Learn the Verb "To Be" in Scots Gaelic: Beginner Lesson
Tha e Furasda! It’s Easy!
Some aspects of Gaelic grammar are incredibly easy – so let’s start with one.First of all, there’s no verb conjugation: the verb form stays the same no matter who’s doing the action.For example, the following list shows the verb “tha” [ha]= to be(positive) used with the personal pronouns.
Tha [ha] = To Be (Positive Meaning)
tha [ha]= to be(positive)
I am= tha mi[ha mee]
you are (singular)= tha thu[ha oo]
he/it is= the e[ha e]
she/it is= tha i[ha ee]
we are = tha sinn[ha shin]
you are(plural or polite)= tha sibh[ha shiv]
they are= tha iad[ha iyat]
Other Forms of the Verb
There are separate forms for the negative meaning ("… is not") and for asking questions, as shown below. Note that the character X has been used to transliterate the sound of “ch” in the Scottish “loch” or German “ach”.
Chan Eil
chan eil [Xan yil] = to be (negative)
I’m not = chan eil mi
you’re not = chan eil thu
he isn’t = chan eil e
she isn’t = chan eil i
we aren’t = chan eil sinn
you aren’t (pl or polite)= chan eil sibh
they aren’t = chan eil iad
Question Forms
A’ bheil [a vil] (+ pronoun) = Am I…? Are you…? etc.
Nach eil [naX il] (+ pronoun) = Am I not…? Aren’t you…? etc.
Example:
Are you tired? = A’ bheil thu sgìth? (See below for adjectives.)
Aren’t you busy? = Nach eil thu trang?
Adjectives
The easiest way to complete these sentences is with an adjective, so here are a few to choose from:
beag [bek] = small
mòr [as English “more”] = big
blàth [bla:] = warm, hot
fuar [foo ar] = cold
sgìth [skee] = tired
leisg [layshk] = lazy
trang [trang] = busy
We can also add glè [glay] (meaning “very”) before the adjective.
First Sentences
I’m tired. = Tha mi sgìth.
I’m very tired. = Tha mi glè sgìth.
Are you cold? = A’ bheil thu fuar?
She isn’t very busy. = Chan eil i glè trang.
Aren’t they small? = Nach eil iad beag?
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