This 9th lesson teaches an important aspect in Gaelic which is the interrogative form also called questions. In addition, there is a list of vocabulary terms about misunderstanding and finally some commonly used phrases. I will try to give examples using both vocabulary and grammar. That way it will be easy for you to see the words when they are separate and when they are in a sentence. Going through the whole page should take about 30 min. Make sure to read the pronunciation and hear the audio as well. If you have any question about this course, please email me directly at Gaelic Classes.
Being able to ask questions is what makes us curious beings, which in turns broadens our knowledge. It is no different when it comes to learning Gaelic. You will always be asking questions, and the following are some tools to help you in that quest.
The following are the 5 Ws + "how" commonly used adverbs to express the interrogative form. Most likely, whenever a question needs to be asked, one of them should be used. The table contains 3 columns (English, Gaelic, and Audio). Make sure you repeat each word after hearing it by either clicking on the audio button or by reading the pronunciation. That should help with memorization as well as improving your pronunciation.
Questions | Gaelic |
---|---|
How? | Ciamar? |
What? | Dè? |
When? | Cuin? |
Where? | Càite? |
Who? | Cò? |
Why? | Carson? |
Now we will try to implement the adverbs above into full Gaelic sentences. That way you will be able to use the word not only by itself but embedded in a structure.
Can I come? | Am faod mi tighinn? |
Can I help you? | Am faod mi gad chuideachadh? |
Can you help me? | Am faod thu gam chuideachadh? |
Do you know her? | A bheil thu eòlach oirre? |
Do you speak English? | A bheil Beurla agad? |
How difficult is it? | Ciamar cho doirbh a tha e? |
How far is this? | Ciamar cho fada a tha seo? |
How much is this? | Dè cho prìseil a tha seo? |
How would you like to pay? | Ciamar a tha thu ag iarraidh cluich? |
What is this called? | Dè an t-ainm a th' air seo? |
What is your name? | Dè an t-ainm a th' ort? |
What time is it? | Dè an uair a tha e? |
When can we meet? | Cuin an urrainn dhuinn gar faicinn? |
Where do you live? | Càite a bheil thu a' fuireachd? |
Who is knocking at the door? | Cò tha a' gnogadh air an doras? |
Why is it expensive? | Carson a tha e daor? |
If you have any questions, please contact me using the Gaelic contact form on the header above.
There are times when you will not understand what a person said in Gaelic, or simply that you want them to repeat a word. The following are 24 expressions used to clear misunderstandings. Very essential to any conversation!
Misunderstanding | Gaelic |
---|---|
Can you repeat? | Can a-rithist e. |
Can you speak slowly? | An urrainn dhut bruidhinn gu slaodach? |
Did you understand what I said? | An do thuig thu dè thuirt mi? |
Don't worry! | Na gabh cùram! |
Excuse me? (i.e. I beg your pardon?) | Gabh mo leisgeul. |
How do you say "OK" in French? | Ciamar a chanas tu ""OK"" anns an Fhraingis? |
I don't know! | Chan eil fhios agam! |
I don't understand! | Chan eil mi a' tuigsinn! |
I need to practice my French | Feumaidh mi am Fraingis agam cleachdadh. |
Is that right? | A bheil sin ceart? |
Is that wrong? | A bheil sin ceàrr? |
Mistake | mearachd |
My French is bad | Tha am Fraingis agam dona. |
No problem! | Coma leat! |
Quickly | gu luath |
Slowly | gu slaodach |
Sorry (to apologize) | Duilich |
To speak | bruidhinn |
What does that word mean in English? | Dè tha am facail sin a' ciallachadh anns a' Bheurla? |
What is this? | Dè tha sin? |
What should I say? | Dè bu choir dhomh ràdh? |
What? | Dè? |
What's that called in French? | Ciamar a chanas tu e anns an Fhraingis? |
Write it down please! | Sgrìob e, mas e do thoil leat! |
Finally, a list of some common phrases that you might come across from time to time. For a complete list of commonly used sentences, please visit our Gaelic Phrases page. Enjoy!
English | Gaelic |
---|---|
This | seo |
That | sin |
Here | an-seo |
There | an-sin |
In The Morning | anns a' mhadainn |
In the evening | anns an fheasgair |
At Night | air an oidhche |
Really! | Gu dearbh! |
Look! | Seall! |
Hurry up! | Cur cabhag ort! |
Language Quote: The oldest written language was believed to be written in about 4500 BC.
Congratulations! You finished your 9th lesson in Gaelic about questions, and misunderstanding. Are you ready for the next lesson? We recommend Gaelic Lesson 10. You can also simply click on one of the links below or go back to our Learn Gaelic homepage.