caogad 's a dhà chirc� ochdad 's a dhà chirc�

53�caogad 's a a trì cait�

83�ochdad 's a trì cait� 3,000�

trì mìle cat� trì mìle cearc�caogad 's a trì cearcan� ochdad 's a trì cearcan�


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�

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



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‡ aonar�is rarely used in this way but instead is found in combination with the augmented�prepositions of�ann� as shown in:�Tha mi nam aonar - I am alone Tha sinn nar n-aonar - We are alone�Tha thu nad aonar - You are alone Tha sibh nur n-aonar - You are alone�Tha e na aonar - He is alone Tha iad nan aonar - They are alone�Tha i na h-aonar - She is alone�

All augmented prepositions are shown in Appendix 1.�

NEW WORDS�Nouns�aonan (m) - one person ceathrar (m) - four people�còignear (m) - five people cròileagan (m) - playgroup, crèche�deichnear (m) - ten people naoinear (m) - nine people�ochdnar (m) - eight people seachdnar (m) - seven people�sianar (m) - six people sreath (m) - row, series�ubhal (m) - apple ugh (m) - egg�dithis (f) - two people bascaid (f) - basket�triùir (f) - three people�

Special Cardinal Numbers�There are some special cardinal numerals which may be used when talking only about people.�They can stand on their own or be used with a noun. The noun is in the genitive plural:�

Without Noun� With Masculine Noun� With Feminine Noun�

aon neach, aonan, aonar�‡� -�one, one person� not used� not used�

dithis - two, two people� dithis bhalach - two boys� dithis chaileag - two girls�

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�



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©�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�



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LESSON 44: ANSWERS 1a�1. còig deug air fhichead�2. dà fhichead 's a seachd�3. dà fhichead 's a trì deug�4. ceithir fichead 's a trì�5. ceithir fichead 's a dhà deug�6. ceud 's a seachd deug�7. mìle, dà cheud is fichead�8. dà mhìle, seachd ceud, ceithir fichead 's a sia�

LESSON 44: ANSWERS 1b�1a. còig bùird dheug air fhichead�1b. còig clachan deug air fhichead�2a. dà fhichead bòrd 's a seachd�2b. dà fhichead clach 's a seachd�3a. dà fhichead bòrd 's a trì deug�3b. dà fhichead clach 's a trì deug�4a. ceithir fichead is trì bùird�4b. ceithir fichead is trì clachan�5a. ceithir fichead bòrd 's a dhà dheug�5b. ceithir fichead clach 's a dhà dheug�6a. ceud 's a seachd bùird dheug�6b. ceud 's a seachd clachan deug�7a. mìle, dà cheud is fichead bòrd�7b. mìle, dà cheud is fichead clach�8a. dà mhìle, seachd ceud, ceithir fichead 's a sia bùird�8b. dà mhìle, seachd ceud, ceithir fichead 's a sia�

clachan�

LESSON 44: ANSWERS 2a�1. trithead ' s a seachd�2. ceathrad 's a h-aon�

3. seasgad 's a còig�4. seachdad 's a dhà�5. dà cheud 's a sia�6. trì cheud, caogad 's a dhà�7. dà mhìle, ceud 's a deich�8. còig mìle, ceithir cheud is caogad�

LESSON 44: ANSWERS 2b�1a. trithead ' s a seachd taighean�1b. trithead ' s a seachd longan�2a. ceathrad 's a h-aon taigh�2b. ceathrad 's a h-aon long�3a. seasgad 's a còig taighean�3b. seasgad 's a còig longan�4a. seachdad 's a dhà thaigh�4b. seachdad 's a dhà luing�5a. dà cheud 's a sia taighean�5b. dà cheud 's a sia longan�6a. trì cheud, caogad 's a dhà thaigh�6b. trì cheud, caogad 's a dhà luing�7a. dà mhìle, ceud 's a deich taighean�7b. dà mhìle, ceud 's a deich longan�8a. còig mìle, ceithir cheud is caogad taigh�8b. còig mìle, ceithir cheud is caogad long�

LESSON 44: ANSWERS 3�1. Bha trì ùbhlan ann air a' bhòrd�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�



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©�LESSON 45�

More Prepositional Pronouns�

You have already met some of the prepositional pronouns in Lesson 12 and Lesson 18. This�lesson describes the remaining ones.�

The prepositional pronouns of�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�



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©�‡�The prepositional pronouns of�thar� are rarely heard and should be reserved for formal�

prose. Instead use the prepositional pronouns of�air�after� thairis�.�

The prepositional pronouns of�tro/troimh - through:�tromham - through me tromhainn - through us�tromhad - through you tromhaibh - through you�troimhe - through him tromhpa�‡� - through them�troimhpe�‡� - through her�

‡�optional� h�.�

Useful Idiom 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)�



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©�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 fuath (f) - hatred, loathing�gailleann (f) - storm saighead (f) - arrow�

Verbs�cuir roimh, cur roimh - decide dòirt, dòrtadh - pour�rach fodha, dol fodha - sink�

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�



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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. I wrote a letter to them�6. She left before me�7. Go ahead (before) of me�8. The arrow went through him�9. They decided not to go to the cèilidh�10. I decided to sit down�11. Pass it across to me�12. Did you decide not to go there?�



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‡� Notice that the relative pronoun�a� is not required after a prepositional pronoun ending in a�vowel.�

As shown in the following the translation of�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?�

LESSON 46�More Interrogative Pronouns�

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?)�



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©�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?)�



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©�Dè na bha aca de leabhraichean? - How many books did they have? (lit. What all that was�

there at them of books?)�

‡� The�dh'� before an indefinite noun beginning with a vowel is very common after the�preposition�de�.�

4.�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 the�street?)�Dè an àirde a tha anns an togalach? - What height is the building? (mean. How high is the�building?)�Dè an doimhne a tha anns an uisge? - What depth is the water? (mean. How deep is the�water?)�Dè an leud a bha anns an abhainn? - What width was the river? (mean. How wide was the�river?)�Dè an cudrom a tha innte?�‡� - What weight is she? (mean. How heavy is she?)�

‡�The prepositional pronouns of�ann� are used when referring to a pronoun object�

There are two ways to respond to type�4�and�5� questions above. Both use the contracted�form�a� of the word�de� (of) before the dimension:�a dh'fhaide�†�- of length a dh'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�



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©�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 pailt - plentiful, abundant�pinc - pink�

Nouns�ceudameatair (m) - centimetre cileagram (m) - kilogram�co-ogha (m) - cousin crannchur (m) - lottery�cudrom (m) - weight dusan (m) - dozen�iasad (m) - loan meatair (m) - metre�òirleach (m & f) - inch pasgan (m) - parcel�rèidio (m) - radio seòmar-suidhe (m) - sitting room, lounge�taigh-beag (m) - toilet tiodhlac (m) - gift, present�uncail (m) - uncle�àirde (f) - height antaidh (f) - aunt�cluasag (f) - pillow còisir (f) - choir�doimhne (f) - depth faide (f) - length [alternative to fad (m)]�leud (f) - width mìle (f) - mile�slat (f) - yard (measure)�

Verbs�buannaich, buannachadh - win gabh, gabhail - hold (contain)�pàigh, pàigheadh - pay�

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�

The water is a ten inches deep�

The river was a dozen metres wide�

She is fifty kilograms in (of) weight�

The building is two thousand feet high�



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©�11. Dè cho fada 's a bhios e a' fuireach leibh?�

12. Chan eil fios agam idir cò bhuaithe gheibh mi iasad�13. Dè an àirde a tha annad? Meatair is seasgad ceudameatair�14. A bheil fios agad na tha agam de dh'airgead? Chan eil�15. Dè na phàigh thu airson an taigh?�16. Cò an tè a bhuannaich an crannchur nàiseanta? 'S e tè à Dùn Èideann�17. Cò uime a bha iad a' sgrìobhadh?�18. Dè cho leathan 's tha an seòmar-suidhe?�19. Cò dha dh'innseas mi an sgeul? Innis do Mhàiri i�20. Cia mheud òirleach a tha ann an slait?�

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?�



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LESSON 46: ANSWERS 1�1. Who knows?�2. How many people can (will) your car take (hold)?�

Four�3. How often do you come here?�4. Where is your mother from? She's from Inverness�5. Who were you enquiring about? (It's) about Màiri�6. How abundant are the trout in this loch?�7. I don't know how many yards there are in a mile�8. Who are you thinking about (on)? My grandfather�9. How many times were you in Portree?�10. Who has a cold? (It's on) me�11. How long will he be staying with you?�12. I don't know at all who I can (will) get a loan from�13. What height are you? One metre and sixty�

centimetres�14. Do you know how much money I have? No�15. How much did you pay for the house?�16. Who's the woman that won the national lottery?�

(It's) a woman from Edinburgh�17. Who/What are you writing about?�18. How broad is the sitting room?�19. Who can (will) I tell the story to? Tell it to Màiri�20. How many inches are there in a yard?�

LESSON 46: ANSWERS 2�1. Dè cho fad 's a bha sibh ag obair aig muir? Trì�

bliadhna�2. Cò uime a bha iad a' bruidhinn? 'S ann umpa fhèin�3. Chan eil fios agam cò às a tha e�4. Cia mheud iasg a ghlac thu an-dè? A h-aon�5. Cia mheud turas a dh'fheumas mi sin a ràdh�6. Cò leis a tha an taigh air a' chnoc? Is le Calum e�7. Cò aige tha am peann dearg? 'S agamsa e�8. Cò air a rug thu air an làimh?�9. Dè na tha agad de dh'iomlaid nad phòcaid?�10. Cò thuige bha i a' sgrìobhadh? 'S ann gu a�

seanmhair�11. Cò air a tha an dèideadh? 'S ann oirrese�12. Cò dha thug sibh an tiodhlac? 'S ann do mo charaid�13. Cò air a bha an dreasa phinc? 'S ann air Màiri�14. Cò am fear a ghlac an t-iasg as motha? 'S e Calum�15. Cò ris a bha thu ag èisteachd air an rèidio?�16. Dè na chosg an leabhar? Sia notaichean�17. Cò thuige a chuir thu am pasgan? 'S ann gu m'�

uncail�18. Cò bhuaithe a fhuair thu am pasgan? 'S ann bho m'�

antaidh�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�



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©�LESSON 47�

Non-Dative Prepositions�

1. Simple Prepositions Taking the Genitive Case of Nouns�There are a few one word prepositions which require the genitive case of nouns:�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�



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©�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� Thuit e an comhair a chùil - He fell backward� 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� Thuit e an comhair a chinn - He fell headlong� Thuit i an comhair a cinn - She fell headlong� etc�

Compound Prepositions and Pronouns�Compound prepositions cannot be followed directly by a pronoun. Instead the corresponding�possessive adjective must used before the final noun element:�dha ur n-aindeoin - despite you dha ar n-ionnsaigh�‡� - towards us�dha do 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]�

an comhair a' chùil - backward�(lit. in the direction of the back)�

an comhair a' chinn - headlong�(lit. in the direction of the head)�



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©�air am muin - on top of them air ar sgàth - for our sake�

air mo shon - for my sake às d' aonais - without you�às a leth - on her behalf fa ar comhair�‡� - in front of us�mu ur coinneimh�‡� - opposite you mu mo dheidhinn�‡� - concerning me�mu an timcheall�‡� - around them os a cionn - above her�ri mo thaobh�‡� - beside me�

The augmented prepositions of�ann� are used when the first element is either�am� or�an�(contracted forms of�ann� =�in�). You have already met these in:�nam bhroinn - inside me nar measg - among us�nan aghaidh - against them nur n-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�



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‡� The indefinite noun is always lenited after�mar�.�

NEW WORDS�Adjectives�binn - melodious, tuneful ladarna - bold, impudent�

Adverbs�air fad - entire, whole�

Nouns�britheamh (m) - judge cead (m) - permission, licence�fasgadh (m) - shelter fear-seòlaidh (m) - guide, leader�geàrd (m) - guard prìosanach (m) - prisoner�saoghal (m) - world seanchaidh (m) - story teller�tarbh (m) - bull teaghlach (m) - family�cèis-litreach (f) - envelope eanchainn (f) - brain�mòinteach (f) - moor�

Prepositions�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 - on account (of), because (of) airson - for, for the sake (of)�am broinn - within, inside am measg - among�an aghaidh - against an àite - instead 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 bhàrr/far - from off, off�chun/thun - to, towards fa chomhair - in front of/before�mu choinneimh - opposite mu dhèidhinn - concerning�mun cuairt - around mu thimcheall - around, aroundabout�os cionn - above, over ri taobh - besiderè - during�thar - over tre - by means of, through�trìd - through�

Followed by an Indefinite Noun� Followed by a Definite Noun�

Bha am fiodh mar chloich�‡�- The wood was�like stone�

Bha am fiodh mar a' chlach - The wood was�like the stone�

Chuir mi litir gu caileig - I sent a letter to a�girl�

Chuir mi litir gus a' chaileag - I sent a letter�to the girl�



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©�Pronoun�

s�a chèile - of one another�

Verbs�ceileir, ceileireadh - sing (as a bird) cìr, cìreadh - comb�cruinnich, cruinneachadh - gather, collect cuir am falach, cur am falach - hide (transitive�verb)�deasaich, deasachadh - prepare, edit leum, leum - jump, leap�seòl, seòladh - sail�

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�



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©�14. They put the card in the envelope�

15. The farmer walked over the bridge towards the wood�16. The larks were singing sweetly (melodiously) above the moor�17. They went sailing (to sail) despite the bad weather�18. Regarding the loan, you don't (won't) need to pay it back to me�

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�12. We knew we that were among friends�13. She wrote the letter on our behalf�14. According to him, there will be snow tomorrow�15. They left their car opposite the bank�16. The guards ran after the prisoner�17. I'll be there despite the cold I have�18. What did he say regarding the letter?�

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' mhaighistir-�

sgoile�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�



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©�LESSON 48�

If-type Conjunctions�

1. Rendering the Meaning If�Using Ma�The conjunction� Ma� was introduced in . This conjunction is limited to the positive relative�verb and can be used with only: (1) the Present, Past and Future tenses of the verb�To Be�;�(2) the Present tense of the Assertive Verb; (3) the Past (Finite) and Future tenses of other�verbs. The meaning is factual rather than conjectural:�

Verb� Tense� Example�

To Be�

Present� Ma tha thu fuar, cuir ort do 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�

Assertive� Present�Mas e do roghainn e, ceannaich e�‡� - If it's your preference, buy it�

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�

All Others�Past� Bidh e fhathast ann, ma dh'fhàg thu an sin e - It will still be there if you left it�

there�

Future� Bidh tu nas cofhartaile, ma chuireas tu dhìot do chòta - You'll be more�comfortable, if you take off your coat�

‡�Ma�+� is� (Assertive Verb) combines to give�Mas�

Using Nan/Nam�The conjunction� Nan/Nam�is always used with the dependent form of the verb and can be�used with only: (1) the 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� Tense� Example�

To Be�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�

Assertive� 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�

All Others� Conditional�

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.�



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3. Rendering the Meaning Unless�The conjunction� Mur/Mura�was introduced in Lesson 23. It is mentioned again here for�completeness. It can be translated as�Unless� or�If Not� and is followed by the dependent�form of the verb:�Mura 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�

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�



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©�4. Rendering the Meaning Even If�

The conjunction� Ged� was introduced in Lesson 23 with the meaning�Though�. It can also have�the meaning�Even If� or�Even Though�:�Bidh sinn a' dol a 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 air chall - lost, astray�coma - indifferent, without a care�

Nouns�cairt-iùil (m) - map deireadh-sheachdain (m) - weekend�putan (m) - button sgàilean-uisge (m) - umbrella�tuarastal (m) - wage, salary�càin (f) - fine comain (f) - favour, obligation�cìs (f) - tax dàil (f) - delay�mearachd (f) - mistake obair-dachaigh (f) - homework�roghainn (f) - choice, preference slàinte (f) - health�ticead (f) - ticket�

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�



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©�4. Nam bu mhise do mhàthair chuirinn chun an t-seòmair agad thu�

5. Mur èist thu rium cha bhi fios agad mar a nì thu e�6. Ma thèid thu a Ghlaschu, tadhail air mo phàrantan�7. Mur urrainn dhut innse dhomh an sgeul, faighnichidh mi de dhuine eile�8. Mur toil leat càl, fàg air oir an truinnseir e�9. Nam b' urrainn dhut sin a dhèanamh dhomhsa, bhithinnsa fada nad chomain�10. Nan laigheadh tu sìos, thuiteadh tu nad chadal�11. Mura leugh sinn gu ceart e, nì sinn mearachd�12. Ith an càl, ged nach toil leat e�13. Ged a tha e beartach, feumaidh e feitheamh mar a h-uile duine eile�14. Nan robh fios agam an-dè na tha agam an-diugh�15. Mura dèan iad an obair-dachaigh, gheibh iad peanas anns an sgoil a-màireach�16. Ma rinn sibh gu ceàrr e, dèanaibh a-rithist e�17. Ma phutas tusa is mise an càr gluaisidh e�18. Mur eil cairt-iùil agaibh, thèid sibh air chall�

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�



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LESSON 48: ANSWERS 1�1. If you know where she is, tell me immediately�

(without delay)�2. If you don't keep at your work in school you'll not�

get a good job�3. I don't know whether (if) I'll go to the cèilidh�4. If I were your mother I would send you to your�

room�5. Unless you listen to me you won't know how (as)�

you'll do it�6. If you go to Glasgow visit my parents�7. If you can't tell me the story, I will ask someone�

else�8. If you don't like cabbage, leave it on the edge of�

the plate�9. If you could possibly do that for me, I would be�

much obliged to you�10. If you were to lie down, you would fall asleep�11. If we don't read it correctly, we'll make a mistake�12. Eat the cabbage, even if you don't like it�13. Even if he is wealthy, he will need to wait like every�

one else�14. If I knew yesterday what I know today�15. If they don't do their homework, they will get a�

punishment in school tomorrow�16. If you did it wrong, do it again�17. If you and I push the car it will move�18. If you don't have a map you'll get lost�

LESSON 48: ANSWERS 2�1. Ma tha thu ann an deagh shlàinte faodaidh tu a'�

bheinn a streap�2. Mur eil sgàilean-uisge agaibh fàsaidh sibh fliuch�3. Nan robh thu làidir thogadh tu an cudrom mòr sin�4. An nigh thu na soithichean air mo shon ma bheir mi�

nota dhut?�5. Nam putadh an dithis againn an càr tha mi�

cinnteach gun tòisicheadh e�6. Dh'fhaighnich mi dhith am fuigheileadh i putan air�

mo lèine�7. Nam peantadh sinn na ballachan geal, bhiodh an�

seòmar na bu shoilleire�8. Nan glaiseadh iad an doras a dh'oidhche, bhiodh an�

taigh na bu shàbhailte�9. Nan suidheadh tu gu dìreach, cha bhiodh do dhruim�

goirt�10. Ged a tha thusa coma, cùmaidh mi sùil orra�11. Mur èist sibh ri mo chomhairle, thèid sibh air chall�12. Mura pàigh iad na cìsean a dh'aithghearr, feumaidh�

iad càin a phàigheadh�13. Mura nigh thu na soithichean, chan fhaigh thu�

airgead aig an deireadh-sheachdain�14. Ged nach toil leam iad, cha bu toil leam am faicinn�

gun bhiadh is àite-fuirich�15. Mura cluich a' chlann gu sàmhach, cuiridh mi a-�

muigh iad�16. Nan sgrìobhadh iad na bu mhaille, bhiodh an�

sgrìobhadh aca na bu sgiobalta�



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©�LESSON 49�

Compound Tenses�

Perfect Tenses�The verb�To Be� provides all the compound active tenses. The preposition�air� (historically�meaning�after�) replaces the�ag�or� a'�of the present participle. This changes the meaning�from a continuous mood to an action completed in the past:�

Tenses� Examples�

Present >>�Perfect�

Tha iad a' leughadh - They are reading >>�Tha iad air leughadh - They have read�

Past >>�Past Perfect�

Bha iad a' leughadh - They were reading >>�Bha iad air leughadh - They had read�

Future >>�Future Perfect�

Bidh iad a' leughadh - They will be reading >>�Bidh iad air leughadh - They will have read�

Conditional >>�Conditional Perfect�

Bhiodh iad a' leughadh - They would be reading >>�Bhiodh iad air leughadh - They would have read�

When the verbal noun takes a direct object word order reversal occurs. Here the object�comes first followed by�a + lenited verbal noun�. The�a� is dropped before verbal nouns�beginning with vowel or beginning with�f + vowel�:�Tha iad air am post a leughadh - They have read the mail�Tha iad air an litir a fhreagairt - They have answered the letter�Bha mi air am balach fhaicinn�†� - I had seen the boy�Bidh i air am 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?�



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©�

When a direct object follows the verbal noun the pattern is the same as the root tenses:�Tha iad air a bhith a' leughadh leabhar - They have been reading a book�Bha mi air a bhith a' faicinn a' bhalaich� †� - I had been seeing the boy�Bidh i air a bhith ag ithe a' 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.�

The verbs�To Be� (a bhith),� To Go� (a dhol) and�To Come� (a thighinn) remain in the infinitive�after�air�:�Chan eil mi air a bhith tinn - I have not been ill�Am biodh iad air a thighinn? - Would they have come?�Nach bi iad air a dhol? - Will they not have gone?�

Continuous Perfect Tenses�The Continuous Perfect Tenses are formed by placing�air a bhith� before the present�participle:�

Tenses� Examples�

Present >>�Continuous Perfect�

Tha iad a' leughadh - They are reading >>�Tha iad air a bhith a' leughadh - They have been�reading�

Past >>�Continuous Past Perfect�

Bha iad a' leughadh - They were reading >>�Bha iad air a bhith a' leughadh - They had been�reading�

Future >>�Continuous Future Perfect�

Bidh iad a' leughadh - They will be reading >>�Bidh iad air a bhith a' leughadh - They will have been�reading�

Conditional >>�Continuous Conditional Perfect�

Bhiodh iad a' leughadh - They would be reading�>>Bhiodh iad air a bhith a' leughadh - They would have�been reading�



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©�NEW WORDS�

Adjectives�reamhar - fat, obese�

Adverbs�air mhisg - drunk o chionn - ago, since, for�turas - once/dà thuras - twice/etc�

Nouns�aodach (m) - clothes, cloth cus (m) - excessive amount = too much�fònadh (m) - phone call post (m) - mail, post�greis (f) - short time, short while lite (f) - porridge�reòiteag (f) - ice-cream�

Pronouns�an dà chuid - both�

Verbs�còrd, còrdadh (ri) - please, agree fritheil, frithealadh (air) - attend, wait (on)�riaraich, riarachadh - satisfy, set table sguab, sguabadh - sweep, brush�tiormaich, tiormachadh - dry 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�



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©�19. Tha sinn air flùraichean ùra a chur anns a' ghàrradh�

20. Cò bhiodh air a leithid de rud a dhèanamh?�

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�



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©�

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�



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©�LESSON 50�

More Incomplete Verbs�

Group 1: Verbs based on the Assertive Verb�A number of verbs in this group were met in Lesson 20. Some other common ones are�introduced here.�

a. Assertive form of the verb + preposition�le�. With the prepositional pronouns these are:�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 - Bu chuimhne leam/leat/etc -�I/you/etc remember I/you/etc remembered� I/you/etc would remember�

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

Is fada leam/leat/etc - B' fhada leam/leat/etc -�I/you/etc long I/you/etc longed� I/you/etc would long�

Is iongnadh leam/leat/etc - B' iongnadh leam/leat/etc -�I/you/he/etc wonder, am astonished I/you/etc wondered, was astonished� I/you/etc would wonder, would be astonished�

Is leisg leam/leat/etc - Bu leisg leam/leat/etc -�I/you/etc am loath, reluctant I/you/etc was loath, was reluctant� I/you/etc would be loath, would be reluctant�

Is miann leam/leat/etc - Bu mhiann leam/leat/etc -�I/you/etc desire, wish I/you/etc desired, wished� I/you/etc would desire, would wish�

Is truagh leam/leat/etc - Bu truagh leam/leat/etc -�I/you/etc pity, feel sorrow I/you/etc pitied, felt sorrow I/you/etc would�pity, would feel sorrow�

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



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©�miannaich, miannachadh - desire, wish�

Mhiannaich e - He desired�gabh iongantas, gabhail iongantas - be astonished�Ghabhadh e iongantas - He would be astonished�

b. Assertive form of verb + preposition�do�. With the prepositional pronouns these are:�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�†� - B' fheàrr dhomh/dhut/etc -�It's better for me/you/etc It was better for me/you/etc� It would be better for me/you/etc�

Is fheudar dhomh/dhut/etc�†� - B' fheudar dhomh/dhut/etc -�I/you/etc have to, must I/you/etc had to� I/you/etc would have to�

Is fhiach dhomh/dhut/etc�‡� - B' fhiach dhomh/dhut/etc -�It's worth my/your/etc while It was worth my/your/etc while� It would be worth my/your/etc while�

‡�This is often rendered colloquially as�'S d' fhiach dhomh�/�dhut� etc.�†� Words beginning with�f� are lenited after�Is�.�

The Other Forms of the Verb�For the present tense drop the�Is� and add:�Cha�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�



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©�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�

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�



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©�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.�



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©�When the verbal noun takes a direct object word order reversal takes place. Here the�

object comes first followed by�a + lenited verbal noun�. The�a� is dropped before verbal�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 feum (m & f) - need�fiach (m) - value, worth foirm (m) - form�iongantas (m) - astonishment, phenomenon leisgeul (m) - excuse, apology�miann (m) - desire, wish pàrtaidh (m) - party�



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©�stiùireadh (m) - instruction�

boglach (f) - bog(land) cuimhne (f) - memory�èiginn (f) - compulsion, emergency pile (f) - pill�riaghailt-bhìdh (f) - diet�

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�



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©�3. I know he will be astonished when he hears that�

4. I wasn't sure if she would be surprised to see me�5. You would be better reading the instructions again�6. I wouldn't wish to upset you�7. Calum was not surprised to hear the sad news�8. Would it not be better for them to fill (out) the form again?�9. After I experienced their situation, I pitied them�10. I am astonished he did as you asked him�11. I had to make sure everything was alright�12. They were compelled to build their house near the river�13. Do you know if he remembers me?�14. It's not worth her while taking the pills�15. Màiri was reluctant to hold the party in her own house�16. They longed for a calm moment to themselves�17. No-one wishes to hear your lies�18. I had to get a new job�

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�12. I had better feed the chickens�13. After she washed the dishes she went off to bed�14. I had to see it (him) for myself�15. He said he didn't need to pay the bus fare�16. I put on my shirt after I shaved�17. After testing the ground, he walked over the bog�18. I don't remember telling them the story�

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�

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 a-�

rithist?�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�



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©�LESSON 51�

The Passive Voice of Verbs - Literary Form�

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

*�The interrogative particle is�An� except before verbs beginning with�b�,�f�,�m�, or�p� when it is�Am�.�† Cha�/�Chan� should only lenite verbs beginning with�b�,� f�,� m�,� p�,� c�,� g� or�s�. However there is a�growing tendency to also lenite�t� and�d�.�‡ Chan�is used before verbs beginning with a vowel or lenited�f�.�§ Nach� lenites verbs beginning with�f�.�

Verb Root� Dependent� Independent� Relative�

buail - hit/�strike�

Am buailear mi?�*� - Will I be struck?�Cha bhuailear mi�†� - I will not be struck�Nach buailear mi - Will I not be struck?�

Buailear mi - I will be struck� bhuailear�

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�



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©�Past Passive Tense�

The dependent and independent forms are identical and are derived by adding the ending�-eadh�/�-adh� to the past active tense. The negative and interrogative particles are identical�to the active voice:�



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?� Sgrìobhadh i - It was written� sgrìobhadh�


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

lifted?�

Thogadh iad�†� - They were�lifted� thogadh�

†� This one is commonly used in speech:�Thogadh mi ann an 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:�



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�

sgrìobh - write�An sgrìobhte i? - Would it be written?�

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�



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©�*�The interrogative particle is�An� except before verbs beginning with�b�,�f�,�m�, or�p� when it is�

Am�.�† Cha�/�Chan� should only lenite verbs beginning with�b�,� f�,� m�,� p�,� c�,� g� or�s�. However there is a�growing tendency to also lenite�t� and�d�.�‡ Chan�is used before verbs beginning with a vowel or lenited�f�.�§ Nach� lenites verbs beginning with�f�.�

In the Isles of Lewis and Harris the alternative ending�-iste/-aiste� predominates. These�may also be found in dialect literature from these areas:�



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� Mood� Future� (Present Habitual)� Past� Conditional�

(Past Habitual)�

abair - say�Independent & Relative� theirear� thuirteadh� theirte/theiriste�

Dependent� abrar� tuirteadh� abairte/abairiste�

beir - bear/�catch/grasp�

Independent & Relative� beirear� rugadh�†� bheirte/bheiriste�

Dependent� beirear� d'rugadh� beirte/beiriste�

cluinn - hear�Independent & Relative� cluinn(t)ear� chualas� chluinnte/chluinniste�

Dependent� cluinn(t)ear� cualas� cluinnte/cluinniste�

dèan - make/do�Independent & Relative� nithear� rinneadh� dhèante/dhèanaiste�

Dependent� dèanar� d'rinneadh� dèante/dèanaiste�

faic - see�Independent & Relative� chìthear� chunnacas� chìte/chithiste�

Dependent� faicear� facas� faicte/faiciste�



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©�faigh - get�

Independent & Relative� gheibhear� fhuaras� gheibhte/gheibhiste�

Dependent� faighear� d'fhuaras� faighte/faighiste�

rach - go�*�Independent & Relative� thèidear� chaidheas� rachte/dheighiste�

Dependent� tèidear� deachas� rachte/deighiste�

ruig - reach/�arrive�

Independent & Relative� ruigear� ràiningeadh� ruigte/ruigiste�

Dependent� ruigear� d'ràiningeadh� ruigte/ruigiste�

thig - come�*�Independent & Relative� thigear� thàinigeas� thigte/thigiste�

Dependent� tigear� tàinigeas� tigte/tigiste�

thoir - give/�take�

Independent & Relative� bheirear� thugadh� bheirte/bheiriste�

Dependent� toirear� tugadh� toirte/toiriste�

*� The verbs� thig - come�and� rach - go� also have 'passive' forms which function as�impersonal verbs:�Ma thigear dhan choinneimh - If anyone comes to the meeting�Chaidheas thall thairis - Everyone went abroad�

†� This verb and tense is the only irregular one commonly used in speech:�Rugadh is thogadh mi ann an 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�Cha�n will lenite.�The negative interrogative�Nach� will lenite.�

Verb Root� Mood� Future� (Present Habitual)� Past� Conditional�

(Past Habitual)�

feum - must�Independent & Relative� feumar� dh'fheumadh� dh'fheumte/�

dh'fheumaiste�

Dependent� feumar� feumadh� feumte/feumaiste�

faod - may�Independent & Relative� faodar� dh'fhaodadh� dh'fhaoite/�

dh'fhaodaiste�

Dependent� faodar� faodadh� faoite/faodaiste�

The rule regarding word order inversion applies:�Feumar taigh 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)�



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©�Nach fheumte a' cheist a fhreagairt - Would the question not need to be answered (Would�

one not need to answer the question)�

Dh'fhaoite� is used idiomatically with a conjectural meaning, and often in conjunction with�'S�math�:�Dh'fhaoite gun tig e - Perhaps he will come�'S math dh'fhaoite gum faic mi thu� †� - Maybe I will see you�

†�'S math dh'fhaoite� is commonly shortened to�'S maite� or�'S mathaid� in both the written�and spoken language.�

The assertive verb cannot be passive. However, an absurd construction has arisen with the�incomplete verb� Is urrainn�. The rule regarding word order inversion applies:�'S urrainnear taigh a thogail an seo - A house can be built here�Chan urrainnear taigh a thogail an seo - A house can't be built here�B' urrainnear taigh a thogail an seo - A house could be built here�

THE VERB TO BE�The verb�To Be� has analogous forms. Although they can have a passive meaning they are�usually regarded as impersonal constructions:�

Tense� Dependent� Independent� Relative�

Present�A Bheilear?�Chan eilear�

Nach eilear?�Thathar/Thathas� thathar/thathas�

Future�Am bithear?�Cha bhithear�

Nach bithear?�Bithear� bhithear�

Past�An robhar?�Cha robhar�

Nach robhar?�Bhathar/Bhathas� bhathar/bhathas�

Conditional�Am bithte?/Am bithiste?�Cha bhithte/Cha Bhithiste�

Nach bithte?/Nach bithiste?�Bhithte/Bhithiste� bhithte/bhithiste�

The impersonal forms are generally restricted to formal situations e.g. official notices,�newspapers and speeches. In speech they are replaced by the active voice much the same as�colloquial English.�



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©�

USAGE�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�

Formal� Speech�

Thathar ag iarraidh duine ealanta - A�talented person is sought (= One is looking�

for a talented person)�

Tha sinn ag iarraidh duine ealanta - They are�looking for a talented person�

Bhathar a' 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�

Am bithear ri iasgach fad na seachdain? -�Will the fishing take all week? (= Will one be�

fishing all week?)�

Am bi iad ri iasgach fad na seachdain? - Will�they be fishing all week?�



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©�Chan eil fhios agam far am faighte 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�

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 cathraiche (m) - chairperson�ceapaire (m) - sandwich co-là-breith (m) - birthday�gèama (m) - game manach (m) - monk�mèirleach (m) - thief taobh (m) - side�cruach (f) - stack cuideachd (f) - company�cuileag (f) - fly dachaigh f) - home�dreuchd (f) - post, career iuchair (f) - key�linn (f ) - century mèinn (f) - mine�mil (f) - honey mìlsean (m) - sweet, dessert�oifis (f) - office sanas (m) - sign, advertisement, clue�sgeir (f ) - skerry, reef sgioba (m & f) - crew�



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©�Verbs�

bleoghainn, bleoghann - milk caill, call - lose�clòbhuail, clòbhualadh - print fuadaich, fuadachadh - exile, banish�goid, goid - steal meall, mealladh - deceive, cheat�meudaich, meudachadh - increase treabh, treabhadh - plough�mìlsich, mìlseachadh - sweeten spealg, spealgadh - shatter, splinter�tarraing, tarraing - draw, pull suidhich, suidheachadh - situate�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?�



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©�11. Why was the food returned to the shop?�

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

reef by the storm�19. The dessert will be sweetened with honey�20. The light were put on when the curtains were drawn closed�

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�



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©�LESSON 52�

Passive Forms of Verbs -Part 2�

Method 2. Using the active tenses of the verb To Go - A Dhol�This is both a common spoken and written form.�The formation pattern is�active tense of verb To Go + subject + a + lenited verbal noun�.�The�a� is dropped before verbal nouns beginning with a vowel or beginning with� f + vowel�.�

In the Future (Habitual Present) Passive� :�Active Future Verb� Future Passive Construction�

Thèid - Will go�

Thèid an taigh a thogail - The house will be built�

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� Future Passive Construction�

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 - Went�

Chaidh an taigh a thogail - The house was built�

Chaidh a' cheist a fhreagairt - The question was answered�

Chaidh an uinneag fhosgladh - The window was opened�

Chaidh an dìnnear ullachadh - The dinner was prepared�

For all other forms replace�Chaidh� with appropriate form:�

Forms� Past Passive Construction�

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?�

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



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©�

†� See Lesson 30 for alternative conditional forms�

When the subject of the sentence is a pronoun then the pronoun is replaced by its�possessive adjective placed before the verbal noun. The possessive adjectives�mo�,� do� and� a�(his/its) lenite the following word whenever possible:�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�

In the Conditional Passive:�

Active Conditional�Verb� Conditional Passive Construction�

Rachadh † - Would go�

Rachadh an taigh a thogail - The house would be built�

Rachadh a' cheist a fhreagairt - The question would be answered�

Rachadh an uinneag fhosgladh - The window would be opened�

Rachadh an 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?�

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



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©�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?�



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©�

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 co-�

là-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?�3. Cuin a thèid an taigh a thogail?�4. Càit an tèid an gèama a chluich?�5. Cuin a chaidh an rathad a chàradh?�6. Cò chaidh fhàgail gun deoch?�7. Ciamar a rachadh sin a dhèanamh?�



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©�LESSON 53�

Passive Forms of Verbs -Part 3�

Method 3. Using the active tense of the verb To Be�This is the most common spoken form.�The formation pattern is�active tense of verb To Be + subject + air + possessive�adjective + verbal noun�.�The possessive adjective must agree in gender and plurality with the subject.�The possessive adjectives�mo�,� do� and� a� (his/its) lenite the following word whenever possible.�

In the Present Passive�:�Forms� Present Passive Construction�

Statement�Tha an leabhar air a thogail - The book is lifted/The book has been lifted�

Tha e air a thogail - It is lifted/It has been lifted�

Negative�Chan eil am balach air a bhualadh - The boy is not hit/The boy has not�

been hit�

Chan eil e air a bhualadh - He is not hit/He has not been hit�

Interrogative�

A bheil an uinneag air a fosgladh? - Is the window opened?/Has the�window not been opened?�

A bheil i air a fosgladh? - Is it opened?/Has it been opened?�

Negative Interrogative�

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� Past Passive Construction�

Statement�Bha a' chaileag air a togail - The girl was lifted/The girl had been lifted�

Bha i air a togail - She was lifted/She had been lifted�

Negative�Cha robh na balaich air am bualadh - The boys were not hit/The boys had�

not been hit�

Cha robh iad air am bualadh - They had not been hit�

Interrogative�An robh na coin air am faicinn? - Were the dogs seen?/Had the dogs not�

been seen?�

An robh sinn air ar faicinn? - Were we seen?/Had we been seen?�


Nach robh a' chlann air am biadhadh? - Were the children not fed?/Had�the children not been fed?�

Nach robh iad air am biadhadh? - Were they not fed?/Had they not been�fed?�



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©�In the Future (Habitual Present) Passive�:�

Forms� Future Passive Construction�

Statement�Bidh an sgeul air a mìneachadh - The story will be explained/The story�

will have been explained�

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

Negative�

Cha bhi na balaich air an cur a-muigh - The boys will not be put out/The�boys will not have been put out�

Cha bhi iad air an cur a-muigh - They will not be put out/They will not�have been put out�

Interrogative�Am bi am 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�

Cha bhiodh na h-uinneagan air an glanadh - The windows would not be�cleaned/The windows would not have been cleaned�

Cha bhiodh iad air an glanadh - They would not be cleaned/They would�not have been cleaned�

Interrogative�

Am biodh an 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?�



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©�

The Passive Infinitive Verb�The formation pattern is�active tense of verb To Be + subject + ri + lenited verbal noun�:�Only the present and past tenses need be considered:�Tha taigh ri thogail an-seo - A house is to be built here�A bheil an t-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�

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�

Present�

Tha mi gam bhualadh - I am being hit�

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?�

Past�

Bha e ga fhàgail - He was being left�

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

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

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



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©�Method 4. Using the Past Participle�

To form past participles add�-te� to the root of the verb irrespective of the spelling rule.�However, a few historic forms persist which adhere to the traditional spelling rule. This�method has limited use in both the written and spoken language:�Tha am balach togte - The boy is lifted�Bha an doras 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�



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©�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)�

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�



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©�

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?�3. Cuin a bhios an taigh air a thogail?�4. Càit am bi an gèama air a chluich?�5. Cuin a bha an rathad air a chàradh?�6. Cò bha air fhàgail gun deoch?�7. Ciamar a bhiodh sin air a dhèanamh?�8. Càit am bi na soithichean air an cur?�

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�



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©�LESSON 54�

Ordinal Numbers�Except for ordinals first, second and third all others are formed by adding�-eamh�/�-amh� to�the cardinal number. The definite article is always used and must agree with gender and�declension of noun. Examples are given for both masculine�(cat (m) - cat)� and feminine�(cearc - hen�) nouns.�

Ordinals from 1st to 10th�:�Ordinal� With Masculine Noun� With Feminine Noun�

1�st� - 1�mh� a' chiad chat� *� a' chiad chearc� *�

2�nd� - 2�mh� an dàrna cat�‡� an dàrna cearc�

3�rd� - 3�mh� an treas cat� †� an treas cearc�

4�th� - 4�mh� an ceathramh cat� a' cheathramh cearc�

5�th� - 5�mh� an còigeamh cat� a' chòigeamh cearc�

6�th� - 6�mh� an siathamh cat� an t-siathamh cearc�

7�th� - 7�mh� an seachdamh cat� an t-seachdamh cearc�

8�th� - 8�mh� an t-ochdamh cat� an ochdamh cearc�

9�th� - 9�mh� an naoidheamh cat� an naoidheamh cearc�

10�th� - 10�mh� an deicheamh cat� an deicheamh cearc�

*� in the nominative�ciad� always appears as�a' chiad� irrespective of gender and, whenever�possible, lenites the following noun.�

†�the more regular but less common�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�

11�th� - 11�mh� an t-aona cat deug� an t-aona chearc dheug�‡ §�

12�th� - 12�mh� an dàrna cat deug� an dàrna cearc dheug�

13�th� - 13�mh� an treas cat deug� an treas cearc dheug�

14�th� - 14�mh� an ceathramh cat deug� a' cheathramh cearc dheug�

15�th� - 15�mh� an còigeamh cat deug� a' chòigeamh cearc dheug�

16�th� - 16�mh� an siathamh cat deug� an t-siathamh cearc dheug�

17�th� - 17�mh� an seachdamh cat deug� an t-seachdamh cearc dheug�



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©�18�th� - 18�mh� an t-ochdamh cat deug� an ochdamh cearc dheug�

19�th� - 19�mh� an naoidheamh cat deug� an naoidheamh cearc dheug�

20�th� - 20�mh� am ficheadamh cat� an fhicheadamh cearc�

† aona�is derived from�aonamh� which may still be found in some literature.�‡ an t-aona� is used even with feminine nouns.�§�as with other adjectives�deug� should be lenited after singular feminine nouns.�

As with cardinal numbers (met in Lesson 31 and Lesson 44) there are two concurrent systems�for numbers above twenty: a) traditional; based on units of twenty and b) decimal (preferred�in education and formal literature)�

a. Traditional�


21�st� - 21�mh� an t-aona cat air fhichead� an t-aona chearc air fhichead�

22�nd� - 22�mh� an dàrna cat air fhichead� an dàrna cearc air fhichead�

23�rd� - 23�mh� an treas cat air fhichead� an treas cearc air fhichead�

24�th� - 24�mh� an ceathramh cat air fhichead� a' cheathramh cearc air fhichead�

25�th� - 25�mh� an còigeamh cat air fhichead� a' chòigeamh cearc air fhichead�

26�th� - 26�mh� an siathamh cat air fhichead� an t-siathamh cearc air fhichead�

27�th� - 27�mh� an seachdamh cat air fhichead� an t-seachdamh cearc air fhichead�

28�th� - 28�mh� an t-ochdamh cat air fhichead� an ochdamh cearc air fhichead�

29�th� - 29�mh� an naoidheamh cat air fhichead� naoidheamh cearc air fhichead�

30�th� - 30�mh� an deicheamh cat air fhichead� deicheamh cearc air fhichead�

31�st� - 31�mh� an t-aona cat deug air fhichead� an t-aona cearc dheug air fhichead�

39�th� - 39�mh� an naoidheamh cat deug air fhichead� an naoidheamh cearc dheug air fhichead�

40�th� - 40�mh� an dà fhicheadamh cat� an dà fhicheadamh cearc�

41�st� - 41�mh� an dà fhicheadamh cat 's a h-aon� an dà fhicheadamh cearc 's a h-aon�

49�th� - 49�mh� an dà fhicheadamh cat 's a naoi� an dà fhicheadamh cearc 's a naoi�

50�th� - 50�mh� an dà fhicheadamh cat 's a deich/�an lethcheudamh cat�

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

51�st� - 51�mh� an dà fhicheadamh cat 's a h-aon deug/�an lethcheudamh cat 's a h-aon�

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

59�th� - 59�mh� an dà fhicheadamh cat 's a naoi deug/�an lethcheudamh cat 's a naoi�

an dà fhicheadamh cearc 's a naoi deug/�an lethcheudamh cearc 's a naoi�



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©�60�th� - 60�mh� an trì ficheadamh cat� an trì ficheadamh cearc�

61�st� - 61�mh� an trì ficheadamh cat 's a h-aon� an trì ficheadamh cearc 's a h-aon�

69�th� - 69�mh� an trì ficheadamh cat 's a naoi� an trì ficheadamh cearc 's a naoi�

70�th� - 70�mh� an trì ficheadamh cat 's a deich� an trì ficheadamh cearc 's a deich�

71�st� - 71�mh� an trì ficheadamh cat 's a h-aon deug� an trì ficheadamh cearc 's a h-aon deug�

79�th� - 79�mh� an trì ficheadamh cat 's a naoi deug� an trì ficheadamh cearc 's a naoi deug�

80�th� - 80�mh� an ceithir ficheadamh cat� a' cheithir ficheadamh cearc�

81�st� - 81�mh� an ceithir ficheadamh cat 's a h-aon� a' cheithir ficheadamh cearc 's a h-aon�

89�th� - 89�mh� an ceithir ficheadamh cat 's a naoi� a' cheithir ficheadamh cearc 's a naoi�

90�th� - 90�mh� an ceithir ficheadamh cat 's a deich� a' cheithir ficheadamh cearc 's a deich�

91�st� - 91�mh� an ceithir ficheadamh cat 's a h-aon deug� a' cheithir ficheadamh cearc 's a h-aon deug�

99�th� - 99�mh� an ceithir ficheadamh cat 's a naoi deug� a' cheithir ficheadamh cearc 's a naoi deug�

100�th� - 100�mh� an ceudamh cat� a' cheudamh cearc�

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


21�st� - 21�mh� am ficheadamh cat 's a h-aon� an fhicheadamh cearc 's a h-aon�

22�nd� - 22�mh� am ficheadamh cat 's a dhà� an fhicheadamh cearc 's a dhà�

23�rd� - 23�mh� am ficheadamh cat 's a trì� an fhicheadamh cearc 's a trì�

29�th� - 29�mh� am ficheadamh cat 's a naoi� an fhicheadamh cearc 's a naoi�

30�th� - 30�mh� an tritheadamh cat� an tritheadamh cearc�

31�st� - 31�mh� am tritheadamh cat 's a h-aon� an tritheadamh cearc 's a h-aon�

40�th� - 40�mh� an ceathradamh cat� a' cheathradamh cearc�

41�st� - 41�mh� an ceathradamh cat 's a h-aon� a' cheathradamh cearc 's a h-aon�

50�th� - 50�mh� an caogadamh cat� a' chaogadamh cearc�

51�st� - 51�mh� an caogadamh cat 's a h-aon� a' chaogadamh cearc 's a h-aon�

60�th� - 60�mh� an seasgadamh cat� an t-seasgadamh cearc�

61�st� - 61�mh� an seasgadamh cat 's a h-aon� an t-seasgadamh cearc 's a h-aon�

70�th� - 70�mh� an seachdadamh cat� an t-seachdadamh cearc�

71�st� - 71�mh� an seachdadamh cat 's a h-aon� an t-seachdadamh cearc 's a h-aon�



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©�80�th� - 80�mh� an t-ochdadamh cat� an ochdadamh cearc�

81�st� - 81�mh� an t-ochdadamh cat 's a h-aon� an ochdadamh cearc 's a h-aon�

90�th� - 90�mh� an naochadamh cat� an naochadamh cearc�

91�st� - 91�mh� an naochadamh cat 's a h-aon� an naochadamh cearc 's a h-aon�

100�th� - 100�mh� an ceudamh cat� a' cheudamh cearc�

101�st� - 101�mh� an ceudamh cat 's a h-aon� a' cheudamh cearc 's a h-aon�

201�st� - 201�mh� an dà cheudamh cat 's a h-aon� an dà cheudamh cearc 's a h-aon�

315�th� - 315�mh� an trì ceudamh cat 's a còig deug� an trì ceudamh cearc 's a còig deug�

423�rd� - 423�mh� an ceithir ceudamh cat, fichead 's a trì� a' cheithir ceudamh cearc, fichead 's a trì�

532�nd� - 532�mh� an còig ceudamh cat, trithead 's a dhà� a' chòig ceudamh cearc, trithead 's a dhà�

648�th� - 648�mh� an sia ceudamh cat, ceathrad 's a h-ochd� an t-sia ceudamh cearc ceathrad 's a h-ochd�

755�th� - 755�mh� an seachd ceudamh cat, caogad 's a còig� an t-seachd ceudamh cearc, caogad 's a còig�

863�th� - 863�mh� an t-ochd ceudamh cat, seasgad 's a trì� an ochd ceudamh cearc, seasgad 's a trì�

996�th� - 996�mh� an naoi ceudamh cat, naochad 's a sia� an naoi ceudamh cearc, naochad 's a sia�

1000�th� - 1000�mh� am mìleamh cat� a' mhìleamh cearc�

2001�st� - 2001�mh� an dà mhìleamh cat 's a h-aon� an dà mhìleamh cearc 's a h-aon�

3015�th� - 3015�mh� an trì mìleamh cat 's a còig deug� an trì mìleamh cearc 's a còig�

4023�rd� - 4023�mh� an ceithir mìleamh cat, fichead 's a trì� a' cheithir mìleamh cearc, fichead 's a trì�

5101�st� - 5101�mh� an còig mìleamh cat, ceud 's a h-aon� a' chòig mìleamh cearc, ceud 's a h-aon�

6205�th� - 6205�mh� n sia mìleamh cat, dà cheud 's a còig� an t-sia mìleamh cearc, dà cheud 's a còig�

7519�th� - 7519�mh� an seachd mìleamh cat, còig ceud 's a naoi deug� an t-seachd mìleamh cearc, còig ceud 's a naoi deug�

8622�nd� - 8622�mh� an t-ochd mìleamh cat, sia ceud, fichead 's a dhà� an ochd mìleamh cearc, sia ceud, fichead 's a dhà�

9385�th� - 9385�mh� an naoi mìleamh cat, ochdad 's a còig� an naoi mìleamh cearc, ochdad 's a còig�

10000�th� - 10000�mh� an deich mìleamh cat� an deich mìleamh cearc�

11000�th� - 11000�mh� an t-aona mìleamh deug cat� an t-aona mìleamh deug cearc�

23000�th� - 23000�mh� am fichead 's a trì mìleamh cat� an fhichead 's a trì mìleamh cearc�

45001�st� - 45001�mh� an ceathrad 's a còig mìleamh cat 's a h-aon� a' cheathrad 's a còig mìleamh cearc 's a h-aon�

65013�st� - 650013�mh� an seasgad 's a còig mìleamh cat 's a trì deug� an t-seasgad 's a còig mìleamh cearc 's a trì deug�

83022�nd� - 83022�mh� an t-ochdad 's a trì mìleamh cat, fichead 's a dhà� an ochdad 's a trì mìleamh cearc, fichead 's a dhà�

1000000�th� - 1000000�mh� an milleanamh cat� a' mhilleanamh cearc�



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©�

NEW WORDS�Adjectives�coltach (ri) - similar (to) mu dheireadh - last�

Adverbs�tarsainn - across�

Nouns�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�

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


532�nd� - 532�mh� an còig ceudamh cat, fichead 's a dhà dheug� a' chòig ceudamh cearc, fichead 's a dhà dheug�

648�th� - 648�mh� an sia ceudamh cat, dà fhichead 's a h-ochd� an t-sia ceudamh cearc dà fhichead 's a h-ochd�

755�th� - 755�mh� an seachd ceudamh cat, dà fhichead 's a còig deug� an t-seachd ceudamh cearc, dà fhichead 's a còig deug�

863�th� - 863�mh� an t-ochd ceudamh cat, trì fichead 's a trì� an ochd ceudamh cearc, trì fichead 's a trì�

996�th� - 996�mh� an naoi ceudamh cat, ceithir fichead 's a sia deug� an naoi ceudamh cearc, ceithir fichead 's a sia deug�

Traditional Ordinal Numbers Above 100�In a number of situations units of twenty have persisted up to 200, particularly among older�speakers and notably in psalm numbering, where�thar� replaces�air� in conjunction:�

138�th� - 138�mh�an sia ficheadamh cat 's a h-ochd deug� an t-sia ficheadamh cearc 's a h-ochd deug�

an t-ochdamh salm deug thar sia fichead - the 138th psalm�



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©�5. Thàinig e anns an deicheamh àite anns a' cho-fharpais�

6. 'S e an dà fhicheadamh co-là-breith a tha agam a-màireach�7. Nach e sin a' mhilleanamh uair a dh'innis mi sin dhut sin a dhèanamh?�8. Bha na truinnsearan air mullach na treas sgeilpe bhuamsa�9. Thoir seo dhan chiad duine a chì thu�10. Bha iad nan suidhe anns a' cheathradamh sreath 's a naoi�11. Tha an leabharlann mu choinneimh na treas bùth air an làimh chlì�12. Bha i na suidhe anns an trì ficheadamh sreath 's a deich�13. Cha do thuig mi e a' chiad turas a chuala mi e a' bruidhinn Gàidhlig�14a. 'S e seo deireadh na ciad pàirte�14b. 'S e seo deireadh a' chiad phàirt (a' chiad commonly persists in the genitive with�

feminine nouns)�

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�



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©�

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�



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©�LESSON 55�

Verbs and Prepositions�

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�

chun�†�/gu�

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?�

do/dha�

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�

gus� any verb + to ( in order to)� Thàinig mi gus seinn - I came to sing�

ri(s)�

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?�



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©�ri(s)�

feuch ri - try to� Feuchaidh mi ri thighinn - I'll try to come�

leugh ri - read to� Leugh an sgeul ris - Read him the story�

reic ri - sell to� Reic i an càr aice ris - She sold her car to�him�

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�



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©�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�

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 salann (m) - salt�cùis (f) - subject, matter�

Verbs�crom, cromadh - bend, stoop fuin, fuine - bake�iomair, iomramh - row sguir, sgur (de) - stop, desist�tachair, tachairt - happen�

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�



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1. She started to scold him because he had broken the plate�2. The boy tried to hit me with a stone�3. She started knitting when she was quite young�4. He tried to carry his brother on his shoulders�5. Will you stop deceiving them?�6. Don't try to build a fire with wet wood�7. Will you try to open this bottle for me�8. They had to take his advice in the matter�9. I was so pleased to hear her voice�10. She went to help the children�

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�



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©�SUPPLEMENT 1�

Useful Prepositional Idioms�

aig�1. With verb� To Be� Tha aig Calum ri dhol dhachaigh - Calum has to go home� Tha agam ri litir a sgrìobhadh - I have to write a letter� Bha againn ri bhith sàmhach - We had to be quiet�

2. With verb�To Go� Chaidh aig Calum air sin a dhèanamh - Calum was able to do that�



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Parsing The Tenses Of The Verb TO BE�The Impersonal/Passive Voice Of The Verb�

The Present Tense�

The Past Tense� �

Thathar�

a' togail taigh�

Chan�

eilear�?Nach�

Thuirt e�nach�

gu�bheilear�

?A�

Bhathar�

a' togail taigh�

Cha�

robhar�

?Nach�

?An�

Thuirt e�gun�

nach�

The Future Tense/The Present Habitual Mood�Bithear�

a' togail taigh�

Cha� bhithear�

?Nach�

bithear�?An�

Thuirt e�gum�

nach�

The Conditional Tense/The Past Habitual�Bhithte/Bhithiste�

a' togail taigh�

Cha� bhithte/bhithiste�

?Nach�

bithte/bithiste�?An�

Thuirt e�gum�

nach�

See Appendix 2 for the active voice of the verb�To Be�.�



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Parsing The Tenses Of Regular Verbs�The Passive Voice Of The Verb�

(Intransitive verbs can never be passive and must be regarded as impersonal forms)�

Verbs beginning with�l�,�n�,�r�,�sg�,�sm�,�sp�and�st�cannot be lenited (The first 3 do have distinct�lenited spoken forms).The interrogative particle is�An�except directly before a verb�beginning with�b�,�f�,�m�and�p�when it is�Am�.Similarly the conjunction�Gun�becomes�Gum�directly before a verb beginning with�b�,�f�,�m�and�p.�

Verbs beginning with an lenitable consonant (except f - see below)�The Past Tense�

Bhuaileadh�

am bòrd�

Cha�

do bhuaileadh�

?Nach�

?An�

Thuirt e�gun�

nach�

The Future Tense/The Present Habitual Mood�Buailear�

am bòrd�

Cha� bhuailear�

?Nach�

buailear�?Am�

Thuirt e�gum�

nach�

The Conditional Tense/The Past Habitual Mood�Bhuailte/Bhuailiste †�

am bòrd�

Cha� bhuailte/bhuailiste�

?Nach�

buailte/buailiste�?Am�

Thuirt e�gum�

nach�†�the ending�-iste�is restricted to the the Lewis dialect�



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©�Verbs beginning with a vowel�

The Past Tense�

The Future Tense/The Present Habitual Mood�Ithear�

a' bhriosgaid�

Chan�

ithear�

?Nach�

?An�

Thuirt e�gun�

nach�

Dh'itheadh�

a' bhriosgaid�

Cha�

do dh'itheadh�

?Nach�

?An�

Thuirt e�gun�

nach�

The Conditional Tense/The Past Habitual Mood�

†�the ending�-iste�is restricted to the the Lewis dialect�.�

Verbs beginning with F�The Past Tense�

Dh'ithte/Dh'ithiste†�

a' bhriosgaid�

Chan� ithte/ithiste�

?Nach�

?An�

Thuirt e�gun�

nach�

Dh'fhilleadh�

am pàipear�

Cha�

do dh'fhilleadh�

?Nach�

?An�

Thuirt e�gun�

nach�



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©�

�?Am�†�the ending�-iste�is restricted to the the Lewis dialect.�‡�it is common in the spoken language to lenite�f�after� nach�.�

See Appendix 3 for the active voice of the regular verbs.�

Fillear�

am pàipear�

Chan�

fhillear�?Nach ‡�

Thuirt e�nach ‡�

gum�fillear�

?Am�‡�it is common in the spoken language to lenite�f�after� nach�.�


The Future Tense/The Present Habitual Mood�

Dh'fillte/Dh'filliste†�

am pàipear�

Chan�

fhillte/fhilliste�?Nach ‡�


gum�fillte/filliste�

?Am�



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Parsing The Past Tense Of Irregular Verbs�The Passive Voice Of The Verb�

(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�

orra�

Cha�

do rugadh=d'rugadh�

?Nach�

?An�

Thuirt e�gun�

nach�

Cluinntinn - Hearing (Root = Cluinn)�

Chualas/Chualadh�

ceòl�

Cha� chualas/chualadh�

?Nach�

cualas/cualadh�?An�

Thuirt e�gun�

nach�

Dèanamh - Doing, Making (Root = Dèan)�

Rinneadh�

�an dìnnear�

Cha�

do rinneadh=d'rinneadh�

?Nach�

?An�

Thuirt e�gun�

nach�



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©�Dol - Going (Root = Rach)�

Chaidheas�

dhachaigh�

Cha�

deachas�

?Nach�

?An�

Thuirt e�gun�

nach�

Faicinn - Seeing (Root = Faic)�

Chunnacas/Chunnacadh�

an tubaist�

Chan�fhacas/fhacadh�

?Nach�

?Am�facas/facadh�

Thuirt e�gum�

nach� fhacas/fhacadh�

Faighinn - Getting, Obtaining (Root = Faigh)�

�Fhuaras/Fhuaradh�

an cothrom�

Cha�

d'fhuaras/d'fhuaradh�

?Nach�

?An�

Thuirt e�gun�

nach�

Ràdh - Saying (Root = Abair)�

�Thuirteadh †�

facal�

Cha�

tuirteadh †�

?Nach�

?An�

Thuirt e�gun�

nach�† Thubhairteadh�and�tubhairteadh� are emphatic forms�.�



DM

©�

See Appendix 4 for the active voice of the past tense of the irregular verbs.�

Ruigsinn - Reaching, Arriving (Root =Ruig)�

Ràinigeadh/Ràinigear�

dhachaigh�

Cha�

do ràinigeadh=d'ràinigeadh/�do ràinigear=d'ràinigear�

?Nach�

?An�

Thuirt e�gun�

nach�

Tighinn - Coming (Root = Thig)�

Thàinigear/Thàinigeas�

dhachaigh�

Cha�

tàinigear/tàinigeas�

?Nach�

?An�

Thuirt e�gun�

nach�

Toirt - Taking, Giving (+� preposition do)� (Root = Thoir)�

Thugadh/Thugas�

dhachaigh�

Cha�

tugadh/thugas�

?Nach�

?An�

Thuirt e�gun�

nach�



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Parsing The Future Tense Of Irregular Verbs�The Passive Voice Of The Verb�


All irregular verbs are given even although�Beir - Catch�,� Cluinn - Hear�and�Ruig - Reach/�Arrive� are regular in the future tense and are only given here for reference.�With the exception of a few alternative forms the ending is the same as the regular future�tense.�The future tense also conveys the Habitual Present mood.�


Beirear�

orra�

Cha� bheirear�

?Nach�

beirear�?Am�

Thuirt e�gum�

nach�


Cluinnear�

ceòl�

Cha� chluinnear�

?Nach�

cluinnear�?An�

Thuirt e�gun�

nach�


�Nithear/Nitear�

�an dìnnear�

Cha�

dèanar/dèantar�

?Nach�

?An�

Thuirt e�gun�

nach�



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Thèidear�

dhachaigh�

Cha�

tèidear�

?Nach�

?An�

Thuirt e�gun�

nach�


Chithear�

an tubaist�

Chan�fhaicear�

?Nach�

?Am�faicear�

Thuirt e�gum�

nach� fhaicear�


Gheibhear�

an cothrom�

Cha�fhaighear�

?Nach�

?Am�faighear�

Thuirt e�gum�

nach� fhaighear�

Ràdh - Saying (Root = Abair)�(The regular verb�Cantainn - Saying�is preferred in the future.�

�Theirear�

facal�

Cha�

abrar�

?Nach�

?An�

Thuirt e�gun�

nach�



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©�

See Appendix 5 for the active voice of the future tense of the irregular verbs.�


Ruigear�

dhachaigh�

Cha�

ruigear�

?Nach�

?An�

Thuirt e�gun�

nach�


Thigear�

dhachaigh�

Cha�

tigear�

?Nach�

?An�

Thuirt e�gun�

nach�


Bheirear�

dhachaigh�

Cha�

toirear�

?Nach�

?An�

Thuirt e�gun�

nach�



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Parsing The Conditional Tense Of Irregular Verbs�The Passive Voice Of The Verb�


All irregular verbs are given even although�Beir - Catch�,� Cluinn - Hear�,� Dèan - Do/Make�and�Ruig - Reach/Arriv�e are regular in the conditional tense and are only given here for�reference. The ending is the same as the regular conditional tense. The alternative ending in�-iste� is restricted to the Lewis dialect and is shown equal to (=) the standard form.The�conditional tense also conveys the Habitual Past mood.�


Bheirte=Bheiriste�

orra�

Cha� bheirte=bheiriste�

?Nach�

beirte=beiriste�?Am�

Thuirt e�gum�

nach�


�Chluinnte=Chluinniste�

ceòl�

Cha� chluinnte=chluinniste�

?Nach�

cluinnte=cluinniste�?An�

Thuirt e�gun�

nach�


Dhèante=Dhèanaiste�

�an dìnnear�

Cha�

dèante=dèanaiste�

?Nach�

?An�

Thuirt e�gun�

nach�



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Rachte=Dheighte/�Dheighiste †�

dhachaigh�

Cha�

rachte=deighte/deighiste †�?Nach�

?An�

Thuirt e�gun�

nach�

Chìte=Chithiste�

an tubaist�

Chan�fhaicte=fhaiciste�

?Nach�

?Am�faicte=faiciste�

Thuirt e�gum�

nach� fhaicte=fhaiciste�


�Gheibhte=Gheibhiste�

an cothrom�

Cha�fhaighte=fhaighiste�

?Nach�

?Am�faighte=faighiste�

Thuirt e�gum�

nach� fhaighte=fhaighiste�

Ràdh - Saying (Root = Abair)�(The regular verb�Cantainn - Saying�is preferred in the future.�

�Theirte=Theiriste�

facal�

Cha�

abairte=abairiste�

?Nach�

?An�

Thuirt e�gun�

nach�

†� the forms based on�Dheigh-/deigh-�are limited mainly to the Lewis dialect�.�




DM

©�

See Appendix 6 for the active voice of the conditional tense of the irregular verbs.�


Ruigte=Ruigiste�

dhachaigh�

Cha�

ruigte=ruigiste�

?Nach�

?An�

Thuirt e�gun�

nach�


Thigte=Thigiste�

dhachaigh�

Cha�

tigte=tigiste�

?Nach�

?An�

Thuirt e�gun�

nach�

Toirt - Taking, Giving (+� preposition do)� (Root = Thoir)�An alternative less used vernacular form given.�

Bheirte=Bheiriste/�Thugte=Thugaiste�

dhachaigh�

Cha�

toirte=toiriste/�tugte=tugaiste�

?Nach�

?An�

Thuirt e�gun�

nach�



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©�APPENDIX 5�

Parsing The Future Tense Of Irregular Verbs�The Active Voice Of The Verb�

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�in-�stead of�thu�.The future tense also conveys the Habitual Present mood.�


Beiridh�

mi, thu, e, i�sinn, sibh, iad�

Mòrag�am balach�na daoine�

orra�

Cha� bheir�

?Nach�

beir�?Am�

Thuirt e�gum�

nach�


Cluinnidh�



ceòl�

Cha� chluinn�

?Nach�

cluinn�?An�

Thuirt e�gun�

nach�

Dèanamh - Doing, Making (Root = Dèan)�Nì�



an dìnnear�

Cha�

dèan�

?Nach�

?An�

Thuirt e�gun�

nach�



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Thèid�



dhachaigh�

Cha�

tèid�

?Nach�

?An�

Thuirt e�gun�

nach�

�Chì�



an tubaist�

Chan�fhaic�

?Nach�

?Am�faic�

Thuirt e�gum�

nach� fhaic�


Faighinn - Getting, Obtaining (Root = Faigh)�(The regular verb�Cantainn - Saying�is preferred in the future tense)�

Gheibh�



an cothrom�

Cha�fhaigh�

?Nach�

?Am�faigh�

Thuirt e�gum�

nach� fhaigh�


Their�



facal�

Cha�

abair�

?Nach�

?An�

Thuirt e�gun�

nach�



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©�Ruigsinn - Reaching, Arriving (Root =Ruig)�

Ruigidh�



dhachaigh�

Cha�

ruig�

?Nach�

?An�

Thuirt e�gun�

nach�

See Supplement 5 for the passive voice of the future tense of the irregular verbs.�


Thig�



dhachaigh�

Cha�

tig�

?Nach�

?An�

Thuirt e�gun�

nach�


Bheir�



rud dhan chù�

Cha�

toir�

?Nach�

?An�

Thuirt e�gun�

nach�



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©�APPENDIX 6�

Parsing The Conditional Tense Of Irregular Verbs�The Active Voice Of The Verb�

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.�


Bheireadh�

tu, e, i�sinn, sibh, iad�


orra�

Cha� bheireadh�

?Nach�

beireadh�?Am�

Thuirt e�

gum�

nach�

beirinn�gum�

?Am�

?Nach�

Cha� bheirinn�

Bheirinn�



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©�Chuinneadh�



ceòl�

Cha� chluinneadh�

?Nach�

cluinneadh�?An�

Thuirt e�

gun�

nach�

cluinninn�gun�

?An�

?Nach�

Cha� chluinninn�

Chluinninn�


Dhèanadh�



an dìnnear�

Cha�

dèanadh�?Nach�

?An�

Thuirt e�

gun�

nach�

dèanainn�

gun�

?An�

?Nach�

Cha�

Dhèanainn�




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©�Rachadh/�

Dheigheadh †�tu, e, i�

sinn, sibh, iad�Mòrag�

am balach�na daoine�

dhachaigh�

Cha�

rachadh/deigheadh�†�

?Nach�

?An�

Thuirt e�

gun�

nach�

rachainn/deighinn †�

gun�

?An�

?Nach�

Cha�

Rachainn/Dheighinn †�

Chitheadh�



an tubaist�

Cha�fhaiceadh�

?Nach�

?Am�faiceadh�

Thuirt e�

gum�

nach�fhaiceadh�

fhaicinn�

gum�faicinn�

?Am�

?Nach�fhaicinn�

Cha�

Chithinn�

†�the forms based on�Dheigh-/deigh-�are limited mainly to the Lewis dialect�.�


Dol - Going (Root = Rach)�



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©�Gheibheadh�



an cothrom�

Cha�fhaigheadh�

?Nach�

?Am�faigheadh�

Thuirt e�

gum�

nach�fhaigheadh�

fhaighinn�

gum�faighinn�

?Am�

?Nach�fhaighinn�

Cha�

Gheibhinn�


Theireadh�



facal�

Cha�

abradh�?Nach�

?An�

Thuirt e�

gun�

nach�

abrainn�

gun�

?An�

?Nach�

Cha�

Theirinn�

Ràdh - Saying (Root = Abair)�The regular verb�Cantainn - Saying�is preferred in the conditional tense.�



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©�Ruigeadh�



dhachaigh�

Cha�

ruigeadh�?Nach�

?An�

Thuirt e�

gun�

nach�

ruiginn�

gun�

?An�

?Nach�

Cha�

Ruiginn�


Thigeadh�



dhachaigh�

Cha�

tigeadh�?Nach�

?An�

Thuirt e�

gun�

nach�

tiginn�

gun�

?An�

?Nach�

Cha�

Thiginn�




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©�Bheireadh/Thugadh�



rud dhan chù�

Cha�

toireadh/tugadh�?Nach�

?An�

Thuirt e�

gun�

nach�

toirinn/tugainn�

gun�

?An�

?Nach�

Cha�

Bheirinn/Thugainn�

Toirt - Taking, Giving (+� preposition do)� (Root = Thoir)�An alternative less used vernacular form given.�

See Supplement 6 for the passive voice of the conditional tense of the irregular verbs.�



DM

©�APPENDIX 7�

Parsing The Present Tense Of The Assertive Verb�

The terms�subject�and�object�are used in the sense of the English meaning�.�

A. The Present Tense (With pronoun subject and definite object)�

�Is/'S� � mise †‡�tusa†�esan�ise�

an dotair�Cha §�

?An�

?Nach� sinne�sibhse�iadsan�

na dotairean�Thuirt e�

gur�

nach�† mise�is lenited to�mhise�after�Cha�.�‡� an optional�e�may be placed before�mise�,�tusa�,�sinne�and�sibhse�e.g.�'S e mise� etc.�§�Cha becomes Chan before a vowel�.�

B. The Present Tense (With pronoun subject and indefinite object). High register form�and very rarely heard in the spoken language�

�Is/'S� �

dotair�

mi�thu�e�i�

Cha †�

?An�

?Nach�

dotairean�sinn�sibh�iad�Thuirt e�

gur�

nach�† Cha�will lenite a following word beginning with�b�,�f�,�m�,�p�,�c�, or�g�and becomes�Chan�before�a vowel�.�

C. The Present Tense (With pronoun subject and indefinite object). Preferred spoken�form to B� �

�Is/'S� �

e�

dotair� a tha�

annam�annad�ann�innte�

Chan�

?An�

?Nach�

dotairean� a tha�annainn�annaibh�annta�Thuirt e�

gur�

nach�



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©� �Is/'S� �

e�

Calum�Mòrag †�

a' chaileag †�am balach�

an dotair�

Chan�

?An�

?Nach�

Thuirt e�gur�

nach�

D. The Present Tense (With noun subject and definite noun object)�

† i�may be used in place of�e�for feminine subjects�.�

E. The Present Tense (With noun subject and indefinite noun object).�

�Is/'S� �

e� dotair� a tha�

ann am Mòrag�ann an Calum�

anns a' chaileig�anns a' bhalach�

Chan�

?An�

?Nach�

Thuirt e�gur�

nach�

F. The Present Tense (Indefinite noun subject and object) High register form and very�rarely heard in the spoken language. E is the preferred spoken form�

�Is/'S� �

iasg� bradan�

Chan †�

?An�

?Nach�

Thuirt e�gur�

nach�†�Cha�becomes�Chan�before a vowel�.�



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©� �Is/'S� �

mòr� am bradan�

Cha †�

?An�

?Nach�

Thuirt e�gur�

nach�

G. The Present Tense (Definite noun subject and adjective) High register form becoming�less common in the spoken language�

† Cha�will lenite a following word beginning with�b�,�f�,�m�,�p�,�c�, or�g�and becomes�Chan�before�a vowel�.�

H. The Present Tense (Definite noun subject and adjective). Preferred spoken form to�G�

�Is/'S� �

ann� mòr� a tha� am bradan�

Chan�

?An�

?Nach�

Thuirt e�gur�

nach�



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©�APPENDIX 8�

Parsing The Past Tense Of The Assertive Verb�

The Assertive Verb is used to bring an element to the beginning of a sentence for�emphasis.The terms�subject�and�object�used in the following examples are based of the�English sense�.�

A. The Past Tense (With pronoun subject and definite object)�

�Bu ‡� mhise †�tusa�esan�ise�

an dotair�Cha�

bu ‡�

?Am�

?Nach� sinne�sibhse�iadsan�

na dotairean�Thuirt e� gum�

nach�† mise�is lenited to�mhise�after�Bu�.�‡�Bu�is shortened to� B'� before a vowel�.�

B. The Past Tense (With pronoun subject and indefinite object). High register form and�very rarely heard in the spoken language�

�Bu †�

dotair�

mi�thu�e�i� �

Cha�

bu †�

?Am�

?Nach�

dotairean�sinn�sibh�iad�

Thuirt e� gum�

nach�† Bu�will lenite a following word beginning with�b�,�f�,�m�,�p�,�c�, or�g.�



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©�C. The Past Tense (With pronoun subject and indefinite object). Preferred spoken form�

to B�

�B' e †�

dotair� a bha�

annam�annad�ann�innte�

Cha�

b' e †�

?Am�

?Nach�

dotairean� a bha�annainn�annaibh�annta�

Thuirt e� gum�

nach�†�The Present Tense�'S e�is frequently used in the spoken language. The sense coming from�the subordinate clause's verb and tense�.�

D. The Past Tense (With noun subject and definite noun object)� �

�B' e�

Calum�Mòrag †�

a' chaileag †�am balach�

an dotair�

Cha�

b' e�

?Am�

?Nach�

Thuirt e� gum�

nach�† i�may be used in place of�e�for feminine subjects�.�

E. The Past Tense (With noun subject and indefinite noun object)�

�B' e †�

dotair�

a bha�ann am Mòrag�ann an Calum�

anns a' chaileig�anns a' bhalach�

Cha�

b' e †�

?Am�

?Nach�

a bha�Thuirt e� gum�

nach�†�The Present Tense is frequently used in the spoken language. The sense coming from the�subordinate clause's verb and tense�.�



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©�F. The Past Tense (Indefinite noun subject and object) High register form and very�

rarely heard in the spoken language. E is the preferred spoken form�

�Bu †�

iasg� bradan�

Cha�

bu †�

?Am�

?Nach�

Thuirt e� gum�

nach�† Bu�is shortened to�B'� before a vowel and will lenite a following word beginning with�b�,�f�,�m�,�p�,�c�, or�g.�

G. The Past Tense (Definite noun subject and adjective) High register form becoming�less common in the spoken language�

�Bu †�

mhòr †� am bradan�

Cha�

bu †�

?Am�

?Nach�

Thuirt e� gum�

nach�† Bu�is shortened to�B'� before a vowel and will lenite a following word beginning with�b�,�f�,�m�,�p�,�c�, or�g.�

H. The Past Tense (Definite noun subject and adjective). Preferred spoken form to G� �

�B' †�

ann� mòr� a bha� am bradan�

Cha�

b' †�

?Am�

?Nach�

Thuirt e� gum�

nach�†�The Present Tense is frequently used in the spoken language. The sense coming from the�subordinate clause's verb and tense�.�



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©

APPENDIX 9Declension of the Singular Article

Masculine NounsThe dative and genitive definite nouns exhibit identical initial consonant changes and articlechanges from the nominative definite noun :

NominativeArticle

Nominative SingularDefinite Noun Changes >>> Dative Singular

Definite Noun ‡Genitive Singular

Definite NounThe article isan t- before

nouns beginningwith a vowel

an t-òran - the song

Nouns beginning witha vowel lose the t- from

the definite article:an t- >> an

anns an òran - in the song deireadh an òrain - the endof the song

The article isam before

nouns beginningwith

b, f, m, or p

am bainne - the milk

Nouns beginning with b, f,m, p, c or g all lenite.The definite article

changes from am/an to a'‡ except for f where it

remains an

anns a' bhainne - in themilk

uachdar a' bhainne - thetop of the milk

am feasgar - theevening

anns an fheasgar - in theevening

blàths an fheasgair - thewarmth of the evening

am monadh - the moor air a' mhonadh - on themoor

fraoch a' mhonaidh - theheather of the moor

am pàipear - the paper anns a' phàipear - in thepaper

dath a' phàipeir - thecolour of the paper

The article isan before allother nouns

an càise - the cheese anns a' chàise - in thecheese

blas a' chàise - the tasteof the cheese

an gille - the boy air a' ghille - on the boy màthair a' ghille - themother of the boy

an duine - the man

Nouns beginning withd, t, l, n, r, sg, sm, sp orst show no initial change.

The definite articleremains an

aig an duine - at the man bean an duine - the wife ofthe man

an leabhar - the book anns an leabhar - in thehouse

còmhdach an leabhair - thecover of the book

an nead - the nest anns an nead am broinn an nid - insidethe nest

an sgoilear - the pupil ris an sgoilear - to thepupil

leabhar an sgoileir - thebook of the pupil

an smal - the stain leis an smal - with thestain

dath an smail - the colourof the stain

an speur - the sky anns an speur - in the sky dath an speura - the colourof the sky

an taigh - the house anns an taigh - in thehouse

mullach an taighe - theroof of the house

an slaod - the sledge

Nouns beginning withsl, sn, sr, or s+vowel addt- to the definite article:

an >> an t-

air an t-slaod - on thesledge

meud an t-slaoid - the sizeof the sledge

an sneachd - the snow anns an t-sneachd - in thesnow

fuachd an t-sneachda - thecold of the snow

an sreath - the row anns an t-sreath deireadh an t-sreatha -the end of the row

an saoghal anns an t-saoghal - in theworld

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' effectivelyremains 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 inLesson 34.The dative singular masculine noun is comprehensively covered in Lesson 6.The genitive plural masculine noun is comprehensively covered in Lesson 39.



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Feminine NounsThe dative definite nouns exhibit identical initial consonant changes and article changes asthe nominative definite noun. The The genitive definite nouns exhibit no initial consonantchange and the article is always Na (Na h- before a vowel):

Genitive SingularDefinite Noun † <<< Changes Nominative

& Dative ArticleNominative Singular

Definite NounDative Singular

Definite Noun ‡ §

ceann na slaite - the end of therod

The genitivesingular article isna (na h- before

a vowel) for allnouns. There is no

initial changebefore the nouns.

The article is an t-before nouns

beginning with sl, sn,sr, or s+vowel

an t-slat - the rod leis an t-slait - with therod

rinn na snàthaid(e) - the point ofthe needle

an t-snàthad - theneedle

air an t-snàthaid - onthe needle

taobh na sràide - the side of thestreet an t-sràid - the street air an t-sràid - on the

streetboladh na seòbhraich(e) - the

fragrance of the primrosean t-seòbhrach - the

primroseanns an t-seòbhraich -

in the primroseàirde na beinne - the height of

the mountainThe article is a'

before nounsbeginning with

b, f, m, p, c or gbut an before nounsbeginning with f. All

these nouns arelenited.

a' bheinn - themountain

air a' bheinn - on themountain

mullach na cruaiche - the top ofthe stack a' chruach - the stack anns a' chruaich - in

the stacksgiath na faoileig(e) - the wing of

the gull an fhaoileag - the gull ris an fhaoileig - to thegull

earball na gearra - the tail of thehare a' gheàrr - the hare air a' gheàrr - on the

harefuachd na mòintich(e) - the cold

of the moora' mhòinteach - the

moorair a' mhòintich - on

the moorlàmh na poite - the handle of the

pota' phoit - the pot anns a' phoit - in the

potmeadhan na dùthcha - the middle

the country

Nouns beginningwith d, t, l, n, r, sg,sm, sp or st or a

vowel show no initialchange. The article

is an before allthese nouns.

an dùthaich - thecountry

air an dùthaich - in thecountry

cùl na làimhe - the back of thehand an làmh - the hand leis an làimh - by the

handdreasa na nighinn(e) - the dress

of the girl an nighean - the girl leis an nighinn - withthe girl

doras na sgoile - the door of theschool an sgoil - the school anns an sgoil - in the

schoolblas na smeura - the taste of the

bramble an smeur - the bramble anns an smeur - in thebramble

faobhar na speala - the edge ofthe scythe

an speal -the scythe leis an speal - with thescythe

fad na trannsa - the length ofthe corridor

an trannsa - thecorridor

anns an trannsa - in thecorridor

nead na h-eala - the nest of theswan 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' effectivelyremains 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 spokenlanguage 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 inLesson 35 .The dative singular feminine noun is comprehensively covered in Lesson 7.The genitive plural feminine noun is comprehensively covered in Lesson 39.



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©�Click on�

preposition�below for�idioms�

Personal Pronoun�Preposition�

me� you� him� her� us� you� them�

aig� agam� agad� aige� aice� againn� agaibh� aca� at,�possession�

air� orm� ort� air� oirre� oirnn� oirbh� orra� on�

ann� annam� annad� ann� innte� annainn� annaibh� annta� in, into,�exist as�

às� asam� asad� às� aiste� asainn� asaibh� asta�out of,�from a�place�

bho/o� bhuam�/uam�

bhuat�/uat�

bhuaithe�/uaithe�

bhuaipe�/uaipe�

bhuainn�/uainn�

bhuaibh�/uaibh�

bhuapa�/uapa� from�

de� dhìom� dhìot� dheth� dhith� dhinn� dhibh� dhiubh� of, off�

do/dha� dhomh� dhut� dha� dhì� dhuinn� dhuibh� dhaibh� to, for�

eadar� eadarainn� eadaraibh� eatarra� between,�both�

fo� fodham� fodhad� fodha� foipe� fodhainn� fodhaibh� fòpa� under�

gu� thugam� thugad� thuige� thuice� thugainn� thugaibh� thuca� to,toward�

le� leam� leat� leis� leatha� leinn� leibh� leotha� with,�ownership�

mu� umam� umad� uime� uimpe� umainn� umaibh� umpa� about�

thar †� tharam� tharad� thairis� thairte� tharainn� tharaibh� tharta� over�

ri� rium� riut� ris� rithe� rinn� ribh� riutha� to, against�

ro� romham� romhad� roimhe� roimhpe� romhainn� romhaibh� romhpa� before�

tro� tromham� tromhad� troimhe� troimhpe� tromhainn� tromhaibh� tromhpa� through�

Preposition�mi� thu� e� i� sinn� sibh� iad�

Preposition�Personal Pronoun�

APPENDIX 1�Prepositions Pronouns�

Prepositions have conjugated forms with personal pronouns. The first element is the simple�preposition, followed by the personal pronoun:�

† thar�is not strictly a simple preposition since it usually governs the genitive rather than�the dative case of nouns. It is more commonly rendered using�thairis +�prepositional�pronouns of� air�:�

Preposition�Personal Pronoun�

Preposition�me� you� him� her� us� you� them�

thairis air� thairis�orm� thairis ort� thairis air� thairis�

oirre�thairis�oirnn�

thairis�oirbh�

thairis�orra� over�



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©�All prepositional pronouns can be emphasised by adding the endings shown below. They are�

attached to the prepositional pronouns and do not necessarily adhere to the spelling rule.�Any prepositional pronoun ending in an�s� is firstly hyphenated:�

aig� agamsa� agadsa� aigesan� aicese� againne� agaibhse� acasan�

air� ormsa� ortsa� airsan� oirrese� oirnne� oirbhse� orrasan�

ann� annamsa� annadsa� annsan� inntese� annainne� annaibhse� anntasan�

às� asamsa� asadsa� às-san� aistese� asainne� asaibhse� astasan�

bho� bhuamsa� bhuatsa� bhuaithesan� bhuaipese� bhuainne� bhuaibhse� bhuapasan�

de� dhìomsa� dhìotsa� dhethsan� dhithse� dhinne� dhibhse� dhiubhsan�

do� dhomhsa� dhutsa� dhasan� dhìse� dhuinne� dhuibhse� dhaibhsan�

eadar� 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�

mu� umamsa� umadsa� uimesan� uimpese� umainne� umaibhse� umpasan�

thar� tharamsa� tharadsa� thairis-san� thairtese� tharainne� tharaibhse� thartasan�

ri� riumsa� riutsa� ris-san� rithese� rinne� ribhse� riuthasan�

ro� romhamsa� romhadsa� roimhesan� roimhpese� romhainne� romhaibhse� romhpasan�

tro� tromhamsa� tromhadsa� troimhesan� troimhpese� tromhainne� tromhaibhse� tromhpasan�



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©�Click on�

preposition�below for�idioms�

Possessive Adjective�Preposition�

me� you� him� her� us� you� them�

aig� gam� gad� ga� ga� gar� gur� gan/gam� at,�possession�

ann� nam� nad� na� na� nar� nur� nan/nam� in, into,�exist as�

(bh)o� (bh)om� (bh)od� (bh)o� (bh)o� (bh)or� (bh)or� (bh)on/(bh)om� from�

d(h)e� d(h)em� d(h)ed� d(h)e� d(h)e� d(h)er� d(h)er� d(h)en/d(h)em� of, off�

dha� dham� dhad� dha� dha� dhar� dhur� dhan/dham�to, for�

do� dom� dod� do� do� dar� dur� dan/dam�

fo� fom� fod� fo� fo� for� for� fon/fom� under�

gu� gam� gad� ga� ga� gar� gur� gan/gam� to,toward�

le� lem� led� le� le� ler� ler� len/lem� with,�ownership�

mu� mum� mud� ma� ma� mar� mur� mun/mum� about�

ri� rim� rid� ri� ri� rir� rir� rin/rim� to, against�

ro� rom� rod� ro� ro� ror� ror� ron/rom� before�

tro� trom� trod� tro� tro� tror� tror� tron/trom� through�

Preposition�mo� do� a� a� ar� ur� an/am�

Preposition�Possessive Adjective�

Augmented Prepositions�Most simple prepositions have conjugated forms with possessive adjectives. Forms from�aig�,�ann�and�gu�are mandatory. Others occur along with non-conjugated forms in both speech and�literature:�



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©�APPENDIX 2�

Parsing The Tenses Of The Verb TO BE�The Active Voice Of The Verb�

The Present Tense�

The Past Tense�

The Future Tense/The Present Habitual Mood�

Bidh †�

mi, thu *, e, i�sinn, sibh, iad�


sgìth�

Cha� bhi ‡�

?Nach�

bi $�?Am�

Thuirt e�gum�

nach�

† Bithidh�,� ‡ bhith�and� $ bith�are preferred in stressed situations�* tu�is often used after�Bidh�

Bha�



sgìth�

Cha�

robh�

?Nach�

?An�

Thuirt e�gun�

nach�

Tha�



sgìth�

Chan�

eil�?Nach�

Thuirt e�nach�

gu� bheil� �

?A� bheil�



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©�

† Bhitheadh�and�* bitheadh� are preferred in stressed situations.�

See Supplement 2 for the passive voice of the verb�To Be�.�


Bhiodh †�



sgìth�

Cha� bhiodh †�

?Nach�

biodh ‡�?Am�

Thuirt e�

gum�

nach�

bithinn�gum�

?Am�

?Nach�

Cha� bhithinn�

Bhithinn�



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©�APPENDIX 3�

Parsing The Tenses Of Regular Verbs�The Active Voice Of The Verb�

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�



am bòrd�

Cha�

do bhuail�

?Nach�

?An�

Thuirt e�gun�

nach�

The Future Tense/The Present Habitual Mood�Buailidh †�



am bòrd�

Cha�

buail�

?Nach�

?Am�

Thuirt e�gun�

nach�

* tu�is used after the independent form of the verb.�†� The ending will be -�aidh� for verb root with final broad vowel, e.g.�Togaidh�.�



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©�Bhuaileadh †�



am bòrd�

Cha� bhiodh †�

?Nach�

bhuaileadh�?Am�

Thuirt e�

gum�

nach�

buailinn�gum�

?Am�

?Nach�

Cha� bhuailinn�

Bhuailinn�


†� The ending will be -�adh� for verb root with final broad vowel, e.g.�Thogadh�

Verbs beginning with a vowel�The Past Tense�

Dh'ith�



a' bhriosgaid�

Cha�

do dh'ith�

?Nach�

?An�

Thuirt e�gun�

nach�

The Future Tense/The Present Habitual Mood�Ithidh †�



a' bhriosgaid�

Chan�

ith�

?Nach�

?An�

Thuirt e�gun�

nach�

* tu�is used after the independent form of the verb�†� The ending will be -�aidh� for verb root�with final broad vowel, e.g.�Òlaidh�



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©�Dh'itheadh †�



a' bhriosgaid�

Chan� bhiodh †�

?Nach�

itheadh�?An�

Thuirt e�

gun�

nach�

ithinn�

gun�

?An�

?Nach�

Chan�

Dh'ithinn�


†� Ending will be -�adh� for verb root with final broad vowel, e.g.�Dh'òladh�

Verbs beginning with F�The Past Tense�

Dh'fhill�



am pàipear�

Cha�

do dh'fhill�

?Nach�

?An�

Thuirt e�gun�

nach�

The Future Tense/The Present Habitual Mood�Fillidh †�



a' bhriosgaid�

Chan�

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�.�



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©�

†� 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.�

The Conditional Tense/The Past Habitual Mood�Dh'fhilleadh †�



a' bhriosgaid�

Chan�fhilleadh�

?Nach ‡�

?Am�filleadh�

Thuirt e�

gum�

nach�fhilleadh�

fhillinn�

gum�fillinn�

?Am�

?Nach�fhillinn�

Chan�

Dh'fhillinn�



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©�Rug�



orra�

Cha�

do rug=d'rug�

?Nach�

?An�

Thuirt e�gun�

nach�

APPENDIX 4�Parsing The Past Tense Of Irregular Verbs�

The Active Voice Of The Verb�



Chuala�



ceòl�

Cha� chuala�

?Nach�

cuala�?An�

Thuirt e�gun�

nach�

Dèanamh - Doing, Making (Root = Dèan)�Rinn�



an dìnnear�

Cha�

�do rinn=d'rinn�

?Nach�

?An�

Thuirt e�gun�

nach�

Dol - Going (Root = Rach)�

Chaidh�



dhachaigh�

Cha�

deach�

?Nach�

?An�

Thuirt e�gun�

nach�



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©� �Chunnaic�



an tubaist�

Chan�fhaca�

?Nach�

?Am�faca�

Thuirt e�gum�

nach� fhaca�



Fhuair�



an cothrom�

Cha�

d'fhuair�

?Nach�

?An�

Thuirt e�gun�

nach�


�Thuirt †�



facal�

Cha�

tuirt †�

?Nach�

?An�

Thuirt e�gun�

nach�

† Thubhairt�and�tubhairt� are emphatic forms�.�


Ràinig�



dhachaigh�

Cha�

do ràinig=d'ràinig�

?Nach�

?An�

Thuirt e�gun�

nach�



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©�

See Supplement 4 for the passive voice of the past tense of the irregular verbs.�


Thàinig�



dhachaigh�

Cha�

tàinig�

?Nach�

?An�

Thuirt e�gun�

nach�


Thug�



rud dhan chù�

Cha�

tug�

?Nach�

?An�

Thuirt e�gun�

nach�



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©�Short Vowels� Long Vowels�

Gàidhlig Samples� Nearest English�Imitation�


a�

f�a�d�b�a�ll, b�a�nn�§�

l�a�gh�‡�a�dhbhar�‡�

s�a�bhal� ‡�ball�a †�

b�a�t�c�ow�b�u�rn�b�u�rn�s�aw�fath�e�r �

a�

b�à�n� f�a�r�

e�dh�e�th�

t�e�th�bail�e †�

s�e�t�r�a�te�fath�e�r�

e�d�è�

f�è�ath�f�a�me�sh�e�d�

i� sir�t�i�nn, t�i�ll�§�

f�ee�t�k�i�ng� i� sì�n� m�e�

o�b�o�g�o�rra�

t�o�nn, t�o�ll, t�o�m�§�

b�ow�l�m�o�dest�c�ow� �

o�ò�r�b�ò�

f�aw�n�b�o�ld�

u� g�u�th� f�u�ll� u� ù�r� p�oo�r�

�†� these are indistinct obscure vowels as found in English�§�short vowels are nasalised before terminal� nn�,� ll�&� m�‡ bh�,� gh�and� dh� alter preceding short vowel sound�

Pronunciation Guide�

Vowel Sounds�



DM

©�Diphthongs�

Based on Short Vowels� Based on Long Vowels�



ai�t�ai�s�

t�air�bh�-�ai�dh (terminal)�

b�a�t�h�i�t�s�ee�

ai�f�ài�lte�

‡� d�ài�mh�f�a�r�eye�

ao� d�ao�r� b�u�rn but longer,�like French fl�eu�r�

ea�

*� l�ea�n, b�ea�tha�**� d�ea�lt,�ea�la�§� c�ea�nn, g�ea�ll�

s�e�t�ya�k�yow�l (ok so its not�a real word)�

ea�

c�eà�rr� ya�rd�

ei� d�ei�ch� r�a�te� ei� c�èi�le� f�a�me�

eo� d�eo�ch� yo�nder� eo� eò�las� yaw�l�

eu� †� f�eu�r�c�eu�m�

s�ee�r�f�a�me� eu�

ia� c�ia�ll� s�ee�r� ia�

io� c�io�nt�io�mlan�

yu�cca�s�i�t� io� f�ìo�r� s�ee�r�

iu� d�iu�gh� yu�le� iu� iù�l� you�

oi� c�oi�s�cl�oi�mh�

m�o�dest�b�oy� oi� t�òi�sich�

cl�òi�mh�f�aw�n�cl�oi�ster�

ua� f�ua�r� fl�ue�nt� ua�

ui� sl�ui�g�t�ui�nn, t�ui�ll�

f�u�ll�s�ui�ng� ui� d�ùi�l� p�oo�r�

‡�diphthong�ài� has this value only immediately before consonant groups�dh�,�mh�&� gh�†�predominant pronunciation�

** this sound (�ya�k) is dominant or becoming so in nearly all other cases including where it�precedes the consonant� l�

*� this sound (s�e�t) is only found preceding a single consonant (or its lenited equivalent)�§�short vowels are nasalised before terminal� nn�&� ll�



DM

©�Broad Consonants�

A, O, & U have similar influences on�consonants.�

Further Gàidhlig Samples indicate where�the non-initial consonant is different�

�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�



b� b�àn�o�b�air�

b�ar�to�p� b� b�eò�

b�ith�b�eauty�b�ee�

bh� bh�àn�§� s�abh�al�

v�an�s�aw� bh� bh�eò�

bh�ith�v�iew�v�ia�

c�

c�at�ba�c�

c�ot�lo�ch+k�sound� c�

c�eò�c�ìr�

tai�c�

k�ew�k�ey�like German�I�ch+k�

ch� ch�at� lo�ch�as spoken�by a Scot� ch� ch�eò�

ch�ìr� like German I�ch�

chd� bo�chd� lo�ch�+�k�

d�d�à�

sa�d�d�oor�softer�d� but no�real equivalent�

d� �d�eàrrs�

d�ìth�j�ew�j�ig�

dh�

dh�à�

§ adh�bhar�

guttural�g� but no�real equivalent�silent but af-�fects preceding�vowel�

dh †�

dh�eth� y�es�

f� f�àn� f�an� f� f�eàrr�f�ìon�

f�ew�f�eel�

fh�fh�àn� silent �

fh�fh�ìon� silent except in�

fhèin�,�fhathast�and�fhuair�

Consonants�



DM

©�Gàidhlig Samples� Nearest English�

Imitation�Gàidhlig Samples� Nearest English�

Imitation�

g�g�on�

s�g�ar, ra�g�g�ot�s�c�ar, ra�ck� g�

g�eàrr�g�in�

s�g�eul, gèi�g�

a�g�ue�g�ive�s�c�ale, ti�ck�

gh� gh�on� guttural�g� but no�equivalent� �gh †� gh�in� y�es�

l�‡� l�à� close to ba�ll� � l�‡� l�ìon� l�ure�

ll�to�ll� weak�l� preceded�

by a nasal�ow� but�no real equivalent�

ll�ti�ll� mi�ll�ion�

m� m�òr� m�op� m� m�eall�m�ìn�

m�ew�m�eal�

mh� mh�òr�§� s�amh�radh�

v�ole�h�ow� mh� mh�eall�

mh�ìn�v�iew�v�eal�

n�‡� n�a� close to� n�ap� n�‡� n�igh� n�ew�

nn�

to�nn� weak�n� preceded�by a nasal�ow� but�no real equiva-�lent �

nn�

ti�nn� pi�n�ion�

ng� tra�ng� lo�ng�itude �

p� p�os� p�an� p� p�eann� p�ew�

ph� ph�os� f�an � ph�eann� f�ew�

r ‡� r�ag� trilled� r� but no�real equivalent �

r ‡� r�is� soft�r� but no�real equivalent�

s� s�on� s�o� s� s�ìn� sh�e�

sh� sh�on� h�oe� sh� sh�eall� h�ew�

t� t�um� t�oe� t� t�ìr� ch�ew�

th� th�um� h�oe� th� th�ìr� h�ew�

†� medial and terminal�dh� and�gh� preceded by a slender vowel can be regarded as silent�‡ l�,� n�&� r� are not lenited in writing although they are subtle changes in their pronunciation in�

lenited positions in spoken Gàidhlig�§ bh�,�dh�,�gh� &�mh� very often lose their consonant qualities when preceded�

by an unaccented�a� or� o�

Documents

Gaelic Lessons