Question Words

1. Dè?

   What?

   Usage

   The basic question word for asking about things

   Grammar Note

   "Dè" is often followed by the relative form of "bi", as in "Dè a tha …?"

2. Càit?

   Where?

   Usage

   Asks about a place; also written "Càite"

   Grammar Note

   "Càit a bheil …?" means "Where is …?"

3. Cuin?

   When?

   Usage

   Asks about time

   Grammar Note

   "Cuin a bhios …?" asks about the future and "Cuin a bha …?" about the past

4. Cò?

   Who?

   Usage

   Asks about a person

   Grammar Note

   A verb follows it, as in "Cò tha …?"

5. Carson?

   Why?

   Usage

   Asks for a reason

   Grammar Note

   Used as "Carson a tha …?" to ask for a reason

6. Ciamar?

   How?

   Usage

   Asks about a way or a manner

   Grammar Note

   Also used in greetings such as "Ciamar a tha thu?"

7. Cia mheud?

   How many?

   Usage

   Asks about a number or amount

   Grammar Note

   "mheud" is the lenited form of "meud"; the counted noun stays singular, as in "Cia mheud cupan?"

8. Dè na tha e?

   How much is it?

   Usage

   Asks the price in a shop

   Grammar Note

   Literally "what amount is it?"; a common way to ask a price

9. Cò dhiubh?

   Which one?

   Usage

   Used when choosing among several things

   Grammar Note

   "dhiubh" is a prepositional pronoun meaning "of them" (de + iad)

10. Dè th' ann an seo?

    What is this?

    Usage

    Asks what an unfamiliar food or object is

    Grammar Note

    "th' ann" is the contracted "tha ann", the form of "bi" used to say what something is

11. Càit a bheil an taigh-beag?

    Where is the toilet?

    Usage

    Asks where the toilet is in a station or shop

    Grammar Note

    "taigh-beag" literally means "small house"; "an" is the masculine definite article

12. Dè an uair a tha e?

    What time is it?

    Usage

    Asks the time

    Grammar Note

    "uair" is a feminine noun meaning "hour, time"

13. A bheil e agaibh?

    Do you have it?

    Usage

    Asks in a shop whether they have something

    Grammar Note

    Literally "is it at you?"; to a friend use "agad" instead of "agaibh"

14. An urrainn dhuibh sin a dhèanamh?

    Can you do it?

    Usage

    Asks whether someone is able to do something

    Grammar Note

    "An urrainn dhut …?" asks "can you …?"; answer "'S urrainn" (I can) or "Chan urrainn" (I can't)

15. A bheil cosgais ann?

    Is there a charge?

    Usage

    Asks whether an entry or service costs money

    Grammar Note

    "ann" means "in it, existing"; "cosgais" means "cost"

16. A bheil e an-asgaidh?

    Is it free?

    Usage

    Asks whether something is free of charge

    Grammar Note

    "an-asgaidh" is an adverb meaning "free of charge"

17. A bheil seo ceart gu leòr?

    Is this OK?

    Usage

    Checks that what you did or chose is acceptable

    Grammar Note

    "ceart gu leòr" means "all right, acceptable"

18. Nach eil seo ceadaichte?

    Is it not allowed?

    Usage

    Checks whether something is forbidden

    Grammar Note

    "Nach eil …" is the negative question form; "ceadaichte" means "permitted"

19. A bheil sibh ceart gu leòr?

    Are you OK?

    Usage

    Asks a person who seems unwell or upset

    Grammar Note

    To a friend, replace "sibh" with "thu"

20. Dha-rìribh?

    Really?

    Usage

    A reaction to surprising news

    Grammar Note

    "dha-rìribh" is an adverb meaning "seriously, truly"

21. A bheil sibh cinnteach?

    Are you sure?

    Usage

    Checks directions, prices, or other information you were given

    Grammar Note

    To a friend, replace "sibh" with "thu"

22. Cò às a tha sibh?

    Where are you from?

    Usage

    Asks a new acquaintance where they come from

    Grammar Note

    Answer with "à" (from), as in "Tha mi à Alba" (I am from Scotland)

23. Dè an t-ainm a th' oirbh?

    What's your name?

    Usage

    Asks a new acquaintance their name

    Grammar Note

    Literally "what name is on you?"; to a friend use "ort" instead of "oirbh"

24. Dè an aois a tha sibh?

    How old are you?

    Usage

    Asks someone's age; it can be rude to adults, so use it with care

    Grammar Note

    "aois" is a feminine noun meaning "age"; to a friend replace "sibh" with "thu"

25. An urrainn dhuinn dealbh a thogail còmhla?

    Can we take a photo together?

    Usage

    For taking a photo with a local person or a friend

    Grammar Note

    "dealbh a thogail" means "to take a photo"; "thogail" is the lenited verbal noun of "tog"

26. A bheil Gàidhlig agad?

    Do you speak Gaelic?

    Usage

    Asks whether someone speaks Gaelic. Politely use "agaibh" instead of "agad"

    Grammar Note

    "Have" is expressed with "aig" (at). Answer with the verb: "Tha" (it is so) or "Chan eil" (it is not)

27. Ciamar a tha sibh?

    How are you?

    Usage

    For strangers, elders, and groups. Informal: "Ciamar a tha thu?"

    Grammar Note

    A typical reply is "Tha gu math, tapadh leibh" (Fine, thank you)

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