Basic Verbs

18 phrases · Scottish Gaelic with romanization, English and audio

  1. Rach

    To go

    Usage

    The imperative "go!", used as the base form of the verb

    Grammar Note

    Imperative form. The verbal noun is "dol"

  2. Thig

    To come

    Usage

    The imperative "come!", also used for arrivals

    Grammar Note

    Imperative form. The verbal noun is "tighinn"

  3. Ith

    To eat

    Usage

    The basic verb for anything about meals

    Grammar Note

    Imperative form. The past is "dh'ith", as in "Dh'ith mi" (I ate)

  4. Òl

    To drink

    Usage

    The basic verb for anything about drinks

    Grammar Note

    Imperative form. The verbal noun has the same form, "òl"

  5. Ceannaich

    To buy

    Usage

    The basic verb for shopping

    Grammar Note

    Imperative form. The verbal noun is "ceannach"

  6. Faic

    To see

    Usage

    The imperative "see!", the basic verb for seeing

    Grammar Note

    Imperative form. The verbal noun is "faicinn"; "coimhead" means "look, watch"

  7. Fuirich

    To wait

    Usage

    The imperative "wait!"; it also means "stay"

    Grammar Note

    Imperative form. The verbal noun is "fuireach"; the plural/polite imperative is "fuirichibh"

  8. Tha mi ag iarraidh a dhol ann

    I want to go (there)

    Usage

    When you want to go somewhere

    Grammar Note

    "iarraidh" is the verbal noun meaning "wanting"; "a dhol" is the lenited "dol" (going)

  9. Bu mhath leam rudeigin ithe

    I'd like to eat something

    Usage

    To say you would like to eat

    Grammar Note

    "Bu mhath leam …" is a polite way to say "I'd like …"; "mhath" is the lenited "math"

  10. Bu mhath leam seo

    I'd like this

    Usage

    To say what you want while pointing at it

    Grammar Note

    "I want" is expressed with "Bu mhath leam …" or "Tha mi ag iarraidh …"

  11. Chan eil feum agam air

    I don't need it

    Usage

    For politely turning down something offered

    Grammar Note

    Literally "there is no need at me for it"; "feum" means "need"

  12. Tha mi ga shireadh

    I'm looking for it

    Usage

    To say you are searching for something

    Grammar Note

    "ga" is "ag + a" (it) and lenites the next word (sireadh becomes shireadh)

  13. Tha e agam

    I have it

    Usage

    To answer that you have what was asked for

    Grammar Note

    "Have" is expressed with "aig" (at), and "agam" means "at me"

  14. Chan eil e agam

    I don't have it

    Usage

    To answer that you do not have what was asked for

    Grammar Note

    "Chan eil" is the negative; "have" is expressed with "aig"

  15. Bu mhath leam airgead a thoirt a-mach

    I'd like to withdraw money

    Usage

    For withdrawing cash at a bank or cash machine

    Grammar Note

    "thoirt" is the lenited "toirt" (giving); "a thoirt a-mach" means "to take out"

  16. Bu mhath leam seòmar a ghlèidheadh

    I'd like to reserve a room

    Usage

    For booking a room at an inn or hotel

    Grammar Note

    "ghlèidheadh" is the lenited "glèidheadh" (keeping, reserving)

  17. Cuidichibh mi leis, mas e ur toil e

    Please help me with it

    Usage

    For asking for help with a specific task such as luggage or a form

    Grammar Note

    "leis" is "le + e" (with it); "cuidichibh" is the plural/polite imperative

  18. Innsibh dhomh, mas e ur toil e

    Please tell me

    Usage

    For asking someone to tell you directions or information

    Grammar Note

    "innsibh" is the plural/polite imperative of "innis" (tell); "dhomh" means "to me" (do + mi)

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