1- SCOTS GAELIC ALPHABET

2- WORD ORDER

1 Basic S + V Bidh mi a’ cadal. I sleep.

2 Direct object S + V + DO Leugh mi an leabhar. I read the book.

3 Indirect object S + V + IO + DO Bheir mi an leabhar dha. I give him the book.

4 Beneficiary S + V + DO + airson + Beneficiary Ceannaichidh mi leabhar dha. I will buy a book for him.

5 IO pronoun S + V + IO + DO Bheir mi an leabhar dha. I give him the book.

6 Adjective S + bi + Adj Tha an leabhar mòr. The book is big.

7 Adverb S + V + Adv Leughaidh e gu luath. He reads quickly.

8 Direct object + adverb S + V + DO + Adv Leughaidh mi an leabhar gu luath. I read the book quickly.

9 Time adverb S + V + Time Bidh mi ag obair an-diugh. I work today.

10 Place adverb S + V + Place Tha e a’ fuireach an sin. He lives there.

11 Location phrase S + bi + Location Tha an leabhar air a’ bhòrd. The book is on the table.

12 DO + location S + V + DO + Location Chuir mi an leabhar air a’ bhòrd. I put the book on the table.

13 Determiner + noun Dem + N Tha an leabhar seo ùr. This book is new.

14 Determiner + adjective + noun Dem + N + Adj Tha an leabhar mòr seo ùr. This big book is new.

15 Numeral + noun Num + N Tha dà leabhar ùr ann. There are two new books.

16 Conjunction Clause + Conj + Clause Leugh mi agus sgrìobh e. I read and he writes.

17 Conjunction + objects S + V + DO + Conj + S + V + DO Leugh mi an leabhar agus sgrìobh e litir. I read the book and he writes a letter.

18 Present passive S + bi + passive construction Tha an leabhar ga leughadh. The book is being read.

19 Passive + agent S + bi + passive construction + le + Agent Tha an leabhar ga leughadh leis. The book is being read by him.

20 Passive + IO S + bi + passive construction + IO Tha an leabhar ga thoirt dha. The book is being given to him.

21 Passive + IO + agent S + bi + passive construction + IO + Agent Tha an leabhar ga thoirt dha leis an tidsear. The book is being given to him by the teacher.

22 Passive + adverb S + bi + passive construction + Time Tha an leabhar ga leughadh an-diugh. The book is being read today.

23 Passive + location S + bi + passive construction + Location Tha an leabhar ga chur air a’ bhòrd. The book is being put on the table.

24 Passive + agent + adverb S + bi + Time + passive construction + Agent Tha an leabhar ga leughadh an-diugh leis. The book is being read by him today.

25 Passive + agent + IO + adverb S + bi + passive construction + IO + Agent + Time Tha an leabhar ga thoirt dha an-diugh leis an tidsear. The book is being given to him by the teacher today.

26 Perfect passive S + bi + air a + verbal noun Tha an leabhar air a leughadh. The book has been read.

27 Perfect passive + agent S + bi + air a + VN + le + Agent Tha an leabhar air a leughadh leis. The book has been read by him.

28 Future passive S + bidh + passive construction Bidh an leabhar ga leughadh. The book will be read.

29 Future passive + agent S + bidh + passive construction + Agent Bidh an leabhar ga leughadh leis. The book will be read by him.

30 Modal passive S + modal + gum bi + passive construction Feumaidh an leabhar a bhith air a leughadh. The book must be read.

31 Negative S + cha(chan) + V Cha leugh mi an leabhar. I do not read the book.

32 Negative passive S + chan eil + passive construction + Agent Chan eil an leabhar ga leughadh leis. The book is not being read by him.

33 Yes/no question Question particle + V + S + DO? An leugh thu an leabhar? Do you read the book?

34 Passive question Question + bi + passive construction? A bheil an leabhar ga leughadh? Is the book being read?

35 Agent question Cò + relative verb + DO? Cò a leughas an leabhar? Who will read the book?

36 IO question Cò dha + V + DO? Cò dha a bheir thu an leabhar? To whom do you give the book?

37 Imperative Imperative + DO Leugh an leabhar! Read the book!

38 Imperative + IO Imperative + IO + DO Thoir dha an leabhar! Give him the book!

39 Passive imperative Na/Sì + passive construction Biodh an leabhar air a leughadh! Let the book be read!

40 Verbal noun Verb + verbal noun a’ leughadh reading

41 Verbal noun + DO VN + DO a’ leughadh an leabhair reading the book

42 Infinitive a + verbal noun a leughadh to read

43 Purpose S + V + gus + verbal noun Bidh mi ag ithe gus cluich. I eat in order to play.

44 Relative clause N + a + clause Tha an leabhar a leugh mi inntinneach. The book that I read is interesting.

45 Passive relative N + a + passive clause Tha an leabhar a chaidh a leughadh leis inntinneach. The book that was read by him is interesting.

46 Conditional ma + future/present, conditional Nam biodh ùine agam, leughainn an leabhar. If I had time, I would read the book.

47 Conditional + passive nam biodh + passive, bhiodh + passive/result Nam biodh an leabhar air a leughadh, bhiodh e feumail. If the book were read, it would be useful.

48 Reported speech S + V + gun/dè + clause Tha e ag ràdh gu bheil e a’ leughadh leabhar. He says that he is reading a book.

49 Reported question S + V + a bheil/ma + clause Tha e a’ faighneachd a bheil mi a’ leughadh an leabhair. He asks if I am reading the book.

50 Reported command/request S + V + person + gun/gu + subjunctive construction Tha e ag iarraidh orm an leabhar a leughadh. He asks me to read the book.

Important Gaelic differences

Concept Scottish Gaelic pattern

Present “to be” tha

Past “to be” bha

Future “to be” bidh

Conditional “to be” bhiodh

Present continuous tha + subject + a’/ag + verbal noun

Past continuous bha + subject + a’/ag + verbal noun

Future continuous bidh + subject + a’/ag + verbal noun

Passive continuous tha/bha/bidh + object + ga/gan + verbal noun

Completed passive tha/bha + object + air a/air an + verbal noun

Direct object relative noun + a + verb + subject

Purpose gus + verbal noun

“To” + verb a + verbal noun

If, real condition ma + clause

If, hypothetical nam + past/conditional form

Reported speech ag ràdh gu bheil... / ag ràdh gun...

Reported question a bheil... / an robh... / am bi...

Reported request ag iarraidh air + person + a + verbal noun

ADVERBS:

1 Manner Manner adverb + Verb / usually after the verb Bidh e a’ bruidhinn gu mall. He speaks slowly.

2 Place Place adverb + Verb/Clause Tha mi an seo. I am here.

3 Time Time adverb + Clause / often at the beginning An-dè, leugh mi an leabhar. Yesterday, I read the book.

4 Frequency Frequency adverb + Verb / position varies Bidh mi tric a’ leughadh. I often read.

5 Frequency + be Bi + Frequency adverb + Predicate Tha e an-còmhnaidh toilichte. He is always happy.

6 Frequency + auxiliary Bi + Frequency adverb + verbal noun Bidh mi gu tric a’ leughadh leabhraichean. I often read books.

7 Degree Degree adverb + Adjective Tha e glè mhòr. It is very big.

8 Degree + verb Degree/intensity adverb + Verb Is fìor thoil leam e. I really like it.

9 Sentence adverb Sentence adverb + Clause / usually beginning Gu fortanach, bhuannaich mi. Fortunately, I won.

10 Comment adverb Comment expression + Clause Gu h-onarach, chan eil fhios agam. Honestly, I don't know.

11 Linking adverb Linking expression + Clause Bha mi sgìth. Ach, lean mi orm. I was tired; however, I continued.

12 Direction Directional adverb + Verb Chaidh e a-mach. He went outside.

13 Definite frequency Gach + Time noun + Verb Bidh mi a’ dol ann gach latha. I go there every day.

14 Duration Airson + Time expression + Verb Bha mi ag ionnsachadh airson dà uair a thìde. I studied for two hours.

15 Purpose Gus + verbal noun Tha mi a’ dol ann gus ionnsachadh. I am going there to study.

INDIRECT OBJECT:

1 S + V + DO + IO Bheir mi an leabhar dha. I give the book to him.

2 S + V + DO + noun IO Bheir mi an leabhar do Mhàiri. I give the book to Màiri.

3 S + V + IO + DO Bheir mi dha an leabhar. I give him the book.

4 IO question Cò dha a bheir thu an leabhar? To whom will you give the book?

5 IO pronoun Bheir mi an leabhar dhi. I give the book to her.

6 Beneficiary Cheannaich mi an leabhar dha. I bought the book for him.

7 Explicit beneficiary Cheannaich mi an leabhar airson Màiri. I bought the book for Màiri.

GENITIVE:

1 Possession Possessed N + Genitive N taigh an duine the man's house

2 Feminine possession N + na + Genitive leabhar na mnà the woman's book

3 Proper-name possession N + Name taigh Iain John's house

4 Plural possession N + nan + Genitive plural taigh nan daoine the people's house

5 Part of something N + Genitive doras an taighe the door of the house

6 Relationship N + Genitive mac an rìgh the king's son

7 Material/substance N + Genitive botal fìona a bottle of wine

8 Quantity Quantity + Genitive mòran airgid a lot of money

9 Container + content Container + Genitive cupa tì a cup of tea

10 Partitive Part + Genitive pìos arain a piece of bread

11 Nested possession N + Genitive + Genitive doras taighe an duine the door of the man's house

12 Genitive + adjective N + Genitive + Adj taigh an duine mhòir the house of the big man

Masculine singular an taigh an duine the man's house

Feminine singular na leabhar na mnà the woman's book

Plural nan taigh nan daoine the people's house

S + bi + Genitive NP + Adj Tha càr an tidseir ùr. The teacher's car is new.

S + V + Genitive NP Chunnaic mi taigh an duine. I saw the man's house.

Location + Genitive NP Tha mi ann an taigh an duine. I am in the man's house.

Possessed N + Genitive N ainm an duine the man's name

Quantity + Genitive cupa tì a cup of tea

INDEPENDENT:

mine agamsa / agam at me

yours (sg.) agadsa / agad at you

his aige at him

hers aice at her

ours againn at us

yours (pl.) agaibh at you

theirs aca at them

agam mine / at me Normal, neutral

agamsa mine / at me Emphatic: MINE, specifically mine

This book is mine. Tha an leabhar seo agamsa.

That book is yours. Tha an leabhar sin agadsa.

The car is his. Tha an càr aige.

The house is hers. Tha an taigh aice.

The books are ours. Tha na leabhraichean againn.

The car is yours. Tha an càr agaibh.

The house is theirs. Tha an taigh aca.

WAS GOING TO:

was going to / intended to bha + subject + a' dol a + VN Bha mi a' dol a leughadh. I was going to read.

was planning to bha + subject + a' planadh + a + VN Bha mi a' planadh a dhol. I was planning to go.

was intending to bha + subject + an dùil + ri + VN Bha dùil agam falbh. I intended / was going to leave.

was about to bha + subject + gu bhith + VN Bha mi gu bhith a' falbh. I was about to leave.

would / was going to from past viewpoint past reporting verb + gun/gu + future form Thuirt e gun tigeadh e. He said he would come.

I was going to leave Bha mi a' dol a dh'fhalbh.

You were going to leave Bha thu a' dol a dh'fhalbh.

He was going to leave Bha e a' dol a dh'fhalbh.

She was going to leave Bha i a' dol a dh'fhalbh.

We were going to leave Bha sinn a' dol a dh'fhalbh.

You were going to leave Bha sibh a' dol a dh'fhalbh.

They were going to leave Bha iad a' dol a dh'fhalbh.

2- NOUNS

Example 1: Masculine Noun — balach ("boy")

Singular

Case Indefinite Definite English

Nominative balach am balach a/the boy

Genitive balaich a' bhalaich of the boy / the boy's

Dative balach aig a' bhalach at/to the boy

Vocative bhalaich a bhalaich O boy!

Plural

Case Indefinite Definite English

Nominative balaich na balaich boys/the boys

Genitive bhalach nam balach of the boys

Dative balaich leis na balaich with the boys

Vocative bhalaich a bhalaich O boys!

Example 2: Masculine Noun — fear ("man")

Singular

Case Indefinite Definite English

Nominative fear am fear a/the man

Genitive fir an fhir of the man

Dative fear ris an fhear to/with the man

Vocative fhir a fhir O man!

Plural

Case Indefinite Definite English

Nominative fir na fir men/the men

Genitive fhear nam fear of the men

Dative fir leis na fir with the men

Vocative fheara a fheara O men!

Example 3: Feminine Noun — caileag ("girl")

Singular

Case Indefinite Definite English

Nominative caileag a' chaileag a/the girl

Genitive caileige na caileige of the girl

Dative caileig leis a' chaileig to/with the girl

Vocative chaileig a chaileig O girl!

Plural

Case Indefinite Definite English

Nominative caileagan na caileagan girls/the girls

Genitive chaileagan nan caileagan of the girls

Dative caileagan leis na caileagan with the girls

Vocative chaileagan a chaileagan O girls!

Example 4: Feminine Noun — bean ("woman")

Singular

Case Indefinite Definite English

Nominative bean a' bhean a/the woman

Genitive mnà na mnà of the woman

Dative bean dhan mhnaoi to the woman

Vocative bhean a bhean O woman!

Plural

Case Indefinite Definite

Nominative boireannaich na boireannaich

Genitive nam boireannach nam boireannach

Dative boireannaich leis na boireannaich

Vocative bhoireannach a bhoireannaich

INDIRECT OBJECT: Subject + verb + direct object + do + recipient

I give the book to the boy. Bheir mi an leabhar don bhalach.

Rinn mi biadh dhut. I made food for you. (Indirect object with for: verb + object + dha)

Cheannaich i leabhar dha. She bought a book for him.

GENITIVE: Thing possessed + genitive owner

taigh an duine The man's house

3- ADJECTIVES:

Attributive masculine noun + adjective fear mòr big man

Attributive feminine noun + lenited adjective bean mhòr big woman

Plural plural noun + plural adjective fir mhòra big men

Definite article + noun + adjective am fear mòr the big man

Genitive noun + adjective agreement taigh an fhir mhòir house of the big man

Predicate tha + noun + adjective Tha am fear mòr The man is big

1. Present Tense — "am / is / are"

Positive

Formation:

Tha + subject + complement

Pronoun Scottish Gaelic English

mi Tha mi I am

thu Tha thu you are

e Tha e he is

i Tha i she is

sinn Tha sinn we are

sibh Tha sibh you (plural/formal) are

iad Tha iad they are

Examples:

Gaelic English

Tha mi toilichte. I am happy.

Tha thu math. You are good.

Tha e mòr. He is big.

Tha i òg. She is young.

Tha sinn sgìth. We are tired.

Tha iad aig an taigh. They are at home.

2. Present Negative — "am not / is not / are not"

Formation:

Chan eil + subject + complement

Pronoun Gaelic English

mi Chan eil mi I am not

thu Chan eil thu you are not

e Chan eil e he is not

i Chan eil i she is not

sinn Chan eil sinn we are not

sibh Chan eil sibh you are not

iad Chan eil iad they are not

Examples:

Gaelic English

Chan eil mi sgìth. I am not tired.

Chan eil e mòr. He is not big.

Chan eil iad deiseil. They are not ready.

3. Present Questions — "Am I? Are you?"

Formation:

A bheil + subject + complement?

Pronoun Gaelic English

mi A bheil mi? Am I?

thu A bheil thu? Are you?

e A bheil e? Is he?

i A bheil i? Is she?

sinn A bheil sinn? Are we?

sibh A bheil sibh? Are you?

iad A bheil iad? Are they?

Examples:

Gaelic English

A bheil thu math? Are you well?

A bheil e aig an taigh? Is he at home?

A bheil iad deiseil? Are they ready?

4. Past Tense — "was / were"

Positive

Formation:

Bha + subject + complement

Pronoun Gaelic English

mi Bha mi I was

thu Bha thu you were

e Bha e he was

i Bha i she was

sinn Bha sinn we were

sibh Bha sibh you were

iad Bha iad they were

Examples:

Gaelic English

Bha mi toilichte. I was happy.

Bha e òg. He was young.

Bha iad sgìth. They were tired.

5. Past Negative — "was not / were not"

Formation:

Cha robh + subject + complement

Gaelic English

Cha robh mi I was not

Cha robh thu You were not

Cha robh e He was not

Cha robh i She was not

Cha robh sinn We were not

Cha robh iad They were not

Example:

Cha robh mi aig an taigh.

= I was not at home.

6. Past Questions

Formation:

An robh + subject + complement?

Gaelic English

An robh thu math? Were you well?

An robh e an seo? Was he here?

An robh iad toilichte? Were they happy?

7. Future — "will be"

Positive

Formation:

Bidh + subject + complement

Pronoun Gaelic English

mi Bidh mi I will be

thu Bidh thu You will be

e Bidh e He will be

i Bidh i She will be

sinn Bidh sinn We will be

sibh Bidh sibh You will be

iad Bidh iad They will be

Examples:

Gaelic English

Bidh mi toilichte. I will be happy.

Bidh e trang. He will be busy.

Bidh iad an seo. They will be here.

8. Future Negative

Formation:

Cha bhi + subject + complement

Gaelic English

Cha bhi mi I will not be

Cha bhi thu You will not be

Cha bhi e He will not be

Cha bhi iad They will not be

Example:

Cha bhi mi fada.

= I will not be long.

9. Future Questions

Formation:

Am bi + subject + complement?

Examples:

Gaelic English

Am bi thu ceart? Will you be right?

Am bi e ann? Will he be there?

Am bi iad deiseil? Will they be ready?

10. Conditional — "would be"

Positive

Formation:

Bhiodh + subject + complement

Gaelic English

Bhiodh mi I would be

Bhiodh thu You would be

Bhiodh e He would be

Bhiodh i She would be

Bhiodh sinn We would be

Bhiodh iad They would be

Example:

Bhiodh mi toilichte.

= I would be happy.

11. Conditional Negative

Formation:

Cha bhiodh + subject + complement

Example:

Cha bhiodh e toilichte.

= He would not be happy.

12. Conditional Questions

Formation:

Am biodh + subject + complement?

Examples:

Gaelic English

Am biodh thu toilichte? Would you be happy?

Am biodh iad deiseil? Would they be ready?

13. Imperative of "Bi" (Be!)

Person Gaelic English

Singular Bi! Be!

Plural/formal Bithibh! Be!

Negative singular Na bi! Don't be!

Negative plural Na bithibh! Don't be!

Examples:

Bi sàmhach! = Be quiet!

Bi faiceallach! = Be careful!

Na bi eagallach! = Don't be afraid!

14. Progressive ("be + doing")

Scottish Gaelic uses tha + verbal noun.

Formation:

Tha + subject + a' + verbal noun

Gaelic English

Tha mi ag ithe. I am eating.

Tha e a' ruith. He is running.

Tha iad a' cluich. They are playing.

15. "Is" Verb (Identification)

The verb is is used for:

"It is..."

"That is..."

Definitions

Identity

Formation:

Is + noun/adjective

Examples:

Gaelic English

Is mise Iain. I am John.

Is e mo charaid e. He is my friend.

Is math sin. That is good.

Negative:

Chan e...

Example:

Chan e mo leabhar e.

= It is not my book.

4- PRONOUNS:

1. Subject Pronouns (Nominative)

Used as the subject of a sentence.

Formation:

Pronoun + verb

English Scottish Gaelic Example

I mi Tha mi toilichte. = I am happy.

you (singular) thu Tha thu math. = You are good.

he e Tha e mòr. = He is big.

she i Tha i òg. = She is young.

we sinn Tha sinn sgìth. = We are tired.

you (plural/formal) sibh Tha sibh ceart. = You are right.

they iad Tha iad an seo. = They are here.

2. Direct Object Pronouns (Accusative)

Used for the person/thing receiving the action.

Formation:

Verb + object pronoun

English Scottish Gaelic Example

me mi Chunnaic e mi. = He saw me.

you thu Chunnaic mi thu. = I saw you.

him e Chunnaic mi e. = I saw him.

her i Chunnaic mi i. = I saw her.

us sinn Chunnaic e sinn. = He saw us.

you (plural) sibh Chunnaic mi sibh. = I saw you.

them iad Chunnaic mi iad. = I saw them.

3. Prepositional Pronouns (Dative)

These combine a preposition + pronoun.

They express:

to me

with him

from her

on them

at us

Aig ("at")

English Gaelic

at me agam

at you agad

at him aige

at her aice

at us againn

at you agaibh

at them aca

Example:

Tha leabhar agam.

= I have a book.

(literally: A book is at me.)

Do / Dha ("to")

English Gaelic

to me dhomh

to you dhut

to him dha

to her dhi

to us dhuinn

to you dhuibh

to them dhaibh

Example:

Bheir mi e dhut.

= I give it to you.

Le ("with")

English Gaelic

with me leam

with you leat

with him leis

with her leatha

with us leinn

with you leibh

with them leotha

Example:

Tha e leam.

= It is with me.

Bho ("from")

English Gaelic

from me bhuam

from you bhuat

from him bhuaithe

from her bhuaipe

from us bhuainn

from you bhuaibh

from them bhuapa

Example:

Fhuair mi e bhuat.

= I got it from you.

Air ("on/about")

English Gaelic

on me orm

on you ort

on him air

on her oirre

on us oirnn

on you oirbh

on them orra

Example:

Tha an leabhar orm.

= The book is on me.

4. Possessive Pronouns (Genitive)

Used for:

my

your

his

her

our

their

Formation:

Possessive + noun

English Gaelic Example

my mo mo leabhar = my book

your (sing.) do do leabhar = your book

his a a leabhar = his book

her a a leabhar = her book

our ar ar leabhar = our book

your (plural) ur ur leabhar = your book

their an an leabhar = their book

5. Possessive + Lenition

Many possessives cause sound changes.

Possessive Effect Example

mo lenition mo bhòrd = my table

do lenition do chàr = your car

a (his) lenition a mhac = his son

a (her) no lenition sometimes a mac = her son

ar lenition ar taigh = our house

ur lenition ur caraidean = your friends

an often no lenition an taigh = their house

6. Reflexive Pronouns ("myself, yourself")

Scottish Gaelic uses:

fhèin = self

English Gaelic

myself mi fhèin

yourself thu fhèin

himself e fhèin

herself i fhèin

ourselves sinn fhèin

yourselves sibh fhèin

themselves iad fhèin

Examples:

Gaelic English

Chunnaic mi mi fhèin. I saw myself.

Rinn e e fhèin. He did it himself.

Bidh iad fhèin ann. They themselves will be there.

7. Demonstrative Pronouns (This / That)

Scottish Gaelic usually uses:

seo = this

sin = that

ud = that (far away)

English Gaelic

this seo

that sin

that over there ud

Examples:

Gaelic English

An duine seo this man

An taigh sin that house

An càr ud that car over there

5- VERB TENSES:

Bidh mi a' leughadh an leabhair I read the book

Bidh thu a' leughadh an leabhair You read the book

Bidh e a' leughadh an leabhair He reads the book

Bidh i a' leughadh an leabhair She reads the book

Bidh sinn a' leughadh an leabhair We read the book

Bidh sibh a' leughadh an leabhair You read the book

Bidh iad a' leughadh an leabhair They read the book

Tha mi a' leughadh an leabhair I am reading the book

Tha thu a' leughadh an leabhair You are reading the book

Tha e a' leughadh an leabhair He is reading the book

Tha i a' leughadh an leabhair She is reading the book

Tha sinn a' leughadh an leabhair We are reading the book

Tha sibh a' leughadh an leabhair You are reading the book

Tha iad a' leughadh an leabhair They are reading the book

Leugh mi an leabhar I read the book

Leugh thu an leabhar You read the book

Leugh e an leabhar He read the book

Leugh i an leabhar She read the book

Leugh sinn an leabhar We read the book

Leugh sibh an leabhar You read the book

Leugh iad an leabhar They read the book

Bha mi a' leughadh an leabhair I was reading the book

Bha thu a' leughadh an leabhair You were reading the book

Bha e a' leughadh an leabhair He was reading the book

Bha i a' leughadh an leabhair She was reading the book

Bha sinn a' leughadh an leabhair We were reading the book

Bha sibh a' leughadh an leabhair You were reading the book

Bha iad a' leughadh an leabhair They were reading the book

Leughaidh mi an leabhar I will read the book

Leughaidh thu an leabhar You will read the book

Leughaidh e an leabhar He will read the book

Leughaidh i an leabhar She will read the book

Leughaidh sinn an leabhar We will read the book

Leughaidh sibh an leabhar You will read the book

Leughaidh iad an leabhar They will read the book

Bidh mi a' leughadh an leabhair I will be reading the book

Bidh thu a' leughadh an leabhair You will be reading the book

Bidh e a' leughadh an leabhair He will be reading the book

Bidh i a' leughadh an leabhair She will be reading the book

Bidh sinn a' leughadh an leabhair We will be reading the book

Bidh sibh a' leughadh an leabhair You will be reading the book

Bidh iad a' leughadh an leabhair They will be reading the book

Tha mi air an leabhar a leughadh I have read the book

Tha thu air an leabhar a leughadh You have read the book

Tha e air an leabhar a leughadh He has read the book

Tha i air an leabhar a leughadh She has read the book

Tha sinn air an leabhar a leughadh We have read the book

Tha sibh air an leabhar a leughadh You have read the book

Tha iad air an leabhar a leughadh They have read the book

Bha mi air an leabhar a leughadh I had read the book

Bha thu air an leabhar a leughadh You had read the book

Bha e air an leabhar a leughadh He had read the book

Bha i air an leabhar a leughadh She had read the book

Bha sinn air an leabhar a leughadh We had read the book

Bha sibh air an leabhar a leughadh You had read the book

Bha iad air an leabhar a leughadh They had read the book

Bidh mi air an leabhar a leughadh I will have read the book

Bidh thu air an leabhar a leughadh You will have read the book

Bidh e air an leabhar a leughadh He will have read the book

Bidh i air an leabhar a leughadh She will have read the book

Bidh sinn air an leabhar a leughadh We will have read the book

Bidh sibh air an leabhar a leughadh You will have read the book

Bidh iad air an leabhar a leughadh They will have read the book

(you singular) Leugh!

(you plural) Leughadh sibh!

6- PASSIVE TENSES:

The book is read by me Tha an leabhar ga leughadh leam

The book is read by you Tha an leabhar ga leughadh leat

The book is read by him Tha an leabhar ga leughadh leis

The book is read by her Tha an leabhar ga leughadh leatha

The book is read by us Tha an leabhar ga leughadh leinn

The book is read by you (plural) Tha an leabhar ga leughadh leibh

The book is read by them Tha an leabhar ga leughadh leotha

The book is being read by me Tha an leabhar ga leughadh leam

The book is being read by you Tha an leabhar ga leughadh leat

The book is being read by him Tha an leabhar ga leughadh leis

The book is being read by her Tha an leabhar ga leughadh leatha

The book is being read by us Tha an leabhar ga leughadh leinn

The book is being read by them Tha an leabhar ga leughadh leotha

The book was read by me Bha an leabhar air a leughadh leam

The book was read by you Bha an leabhar air a leughadh leat

The book was read by him Bha an leabhar air a leughadh leis

The book was read by her Bha an leabhar air a leughadh leatha

The book was read by us Bha an leabhar air a leughadh leinn

The book was read by you (plural) Bha an leabhar air a leughadh leibh

The book was read by them Bha an leabhar air a leughadh leotha

The book was being read by me Bha an leabhar ga leughadh leam

The book was being read by you Bha an leabhar ga leughadh leat

The book was being read by him Bha an leabhar ga leughadh leis

The book was being read by her Bha an leabhar ga leughadh leatha

The book was being read by us Bha an leabhar ga leughadh leinn

The book was being read by them Bha an leabhar ga leughadh leotha

The book will be read by me Bidh an leabhar air a leughadh leam

The book will be read by you Bidh an leabhar air a leughadh leat

The book will be read by him Bidh an leabhar air a leughadh leis

The book will be read by her Bidh an leabhar air a leughadh leatha

The book will be read by us Bidh an leabhar air a leughadh leinn

The book will be read by them Bidh an leabhar air a leughadh leotha

The book will be being read by me Bidh an leabhar ga leughadh leam

The book will be being read by you Bidh an leabhar ga leughadh leat

The book will be being read by him Bidh an leabhar ga leughadh leis

The book will be being read by her Bidh an leabhar ga leughadh leatha

The book will be being read by us Bidh an leabhar ga leughadh leinn

The book will be being read by them Bidh an leabhar ga leughadh leotha

The book has been read by me Tha an leabhar air a bhith air a leughadh leam

The book has been read by you Tha an leabhar air a bhith air a leughadh leat

The book has been read by him Tha an leabhar air a bhith air a leughadh leis

The book has been read by her Tha an leabhar air a bhith air a leughadh leatha

The book has been read by us Tha an leabhar air a bhith air a leughadh leinn

The book has been read by them Tha an leabhar air a bhith air a leughadh leotha

The book had been read by me Bha an leabhar air a bhith air a leughadh leam

The book had been read by you Bha an leabhar air a bhith air a leughadh leat

The book had been read by him Bha an leabhar air a bhith air a leughadh leis

The book had been read by her Bha an leabhar air a bhith air a leughadh leatha

The book had been read by us Bha an leabhar air a bhith air a leughadh leinn

The book had been read by them Bha an leabhar air a bhith air a leughadh leotha

The book will have been read by me Bidh an leabhar air a bhith air a leughadh leam

The book will have been read by you Bidh an leabhar air a bhith air a leughadh leat

The book will have been read by him Bidh an leabhar air a bhith air a leughadh leis

The book will have been read by her Bidh an leabhar air a bhith air a leughadh leatha

The book will have been read by us Bidh an leabhar air a bhith air a leughadh leinn

The book will have been read by them Bidh an leabhar air a bhith air a leughadh leotha

7- NEGATION:

. Present Tense — Negative

For ordinary verbs, use:

cha + verb

For bi, use chan eil.

Ordinary verb

Cha + verb + subject

Example: Cha toil leam e. = I don't like it.

"To be"

Person Gaelic English

mi Chan eil mi I am not

thu Chan eil thu you are not

e Chan eil e he is not

i Chan eil i she is not

sinn Chan eil sinn we are not

sibh Chan eil sibh you are not

iad Chan eil iad they are not

2. Present Continuous Negative

Formation

Chan eil + subject + a' + verbal noun

Gaelic English

Chan eil mi ag ithe. I am not eating.

Chan eil thu a' leughadh. You are not reading.

Chan eil e ag obair. He is not working.

Chan eil i a' seinn. She is not singing.

Chan eil sinn a' cluich. We are not playing.

Chan eil sibh a' bruidhinn. You are not speaking.

Chan eil iad a' ruith. They are not running.

3. Past Tense Negative

Ordinary verbs

The negative particle is:

cha + past-tense verb

Examples:

Cha do leugh mi an leabhar.

= I did not read the book.

Cha do chunnaic e mi.

= He did not see me.

A very common pattern is:

Cha do + verb + subject

4. Past "Be" Negative

Formation

Cha robh + subject

Gaelic English

Cha robh mi I was not

Cha robh thu you were not

Cha robh e he was not

Cha robh i she was not

Cha robh sinn we were not

Cha robh sibh you were not

Cha robh iad they were not

Example:

Cha robh mi sgìth.

= I was not tired.

5. Past Continuous Negative

Formation

Cha robh + subject + a' + verbal noun

Gaelic English

Cha robh mi ag obair. I wasn't working.

Cha robh thu a' leughadh. You weren't reading.

Cha robh e a' cadal. He wasn't sleeping.

Cha robh i a' seinn. She wasn't singing.

Cha robh sinn a' cluich. We weren't playing.

Cha robh sibh a' bruidhinn. You weren't speaking.

Cha robh iad a' ruith. They weren't running.

6. Future Negative

Formation

Cha bhi + subject

Gaelic English

Cha bhi mi I will not be

Cha bhi thu you will not be

Cha bhi e he will not be

Cha bhi i she will not be

Cha bhi sinn we will not be

Cha bhi sibh you will not be

Cha bhi iad they will not be

Example:

Cha bhi mi ann a-màireach.

= I won't be there tomorrow.

7. Future Verb Negative

For an ordinary verb, the future is negated with cha.

Cha + future verb

Example:

Cha tèid mi.

= I will not go.

Cha dèan mi e.

= I will not do it.

Cha sgrìobh mi e.

= I will not write it.

8. Future Continuous Negative

Formation

Cha bhi + subject + a' + verbal noun

Cha bhi mi ag obair.

= I will not be working.

Cha bhi iad a' cluich.

= They will not be playing.

9. Conditional Negative — "Would not"

Formation

Cha bhiodh + subject

Gaelic English

Cha bhiodh mi I would not be

Cha bhiodh thu you would not be

Cha bhiodh e he would not be

Cha bhiodh i she would not be

Cha bhiodh sinn we would not be

Cha bhiodh sibh you would not be

Cha bhiodh iad they would not be

Example:

Cha bhiodh mi toilichte.

= I would not be happy.

10. Conditional Continuous Negative

Formation

Cha bhiodh + subject + a' + verbal noun

Cha bhiodh mi ag obair.

= I would not be working.

Cha bhiodh iad a' feitheamh.

= They would not be waiting.

11. Present Perfect Negative

Scottish Gaelic commonly uses air a bhith to express "have been."

Positive

Tha mi air a bhith...

Negative

Chan eil mi air a bhith...

Example:

Chan eil mi air a bhith toilichte.

= I have not been happy.

12. Past Perfect Negative — "Had not been"

Formation

Cha robh + subject + air a bhith

Cha robh mi air a bhith toilichte.

= I had not been happy.

Cha robh iad air a bhith ag obair.

= They had not been working.

13. Future Perfect Negative

Formation

Cha bhi + subject + air a bhith

Cha bhi mi air a bhith ag obair.

= I will not have been working.

14. Conditional Perfect Negative

Formation

Cha bhiodh + subject + air a bhith

Cha bhiodh mi air a bhith toilichte.

= I would not have been happy.

15. Negative Perfect of Ordinary Verbs

Scottish Gaelic often uses cha do with past/perfect-type constructions.

Example:

Cha do rinn mi e.

= I did not do it.

Cha do dh'ith i.

= She did not eat.

Cha do leugh sinn an leabhar.

= We did not read the book.

16. Negative Infinitive / Verbal Noun

To say "without doing", Gaelic commonly uses:

gun + verbal noun

Gaelic English

gun ithe without eating

gun bruidhinn without speaking

gun falbh without leaving

gun obair without working

Example:

Dh'fhalbh e gun bruidhinn.

= He left without speaking.

17. "Do Not" — Negative Imperative

Singular

Na + verb

Na dèan sin!

= Don't do that!

Na falbh!

= Don't leave!

Na bi sgìth!

= Don't be tired!

Plural/Formal

Na + verb + -ibh

Na dèanaibh sin!

= Don't do that!

Na bithibh eagallach!

= Don't be afraid!

18. Negative Questions

Present "be"

Nach eil...?

Nach eil thu toilichte?

= Aren't you happy?

Past "be"

Nach robh...?

Nach robh e an seo?

= Wasn't he here?

Future

Nach bi...?

Nach bi iad ann?

= Won't they be there?

Conditional

Nach biodh...?

Nach biodh e nas fheàrr?

= Wouldn't it be better?

19. Negative Relative Clauses

Use nach.

Positive Negative

a tha nach eil

a bha nach robh

a bhios nach bi

a bhiodh nach biodh

Examples:

an duine a tha ag obair

= the man who is working

an duine nach eil ag obair

= the man who isn't working

an duine a bha toilichte

= the man who was happy

an duine nach robh toilichte

= the man who wasn't happy

20. Negative Conditional

"If not..."

Mura + verb

Examples:

Mura dèan thu cabhag, bidh thu fadalach.

= If you don't hurry, you will be late.

Mura bi e ann, falbhaidh sinn.

= If he isn't there, we will leave.

Mura robh i ann, cha robh fios againn.

= If she wasn't there, we didn't know.

21. Negative "Would Have"

For the conditional perfect:

Formation

Cha bhiodh + subject + air + verbal noun

Example:

Cha bhiodh mi air a dhèanamh.

= I would not have done it.

Cha bhiodh iad air tighinn.

= They would not have come.

1. Past Passive — “was/were not …ed”

For the ordinary past passive, use cha deach + noun/pronoun + a + verbal noun.

English Scottish Gaelic

I was not seen Cha deach mo fhaicinn.

You were not seen Cha deach do fhaicinn.

He was not seen Cha deach fhaicinn.

She was not seen Cha deach a faicinn.

We were not seen Cha deach ar faicinn.

You were not seen Cha deach ur faicinn.

They were not seen Cha deach an faicinn.

Example:

Cha deach an càr a chàradh.

= The car was not repaired.

2. Present Passive — “is not being …ed”

Scottish Gaelic commonly uses the passive/impersonal form or a bi + verbal-noun construction.

For an ongoing action:

Formation

Chan eil + object + ga/g'an + verbal noun

Example:

Chan eil an càr ga chàradh.

= The car is not being repaired.

Chan eil an taigh ga thogail.

= The house is not being built.

3. Present Passive — General/Habitual

A passive action can also be expressed using the impersonal form.

Negative

Cha + passive verb

Example:

Cha chluinnear e.

= It is not heard / People do not hear it.

Cha dèanear sin.

= That is not done.

8- QUESTIONS:

YES/NO QUESTIONS:

Question word + verb + subject + object

Am I? A bheil mi?

Are you? A bheil thu?

Is he? A bheil e?

Is she? A bheil i?

Are we? A bheil sinn?

Are you (plural/formal)? A bheil sibh?

Are they? A bheil iad?

Was I? An robh mi?

Were you? An robh thu?

Was he? An robh e?

Was she? An robh i?

Were we? An robh sinn?

Were they? An robh iad?

Will I? Am bi mi?

Will you? Am bi thu?

Will he? Am bi e?

Will she? Am bi i?

Will we? Am bi sinn?

Will they? Am bi iad?

Did I read? An do leugh mi?

Did you read? An do leugh thu?

Did he read? An do leugh e?

Did she read? An do leugh i?

Did we read? An do leugh sinn?

Did they read? An do leugh iad?

An leughaidh mi an leabhar? Will I read the book?

An leughaidh thu an leabhar? Will you read the book?

An leughaidh e an leabhar? Will he read the book?

An leughaidh i an leabhar? Will she read the book?

An leughaidh sinn an leabhar? Will we read the book?

An leughaidh sibh an leabhar? Will you read the book?

An leughaidh iad an leabhar? Will they read the book?

A bheil mi a' leughadh an leabhair? Am I reading the book?

A bheil thu a' leughadh an leabhair? Are you reading the book?

A bheil e a' leughadh an leabhair? Is he reading the book?

A bheil i a' leughadh an leabhair? Is she reading the book?

A bheil sinn a' leughadh an leabhair? Are we reading the book?

A bheil sibh a' leughadh an leabhair? Are you reading the book?

A bheil iad a' leughadh an leabhair? Are they reading the book?

A bheil mi air an leabhar a leughadh? Have I read the book?

A bheil thu air an leabhar a leughadh? Have you read the book?

A bheil e air an leabhar a leughadh? Has he read the book?

A bheil i air an leabhar a leughadh? Has she read the book?

A bheil sinn air an leabhar a leughadh? Have we read the book?

A bheil sibh air an leabhar a leughadh? Have you read the book?

A bheil iad air an leabhar a leughadh? Have they read the book?

An robh mi air an leabhar a leughadh? Had I read the book?

An robh thu air an leabhar a leughadh? Had you read the book?

An robh e air an leabhar a leughadh? Had he read the book?

An robh i air an leabhar a leughadh? Had she read the book?

An robh sinn air an leabhar a leughadh? Had we read the book?

An robh sibh air an leabhar a leughadh? Had you read the book?

An robh iad air an leabhar a leughadh? Had they read the book?

Am bi mi air an leabhar a leughadh? Will I have read the book?

Am bi thu air an leabhar a leughadh? Will you have read the book?

Am bi e air an leabhar a leughadh? Will he have read the book?

Am bi i air an leabhar a leughadh? Will she have read the book?

Am bi sinn air an leabhar a leughadh? Will we have read the book?

Am bi sibh air an leabhar a leughadh? Will you have read the book?

Am bi iad air an leabhar a leughadh? Will they have read the book?

QUESTION WORDS:

cò who

dè what

càit / càite where

cuin when

carson why

ciamar how

dè an which (singular)

dè na which (plural)

cò leis whose

cia mheud how many

dè an ìre how much

dè cho fada how long

dè cho tric how often

dè an aois how old

Who? Cò? Cò thu? Who are you?

What? Dè? Dè tha seo? What is this?

Where? Càit? Càit a bheil thu? Where are you?

When? Cuin? Cuin a thig thu? When will you come?

Why? Carson? Carson a tha thu sgìth? Why are you tired?

How? Ciamar? Ciamar a tha thu? How are you?

Which? Dè an...? Dè an leabhar a leugh thu? Which book did you read?

Whose? Cò leis...? Cò leis an leabhar? Whose is the book?

How many? Cia mheud...? Cia mheud leabhar a th’ agad? How many books do you have?

How much? Dè an ìre...? / Cia mheud...? Cia mheud airgid...? How much money...?

9- ADVERBS:

# Gaelic Transliteration English

1 gu math gu mah well

2 gu dona gu dona badly

3 gu luath gu loo-uh quickly

4 gu slaodach gu sloo-dach slowly

5 gu furasta gu foors-ta easily

6 gu cruaidh gu kroo-ee hard

7 gu socair gu sok-ir gently / calmly

8 gu sàmhach gu saa-vach quietly

9 gu h-àrd gu haard loudly / highly

10 gu ìosal gu ee-sal low / quietly

11 gu ceart gu kyart correctly

12 gu ceàrr gu kyarr incorrectly / wrongly

13 gu soilleir gu sol-yir clearly

14 gu dìreach gu jee-ach directly

15 gu neo-dhìreach gu nyo-yee-ach indirectly

16 gu faiceallach gu fay-kyal-ach carefully

17 gu cùramach gu koo-ram-ach carefully

18 gu sgiobalta gu skee-ulp-ta quickly / efficiently

19 gu h-obann gu hob-an suddenly

20 gu sònraichte gu spaysh-ker-ach especially / particularly

21 gu tur gu toor completely

22 gu h-iomlan gu hee-um-lan completely / entirely

23 gu ìre gu ee-re partly / to an extent

24 gu pearsanta gu pair-san-ta personally

25 gu poblach gu pop-lach publicly

26 gu prìobhaideach gu pree-uh-vach privately

27 còmhla koh-uh-la together

28 fa leth fa lyet separately

29 a dh’aona ghnothach uh yeena gnoh-ach deliberately / intentionally

30 gun fhiosta gun ee-sta accidentally / unknowingly

Important formation

A very common Gaelic adverbial pattern is:

gu + adjective

Formation Transliteration Meaning

gu + math gu + mah well

gu + dona gu + dona badly

gu + luath gu + loo-uh quickly

gu + slaodach gu + sloo-dach slowly

gu + ceart gu + kyart correctly

For example:

Tha e a’ ruith gu luath.

Ha e uh roo-ee gu loo-uh.

“He is running quickly.”

2. Time adverbs

Gaelic Transliteration English

a-nis uh-nish now

an-dràsta un-draas-tuh at present / right now

an-diugh un-jee-ugh today

an-dè un-jay yesterday

a-màireach uh-maa-ruch tomorrow

an-uiridh un-oo-ree last year

an-uiridh seo un-oo-ree shuh last year

an-ath-bhliadhna un-ah-vlee-uh-na next year

a-riamh uh-ree-uv ever / ever in one's life

a-riamh uh-ree-uv never (with negation)

a-rithist uh-ree-ish-t again

a-rithist uh-ree-ish-t once more

fhathast ah-ast still / yet

mu thràth mu hraa already

dìreach a-nis jee-ach uh-nish just now

a dh’aithghearr uh yeh-ur soon

a dh’aithghearr uh yeh-ur shortly

tràth traa early

anmoch un-moch late

ro thràth ro hraa too early

ro anmoch ro un-moch too late

a-riamh roimhe uh-ree-uv ro-ev ever before

roimhe ro-ev before / previously

às dèidh sin aas jay sin afterwards

an uair sin un oo-ir shin then / at that time

an toiseach un to-shach at first / initially

an toiseach un to-shach first

an uair sin un oo-ir shin then

mu dheireadh mu yeh-ree finally / in the end

mu dheireadh thall mu yeh-ree hal eventually / finally

a-rithist is a-rithist uh-ree-ish-t is uh-ree-ish-t again and again

3. Frequency adverbs

Gaelic Transliteration English

an-còmhnaidh un-koh-nee always

gu bràth gu braa forever / ever

a-riamh uh-ree-uv ever / never with negation

gu tric gu trik often

tric trik often

uaireannan oo-ir-an-un sometimes

bho àm gu àm vo am gu am from time to time

ainneamh any-uv rarely / seldom

glè ainneamh glay any-uv very rarely

gu cunbhalach gu koon-uh-lach regularly

gu tric gu trik frequently

gach latha gach la-uh every day

gach seachdain gach shech-tain every week

gach mìos gach meesh every month

gach bliadhna gach vlee-uh-na every year

bho àm gu àm vo am gu am occasionally

a-rithist uh-ree-ish-t again

uair is uair oo-ir is oo-ir repeatedly / time after time

uair ann an uair oo-ir aun un oo-ir repeatedly

Very important negative-frequency pattern

cha + verb + a-riamh

= never

Example:

Cha robh mi a-riamh ann.

Kha rov mee uh-ree-uv aun.

“I was never there.”

4. Place adverbs

Gaelic Transliteration English

an seo un shuh here

an-seo un-shuh here

an sin un shin there

an-siud un-shoot over there

an-seo un-shuh here

an-siud un-shoot there / over there

anns a h-uile àite aunz uh oo-lyuh aad-uh everywhere

anns gach àite aunz gach aad-uh everywhere / in every place

àite sam bith aad-uh sam beeh anywhere

àite sam bith eile aad-uh sam beeh el-uh anywhere else

àite sam bith aad-uh sam beeh anywhere

àite sam bith nach eil aad-uh sam beeh nach el nowhere that...

fada fa-da far

faisg fashk near

faisg air fashk air near

timcheall chim-chal around

timcheall air chim-chal air around

a-staigh uh-stee inside

a-muigh uh-moo-ee outside

shuas hoo-as up / above

shìos hee-os down / below

shuas an staidhre hoo-as un stah-ruh upstairs

shìos an staidhre hee-os un stah-ruh downstairs

air adhart air ah-uh forward

air ais air ash back

air ais a-rithist air ash uh-ree-ish-t back again

mun cuairt moon koo-art around

anns a h-uile àite aunz uh oo-lyuh aad-uh everywhere

chan eil àite sam bith khan el aad-uh sam beeh nowhere

5. Directional adverbs

Gaelic often expresses direction with prepositional/adverbial constructions rather than a large inventory of independent adverbs.

Gaelic Transliteration English

a-steach uh-nyaoosh in / into

a-mach uh-mach out / outward

suas soo-as up

sìos shee-os down

suas soo-as upwards

sìos shee-os downwards

air adhart air ah-uh forward

air ais air ash backwards / back

dhachaigh yee-hee home / homewards

air falbh air fal-uv away

thall hall over there / across

thairis har-ish across / over

mun cuairt moon koo-art around

troimhe tro-ev through

seachad shech-uhd past / by

a-null uh-noo-l over / across

a-nall uh-naal over here / toward here

6. Degree and intensity

Gaelic Transliteration English

glè glay very

ro ro too / excessively

cus koos too much / too many

gu mòr gu mor greatly / very much

mòran mo-run much / many

beagan bay-uh-gun a little / a few

gu leòr gu lyor enough / sufficiently

barrachd bar-uch more

nas motha nas mo-ha more / greater

nas lugha nas loo-uh less / smaller

as motha as mo-ha most / greatest

as lugha as loo-uh least / smallest

cha mhòr kha vor almost

cha mhòr nach kha vor nach almost / nearly

idir jeer at all

cho kho so / as

cho mòr kho mor so much / so greatly

cho beag kho bek so little

uabhasach oo-uh-sach extremely / terribly

fìor feer very / truly

dìreach jee-ach just / exactly

gu tur gu toor completely

gu h-iomlan gu hee-um-lan entirely

gu mòr gu mor greatly

beagan bay-uh-gun somewhat / a little

car kar rather / somewhat

Example

Tha e glè mhòr.

Ha e glay vor.

“It is very big.”

Tha e ro mhòr.

Ha e ro vor.

“It is too big.”

7. Focusing and restriction

Gaelic Transliteration English

dìreach jee-ach just / exactly

dìreach jee-ach precisely

a-mhàin uh-vain only

dìreach jee-ach only / merely

cuideachd koo-chag also / too

cuideachd koo-chag as well

eadhon yeh-un even

gu sònraichte gu spaysh-ker-ach especially

os cionn nan uile os kyoon nun oo-lyuh above all

gu h-àraidh gu ha-ree especially / particularly

co-dhiù ko yee-oo anyway / at least

co-dhiùbh ko yee-oo anyway

co-dhiù ko yee-oo in any case

8. Affirmation

Gaelic Transliteration English

tha ha yes / it is

gu dearbh gu je-ruv indeed

gu cinnteach gu kyin-tyach certainly

gu dearbh gu je-ruv truly / indeed

cinnteach kyin-tyach certainly / sure

gu cinnteach gu kyin-tyach definitely

gu h-àraidh gu ha-ree particularly

gu tur gu toor completely

gun teagamh gun chug-uv without doubt

gun teagamh sam bith gun chug-uv sam beeh without any doubt

9. Negation-related adverbs and expressions

Gaelic negation is primarily expressed by negative particles, rather than by a special class of negative adverbs.

Gaelic Transliteration English

cha kha not

chan khan not

nach nach not / that...not

na na don't / do not

idir jeer at all

idir idir jeer jeer at all

a-riamh uh-ree-uv ever / never with negation

tuilleadh tool-yuh anymore / further

tuilleadh tool-yuh any more

tuilleadh tool-yuh further

Examples:

Cha toil leam e idir.

Kha toil lyum e jeer.

“I don't like it at all.”

Cha tèid mi ann a-riamh.

Kha chaytch mee aun uh-ree-uv.

“I will never go there.”

10. Probability and possibility

Gaelic Transliteration English

's dòcha s do-cha perhaps / maybe

is dòcha is do-cha perhaps

's dòcha gu s do-cha gu perhaps / maybe that

is dòcha nach is do-cha nach perhaps not

's dòcha gum s do-cha gum perhaps that

's dòcha nach s do-cha nach perhaps not

gu bheil coltas ann gu vel kol-us aun apparently / it seems

a rèir choltais uh rayr khol-tish apparently / seemingly

a rèir coltais uh rayr kol-tish apparently

is dòcha is do-cha possibly

gun teagamh gun chug-uv undoubtedly

is cinnteach is kyin-tyach certainly

tha e coltach ha e kol-ach it seems / apparently

The most important everyday form

's dòcha = “maybe / perhaps”

'S dòcha gum bi e ann.

S do-cha gum bee e aun.

“Maybe he will be there.”

11. Doubt / uncertainty

Gaelic Transliteration English

's dòcha s do-cha perhaps

is dòcha is do-cha perhaps

is dòcha nach is do-cha nach perhaps not

chan eil fhios khan el ees it is not known

cò aig a tha fios? ko ek uh ha fees who knows?

's dòcha gum s do-cha gum perhaps

a rèir choltais uh rayr khol-tish apparently

tha e coltach ha e kol-ach it seems

chan eil mi cinnteach khan el mee kyin-tyach I am not sure

12. Evidential / “apparently” expressions

Gaelic Transliteration English

a rèir choltais uh rayr khol-tish apparently

a rèir coltais uh rayr kol-tish apparently / seemingly

tha e coltach ha e kol-ach it seems

tha e coltach gu ha e kol-ach gu it seems that

a rèir na tha iad ag ràdh uh rayr nu ha eed ag raa according to what they say

a rèir aithris uh rayr eh-rish reportedly

a rèir aithris uh rayr eh-rish according to reports

mar a chluinnear mar uh khloon-yur as one hears

13. Interrogative adverbs

These are particularly important because Scottish Gaelic uses them to form questions.

Gaelic Transliteration English

ciamar? kee-uh-mar how?

càite? kaa-chuh where?

cuin? koo-in when?

carson? kar-sun why?

ciamar a tha...? kee-uh-mar uh ha how is...?

dè an uair? jay un oo-ir when? / at what time?

dè cho...? jay kho how...?

dè cho mòr? jay kho mor how big? / how much?

dè cho fada? jay kho fa-da how long / how far?

dè cho tric? jay kho trik how often?

dè cho luath? jay kho loo-uh how quickly?

cò às? ko aas from where?

càit a bheil? kaach uh vel where is...?

càit an tèid? kaach un chaytch where will ... go?

14. Relative / connective adverbial words

Some words traditionally treated as adverbial or interrogative/relative forms can introduce subordinate clauses.

Gaelic Transliteration English

far a bheil far uh vel where

far an robh far un rov where / where ... was

nuair a noo-ir uh when

mar a mar uh as / how

mar a tha mar uh ha as / how it is

cho luath 's a kho loo-uh s uh as soon as

cho luath 's a ghabhas kho loo-uh s uh av-us as soon as possible

mus moos before

mus bi moos bee before ... is

às dèidh sin aas jay-ree shin afterwards

an uair a un oo-ir uh when

gach uair a gach oo-ir uh whenever / every time that

15. Indefinite adverbial expressions

Scottish Gaelic does not have exactly the same productive -where / -when / -how adverb system as English. Indefinite meanings are frequently expressed with phrases.

Gaelic Transliteration English

an àiteigin un aad-uh-gin somewhere

àiteigin aad-uh-gin somewhere

àite sam bith aad-uh sam beeh anywhere

àiteigin eile aad-uh-gin el-uh somewhere else

uair sam bith oo-ir sam beeh anytime / whenever

uair sam bith eile oo-ir sam beeh el-uh any other time

ann an dòigh air choreigin aun un do-ee air khor-ig-in somehow

dòigh air choreigin do-ee air khor-ig-in somehow

ann an dòigh sam bith aun un do-ee sam beeh in any way

air dòigh air choreigin air do-ee air khor-ig-in somehow

16. Comparative adverbs

Scottish Gaelic commonly uses nas + adjective/adverb for comparison.

Gaelic Transliteration English

nas fheàrr nas yayr better

nas miosa nas mee-uh-sa worse

nas luaithe nas loo-uh-uh faster

nas slaodaiche nas sloo-dich-uh more slowly

nas fhaisge nas ee-ish-uh nearer

nas fhaide nas eye-duh farther / longer

nas tràithe nas traa-uh earlier

nas anmoiche nas un-moch-uh later

nas motha nas mo-ha more / more greatly

nas lugha nas loo-uh less

nas fheàrr nas yayr better

Formation

nas + adjective/adverb

nas fheàrr = better

nas luaithe = faster

nas fhaide = farther / longer

17. Superlative adverbial constructions

The superlative is commonly formed with as + lenited adjective.

Gaelic Transliteration English

as fheàrr as yayr best

as miosa as mee-uh-sa worst

as luaithe as loo-uh-uh fastest

as fhaide as eye-duh farthest / longest

as fhaisge as ee-ish-uh nearest

as tràithe as traa-uh earliest

as anmoiche as un-moch-uh latest

as motha as mo-ha most / greatest

as lugha as loo-uh least

Example:

Ruith e as luaithe.

Roo-eech e as loo-uh-uh.

“He ran fastest.”

18. Sequence / order

Gaelic Transliteration English

an toiseach un to-shach first / initially

an toiseach un to-shach at first

an uair sin un oo-ir shin then

an ath rud un ah rood next thing

às dèidh sin aas jay-ree shin afterwards

an dèidh sin un jay-ree shin afterwards

mu dheireadh mu yeh-ree finally

mu dheireadh thall mu yeh-ree hal eventually / finally

a-rithist uh-ree-ish-t again

an toiseach... agus an uair sin un to-shach... agus un oo-ir shin first... and then

19. Repetition

Gaelic Transliteration English

a-rithist uh-ree-ish-t again

a-rithist is a-rithist uh-ree-ish-t is uh-ree-ish-t again and again

a-rithist uh-ree-ish-t once again

a-rithist eile uh-ree-ish-t el-uh again / another time

uair is uair oo-ir is oo-ir repeatedly

a-rithist agus a-rithist uh-ree-ish-t agus uh-ree-ish-t repeatedly

20. Continuation / persistence

Gaelic Transliteration English

fhathast ah-ast still

fhathast ah-ast yet

fhathast ah-ast even now

gu ruige seo gu roo-guh shuh up to now

gu ruige seo gu roo-guh shuh so far

gus an-dràsta goos un-draas-tuh until now

fhathast ah-ast continuously / still

fad na h-ùine fad nu hoo-nyuh all the time

21. Result / consequence expressions

These are often adverbial/discourse expressions rather than pure adverbs.

Gaelic Transliteration English

mar sin mar shin thus / so

mar sin mar shin therefore / in that way

uime sin oo-im-uh shin therefore

air an adhbhar sin air un ah-ur shin for that reason

air sgàth sin air skaa shin because of that / therefore

mar thoradh air sin mar hor-uv air shin as a result of that

mar thoradh mar hor-uv as a result

22. Speaker-attitude adverbs / expressions

Gaelic Transliteration English

gu fortanach gu for-tun-ach fortunately

gu mì-fhortanach gu mee-or-tun-ach unfortunately

gu h-onarach gu hon-uh-rach honestly

gu fìrinneach gu feer-in-yach truly

gu pearsanta gu pair-san-ta personally

gu nàdarra gu naa-dur-uh naturally

gu follaiseach gu foll-ish-ach obviously

gu h-iongantach gu hee-ung-un-tach amazingly

gu neònach gu nyo-nach strangely

gu dearbh gu je-ruv indeed / truly

gu cinnteach gu kyin-tyach certainly

gu fortanach gu for-tun-ach fortunately

gu mì-fhortanach gu mee-or-tun-ach unfortunately

23. Approximation / quantity

Gaelic Transliteration English

mu moo about / approximately

timcheall air chim-chal air approximately / around

mu thuaiream moo hoo-ir-um approximately

cha mhòr kha vor almost

mu leth moo lyay approximately half

beagan bay-uh-gun a little

mòran mo-run much / a lot

gu leòr gu lyor enough

barrachd bar-uch more

nas lugha nas loo-uh less

24. Purpose / reason adverbial expressions

Gaelic Transliteration English

air sgàth air skaa because of

air sgàth sin air skaa shin because of that

air an adhbhar sin air un ah-ur shin for that reason

airson sin air-shun shin for that

mar sin mar shin therefore / so

airson adhbhar air choreigin air-shun ah-ur air khor-ig-in for some reason

air adhbhar air choreigin air ah-ur air khor-ig-in for some reason

25. Common adverbial phrases

These are extremely important in actual Gaelic.

Gaelic Transliteration English

gu math gu mah well / very

gu mòr gu mor greatly / very much

gu leòr gu lyor enough

gu dearbh gu je-ruv indeed

gu cinnteach gu kyin-tyach certainly

gu tur gu toor completely

gu h-iomlan gu hee-um-lan entirely

gu sònraichte gu spaysh-ker-ach especially

gu h-àraidh gu ha-ree particularly

mar sin mar shin so / thus

co-dhiù ko yee-oo anyway

co-dhiùbh ko yee-oo anyway

air sgàth sin air skaa shin because of that

air an adhbhar sin air un ah-ur shin for that reason

a rèir choltais uh rayr khol-tish apparently

gun teagamh gun chug-uv without doubt

bho àm gu àm vo am gu am from time to time

fad na h-ùine fad nu hoo-nyuh all the time

uair is uair oo-ir is oo-ir repeatedly

a-rithist is a-rithist uh-ree-ish-t is uh-ree-ish-t again and again

an-dràsta fhèin un-draas-tuh hayn right now

gu ruige seo gu roo-guh shuh so far

mu dheireadh mu yeh-ree finally

mu dheireadh thall mu yeh-ree hal eventually

a dh’aithghearr uh yeh-ur soon

air falbh air fal-uv away

aig an taigh eg un tee at home

aig an àm seo eg un am shuh at this time

aig an àm sin eg un am shin at that time

26. Very important Gaelic adverbial particles

Some of the most important “adverb-like” grammar words in Scottish Gaelic are actually particles or prepositional/adverbial elements, so they should not technically be called adverbs.

Gaelic Transliteration Function

a uh various grammatical functions

an un interrogative/relative element

nach nach negative/interrogative element

na na negative imperative

cha kha negative particle

chan khan negative particle

gu gu affirmative/subordinating element

gum gum gu + relative/inflectional element

gun gun negative/subordinating element

gur gur affirmative element

mura moo-ruh unless / if not

mur moor unless / if not

mus moos before

ma ma if

mas mas if + is

nach nach that...not / isn't it?

an un interrogative

These are not all adverbs in strict grammatical classification, but they are essential to Gaelic adverbial grammar.

27. Formation of Gaelic adverbs

One of the most important patterns is:

gu + adjective

Adjective Adverbial form English

math gu math well

dona gu dona badly

luath gu luath quickly

slaodach gu slaodach slowly

ceart gu ceart correctly

soilleir gu soilleir clearly

sònraichte gu sònraichte especially

cùramach gu cùramach carefully

faiceallach gu faiceallach carefully

pearsanta gu pearsanta personally

poblach gu poblach publicly

prìobhaideach gu prìobhaideach privately

fortanach gu fortanach fortunately

mì-fhortanach gu mì-fhortanach unfortunately

10- CONJUNCTIONS:

Gaelic Transliteration English

agus agus and

’s s and / is

is ish and / is

agus cuideachd agus koo-chag and also

’s cuideachd s koo-chag and also

a bharrachd air sin uh var-uch air shin in addition to that

chan e a-mhàin ... ach cuideachd khan eh uh-vain ... ach koo-chag not only ... but also

agus is the fundamental coordinating conjunction.

Tha Iain agus Màiri ann.

Ha Ian agus Mary ann.

“John and Mary are there.”

2. Adversative / contrast conjunctions

“but / whereas / however”

Gaelic Transliteration English

ach ach but

ach a-mhàin ach uh-vain except / except for

ge-tà gyuh taa however / nevertheless

ged get although / though

ged a get uh although

ged nach get nach although ... not

ged a bhiodh get uh vee-ugh although it would be

ged a bha get uh va although it was

ged a tha get uh ha although it is

ged nach eil get nach el although it is not

ged a bhiodh get uh vee-ugh even though it would be

Example

Tha e beag, ach tha e làidir.

Ha e bek, ach ha e la-dir.

“It is small, but it is strong.”

3. Disjunctive conjunctions

“or / either ... or”

Gaelic Transliteration English

no no or

no ... no no ... no either ... or

neo nyo or

neo ... neo nyo ... nyo either ... or

air neo air nyo or else

air neo air nyo alternatively / otherwise

no ma-thà no ma-haa or then / or else

no ... no ... no ... no or ... or

no is extremely common.

A bheil thu ag iarraidh tì no cofaidh?

Uh vel oo ag eer-yun chee no ko-fee?

“Do you want tea or coffee?”

4. Correlative conjunctions

These work in pairs.

Gaelic Transliteration English

agus ... agus agus ... agus both ... and

chan e a-mhàin ... ach cuideachd khan eh uh-vain ... ach koo-chag not only ... but also

no ... no no ... no either ... or

neo ... neo nyo ... nyo either ... or

aon chuid ... no een khich ... no either ... or

ged ... get ... although ...

co-dhiù ... no ko yee-oo ... no whether ... or

“Both ... and”

Gaelic commonly uses:

an dà chuid ... agus ...

un daa khich ... agus ...

“both ... and ...”

Example:

An dà chuid Iain agus Màiri.

Un daa khich Ian agus Mary.

“Both John and Mary.”

5. Subordinating conjunctions

These introduce dependent/subordinate clauses.

5A. “That”

Gaelic Transliteration English

gun gun that

gum gum that

gur gur that

gu gu that

nach nach that ... not

These forms depend on the grammatical environment.

Examples:

Tha fios agam gu bheil e ann.

Ha fees agam gu vel e ann.

“I know that he is there.”

Tha fios agam nach eil e ann.

Ha fees agam nach el e ann.

“I know that he is not there.”

6. Causal conjunctions — “because / since”

Gaelic Transliteration English

oir or because / for

oir tha or ha because

leis gu bheil lesh gu vel because

leis nach eil lesh nach el because ... not

a chionn 's gu bheil uh khyoon s gu vel because

a chionn 's nach eil uh khyoon s nach el because ... not

air sgàth 's gu bheil air skaa s gu vel because

seach gu bheil shech gu vel because / rather than because

seach nach eil shech nach el because ... not

Main conjunction

oir = “because / for”

Cha deach e, oir bha e tinn.

Kha jach e, or va e chin.

“He didn't go because he was ill.”

7. Conditional conjunctions — “if”

Gaelic Transliteration English

ma ma if

ma tha ma ha if ... is

ma tha ... ma ha if ...

ma bha ma va if ... was

ma bhios ma vee-os if ... will be / if ... is

mura moo-ruh unless / if not

mur moor unless / if not

mur eil moor el if ... is not

mur robh moor rov if ... was not

mur bi moor bee if ... will not be

nam num if

nam biodh num bee-ugh if ... were/would be

nam biodh ... num bee-ugh if ... were

nan nun if ... were / if plural

nan robh nun rov if ... were not / if ... was

Very important distinction

ma = ordinary “if”

nam / nan = conditional “if” with the past/subjunctive-type construction.

Ma tha an t-uisge ann, cha tèid mi.

Ma ha un toosh-uh ann, kha chaytch mee.

“If it is raining, I won't go.”

Nam biodh ùine agam, bhithinn a' dol.

Num bee-ugh oo-nyuh agam, vee-in uh dol.

“If I had time, I would go.”

8. “Unless”

Gaelic Transliteration English

mura moo-ruh unless

mur moor unless

mur eil moor el unless ... is not

mura h-eil moo-ruh hel unless ... is not

mura bi moo-ruh bee unless ... is

mur a moor uh unless

Example:

Cha tèid mi mura tig thu.

Kha chaytch mee moo-ruh chik oo.

“I won't go unless you come.”

9. Temporal conjunctions — “when”

Gaelic Transliteration English

nuair noo-ir when

nuair a noo-ir uh when

nuair a bhios noo-ir uh vee-os when ... is/will be

nuair a bha noo-ir uh va when ... was

nuair a bhios noo-ir uh vee-os when ... will be

gach uair a gach oo-ir uh every time that

uair sam bith a oo-ir sam beeh uh whenever

cho luath 's a kho loo-uh s uh as soon as

cho luath 's a ghabhas kho loo-uh s uh av-us as soon as possible

Example:

Nuair a thig e, bruidhnidh mi ris.

Noo-ir uh chik e, broo-in-nee mee rish.

“When he comes, I will speak to him.”

10. “While”

Gaelic Transliteration English

fhad 's a fad s uh while

fhad 's a tha fad s uh ha while ... is

fhad 's a bha fad s uh va while ... was

fhad 's a bhios fad s uh vee-os while ... is/will be

rè na h-ùine a ray nu hoo-nyuh uh during the time that

fhad 's a is one of the most important conjunctional constructions for “while.”

11. “Before”

Gaelic Transliteration English

mus moos before

mus tèid moos chaytch before ... goes

mus bi moos bee before ... is

mus robh moos rov before ... was

mus tig moos chik before ... comes

ro ... ro before

mus dèan moos jayn before ... does

Example:

Nigh do làmhan mus ith thu.

Nee do la-van moos ee oo.

“Wash your hands before you eat.”

12. “After”

Gaelic often expresses “after” with a prepositional construction, rather than a simple conjunction.

Gaelic Transliteration English

às dèidh aas jay-ree after

an dèidh un jay-ree after

às dèidh do ... aas jay-ree do after ...

an dèidh dha ... un jay-ree ya after he ...

às dèidh sin aas jay-ree shin after that

Example:

Às dèidh dha tighinn, chaidh sinn dhachaigh.

Aas jay-ree ya cheen-yun, chay sinn yee-hee.

“After he came, we went home.”

Strictly speaking, às dèidh is a prepositional construction rather than a simple conjunction.

13. “Until / till”

Gaelic Transliteration English

gus goos until

gus an goos un until

gus an tig goos un chik until ... comes

gus am goos um until / so that

gus am bi goos um bee until ... is

gus an tèid goos un chaytch until ... goes

Example:

Fuirich gus an tig mi.

Foo-reech goos un chik mee.

“Wait until I come.”

14. “Since”

Gaelic Transliteration English

bho chaidh vo chaytch since

bhon a von uh since

bhon a chaidh von uh chaytch since

on a on uh since

on a chaidh on uh chaytch since

15. Purpose conjunctions — “so that / in order that”

Gaelic Transliteration English

gus goos in order to / so that

gus am goos um so that

airson gun air-shun gun so that / in order that

airson gum air-shun gum so that

gus nach goos nach so that ... not

airson nach air-shun nach so that ... not

Example:

Rinn mi e gus am biodh e deiseil.

Rin mee e goos um bee-ugh e jaysh-ul.

“I did it so that it would be ready.”

16. Negative purpose — “so that ... not”

Gaelic Transliteration English

gus nach goos nach so that ... not

airson nach air-shun nach in order that ... not

gus nach bi goos nach bee so that ... will not be

gus nach tèid goos nach chaytch so that ... will not go

17. Concessive conjunctions — “although / though / even though”

Gaelic Transliteration English

ged get although / though

ged a get uh although

ged nach get nach although ... not

ged a tha get uh ha although ... is

ged a bha get uh va although ... was

ged a bhiodh get uh vee-ugh although ... would be

eadhon ged yeh-un get even though

ged-tà get-taa although/however

Example:

Ged a bha e sgìth, chaidh e a-mach.

Get uh va e skee, chaytch e uh-mach.

“Although he was tired, he went out.”

18. “Even if”

Gaelic Transliteration English

ged a bhiodh get uh vee-ugh even if

eadhon ged yeh-un get even if / even though

ged a bhiodh e get uh vee-ugh e even if he were

ged nach biodh get nach bee-ugh even if ... were not

19. “Whether”

Gaelic commonly uses co-dhiù and interrogative structures rather than a single exact equivalent of English whether in every context.

Gaelic Transliteration English

co-dhiù ko yee-oo whether / anyway

co-dhiù ... no ko yee-oo ... no whether ... or

co-dhiù a ... ko yee-oo uh whether ...

am bi ... no um bee ... no whether ... or

an tèid ... no un chaytch ... no whether ... or

20. Comparative conjunctions

Gaelic Transliteration English

mar mar as / like

mar a mar uh as / how

mar gum mar gum as if

mar nach mar nach as if ... not

mar a bhiodh mar uh vee-ugh as would be

cho ... 's a kho ... s uh as ... as

nas ... na nas ... na more ... than

as ... as the most ...

Example:

Tha e cho mòr 's a tha am fear eile.

Ha e kho mor s uh ha um far el-uh.

“He is as big as the other one.”

21. “As if”

Gaelic Transliteration English

mar gum biodh mar gum bee-ugh as if

mar gum biodh e mar gum bee-ugh e as if he were

mar gum biodh mar gum bee-ugh as though

mar nach biodh mar nach bee-ugh as if ... were not

mar gum biodh e air mar gum bee-ugh e air as if he had

22. “So / therefore / thus”

These are generally adverbial connectors, rather than pure conjunctions.

Gaelic Transliteration English

mar sin mar shin so / thus

uime sin oo-im-uh shin therefore

air an adhbhar sin air un ah-ur shin for that reason

air sgàth sin air skaa shin because of that

agus mar sin agus mar shin and so

mar thoradh air sin mar hor-uv air shin as a result

23. “However / nevertheless”

Gaelic Transliteration English

ge-tà gyuh taa however

ge-tà gyuh taa nevertheless

co-dhiù ko yee-oo anyway

a dh’aindeoin sin uh yen-yun shin nevertheless / despite that

a dh’aindeoin sin uile uh yen-yun shin oo-lyuh despite all that

ge-tà is particularly common as a discourse connector.

24. “Otherwise / or else”

Gaelic Transliteration English

air neo air nyo or else

no eile no el-uh or else

air neo eile air nyo el-uh alternatively

mura h-eil moo-ruh hel if not / unless

Example:

Dèan e, air neo bidh e ro fhadalach.

Jayn e, air nyo bee e ro aad-ul-ach.

“Do it, otherwise it will be too late.”

25. “Only if / provided that”

Gaelic Transliteration English

ma tha ma ha if

fhad 's a fad s uh as long as

cho fad 's a kho fad s uh as long as

air chùmhnant gun air khoo-vunt gun on condition that

fhad 's nach fad s nach as long as ... not

26. “As long as”

Gaelic Transliteration English

fhad 's a fad s uh as long as / while

cho fad 's a kho fad s uh as long as

fhad 's nach fad s nach as long as ... not

27. “No matter / whoever / whatever”

These are generally built with interrogative/relative forms + particles.

Gaelic Transliteration English

ge b' e gyuh bay whoever / whatever it may be

ge b' e cò gyuh bay ko whoever

ge b' e dè gyuh bay jay whatever

ge b' e càite gyuh bay kaa-chuh wherever

ge b' e cuin gyuh bay koo-in whenever

ge b' e ciamar gyuh bay kee-uh-mar however

ge b' e dè cho gyuh bay jay kho however much/however...

28. Common conjunctional phrases

Gaelic Transliteration English

air sgàth 's gu air skaa s gu because

a chionn 's gu uh khyoon s gu because

a chionn 's nach uh khyoon s nach because ... not

leis gu lesh gu because

leis nach lesh nach because ... not

seach gu shech gu because / rather than

gus am goos um so that / until

gus nach goos nach so that ... not

fhad 's a fad s uh while

cho luath 's a kho loo-uh s uh as soon as

mar gum mar gum as if

mar nach mar nach as if ... not

an uair a un oo-ir uh when

gach uair a gach oo-ir uh whenever

uair sam bith a oo-ir sam beeh uh whenever

mus bi moos bee before ... is

gus an tig goos un chik until ... comes

às dèidh do aas jay-ree do after ...

às dèidh dha aas jay-ree ya after he ...

air neo air nyo or else

a dh’aindeoin sin uh yen-yun shin nevertheless

29. Conjunctions that trigger special grammatical forms

Scottish Gaelic conjunctions are especially important because many affect lenition, eclipsis-like changes, or the form of the verb.

Conjunction Transliteration Meaning

ma ma if

nam num if

nan nun if

mur moor unless

mura moo-ruh unless

ged get although

nuair noo-ir when

mus moos before

gus goos until / in order to

fhad 's a fad s uh while

oir or because

ach ach but

no no or

agus agus and

gun gun that

gum gum that

gur gur that

nach nach that ... not

11- PREPOSITIONS:

# Gaelic Transliteration English

1 aig eg at

2 air air on

3 ann an aun un in

4 anns aunz in

5 à aa from / out of

6 ás aas out of / from

7 eadar etch-er between / among

8 fo fo under

9 gun gun without

10 le lyuh with / by

11 ri ree to / with / against

12 ro ro before / in front of

13 mu moo about / around

14 mar mar as / like

15 bho vo from / since

16 tro tro through

17 thar har over / across

18 airson air-shun for

19 chun khoon to / toward

20 de je of / from

21 do do to / for

22 taobh tee-uv side / beside

23 os os above

24 seach shech instead of / rather than

25 mun moon about / concerning

26 thar har across / over

27 rè ray during / throughout

28 còmhla ri koh-uh-la ree together with

29 a rèir uh rayr according to

30 an aghaidh un ah-yee against

31 an cois un kosh alongside / together with

32 a dh'aindeoin uh yen-yun despite / in spite of

Note: Some grammars classify forms such as airson, chun, mun, bho, a rèir differently because they historically arise from combinations of simpler elements. For practical learning, it is useful to learn them as prepositional units.

2. The most important simple prepositions

These are the core ones you should learn first:

Gaelic Transliteration Main meaning

aig eg at

air air on

ann an aun un in

à aa from / out of

bho vo from

le lyuh with / by

ri ree to / with / against

do do to / for

de je of / from

fo fo under

tro tro through

thar har over / across

eadar etch-er between / among

mu moo about / around

ro ro before / in front of

os os above

gun gun without

mar mar as / like

seach shech instead of / rather than

rè ray during

3. aig — “at”

aig is one of the most important Gaelic prepositions.

Gaelic Transliteration English

aig eg at

aig an eg un at the

aig a' eg uh at the

aig mo eg mo at my

aig do eg do at your

aig a eg uh at his/her

aig ar eg ar at our

aig ur eg oor at your

aig an eg un at their

Example:

Tha mi aig an taigh.

Ha mee eg un tee.

“I am at home.”

4. air — “on / upon”

Gaelic Transliteration English

air air on

air an air un on the

air a' air uh on the

air mo air mo on my

air do air do on your

air a air uh on his/her

air ar air ar on our

air ur air oor on your

air an air un on their

Example:

Tha an leabhar air a' bhòrd.

Ha un lyow-er air uh vort.

“The book is on the table.”

5. ann an — “in”

ann an is extremely important.

Gaelic Transliteration English

ann an aun un in

anns an aunz un in the

anns a' aunz uh in the

ann am aun um in a/my/etc.

anns na aunz nuh in the plural

ann aun in it / there

Examples:

Tha e ann an Glaschu.

Ha e aun un Glas-oo.

“He is in Glasgow.”

Tha mi anns an taigh.

Ha mee aunz un tee.

“I am in the house.”

6. à / às — “from / out of”

Gaelic Transliteration English

à aa from / out of

às aas out of

às an aas un out of the

às a' aas uh out of the

às na aas nuh out of the

às mo aas mo from my

às do aas do from your

às a aas uh from his/her

às ar aas ar from our

às ur aas oor from your

às an aas un from their

Example:

Tha mi à Alba.

Ha mee aa Al-uh.

“I am from Scotland.”

7. bho — “from / since”

Gaelic Transliteration English

bho vo from

bhon von from the

bhon a von uh since

bho mo vo mo from my

bho do vo do from your

bho a vo uh from his/her

bho ar vo ar from our

bho ur vo oor from your

Example:

Tha mi à Alba bho rugadh mi.

More naturally, temporal “since” is commonly expressed with bho / bhon a... constructions depending on the clause.

8. le — “with / by”

le has several major meanings:

with

by

using

possessed by

agent in passive constructions

Gaelic Transliteration English

le lyuh with

leis lesh with him

leatha lyuh-uh with her

leam lyum with me

leat lyat with you

leinn lyin with us

leibh lyayv with you

leotha lyoh-uh with them

Examples:

Tha mi le Iain.

Ha mee lyuh Ian.

“I am with John.”

Chaidh an leabhar a sgrìobhadh le Màiri.

Khaytch un lyow-er uh skree-uv uh lyuh Mary.

“The book was written by Mary.”

9. ri — “to / with / against”

ri is another highly important preposition.

Gaelic Transliteration English

ri ree to / with

rium ree-um to me / with me

riut ree-oot to you / with you

ris rish to him / with him

rithe ree-uh to her / with her

rinn rin to us / with us

ribh ree-uv to you

riutha ree-oo-uh to them

Example:

Tha mi a' bruidhinn ris.

Ha mee uh broo-in rish.

“I am speaking to him.”

10. do — “to / for”

Gaelic Transliteration English

do do to / for

dhut ghut to you

dha ya to him

dhi yee to her

dhuinn yoon to us

dhuibh yoov to you

dhaibh yeuv to them

Examples:

Thug mi an leabhar dhut.

Hoog mee un lyow-er ghut.

“I gave you the book.”

Thug mi an leabhar dha.

Hoog mee un lyow-er ya.

“I gave him the book.”

11. de — “of / from”

Gaelic Transliteration English

de je of / from

den den of/from the

dhen yen of/from the

do do of/from his?

Because de interacts with articles and pronouns, forms such as den/dhen occur.

Example:

fear den bhaile

far den va-lyuh

“a man from the village”

12. fo — “under”

Gaelic Transliteration English

fo fo under

fon fon under the

foin fon under the

fo mo fo mo under my

fo do fo do under your

fo a fo uh under his/her

Example:

Tha an cù fon bhòrd.

Ha un koo fon vort.

“The dog is under the table.”

13. tro — “through”

Gaelic Transliteration English

tro tro through

tron tron through the

troimh tro-iv through it / through

tro mo tro mo through my

tro do tro do through your

Example:

Chaidh sinn tron choille.

Khaytch shin tron khol-yuh.

“We went through the forest.”

14. thar — “over / across”

Gaelic Transliteration English

thar har over

thairis air har-ish air across / over

thar an har un over the

thar na har nuh over the

Example:

Chaidh e thairis air an abhainn.

Khaytch e har-ish air un ah-uv-in.

“He went across the river.”

15. eadar — “between / among”

Gaelic Transliteration English

eadar etch-er between

eadar ... agus ... etch-er ... agus ... between ... and ...

eadar sinn etch-er shin between us

eadar iad etch-er eed between them

Example:

Eadar Alba agus Èirinn.

Etch-er Al-uh agus Ay-rin.

“Between Scotland and Ireland.”

16. mu — “about / around”

Gaelic Transliteration English

mu moo about

mun moon about the

mun cuairt moon koo-art around

mu dheidhinn moo yay-in about / concerning

mun cuairt air moon koo-art air around

Example:

Tha sinn a' bruidhinn mu dheidhinn na cùise.

Ha shin uh broo-in moo yay-in nuh koo-shuh.

“We are talking about the matter.”

17. ro — “before / in front of”

Gaelic Transliteration English

ro ro before

roimhe ro-iv before him / previously

romham ro-um before me

romhad ro-ud before you

roimhe ro-iv before him/her

roimhpe ro-im-puh before her

romhainn ro-inn before us

romhaibh ro-iv before you

rompa rom-puh before them

Example:

Thachair e roimhe.

Hach-er e ro-iv.

“It happened before.”

18. os — “above”

Gaelic Transliteration English

os os above

os cionn os kyoon above

os cionn na os kyoon nuh above the

os cionn sin os kyoon shin above that

Example:

Tha an t-eun os cionn a' taighe.

Ha un chayn os kyoon uh tee.

“The bird is above the house.”

19. gun — “without”

Gaelic Transliteration English

gun gun without

gun a gun uh without his/her

gun mo gun mo without my

gun do gun do without your

gun fhios gun ees without knowledge

gun teagamh gun chug-uv without doubt

Example:

Dh'fhalbh e gun fhacal.

Yal-uv e gun ak-ul.

“He left without a word.”

20. mar — “as / like”

Gaelic Transliteration English

mar mar as / like

mar seo mar shuh like this

mar sin mar shin like that / thus

mar a mar uh as / how

mar gum mar gum as if

Example:

Dèan e mar seo.

Jayn e mar shuh.

“Do it like this.”

21. seach — “instead of / rather than”

Gaelic Transliteration English

seach shech instead of

seach sin shech shin instead of that

seach a bhith shech uh vee instead of being

seach gu shech gu rather than / because

Example:

Tha e ag obair seach a bhith a' cluich.

Ha e ag ob-ur shech uh vee uh klooch.

“He is working instead of playing.”

22. airson — “for”

Gaelic Transliteration English

airson air-shun for

airson sin air-shun shin for that

airson mo air-shun mo for my

airson do air-shun do for your

airson a air-shun uh for his/her

airson ar air-shun ar for our

airson ur air-shun oor for your

airson an air-shun un for the

Example:

Tha seo airson Màiri.

Ha shuh air-shun Mary.

“This is for Mary.”

23. chun — “to / towards”

chun is very common and is historically related to gu + an.

Gaelic Transliteration English

chun khoon to / toward

chun an khoon un to the

chun na khoon nuh to the

chun a' khoon uh to the

chun na dachaigh khoon nuh da-chee homeward / to the house

Example:

Chaidh e chun na sgoile.

Khaytch e khoon nuh skol-yuh.

“He went to the school.”

24. taobh — “beside / beside the side of”

Usually used in a phrase:

Gaelic Transliteration English

taobh ri tee-uv ree beside

taobh a-staigh tee-uv uh-stee inside

taobh a-muigh tee-uv uh-moo-ee outside

taobh a-staigh de tee-uv uh-stee je within

taobh a-muigh de tee-uv uh-moo-ee je outside of

25. rè — “during / throughout”

Gaelic Transliteration English

rè ray during

rè na h-ùine ray nu hoo-nyuh during the time

rè an latha ray un la-uh during the day

rè na bliadhna ray nu vlee-uh-na during the year

26. Compound / complex prepositions

These are extremely important in practical Gaelic.

Gaelic Transliteration English

a rèir uh rayr according to

a rèir choltais uh rayr khol-tish apparently / according to appearances

a thaobh uh hee-uv concerning / regarding

a thaobh sin uh hee-uv shin concerning that

air beulaibh air byool-iv in front of

air cùlaibh air koo-liv behind

air taobh air tee-uv beside / on the side

air taobh de air tee-uv je on the side of

air sgàth air skaa because of

air sgàth sin air skaa shin because of that

air sgàth 's gu air skaa s gu because

air muin air moo-in on top of

air muin a chèile air moo-in uh khay-luh on top of each other

air feadh air fee-uv throughout

air feadh na air fee-uv nuh throughout the

air feadh an t-saoghail air fee-uv un teel throughout the world

an aghaidh un ah-yee against

an àite un aad-uh instead of / in the place of

an àiteigin un aad-uh-gin somewhere

an cois un kosh alongside

an cois a chèile un kosh uh khay-luh alongside each other

an coimeas ri un kyom-ish ree compared with

a dh'aindeoin uh yen-yun despite

a dh'aindeoin sin uh yen-yun shin despite that

a dh'aindeoin 's gu uh yen-yun s gu despite the fact that

còmhla ri koh-uh-la ree together with

faisg air fashk air near

fada bho fa-da vo far from

faisg air fashk air close to

fo chùram fo khoo-rum under the care of

fo sgàil fo skaal in the shadow of

le taobh lyuh tee-uv beside

mu choinneimh moo khon-yiv opposite / facing

mu choinneamh moo khon-yuv opposite

mu dheidhinn moo yay-in about / concerning

mu thimcheall moo chim-chal around

os cionn os kyoon above

ro làimh ro laav beforehand

ri taobh ree tee-uv beside

ri taobh a chèile ree tee-uv uh khay-luh beside each other

taobh a-staigh tee-uv uh-stee inside

taobh a-muigh tee-uv uh-moo-ee outside

taobh a-staigh de tee-uv uh-stee je within

taobh a-muigh de tee-uv uh-moo-ee je outside of

thar cionn har kyoon excellent / outstanding

troimh ... tro-iv through

timcheall air chim-chal air around

suas ri soo-as ree up to

sìos bho shee-os vo down from

27. Location prepositional expressions

Gaelic Transliteration English

aig eg at

air air on

ann an aun un in

a-staigh uh-stee inside

a-muigh uh-moo-ee outside

air beulaibh air byool-iv in front of

air cùlaibh air koo-liv behind

ri taobh ree tee-uv beside

faisg air fashk air near

fada bho fa-da vo far from

mu choinneimh moo khon-yiv opposite

os cionn os kyoon above

fo fo under

air muin air moo-in on top of

eadar etch-er between

timcheall air chim-chal air around

air feadh air fee-uv throughout

taobh a-staigh tee-uv uh-stee inside/within

taobh a-muigh tee-uv uh-moo-ee outside

28. Time-related prepositions

Gaelic Transliteration English

ro ro before

às dèidh aas jay-ree after

an dèidh un jay-ree after

bho vo since/from

bhon von since

rè ray during

gu goos until

gus goos until

eadar etch-er between

mu moo around/about

air air on/at a time

às dèidh sin aas jay-ree shin after that

ro làimh ro laav beforehand

29. Instrument / means

Gaelic Transliteration English

le lyuh with / by means of

tro tro through / by means of

air air by / on

ann an aun un in / by means of

le bhith lyuh vee by being / by doing

tro bhith tro vee through being/doing

Example:

Sgrìobh e le peann.

Skree-uv e lyuh pyoun.

“He wrote with a pen.”

30. Agent in passive constructions

The preposition le is used for the agent:

Chaidh an taigh a thogail le Iain.

Khaytch un tee uh hog-ul lyuh Ian.

“The house was built by John.”

So:

le + person = “by + person” in this construction.

31. Possession / relationship

Gaelic frequently uses aig rather than an English-style “have” construction.

Tha càr aig Iain.

Ha kaar eg Ian.

“John has a car.”

Literally, this is closer to:

“A car is at John.”

Important possessive-related prepositional forms:

Gaelic Transliteration English

aig eg at / with

aig orm eg or-um on me / I have to

aig ort eg ort on you / you have to

aig air eg air on him

aig oirre eg or-uh on her

aig oirnn eg or-in on us

aig oirbh eg or-iv on you

aig orra eg or-uh on them

32. Preposition + personal pronoun forms

This is one of the most important parts of Scottish Gaelic grammar.

le — with

Person Gaelic Transliteration English

me leam lyum with me

you leat lyat with you

him leis lesh with him

her leatha lyuh-uh with her

us leinn lyin with us

you plural/formal leibh lyayv with you

them leotha lyoh-uh with them

ri — to/with

Person Gaelic Transliteration English

me rium ree-um to/with me

you riut ree-oot to/with you

him ris rish to/with him

her rithe ree-uh to/with her

us rinn rin to/with us

you ribh ree-uv to/with you

them riutha ree-oo-uh to/with them

do — to/for

Person Gaelic Transliteration English

me dhomh yov to/for me

you dhut ghut to/for you

him dha ya to/for him

her dhi yee to/for her

us dhuinn yoon to/for us

you dhuibh yoov to/for you

them dhaibh yeuv to/for them

air — on

Person Gaelic Transliteration English

me orm or-um on me

you ort ort on you

him air air on him

her oirre or-uh on her

us oirnn or-in on us

you oirbh or-iv on you

them orra or-uh on them

aig — at

Person Gaelic Transliteration English

me agam ag-um at me / I have

you agad ag-ud at you / you have

him aige eg-uh at him / he has

her aice ek-uh at her / she has

us againn ag-in at us / we have

you agaibh eg-iv at you / you have

them aca ak-uh at them / they have

33. Preposition + article contractions

Gaelic has many contracted combinations.

ann + an

Combination Result Meaning

ann + an anns an in the

ann + a' anns a' in the

ann + na anns na in the plural

de

Combination Result Meaning

de + an den / dhen of/from the

de + a' dhen of/from the

bho

Combination Result Meaning

bho + an bhon from the

bho + a bhon a since

fo

Combination Result Meaning

fo + an fon under the

fo + a' fon under the

air

Combination Result Meaning

air + an air an on the

air + a' air a' on the

34. Prepositions expressing direction

Gaelic Transliteration English

gu gu to

chun khoon to/toward

a-steach uh-nyaoosh into

a-mach uh-mach out

suas soo-as up

sìos shee-os down

tro tro through

thar har across/over

air ais air ash back

air falbh air fal-uv away

dhachaigh yee-hee homeward

a-null uh-noo-l across/toward there

a-nall uh-naal across/toward here

35. Prepositions expressing comparison

Gaelic Transliteration English

na na than

mar mar as / like

ri ree with / compared with

an coimeas ri un kyom-ish ree compared with

seach shech rather than

nas ... na nas ... na more ... than

cho ... ri kho ... ree as ... as

Example:

Tha e nas motha na mi.

Ha e nas mo-ha na mee.

“He is bigger than me.”

36. Prepositions expressing opposition

Gaelic Transliteration English

an aghaidh un ah-yee against

ri ree against

mu choinneamh moo khon-yuv opposite

seach shech instead of / rather than

a dh'aindeoin uh yen-yun despite

12- DETERMINERS

Singular masculine

Gaelic Transliteration English

an un the

an t- un t- the

Examples:

an cù

un koo

“the dog”

an taigh

un tee

“the house”

an t-uisge

un toosh-uh

“the water”

Singular feminine

Gaelic Transliteration English

a' uh the

an un the

Examples:

a' chailleach

uh khal-yach

“the old woman”

a' bhean

uh ven

“the woman”

an oidhche

un oy-chuh

“the night”

Plural

Gaelic Transliteration English

na nuh the

Examples:

na coin

nuh kon

“the dogs”

na taighean

nuh tee-an

“the houses”

2. Indefinite article

Scottish Gaelic does not have a separate indefinite article equivalent to English “a/an.”

The bare noun can mean:

a...

an...

one...

noun in general

Gaelic Transliteration English

cù koo a dog / dog

taigh tee a house / house

leabhar lyow-er a book / book

bean ben a woman / woman

So:

Tha cù ann.

Ha koo aun.

“There is a dog.”

There is no separate Gaelic word corresponding directly to English a/an here.

3. Possessive determiners

These are extremely important.

Person Gaelic Transliteration English

my mo mo my

your do do your

his a uh his

her a uh her

our ar ar our

your plural ur oor your

their an un their

Examples

Gaelic Transliteration English

mo chù mo khoo my dog

do chù do khoo your dog

a chù uh khoo his dog

a cù uh koo her dog

ar cù ar koo our dog

ur cù oor koo your dog

an cù un koo their dog

Notice that his and her are both a, but they cause different grammatical effects.

4. Possessive + noun system

Determiner Example Transliteration English

mo mo mhàthair mo vaa-her my mother

do do mhàthair do vaa-her your mother

a (his) a mhàthair uh vaa-her his mother

a (her) a màthair uh maa-her her mother

ar ar màthair ar maa-her our mother

ur ur màthair oor maa-her your mother

an am màthair um maa-her their mother

The exact surface form can change through lenition and eclipsis-like effects, so possessives should be learned together with their mutation patterns.

5. Demonstrative determiners

Scottish Gaelic has several ways of expressing this / that / these / those.

This

Gaelic Transliteration English

an ... seo un ... shuh this ...

a' ... seo uh ... shuh this ...

an ... so un ... so this ...

Examples:

an leabhar seo

un lyow-er shuh

“this book”

a' bhean seo

uh ven shuh

“this woman”

6. That

Gaelic Transliteration English

an ... sin un ... shin that ...

a' ... sin uh ... shin that ...

an ... ud un ... oot that ... over there

Examples:

an leabhar sin

un lyow-er shin

“that book”

a' bhean sin

uh ven shin

“that woman”

7. Demonstratives — this/that over there

Scottish Gaelic makes a useful three-way spatial distinction.

Gaelic Transliteration English

seo shuh this / here

sin shin that / there

ud oot that over there

With a noun:

Gaelic English

an taigh seo this house

an taigh sin that house

an taigh ud that house over there

This is one of the most useful demonstrative systems to learn.

8. Indefinite determiners

Gaelic has a number of words and expressions corresponding to some, any, certain, another, etc.

Gaelic Transliteration English

cuid kootch some / portion

cuid de kootch je some of

cuid kootch some

cuid eile kootch el-uh another portion / some others

eile el-uh other / another

cuid eile kootch el-uh some other

àraidh aa-ree certain / particular

sònraichte spaysh-ker-ach particular / specific

sam bith sam beeh any / whatever

air choreigin air khor-ig-in some / a certain

gin gin any / a single one

gin sam bith gin sam beeh any at all

9. “Any”

A very important Gaelic construction is:

sam bith

It literally has a broad “of any kind/at all” sense.

Gaelic Transliteration English

duine sam bith doon-yuh sam beeh anyone / any person

rud sam bith rood sam beeh anything

àite sam bith aad-uh sam beeh anywhere

latha sam bith la-uh sam beeh any day

uair sam bith oo-ir sam beeh any time

10. “Some”

Gaelic commonly uses cuid and other constructions rather than one universal equivalent of English “some.”

Gaelic Transliteration English

cuid kootch some

cuid de kootch je some of

beagan bay-uh-gun a little / some

mòran mo-run much / many

grunn groon several / a number of

àireamh de aa-ruv je a number of

cuid mhath de kootch va je quite a lot of

11. Quantifier — much / many

Gaelic Transliteration English

mòran mo-run much / many

mòran de mo-run je much/many of

gu mòr gu mor greatly / very much

tòrr torr a lot / plenty

tòrr de torr je a lot of

pailteas pal-chus plenty

pailteas de pal-chus je plenty of

Examples:

mòran dhaoine

mo-run doyn-yuh

“many people”

tòrr uisge

torr oosh-uh

“a lot of water”

12. Quantifier — few / little

Gaelic Transliteration English

beagan bay-uh-gun a little / a few

beagan de bay-uh-gun je a little of

glè bheag glay vek very little / very few

ro bheag ro vek too little / too few

cho beag kho bek so little

àireamh bheag aa-ruv vek a small number

13. Several / a number of

Gaelic Transliteration English

grunn groon several

grunn de groon je several of

àireamh de aa-ruv je a number of

àireamh mhòr de aa-ruv vor je a large number of

grunn mhath groon va quite a few

Example:

grunnan dhaoine

groon-un doyn-yuh

“several people”

14. All / every

These meanings have several constructions.

Gaelic Transliteration English

gach gach every / each

a h-uile uh hoo-lyuh every / each

uile oo-lyuh all / whole

na h-uile nu hoo-lyuh all / everyone

a h-uile duine uh hoo-lyuh doon-yuh everyone

gach fear gach far every man

gach latha gach la-uh every day

a h-uile latha uh hoo-lyuh la-uh every day

gach vs a h-uile

gach is normally followed by a singular noun:

gach latha

every day

a h-uile is also followed by a singular noun:

a h-uile latha

“every day”

15. Each

Gaelic Transliteration English

gach gach each / every

gach aon gach een each one

gach fear gach far each man

gach tè gach chay each woman / each one

gach neach gach nyach each person

gach nì gach nee each thing

16. Both

Gaelic Transliteration English

an dà chuid un daa khich both

an dà un daa the two / both

gach aon den dithis gach een den jee-ish each of the two

Example:

an dà chuid Iain agus Màiri

un daa khich Ian agus Mary

“both John and Mary”

17. Either

Gaelic Transliteration English

aon chuid een khich either one

aon chuid ... no een khich ... no either ... or

gin gin either/any one

gin sam bith gin sam beeh either/any one

18. Neither

Gaelic Transliteration English

chan eil ... aon chuid khan el ... een khich neither ...

chan eil gin khan el gin neither / none

chan eil aon seach aon khan el een shech een neither one

chan eil aon chuid ... no khan el een khich ... no neither ... nor

The exact construction depends heavily on the sentence.

19. Other / another

Gaelic Transliteration English

eile el-uh other / another

fear eile far el-uh another man / another one

tè eile chay el-uh another woman / another one

rud eile rood el-uh another thing

latha eile la-uh el-uh another day

cuid eile kootch el-uh some others

Example:

leabhar eile

lyow-er el-uh

“another book”

20. The other

Gaelic Transliteration English

an tè eile un chay el-uh the other one

am fear eile um far el-uh the other man/one

an rud eile un rood el-uh the other thing

an taobh eile un tee-uv el-uh the other side

21. Same

Scottish Gaelic commonly uses:

Gaelic Transliteration English

an aon un een the same one

an aon rud un een rood the same thing

an aon duine un een doon-yuh the same person

an aon latha un een la-uh the same day

an aon àite un een aad-uh the same place

22. Different

Gaelic Transliteration English

eadar-dhealaichte etch-er-yel-ich-chuh different

diofar jee-ur different / various

diofar sheòrsaichean jee-ur yor-sha-chen different kinds

diofar can function in constructions corresponding to “different/various.”

23. Certain / particular

Gaelic Transliteration English

àraidh aa-ree certain / particular

sònraichte spaysh-ker-ach particular / specific

cuid de kootch je certain/some

neach àraidh nyach aa-ree a certain person

latha àraidh la-uh aa-ree a certain day

24. Whole / entire

Gaelic Transliteration English

uile oo-lyuh whole / all

slàn slaan whole / entire

an t-iomlan un chom-lun the whole / entirety

gu h-iomlan gu hee-um-lan completely / entirely

Examples:

an latha slàn

un la-uh slaan

“the whole day”

an saoghal uile

un see-ul oo-lyuh

“the whole world”

25. Enough

Gaelic Transliteration English

gu leòr gu lyor enough

leòr lyor enough / sufficient

pailteas pal-chus plenty

pailteas de pal-chus je plenty of

Example:

ùine gu leòr

oo-nyuh gu lyor

“enough time”

26. Too much / too many

Gaelic Transliteration English

cus koos too much / too many

cus de koos je too much/many of

ro mhòr ro vor too big

ro bheag ro vek too little / too few

ro mhòran ro mo-run too many

27. More

Gaelic Transliteration English

barrachd bar-uch more

barrachd de bar-uch je more of

nas motha nas mo-ha more / greater

tuilleadh tool-yuh more / further

tuilleadh de tool-yuh je more of

Examples:

barrachd ùine

bar-uch oo-nyuh

“more time”

tuilleadh airgid

tool-yuh air-gitch

“more money”

28. Less

Gaelic Transliteration English

nas lugha nas loo-uh less

nas lugha de nas loo-uh je less of

nas lugha de dhaoine nas loo-uh je doyn-yuh fewer people

beagan bay-uh-gun a little / a few

29. Most / least

Gaelic Transliteration English

as motha as mo-ha most / greatest

as lugha as loo-uh least / smallest

a' mhòr-chuid uh vor-khich most / majority

a' chuid as motha uh khich as mo-ha most of

a' chuid as lugha uh khich as loo-uh least of

30. Numeral determiners

Cardinal numbers can function as noun determiners.

Gaelic Transliteration English

aon een one

dà daa two

trì tree three

ceithir kay-hir four

còig koyk five

sia shee-uh six

seachd shech-k seven

ochd och-k eight

naoi nee nine

deich jech ten

Examples:

aon leabhar

een lyow-er

“one book”

dà leabhar

daa lyow-er

“two books”

31. Cardinal-number phrases

Gaelic Transliteration English

aon een one

dà daa two

trì tree three

ceithir kay-hir four

còig koyk five

sia shee-uh six

seachd shech-k seven

ochd och-k eight

naoi nee nine

deich jech ten

aon-deug een-jayg eleven

dà-dheug daa-yayg twelve

trì-deug tree-jayg thirteen

ceithir-deug kay-hir-jayg fourteen

còig-deug koyk-jayg fifteen

sia-deug shee-uh-jayg sixteen

seachd-deug shech-k-jayg seventeen

ochd-deug och-k-jayg eighteen

naoi-deug nee-jayg nineteen

fichead fee-khut twenty

32. Ordinal determiners

Ordinal numbers can determine nouns.

Gaelic Transliteration English

a' chiad uh chee-ut first

an dàrna un daar-nuh second

an treas un chras third

an ceathramh un kyah-ruv fourth

an còigeamh un koy-uv fifth

an siathamh un shee-uv sixth

an seachdamh un shech-duv seventh

an t-ochdamh un toch-duv eighth

an naoidheamh un noo-yuv ninth

an deicheamh un jee-uv tenth

Examples:

a' chiad latha

uh chee-ut la-uh

“the first day”

an dàrna latha

un daar-nuh la-uh

“the second day”

33. Distributive determiners

Gaelic Transliteration English

gach gach each/every

a h-uile uh hoo-lyuh every

dà ... gach daa ... gach two ... each

aon ... gach een ... gach one ... each

gach aon gach een each one

gach fear gach far each man

gach tè gach chay each woman/one

Example:

dà leabhar gach duine

daa lyow-er gach doon-yuh

“two books each person”

34. Collective / group determiners

Gaelic Transliteration English

an dà chuid un daa khich both

a h-uile uh hoo-lyuh all/every

uile oo-lyuh all

a' mhòr-chuid uh vor-khich the majority / most

a' mhion-chuid uh vee-un-khich the minority / smallest part

a' chuid eile uh khich el-uh the rest / the others

cuid de kootch je some of

35. Interrogative determiners

These are used when asking about a noun.

Gaelic Transliteration English

dè jay what

dè an jay un what

dè na jay nuh what ... plural

cò ko who

dè cho jay kho how

cia mheud kee-uh vayd how many

dè an seòrsa jay un shor-suh what kind/type

dè na seòrsaichean jay nuh shor-suh-chen what kinds

“How many?”

cia mheud?

kee-uh vayd

“How many?”

Cia mheud leabhar?

kee-uh vayd lyow-er?

“How many books?”

36. Relative determiners

Scottish Gaelic does not have a single English-style relative determiner whose/which system. Instead, relative constructions use forms such as:

Gaelic Transliteration English

a uh that/which

a tha uh ha that is / which is

a bha uh va that was / which was

a bhios uh vee-os that will be

na nuh that/which

an un that/which

These are relative particles/constructions, rather than a straightforward determiner class.

37. Possessive + definite article

A particularly important rule:

Scottish Gaelic generally does not use the definite article together with a possessive determiner in the normal way.

So:

mo leabhar

mo lyow-er

“my book”

not normally:

an mo leabhar

Similarly:

a chù

“his dog”

rather than an English-style combination “the his dog.”

38. Demonstrative + definite article

Scottish Gaelic commonly uses the article together with the demonstrative element:

Gaelic Transliteration English

an taigh seo un tee shuh this house

an taigh sin un tee shin that house

an taigh ud un tee oot that house over there

a' bhean seo uh ven shuh this woman

a' bhean sin uh ven shin that woman

na taighean seo nuh tee-an shuh these houses

na taighean sin nuh tee-an shin those houses

39. “Every single” — emphatic constructions

For “every single one/person/thing,” Gaelic can use:

Gaelic Transliteration English

gach aon gach een every single one

gach aon dhiubh gach een yee-uv every single one of them

a h-uile duine uh hoo-lyuh doon-yuh every person / everyone

a h-uile rud uh hoo-lyuh rood everything

gach nì gach nee everything / each thing

gach neach gach nyach everyone / each person

40. Negative determiners

There is no single universal Gaelic equivalent of English no, but several constructions are used.

Gaelic Transliteration English

gun gun without

gin gin any / a single one

chan eil gin khan el gin there is none

chan eil duine khan el doon-yuh nobody

chan eil rud khan el rood there is no thing

chan eil nì khan el nee nothing

gun duine gun doon-yuh without anyone

gun rud gun rood without anything

gun nì gun nee without anything

41. “No” + noun

English no + noun is often expressed with chan eil plus a noun rather than with a direct determiner equivalent.

English Gaelic

no man chan eil duine

no woman chan eil boireannach

no book chan eil leabhar

no money chan eil airgead

no time chan eil ùine

Example:

Chan eil airgead agam.

Khan el air-gutch agam.

“I have no money.”

Literally, the construction is closer to:

“There is no money at me.”

43. The core determiner system

If you want the main Scottish Gaelic determiner framework in one compact table:

Function Formation Example English

Definite an/a'/na + noun an cù the dog

Indefinite bare noun cù a dog

Possessive mo/do/a/ar/ur/an + noun mo chù my dog

This article + noun + seo an cù seo this dog

That article + noun + sin an cù sin that dog

That over there article + noun + ud an cù ud that dog over there

Every gach + singular noun gach latha every day

Every a h-uile + noun a h-uile latha every day

All uile na h-uile all

Both an dà chuid an dà chuid both

Some cuid de + noun cuid de na daoine some of the people

Any noun + sam bith duine sam bith anyone

Several grunnan + noun grunn dhaoine several people

Many mòran + noun mòran dhaoine many people

Much mòran + mass noun mòran uisge much water

A lot tòrr de + noun tòrr uisge a lot of water

Few beagan + noun beagan dhaoine a few people

Little beagan + mass noun beagan uisge a little water

More barrachd + noun barrachd ùine more time

Less nas lugha de + noun nas lugha de ùine less time

Other eile leabhar eile another book

Same an aon + noun an aon leabhar the same book

Certain àraidh + noun latha àraidh a certain day

Particular sònraichte + noun àite sònraichte a particular place

How many cia mheud + noun cia mheud duine? how many people?

What kind dè an seòrsa + noun dè an seòrsa cù? what kind of dog?

13- IF CONDITIONAL

Zero conditional If X happens, Y happens Ma + present, present Ma bhios an t-uisge ann, bidh an talamh fliuch. If it rains, the ground is wet.

First conditional If X happens, Y will happen Ma + future, future Ma bhios an t-uisge ann a-màireach, fuirichidh mi aig an taigh. If it rains tomorrow, I will stay at home.

Second conditional If X happened, Y would happen Nam + past/subjunctive, bhiodh Nam biodh barrachd ùine agam, bhithinn ag ionnsachadh Gàidhlig. If I had more time, I would study Gaelic.

Third conditional If X had happened, Y would have happened Nam biodh + past participle, bhiodh + air + verbal noun Nam biodh e air tighinn, bhiodh sinn air a' phàrtaidh a mhealtainn. If he had come, we would have enjoyed the party.

Negative conditional If X does not happen, Y... Mura + verb Mura dèan thu cabhag, bidh thu fadalach. If you don't hurry, you will be late.

What if...? What if X happens? Dè ma...? Dè ma bhios an t-uisge ann? What if it rains?

If I am not Mura h-eil mi Mura h-eil mi deiseil

If I was not Mura robh mi Mura robh mi ann

If I will not be Mura bi mi Mura bi mi ann

If I do not Mura + future verb Mura tig mi

If I were not Mura biodh mi Mura biodh mi toilichte

If I had not Mura biodh mi air + verb Mura biodh mi air dèanamh

Leughainn an leabhar I would read the book

Leughaidhean an leabhar You would read the book

Leughaidh e an leabhar He would read the book

Leughadh i an leabhar She would read the book

Leughamaid an leabhar We would read the book

Leughadh sibh an leabhar You would read the book

Leughadhas iad an leabhar They would read the book

Bhithinn a' leughadh an leabhair I would be reading the book

Bhiodh tu a' leughadh an leabhair You would be reading the book

Bhiodh e a' leughadh an leabhair He would be reading the book

Bhiodh i a' leughadh an leabhair She would be reading the book

Bhiodh sinn a' leughadh an leabhair We would be reading the book

Bhiodh sibh a' leughadh an leabhair You would be reading the book

Bhiodh iad a' leughadh an leabhair They would be reading the book

Bhithinn air an leabhar a leughadh I would have read the book

Bhiodh tu air an leabhar a leughadh You would have read the book

Bhiodh e air an leabhar a leughadh He would have read the book

Bhiodh i air an leabhar a leughadh She would have read the book

Bhiodh sinn air an leabhar a leughadh We would have read the book

Bhiodh sibh air an leabhar a leughadh You would have read the book

Bhiodh iad air an leabhar a leughadh They would have read the book

Bhithinn air a bhith a' leughadh an leabhair I would have been reading the book

Bhiodh tu air a bhith a' leughadh an leabhair You would have been reading the book

Bhiodh e air a bhith a' leughadh an leabhair He would have been reading the book

Bhiodh i air a bhith a' leughadh an leabhair She would have been reading the book

Bhiodh sinn air a bhith a' leughadh an leabhair We would have been reading the book

Bhiodh iad air a bhith a' leughadh an leabhair They would have been reading the book

Bhithinn I would be

Bhiodh tu You would be

Bhiodh e He would be

Bhiodh i She would be

Bhiodh sinn We would be

Bhiodh sibh You would be

Bhiodh iad They would be

Bu mhath leam I would like

Bu mhath leat You would like

Bu mhath leis He would like

Bu mhath leatha She would like

Bu mhath leinn We would like

Bu mhath leibh You would like

Bu mhath leotha They would like

B' fheàrr leam tì. I would prefer tea.

B' fheàrr leam fuireach. I would prefer to stay.

Cha leughainn an leabhar I would not read the book

Cha leughadh tu an leabhar You would not read the book

Cha leughadh e an leabhar He would not read the book

Cha leughadh i an leabhar She would not read the book

Cha leughaidhean sinn an leabhar We would not read the book

Cha leughadh sibh an leabhar You would not read the book

Cha leughadh iad an leabhar They would not read the book

Cha bhithinn a' leughadh an leabhair I would not be reading the book

Cha bhiodh tu a' leughadh an leabhair You would not be reading the book

Cha bhiodh e a' leughadh an leabhair He would not be reading the book

Cha bhiodh i a' leughadh an leabhair She would not be reading the book

Cha bhiodh sinn a' leughadh an leabhair We would not be reading the book

Cha bhiodh sibh a' leughadh an leabhair You would not be reading the book

Cha bhiodh iad a' leughadh an leabhair They would not be reading the book

Cha bhithinn air an leabhar a leughadh I would not have read the book

Cha bhiodh tu air an leabhar a leughadh You would not have read the book

Cha bhiodh e air an leabhar a leughadh He would not have read the book

Cha bhiodh i air an leabhar a leughadh She would not have read the book

Cha bhiodh sinn air an leabhar a leughadh We would not have read the book

Cha bhiodh sibh air an leabhar a leughadh You would not have read the book

Cha bhiodh iad air an leabhar a leughadh They would not have read the book

Cha bhithinn air a bhith a' leughadh I would not have been reading

Cha bhiodh tu air a bhith a' leughadh You would not have been reading

Cha bhiodh e air a bhith a' leughadh He would not have been reading

Cha bhiodh i air a bhith a' leughadh She would not have been reading

Cha bhiodh sinn air a bhith a' leughadh We would not have been reading

Cha bhiodh sibh air a bhith a' leughadh You would not have been reading

Cha bhiodh iad air a bhith a' leughadh They would not have been reading

Cha bhithinn I would not be

Cha bhiodh tu You would not be

Cha bhiodh e He would not be

Cha bhiodh i She would not be

Cha bhiodh sinn We would not be

Cha bhiodh sibh You would not be

Cha bhiodh iad They would not be

Cha bu mhath leam I would not like

Cha bu mhath leat You would not like

Cha bu mhath leis He would not like

Cha bu mhath leatha She would not like

Cha bu mhath leinn We would not like

Cha bu mhath leibh You would not like

Cha bu mhath leotha They would not like

Cha b' fheàrr leam sin. I would not prefer that.

Cha b' fheàrr leam falbh. I would not prefer to leave.

Bhithinn air mo chuideachadh I would be helped

Bhiodh tu air do chuideachadh You would be helped

Bhiodh e air a chuideachadh He would be helped

Bhiodh i air a cuideachadh She would be helped

Bhiodh sinn air ar cuideachadh We would be helped

Bhiodh sibh air ur cuideachadh You would be helped

Bhiodh iad air an cuideachadh They would be helped

Bhithinn ga mo chuideachadh I would be being helped

Bhiodh tu gad chuideachadh You would be being helped

Bhiodh e ga chuideachadh He would be being helped

Bhiodh i ga cuideachadh She would be being helped

Bhiodh sinn gar cuideachadh We would be being helped

Bhiodh sibh gur cuideachadh You would be being helped

Bhiodh iad gan cuideachadh They would be being helped

Bhithinn air a bhith air mo chuideachadh I would have been helped

Bhiodh tu air a bhith air do chuideachadh You would have been helped

Bhiodh e air a bhith air a chuideachadh He would have been helped

Bhiodh i air a bhith air a cuideachadh She would have been helped

Bhiodh sinn air a bhith air ar cuideachadh We would have been helped

Bhiodh sibh air a bhith air ur cuideachadh You would have been helped

Bhiodh iad air a bhith air an cuideachadh They would have been helped

Bhithinn air a bhith gam chuideachadh I would have been being helped

Bhiodh tu air a bhith gad chuideachadh You would have been being helped

Bhiodh e air a bhith ga chuideachadh He would have been being helped

Bhiodh i air a bhith ga cuideachadh She would have been being helped

Bhiodh sinn air a bhith gar cuideachadh We would have been being helped

Bhiodh sibh air a bhith gur cuideachadh You would have been being helped

Bhiodh iad air a bhith gan cuideachadh They would have been being helped

Bu mhath leam a bhith air mo chuideachadh I would like to be helped

Bu mhath leat a bhith air do chuideachadh You would like to be helped

Bu mhath leis a bhith air a chuideachadh He would like to be helped

Bu mhath leatha a bhith air a cuideachadh She would like to be helped

Bu mhath leinn a bhith air ar cuideachadh We would like to be helped

Bu mhath leibh a bhith air ur cuideachadh You would like to be helped

Bu mhath leotha a bhith air an cuideachadh They would like to be helped

Cha bhithinn air mo chuideachadh I would not be helped

thu Cha bhiodh tu air do chuideachadh You would not be helped

e Cha bhiodh e air a chuideachadh He would not be helped

i Cha bhiodh i air a cuideachadh She would not be helped

sinn Cha bhiodh sinn air ar cuideachadh We would not be helped

sibh Cha bhiodh sibh air ur cuideachadh You would not be helped

iad Cha bhiodh iad air an cuideachadh They would not be helped

mi Cha bhithinn gam chuideachadh I would not be being helped

thu Cha bhiodh tu gad chuideachadh You would not be being helped

e Cha bhiodh e ga chuideachadh He would not be being helped

i Cha bhiodh i ga cuideachadh She would not be being helped

sinn Cha bhiodh sinn gar cuideachadh We would not be being helped

sibh Cha bhiodh sibh gur cuideachadh You would not be being helped

iad Cha bhiodh iad gan cuideachadh They would not be being helped

Cha bhithinn air a bhith air mo chuideachadh I would not have been helped

Cha bhiodh tu air a bhith air do chuideachadh You would not have been helped

Cha bhiodh e air a bhith air a chuideachadh He would not have been helped

Cha bhiodh i air a bhith air a cuideachadh She would not have been helped

Cha bhiodh sinn air a bhith air ar cuideachadh We would not have been helped

Cha bhiodh sibh air a bhith air ur cuideachadh You would not have been helped

Cha bhiodh iad air a bhith air an cuideachadh They would not have been helped

Cha bhithinn air a bhith gam chuideachadh I would not have been being helped

Cha bhiodh tu air a bhith gad chuideachadh You would not have been being helped

Cha bhiodh e air a bhith ga chuideachadh He would not have been being helped

Cha bhiodh i air a bhith ga cuideachadh She would not have been being helped

Cha bhiodh sinn air a bhith gar cuideachadh We would not have been being helped

Cha bhiodh sibh air a bhith gur cuideachadh You would not have been being helped

Cha bhiodh iad air a bhith gan cuideachadh They would not have been being helped

mi Cha bu mhath leam a bhith air mo chuideachadh I would not like to be helped

thu Cha bu mhath leat a bhith air do chuideachadh You would not like to be helped

e Cha bu mhath leis a bhith air a chuideachadh He would not like to be helped

i Cha bu mhath leatha a bhith air a cuideachadh She would not like to be helped

sinn Cha bu mhath leinn a bhith air ar cuideachadh We would not like to be helped

sibh Cha bu mhath leibh a bhith air ur cuideachadh You would not like to be helped

iad Cha bu mhath leotha a bhith air an cuideachadh They would not like to be helped

Cha b' fheàrr leam a bhith air mo chur ann an cunnart. I would prefer not to be put in danger.

14- COMPARATIVE AND SUPERLATIVE

Positive adjective mòr big

Comparative nas + adjective nas motha bigger

Comparative + than nas + adj. + na nas motha na bigger than

Equality cho + adj. + ri cho mòr ri as big as

Negative equality chan eil ... cho + adj. + ri chan eil cho mòr ri not as big as

Superlative as + adjective as motha biggest/most big

Superlative noun an + noun + as + adj. an taigh as motha the biggest house

More (quantity) barrachd + noun barrachd airgid more money

Less (quantity) nas lugha de + noun nas lugha de dh'airgead less money

As many/much uiread ... ri uiread de leabhraichean ri as many books as

Very glè + adjective glè mhòr very big

Extremely air leth + adjective air leth mòr extremely/exceptionally big

Too ro + adjective ro mhòr too big

Enough adjective + gu leòr mòr gu leòr big enough

Much more mòran nas + adj. mòran nas motha much bigger

A little more beagan nas + adj. beagan nas motha a little bigger

More and more nas + adj. agus nas + adj. nas motha agus nas motha bigger and bigger

The more..., the more... mar as..., 's ann as... mar as motha, 's ann as fheàrr the more/bigger..., the better...

Subject + verb + nas + adjective + na + comparison

Tha an cù nas motha na an cat. Tha an koo nas MOH-ha na an kaht. The dog is bigger than the cat.

15- RELATIVE CLAUSES

who is a tha

who was a bha

who will be a bhios

who came a thàinig

who did a rinn

who does not nach eil / nach

whom I saw a chunnaic mi

whose aig a bheil

where far a bheil

when nuair a

what na tha

who is... noun + a tha... an duine a tha sgìth

who was... noun + a bha... an duine a bha sgìth

who will be... noun + a bhios... an duine a bhios sgìth

who would be... noun + a bhiodh... an duine a bhiodh sgìth

who isn't... noun + nach eil... an duine nach eil sgìth

who wasn't... noun + nach robh... an duine nach robh sgìth

who won't be... noun + nach bi... an duine nach bi sgìth

who wouldn't be... noun + nach biodh... an duine nach biodh sgìth

that I saw noun + a + verb + mi an duine a chunnaic mi

that he bought noun + a + verb + e an taigh a cheannaich e

that I didn't see noun + nach do + verb + mi an duine nach do chunnaic mi

with whom... noun + leis a bheil... an duine leis a bheil mi...

REDUCED:

Full present relative noun + a tha + verbal noun

Compact present description noun + verbal noun

Past relative noun + a bha + verbal noun

Future/habitual relative noun + a bhios + verbal noun

Object relative noun + a + verb + subject

Adjectival description noun + adjective

Passive relative noun + relative passive construction

16- REPORTED SPEECH AND DIRECT SPEECH

Direct Speech: Verb of saying + : + "exact words"

Reported Speech:

Present statement thuirt + subject + gu/gun + past form (robh) Thuirt e: "Tha mi sgìth." Thuirt e gu robh e sgìth. He said that he was tired.

Present continuous thuirt + subject + gu robh + subject + verbal noun "Tha mi ag obair." Thuirt e gu robh e ag obair. He said that he was working.

Past statement thuirt + subject + gu robh + subject + adjective/noun "Bha mi toilichte." Thuirt e gu robh e toilichte. He said that he had been happy.

Past action thuirt + subject + gun + past verb (do form where needed) "Rinn mi e." Thuirt e gun do rinn e e. He said that he did it.

Past continuous thuirt + subject + gu robh + subject + verbal noun "Bha mi a' ruith." Thuirt e gu robh e a' ruith. He said that he was running.

Perfect thuirt + subject + gu robh + subject + air + verbal noun "Tha mi air crìoch a chur air." Thuirt e gu robh e air crìoch a chur air. He said that he had finished it.

Past perfect thuirt + subject + gu robh + subject + air + verbal noun "Bha mi air falbh." Thuirt e gu robh e air falbh. He said that he had left.

Future thuirt + subject + gun + conditional form "Thig mi." Thuirt e gun tigeadh e. He said that he would come.

Future continuous thuirt + subject + gum biodh + subject + verbal noun "Bidh mi ag obair." Thuirt e gum biodh e ag obair. He said that he would be working.

Conditional / would thuirt + subject + gum biodh + adjective/noun "Bhithinn toilichte." Thuirt e gum biodh e toilichte. He said that he would be happy.

Negative present thuirt + subject + nach robh + subject + adjective/noun "Chan eil mi sgìth." Thuirt e nach robh e sgìth. He said that he was not tired.

Negative past thuirt + subject + nach robh + subject "Cha robh mi ann." Thuirt e nach robh e ann. He said that he was not there.

Negative future thuirt + subject + nach + conditional verb "Cha tig mi." Thuirt e nach tigeadh e. He said that he would not come.

Negative conditional thuirt + subject + nach biodh + subject "Cha bhithinn toilichte." Thuirt e nach biodh e toilichte. He said that he would not be happy.

Negative perfect thuirt + subject + nach robh + subject + air + verbal noun "Chan eil mi air a dhèanamh." Thuirt e nach robh e air a dhèanamh. He said that he had not done it.

Yes/No question dh'fhaighnich + subject + an + past/conditional form "A bheil thu sgìth?" Dh'fhaighnich e an robh mi sgìth. He asked if I was tired.

Future yes/no dh'fhaighnich + subject + am biodh + subject "Am bi thu ann?" Dh'fhaighnich e am biodh mi ann. He asked if I would be there.

Past yes/no dh'fhaighnich + subject + an robh + subject "An robh thu ann?" Dh'fhaighnich e an robh mi ann. He asked if I was there.

Question word dh'fhaighnich + question word + clause "Càit a bheil thu?" Dh'fhaighnich e càit an robh mi. He asked where I was.

Future question word question word + conditional verb "Cuin a thig thu?" Dh'fhaighnich e cuin a thigeadh mi. He asked when I would come.

Positive command thuirt + subject + ri + person + verbal noun "Falbh!" Thuirt e rium falbh. He told me to leave.

Command with object ri + person + object + a + verbal noun "Dùin an doras!" Thuirt e rium an doras a dhùnadh. He told me to close the door.

Negative command ri + person + gun + a + verbal noun "Na falbh!" Thuirt e rium gun a dhol. He told me not to go.

Request dh'iarr + air/orm + verbal noun "Cuidich mi." Dh'iarr e orm mo chuideachadh. He asked me to help.

17- INFINITIVES AND VERBAL NOUNS

to eat verbal noun ithe

eating tha + a' + verbal noun ag ithe

I want to eat airson + verbal noun airson ithe

I like eating is toil le + person + verbal noun is toil leam ithe

I am happy seeing adjective + possessive verbal noun toilichte gad fhaicinn

I plan to eat an dùil + verbal noun an dùil ithe

after eating às dèidh + verbal noun às dèidh ithe

without eating gun + verbal noun gun ithe

in order to eat gus + verbal noun gus ithe

to be eaten a bhith air + verbal noun a bhith air ithe

I am happy seeing you Tha mi toilichte gad fhaicinn adjective + possessive verbal noun

FORMATION:

Tha mi I am

toilichte happy

gad your/you (object marker)

fhaicinn seeing

I am happy to see you Tha mi toilichte gad fhaicinn adjective + possessive verbal noun

FORMATION:

Tha mi I am

toilichte happy

gad your/you (object marker)

fhaicinn to see

I plan to eat Tha mi an dùil ithe an dùil + verbal noun

FORMATION:

Tha mi I am

an dùil intending/planning

ithe to eat

I plan eating Tha mi an dùil ithe an dùil + verbal noun

FORMATION:

Tha mi I am

an dùil intending/planning

ithe eating

I see him run Chì mi e a' ruith perception verb + object + verbal noun

FORMATION:

Chì mi I see

e him

a' ruith running

I see him running Chì mi e a' ruith perception verb + object + verbal noun

FORMATION:

Chì mi I see

e him

a' ruith running

I eat to play Bidh mi ag ithe gus cluich action + gus + verbal noun

FORMATION:

Bidh mi ag ithe I eat / I will be eating

gus in order to

cluich play

I eat in order to play Bidh mi ag ithe gus cluich purpose + gus + verbal noun

Bidh mi ag ithe I eat / I will be eating

gus in order to

cluich play

Wish Gun + subjunctive Gun tig e. May he come.

Blessing Gun + subjunctive Gun robh beannachd ort. May blessings be upon you.

Prayer Gun + subjunctive Gun gleidh Dia thu. May God protect you.

Hope an dòchas gun + clause Tha mi an dòchas gun tig e. I hope that he comes.

Desire airson gun + clause Tha mi airson gun tig thu. I want you to come.

Necessity tha e cudromach/riatanach gun + clause Tha e cudromach gun tuig thu. It is important that you understand.

Unreal condition Nam biodh + clause Nam biodh e an seo... If he were here...

18- SUBJUNCTIVE

Wish Gun + subjunctive Gun tig e. May he come.

Blessing Gun + subjunctive Gun robh beannachd ort. May blessings be upon you.

Prayer Gun + subjunctive Gun gleidh Dia thu. May God protect you.

Hope an dòchas gun + clause Tha mi an dòchas gun tig e. I hope that he comes.

Desire airson gun + clause Tha mi airson gun tig thu. I want you to come.

Necessity tha e cudromach/riatanach gun + clause Tha e cudromach gun tuig thu. It is important that you understand.

Unreal condition Nam biodh + clause Nam biodh e an seo... If he were here...

19- TAG QUESTIONS

Positive present Statement + nach eil? Tha e sgìth, nach eil?

Negative present Statement + a bheil? Chan eil e sgìth, a bheil?

Positive past Statement + nach robh? Bha e ann, nach robh?

Negative past Statement + an robh? Cha robh e ann, an robh?

Positive future Statement + nach bi? Bidh iad ann, nach bi?

Negative future Statement + am bi? Cha bhi iad ann, am bi?

Positive completed action Statement + nach do + verb? Rinn thu e, nach do rinn?

Negative completed action Statement + an do + verb? Cha do rinn thu e, an do rinn?

Present Nach eil + subject...? Nach eil thu sgìth? Aren't you tired?

Past Nach robh + subject...? Nach robh e ann? Wasn't he there?

Future Nach bi + subject...? Nach bi iad deiseil? Won't they be ready?

Past action Nach do + verb + subject...? Nach do rinn thu e? Didn't you do it?

Future action Nach + future verb + subject...? Nach tig thu? Won't you come?

Present continuous Nach eil + subject + ag/a' + verbal noun? Nach eil e ag obair? Isn't he working?

Perfect Nach eil + subject + air + verbal noun? Nach eil thu air ithe? Haven't you eaten?

Past perfect Nach robh + subject + air + verbal noun? Nach robh iad air falbh? Hadn't they left?

Ability Nach urrainn + subject + verbal noun? Nach urrainn dhut snàmh? Can't you swim?

Obligation Nach fheum + subject + verbal noun? Nach fheum thu falbh? Don't you have to leave?

Recommendation Nach bu chòir + subject + verbal noun? Nach bu chòir dhut ionnsachadh? Shouldn't you study?

20- MODAL WORDS

# Gaelic Transliteration Meaning Example English

1 feumaidh fem-ee must, have to Feumaidh mi falbh. I must leave.

2 feum fem need, necessity Tha feum agam air cuideachadh. I need help.

3 faodaidh fee-itch can, may, be allowed to Faodaidh tu falbh. You can/may leave.

4 faod fee-itch may, can Faod mi tighinn? May I come?

5 dh’fhaodadh yoot-uh might, could Dh’fhaodadh e tighinn. He might come.

6 is urrainn iss oor-in can, be able to Is urrainn dhomh snàmh. I can swim.

7 chan urrainn khan oor-in cannot, be unable to Chan urrainn dhomh tighinn. I cannot come.

8 bu chòir boo khor should, ought to Bu chòir dhut falbh. You should leave.

9 ’s fheudar ss yeh-dur must, have to ’S fheudar dhomh falbh. I have to leave.

10 feumar fem-ur one must, it is necessary Feumar a dhèanamh. It must be done.

11 faodar fee-uh-dur it is permitted / one may Faodar a dhèanamh. It may/can be done.

12 chan fhaodar khan ee-uh-dur it is not permitted Chan fhaodar smocadh. Smoking is not allowed.

Important distinction

feumaidh and ’s fheudar both express strong necessity:

Feumaidh mi falbh. — I must leave / I have to leave.

’S fheudar dhomh falbh. — I have to leave / I am obliged to leave.

2. Ability — “can / be able to”

Gaelic Transliteration Meaning Example English

is urrainn iss oor-in can / be able to Is urrainn dhomh leughadh. I can read.

chan urrainn khan oor-in cannot Chan urrainn dhomh leughadh. I cannot read.

urrainn oor-in ability / able Tha mi comasach air seo a dhèanamh. I am able to do this.

comasach kom-uh-sach capable / able Tha i comasach air snàmh. She can swim.

comasach air kom-uh-sach er capable of Tha e comasach air obair. He is capable of working.

Main pattern

Is urrainn + pronoun + verbal noun

Is urrainn dhomh bruidhinn.

Is oor-in yov broo-in.

I can speak.

3. Possibility — “may / might / could”

Gaelic Transliteration Meaning

faodaidh fee-itch may / can

dh’fhaodadh yoot-uh might / could

’s dòcha ss daw-kha maybe / perhaps

is dòcha iss daw-kha maybe / perhaps

is dòcha gum... iss daw-kha gum perhaps...

is dòcha nach... iss daw-kha nakh perhaps not...

is coltach iss kol-uch it is likely / apparently

is coltaiche iss kol-tee-chuh it is more likely

’s dòcha gun... ss daw-kha gun maybe...

dh’fhaodadh gun... yoot-uh gun it could be that...

Examples

Dh’fhaodadh e tighinn.

He might come.

’S dòcha gum bi i ann.

Maybe she will be there.

Is coltach gum bi e fadalach.

It is likely that he will be late.

4. Permission — “may / be allowed to”

Gaelic Transliteration Meaning

faodaidh fee-itch may / can

faodar fee-uh-dur one may / it is allowed

ceadaichte kyay-itch-uh permitted / allowed

tha cead aig... ha kyat ek ...has permission

chan fhaod khan ee-itch may not / must not

chan fhaodar khan ee-uh-dur it is not permitted

Examples

Faodaidh tu falbh.

You may leave.

Tha cead agam falbh.

I have permission to leave.

Chan fhaod thu sin a dhèanamh.

You must not / may not do that.

Chan fhaodar pàirceadh an seo.

Parking is not allowed here.

5. Obligation — “must / have to”

Gaelic Transliteration Meaning

feumaidh fem-ee must / have to

feumar fem-ur must be / one must

’s fheudar ss yeh-dur must / have to

tha feum air ha fem er there is a need for

tha feum agam air ha fem ak-um er I need

tha còir aig... ha kor ek ...is supposed/expected to

bu chòir boo khor should / ought to

Examples

Feumaidh mi obair.

I must work.

Feumar seo a dhèanamh.

This must be done.

’S fheudar dhomh falbh.

I have to leave.

Tha feum air barrachd ùine.

More time is needed.

6. Necessity

Gaelic Transliteration Meaning

feum fem need

feumaidh fem-ee must / need to

feumar fem-ur it is necessary / one must

’s fheudar ss yeh-dur it is necessary / must

riatanach ree-uh-tuh-nach necessary

tha feum air ha fem er there is a need for

tha feum air... ha fem er ...is needed

chan eil feum air khan yel fem er there is no need for

Example:

Tha e riatanach a dhèanamh.

It is necessary to do it.

7. Advice — “should / ought to”

The principal expression is:

bu chòir

Gaelic Transliteration Meaning

bu chòir boo khor should / ought to

bu chòir dhomh boo khor yov I should

bu chòir dhut boo khor doot you should

bu chòir dha boo khor uh he should

bu chòir dhi boo khor yee she should

bu chòir dhuinn boo khor doo-in we should

bu chòir dhuibh boo khor doo-iv you should

bu chòir dhaibh boo khor yeev they should

Example:

Bu chòir dhut barrachd ionnsachadh.

You should study more.

8. Prohibition — “must not / may not”

Gaelic Transliteration Meaning

chan fhaod khan ee-itch must not / may not

chan fhaod thu khan ee-itch hoo you must not

chan fhaodar khan ee-uh-dur it is not allowed

toirmisgte tor-mishk-tuh forbidden

tha e toirmisgte ha eh tor-mishk-tuh it is forbidden

chan eil cead khan yel kyat there is no permission

Example:

Chan fhaod thu smocadh.

You must not smoke.

9. Desire / willingness

Gaelic Transliteration Meaning

deònach dyaw-nach willing

bu mhath leam boo wah lyam I would like

bu mhath leat boo wah lyat you would like

bu mhath leis boo wah lesh he would like

bu mhath leatha boo wah lyah she would like

tha mi airson ha mee air-shun I want to

tha mi ag iarraidh ha mee uh yee-ree I want / am wanting

tha mi an dùil ha mee un dool I intend / expect

tha dùil agam ha dool ak-um I expect / intend

Examples:

Bu mhath leam cupa tì.

I would like a cup of tea.

Tha mi airson falbh.

I want to leave.

Tha mi an dùil falbh.

I intend to leave.

Tha i deònach cuideachadh.

She is willing to help.

10. Intention / future-like modality

Gaelic Transliteration Meaning

tha mi airson... ha mee air-shun I want/intend to...

tha mi an dùil... ha mee un dool I intend/expect to...

tha dùil agam... ha dool ak-um I expect/intend...

a’ dol a... uh dol uh going to...

bidh ... a’ dol a... bee ... uh dol uh will be going to...

an dùil un dool intention / expectation

dùil dool expectation / hope

Example:

Tha mi a’ dol a sgrìobhadh.

I am going to write.

11. Certainty

Gaelic Transliteration Meaning

cinnteach keen-chach certain / sure

gu cinnteach goo keen-chach certainly / definitely

gun teagamh gun chuh-um without doubt

gu dearbh goo djar-uv indeed / certainly

dearbh djar-uv certain / sure

tha mi cinnteach ha mee keen-chach I am sure

chan eil teagamh khan yel chuh-um there is no doubt

Examples:

Tha mi cinnteach.

I am sure.

Gu cinnteach bidh e ann.

He will certainly be there.

Gun teagamh.

Without doubt.

12. Doubt / uncertainty

Gaelic Transliteration Meaning

’s dòcha ss daw-kha maybe / perhaps

is dòcha iss daw-kha maybe

teagmhach chuh-um-ach doubtful

chan eil mi cinnteach khan yel mee keen-chach I am not sure

chan eil cinnt khan yel kyint there is no certainty

is dòcha nach... iss daw-kha nakh perhaps not...

Example:

Chan eil mi cinnteach.

I am not sure.

13. Probability / likelihood

Gaelic Transliteration Meaning

coltach kol-uch likely / seeming

is coltach iss kol-uch it is likely / apparently

is coltaiche iss kol-tee-chuh it is more likely

buailteach boo-uhl-tuch prone / inclined / tending

a rèir coltais uh rayr kol-tish apparently / seemingly

tha e coltach ha eh kol-uch it seems / it is likely

is dòcha iss daw-kha perhaps

Example:

Tha e coltach gum bi i an seo.

It seems likely that she will be here.

14. Tendency / habit

Gaelic Transliteration Meaning

buailteach boo-uhl-tuch inclined / prone / tending

cleachdte ri klyakh-chuh ree accustomed to

àbhaisteach aa-vish-chuch usual / customary

mar as àbhaist mar us aa-vishch as usual

Example:

Tha e buailteach a bhith fadalach.

He tends to be late.

15. Capability / impossibility

Gaelic Transliteration Meaning

comasach kom-uh-sach capable / possible

comasach air kom-uh-sach er capable of

do-dhèanta do yain-tuh impossible

do-dhèanta a dhèanamh do yain-tuh uh yeh-rum impossible to do

chan urrainn khan oor-in cannot

chan eil e comasach khan yel eh kom-uh-sach it is not possible

Example:

Chan eil e comasach.

It is not possible.

Tha e comasach seo a dhèanamh.

It is possible to do this.

16. Worth / advisability

Gaelic Transliteration Meaning

’s fhiach ss ee-ach it is worth

is fhiach iss ee-ach it is worth

chan fhiach khan ee-ach it is not worth

fhiach ee-ach worthwhile / worth

Example:

’S fhiach feuchainn.

It is worth trying.

Chan fhiach e.

It is not worth it.

17. Readiness

Gaelic Transliteration Meaning

deiseil dyash-al ready

deiseil airson dyash-al air-shun ready for

deònach dyaw-nach willing

ullamh oo-lav ready / prepared

Example:

Tha mi deiseil airson falbh.

I am ready to leave.

18. Permission and legal/official modality

Gaelic Transliteration Meaning

ceadaichte kyay-itch-uh permitted

cead kyat permission

tha cead aig ha kyat ek has permission

faodar fee-uh-dur may / is allowed

chan fhaodar khan ee-uh-dur is not allowed

toirmisgte tor-mishk-tuh prohibited

toirmeasg tor-maysk prohibition

19. Necessity vs possibility vs advice

This is the most important practical group:

English modal meaning Scottish Gaelic Example

can is urrainn Is urrainn dhomh falbh.

cannot chan urrainn Chan urrainn dhomh falbh.

may / can faodaidh Faodaidh tu falbh.

may not / must not chan fhaod Chan fhaod thu falbh.

might / could dh’fhaodadh Dh’fhaodadh e falbh.

must / have to feumaidh Feumaidh mi falbh.

must / have to ’s fheudar ’S fheudar dhomh falbh.

must be done feumar Feumar a dhèanamh.

should / ought to bu chòir Bu chòir dhut falbh.

maybe ’s dòcha ’S dòcha gum falbh e.

certainly gu cinnteach Gu cinnteach falbhaidh e.

probably / likely is coltach Is coltach gum falbh e.

want to tha ... airson Tha mi airson falbh.

intend to tha ... an dùil Tha mi an dùil falbh.

would like bu mhath le... Bu mhath leam falbh.

be willing to deònach Tha mi deònach falbh.

be able to comasach air Tha mi comasach air falbh.

be possible comasach Tha e comasach.

be impossible do-dhèanta Tha e do-dhèanta.

be worth ’s fhiach ’S fhiach feuchainn.

20. Modal adjectives and related words

These aren't all “modal verbs,” but they are important modal expressions in Gaelic.

Gaelic Transliteration English

comasach kom-uh-sach able, capable, possible

do-dhèanta do yain-tuh impossible

riatanach ree-uh-tuh-nach necessary

ceadaichte kyay-itch-uh permitted

toirmisgte tor-mishk-tuh forbidden

cinnteach keen-chach certain

teagmhach chuh-um-ach doubtful

coltach kol-uch likely, seeming

buailteach boo-uhl-tuch inclined, prone

deònach dyaw-nach willing

deiseil dyash-al ready

àbhaisteach aa-vish-chuch usual

fhiach ee-ach worthwhile

riatanach ree-uh-tuh-nach essential/necessary

èiginneach ay-kin-yach urgent / necessary

riatanail ree-uh-tuh-nil necessary/required

21. Modal adverbs and phrases

Gaelic Transliteration English

’s dòcha ss daw-kha maybe

is dòcha iss daw-kha perhaps

gu cinnteach goo keen-chach certainly

gun teagamh gun chuh-um undoubtedly

gu dearbh goo djar-uv indeed / certainly

a rèir coltais uh rayr kol-tish apparently

is coltach iss kol-uch probably / apparently

is dòcha nach iss daw-kha nakh perhaps not

gu h-àraidh goo haa-ree especially

mar as àbhaist mar us aa-vishch as usual

co-dhiù ko yee-oo anyway / at any rate

gu fortanach goo for-tuh-nach fortunately

gu mì-fhortanach goo mee-or-tuh-nach unfortunately

22. The most important modal formations

Ability

Is urrainn + dative pronoun + verbal noun

Is urrainn dhomh sgrìobhadh.

I can write.

Negative ability

Chan urrainn + dative pronoun + verbal noun

Chan urrainn dhomh sgrìobhadh.

I cannot write.

Permission

Faodaidh + subject + verbal noun

Faodaidh tu falbh.

You may leave.

Prohibition

Chan fhaod + subject + verbal noun

Chan fhaod thu falbh.

You must not leave.

Possibility

Dh’fhaodadh + subject + dependent form

Dh’fhaodadh e tighinn.

He might come.

Obligation

Feumaidh + subject + verb

Feumaidh mi falbh.

I must leave.

Necessity

’S fheudar + dative pronoun + verbal noun

’S fheudar dhomh falbh.

I have to leave.

Advice

Bu chòir + dative pronoun + verbal noun

Bu chòir dhut falbh.

You should leave.

Possibility / uncertainty

’S dòcha gum + verb

’S dòcha gum bi e ann.

Maybe he will be there.

Intention

Tha + subject + an dùil + verbal noun

Tha mi an dùil falbh.

I intend to leave.

“Going to”

Tha + subject + a’ dol a + verbal noun

Tha mi a’ dol a sgrìobhadh.

I am going to write.

21- THERE IS / HAVE / BE

There is Tha + singular noun + ann Tha cat ann.

There are Tha + plural noun + ann Tha cait ann.

There isn't Chan eil + noun + ann Chan eil cat ann.

There aren't Chan eil + plural noun + ann Chan eil cait ann.

Is there...? A bheil + noun + ann? A bheil cat ann?

Are there...? A bheil + plural noun + ann? A bheil cait ann?

There was Bha + noun + ann Bha cat ann.

There were Bha + plural noun + ann Bha cait ann.

There wasn't Cha robh + noun + ann Cha robh cat ann.

There weren't Cha robh + plural noun + ann Cha robh cait ann.

There will be Bidh + noun + ann Bidh cat ann.

Will there be...? Am bi + noun + ann? Am bi cat ann?

There would be Bhiodh + noun + ann Bhiodh cat ann.

There has/have been Tha + noun + air a bhith ann Tha coinneamh air a bhith ann.

I have Tha + noun + agam Tha leabhar agam.

You have Tha + noun + agad Tha leabhar agad.

He has Tha + noun + aige Tha leabhar aige.

She has Tha + noun + aice Tha leabhar aice.

We have Tha + noun + againn Tha leabhar againn.

They have Tha + noun + aca Tha leabhar aca.

Don't have Chan eil + noun + aig + person Chan eil leabhar agam.

Do you have...? A bheil + noun + aig + person? A bheil leabhar agad?

Had Bha + noun + aig + person Bha leabhar agam.

Didn't have Cha robh + noun + aig + person Cha robh leabhar agam.

Will have Bidh + noun + aig + person Bidh leabhar agam.

Won't have Cha bhi + noun + aig + person Cha bhi leabhar agam.

Would have Bhiodh + noun + aig + person Bhiodh leabhar agam.

Wouldn't have Cha bhiodh + noun + aig + person Cha bhiodh leabhar agam.

Positive singular Imperative form Falbh! Go!

Positive plural/formal Imperative + -ibh (many verbs) Falbhaibh! Go! (plural)

Negative singular Na + imperative Na falbh! Don't go!

Negative plural Na + plural imperative Na falbhaibh! Don't go! (plural)

Let's... 1st person plural future Falbhamaid! Let's go!

Let him/her/them... Gun + clause Gun tig e. Let him come.

Polite request Feuch an + clause Feuch an tig thu. Please come.

Be Bi / Bithibh Bi faiceallach! Be careful!

Be ready! Bi + adjective Bi deiseil!

Be careful! Bi + adjective Bi faiceallach!

Let it be done. Biodh + noun + air a + verbal noun Biodh e air a dhèanamh.

Let the work be finished. Biodh + noun + air a + verbal noun Biodh an obair air a crìochnachadh.

This must be done. Feumar + verbal noun Feumar seo a dhèanamh.

Let this be done. Gun tèid + noun + verbal noun Gun tèid seo a dhèanamh.

Don't let it be done. Na biodh + noun + air a + verbal noun Na biodh seo air a dhèanamh.

A helmet must be worn. Feumar + object + verbal noun Feumar clogaid a chaitheamh.

Smoking is not permitted. Chan fhaodar + verbal noun Chan fhaodar smocadh.