An diofar eadar na mùthaidhean a rinneadh air "Expressions of Time"
(16 mùthaidhean eadar-mheadhanach le 2 chleachdaiche eile nach eil 16 'gan sealltainn) | |||
Loidhne 6: | Loidhne 6: | ||
{| style="width: 70%;" border="0" align="center" | {| style="width: 70%;" border="0" align="center" | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | <span style="color: #008000;">a-bhòn-uiridh</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">an-uiridh</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">am bliadhna</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">an ath bhliadhna</span>|| — || — | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">a-bhòn-uiridh</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">an-uiridh</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">am bliadhna</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">an ath-bhliadhna</span><sup>1</sup>|| — || — |
|- | |- | ||
| the year before last || last year || this year || next year|| — || — | | the year before last || last year || this year || next year|| — || — | ||
Loidhne 14: | Loidhne 14: | ||
| the day before yesterday || yesterday || today || tomorrow || the day after tomorrow||three days from now | | the day before yesterday || yesterday || today || tomorrow || the day after tomorrow||three days from now | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">a-bhòn-raoir</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">an-raoir</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">a-nochd</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">an ath-oidhche</span>|| — || — |
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | | the night before last || last night || tonight || tomorrow night || — || — |
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
+ | <sup>1</sup>Note that in terms of pronunciation, this is treated as a close compound i.e. it is reduced to /ə'NafləN/ by native speakers and almost never */ə'Na vliəNə/ | ||
This does not mean that you cannot say <year after next> in Gaelic, it just means that there is no single, easy word for it. Instead you have to employ periphrastic expressions. | This does not mean that you cannot say <year after next> in Gaelic, it just means that there is no single, easy word for it. Instead you have to employ periphrastic expressions. | ||
Loidhne 42: | Loidhne 43: | ||
{| style="width: 50%;" border="0" align="center" | {| style="width: 50%;" border="0" align="center" | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | <span style="color: #008000;">DiLuain</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">DiMàirt</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">DiCiadain</span> || <span style="color: #008000;"> | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">DiLuain</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">DiMàirt</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">DiCiadain</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">DiarDaoin</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">DihAoine</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">DiSathairne</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">DiDòmhnaich</span> |
|- | |- | ||
| Monday || Tuesday || Wednesday || Thursday || Friday || Saturday || Sunday | | Monday || Tuesday || Wednesday || Thursday || Friday || Saturday || Sunday | ||
Loidhne 54: | Loidhne 55: | ||
{| style="width: 95%;" border="0" align="center" | {| style="width: 95%;" border="0" align="center" | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | <span style="color: #008000;">madainn Luain</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">madainn Mhàrt</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">madainn Chiadain</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">madainn | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">madainn Luain</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">madainn Mhàrt</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">madainn Chiadain</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">madainn arDaoin</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">madainn hAoine</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">madainn Sathairne</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">madainnn Dòmhnaich</span> |
|- | |- | ||
| Monday morning || Tuesday morning || Wednesday morning || Thursday morning || Friday morning || Saturday morning || Sunday morning | | Monday morning || Tuesday morning || Wednesday morning || Thursday morning || Friday morning || Saturday morning || Sunday morning | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | <span style="color: #008000;">feasgar Luain</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">feasgar Màrt</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">feasgar Ciadain</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">feasgar | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">feasgar Luain</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">feasgar Màrt</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">feasgar Ciadain</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">feasgar arDaoin</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">feasgar hAoine</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">feasgar Sathairne</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">feasgar Dòmhnaich</span> |
|- | |- | ||
− | | Monday afternoon || Tuesday afternoon || Wednesday afternoon || | + | | Monday afternoon || Tuesday afternoon || Wednesday afternoon || Thursday afternoon || Friday afternoon || Saturday afternoon || Sunday afternoon |
|- | |- | ||
− | | <span style="color: #008000;">oidhche Luain</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">oidhche Mhàrt</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">oidhche Chiadain</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">oidhche | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">oidhche Luain</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">oidhche Mhàrt</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">oidhche Chiadain</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">oidhche arDaoin</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">oidhche hAoine</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">oidhche Shathairne</span>|| <span style="color: #008000;">oidhche Dhòmhnaich</span> |
|- | |- | ||
| Monday night || Tuesday night || Wednesday night || Thursday night || Friday night || Saturday night || Sunday night | | Monday night || Tuesday night || Wednesday night || Thursday night || Friday night || Saturday night || Sunday night | ||
Loidhne 68: | Loidhne 69: | ||
|} | |} | ||
− | That's the theory anyway. But, in colloquial usage, you'll often hear people saying things like <span style="color: #008000;"> | + | That's the theory anyway. But, in colloquial usage, you'll often hear people saying things like <span style="color: #008000;">feasgar DihAoine</span>, <span style="color: #008000;">madainn DiMàirt</span>, etc. The most common ones in colloquial usage are the expressions with <span style="color: #008000;">oidhche</span> such as <span style="color: #008000;">oidhche Luain</span>, <span style="color: #008000;">oidhche Mhàrt</span>, etc. |
==The Months== | ==The Months== | ||
Loidhne 144: | Loidhne 145: | ||
| spring || summer || autumn || winter | | spring || summer || autumn || winter | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | <span style="color: #008000;">earrach</span> (m)<br/>gen. & pl. <span style="color: #008000;">earraich</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">an-samhradh</span> (m)<br/>gen. <span style="color: #008000;">samhraidh</span><br/>pl. <span style="color: #008000;">samhraidhean</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">foghar</span> | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">earrach</span> (m)<br/>gen. & pl. <span style="color: #008000;">earraich</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">an-samhradh</span> (m)<br/>gen. <span style="color: #008000;">samhraidh</span><br/>pl. <span style="color: #008000;">samhraidhean</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">foghar</span> (m)<br/>gen. <span style="color: #008000;">foghair</span><br/>pl. <span style="color: #008000;">foghairean</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">geamhradh</span> (m)<br/>gen. <span style="color: #008000;">geamhraidh</span><br/>pl. <span style="color: #008000;">geamhraidhean</span> |
|- | |- | ||
| in spring || in summer || in autumn || in winter | | in spring || in summer || in autumn || in winter | ||
Loidhne 155: | Loidhne 156: | ||
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
− | |||
==The Holidays of the Year== | ==The Holidays of the Year== | ||
Loidhne 196: | Loidhne 196: | ||
| <span style="color: #008000;">Màrt</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">DiSathairne na Càisge</span> || Easter Saturday || | | <span style="color: #008000;">Màrt</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">DiSathairne na Càisge</span> || Easter Saturday || | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | <span style="color: #008000;">Màrt</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">A' Chàisg Mhór</span> || Easter Sunday || <span style="color: #008000;">Là | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">Màrt</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">A' Chàisg Mhór</span> || Easter Sunday || <span style="color: #008000;">Là Guileagain</span>; <span style="color: #008000;">Là Bàs nan Uighean</span>; <span style="color: #008000;">DiDòmhnaich na Càisge</span> |
|- | |- | ||
| <span style="color: #008000;">Màrt</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">DiLuain na Càisge</span> || Easter Monday || | | <span style="color: #008000;">Màrt</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">DiLuain na Càisge</span> || Easter Monday || | ||
Loidhne 232: | Loidhne 232: | ||
| <span style="color: #008000;">Damh. 31</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">Oidhche Shamhna</span> || All Souls' Day/Hallowe'en || | | <span style="color: #008000;">Damh. 31</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">Oidhche Shamhna</span> || All Souls' Day/Hallowe'en || | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | <span style="color: #008000;">Damh. 31</span><br/>Samh. 1 || <span style="color: #008000;">Là Samhna</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">Samhain</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">Là Fhéill Samhna</span> | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">Damh. 31</span><br/><span style="color: #008000;">Samh. 1</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">Là Samhna</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">Samhain</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">Là Fhéill Samhna</span> |
|- | |- | ||
| <span style="color: #008000;">Samh. 1</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">Là nan Uile Naomh</span> || All Saints' Day || | | <span style="color: #008000;">Samh. 1</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">Là nan Uile Naomh</span> || All Saints' Day || | ||
Loidhne 246: | Loidhne 246: | ||
| <span style="color: #008000;">Samh.</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">A' Chiad Dòmhnaich dhen Aidmheint</span> || Advent Sunday || | | <span style="color: #008000;">Samh.</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">A' Chiad Dòmhnaich dhen Aidmheint</span> || Advent Sunday || | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | <span style="color: #008000;">Samh.</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">Là na Taingealachd</span> || Thanksgiving || <span style="color: #008000;">Là Buidheachais an Fhoghair</span>; <span style="color: #008000;">an | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">Samh.</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">Là na Taingealachd</span> || Thanksgiving || <span style="color: #008000;">Là Buidheachais an Fhoghair</span>; <span style="color: #008000;">Là Taingealachd an Fhoghair</span> |
|- | |- | ||
| <span style="color: #008000;">Samh. 30</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">Là Chill Rìbhinn</span> || St. Andrew's Day || | | <span style="color: #008000;">Samh. 30</span> || <span style="color: #008000;">Là Chill Rìbhinn</span> || St. Andrew's Day || | ||
Loidhne 272: | Loidhne 272: | ||
Most adverbs are formed by the prepositon gu + ADJ, but there are a number of adverbs that have different formations: | Most adverbs are formed by the prepositon gu + ADJ, but there are a number of adverbs that have different formations: | ||
− | {| style="width: | + | {| style="width: 50%;" |
|- | |- | ||
− | | a chaoidh || for ever (after) | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">a chaoidh</span> || for ever (after) |
|- | |- | ||
− | | a chlisgeadh || suddenly, abruptly | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">a chlisgeadh</span> || suddenly, abruptly |
|- | |- | ||
− | | a dh'aithghearr || soon, in a short while | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">a dh'aithghearr</span> || soon, in a short while |
|- | |- | ||
− | | a dh'oidhche || by night, at night time | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">a dh'oidhche</span> || by night, at night time |
|- | |- | ||
− | | a ghnàth || habitually, always | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">a ghnàth</span> || habitually, always |
|- | |- | ||
− | | a h-uile turas || every time | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">a h-uile turas</span> || every time |
|- | |- | ||
− | | a h-uile uair || every time, always | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">a h-uile uair</span> || every time, always |
|- | |- | ||
− | | a latha || by day, at daytime | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">a latha</span> || by day, at daytime |
|- | |- | ||
− | | ainneamh || seldom | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">ainneamh</span> || seldom |
|- | |- | ||
− | | (ann) an ceartair || 1) +FUT in a moment 2) +PAST just now | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">(ann) an ceartair</span> || 1) +FUT in a moment 2) +PAST just now |
|- | |- | ||
− | | an-còmhnaidh || always, continually | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">an-còmhnaidh</span> || always, continually |
|- | |- | ||
− | | an-dràsta || now (in a more broad sense) | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">an-dràsta</span> || now (in a more broad sense) |
|- | |- | ||
− | | an-sin || whereupon, then | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">an-sin</span> || whereupon, then |
|- | |- | ||
− | | air a' mhionaid || this moment, minute | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">air a' mhionaid</span> || this moment, minute |
|- | |- | ||
− | | air an uair || just now | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">air an uair</span> || just now |
|- | |- | ||
− | | air chionn do ... || by the time that .... | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">air chionn do ...</span> || by the time that .... |
|- | |- | ||
− | | air ball || immediately, straightaway | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">air ball</span> || immediately, straightaway |
|- | |- | ||
− | | air tùs || in the beginning, at first | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">air tùs</span> || in the beginning, at first |
|- | |- | ||
− | | air uairibh || sometimes, at times | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">air uairibh</span> || sometimes, at times |
|- | |- | ||
− | | (am) fad is a ... || while | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">(am) fad is a ...</span> || while |
|- | |- | ||
− | | am feadh || while, whilst | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">am feadh</span> || while, whilst |
|- | |- | ||
− | | a-nis || now (i.e. something is the case now that wasn't before) | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">a-nis</span> || now (i.e. something is the case now that wasn't before) |
|- | |- | ||
− | | (ann) an tiota (beag) || in a twinkling, moment | + | | <span style="color: #008000;"> (ann) an tiota (beag)</span> || in a twinkling, moment |
|- | |- | ||
− | | anns a' bhad || immediately, on the spot | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">anns a' bhad</span> || immediately, on the spot |
|- | |- | ||
− | | anns a' cheart àm || in the meanwhile | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">anns a' cheart àm</span> || in the meanwhile |
|- | |- | ||
− | | a-rithist || again | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">a-rithist</span> || again |
|- | |- | ||
− | | á seo suas || henceforward | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">á seo suas</span> || henceforward |
|- | |- | ||
− | | bho àm gu àm || from time to time, occasionally | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">bho àm gu àm</span> || from time to time, occasionally |
|- | |- | ||
− | | bho chionn aimsir || some time ago, long ago | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">bho chionn aimsir</span> || some time ago, long ago |
|- | |- | ||
− | | bho chionn ghoirid || a short while ago | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">bho chionn ghoirid</span> || a short while ago |
|- | |- | ||
− | | bho chionn treis || a while ago | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">bho chionn treis</span> || a while ago |
|- | |- | ||
− | | bho seo a-mach || henceforth | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">bho seo a-mach</span> || henceforth |
|- | |- | ||
− | | car ùine || for a time, during a period | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">car ùine</span> || for a time, during a period |
|- | |- | ||
− | | (cho) fad is a ... || as long as ... | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">(cho) fad is a ...</span> || as long as ... |
|- | |- | ||
− | | fa dheòigh || at last | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">fa dheòigh</span> || at last |
|- | |- | ||
− | | f(h)ad is a ... || while, during | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">f(h)ad is a ...</span> || while, during |
|- | |- | ||
− | | fad na h-ùine || all the time | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">fad na h-ùine</span> || all the time |
|- | |- | ||
− | | ge be uair || whenever, at whichever time | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">ge be uair</span> || whenever, at whichever time |
|- | |- | ||
− | | gach uair || whenever, every time | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">gach uair</span> || whenever, every time |
|- | |- | ||
− | | gu bràth || forever | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">gu bràth</span> || forever |
|- | |- | ||
− | | gu cian nan cian || for ever and ever | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">gu cian nan cian</span> || for ever and ever |
|- | |- | ||
− | | gu grad || abruptly | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">gu grad</span> || abruptly |
|- | |- | ||
− | | gu minig || often | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">gu minig</span> || often |
|- | |- | ||
− | | gu seo || thus far, so far | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">gu seo</span> || thus far, so far |
|- | |- | ||
− | | gu sìorraidh || for ever and ever | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">gu sìorraidh</span> || for ever and ever |
|- | |- | ||
− | | gu tric || often | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">gu tric</span> || often |
|- | |- | ||
− | | gun dàil || immediately, without delay | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">gun dàil</span> || immediately, without delay |
|- | |- | ||
− | | iomadh uair || often, many times | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">iomadh uair</span> || often, many times |
|- | |- | ||
− | | leis sin || whereupon, with which | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">leis sin</span> || whereupon, with which |
|- | |- | ||
− | | mu dheireadh thall || at long last | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">mu dheireadh thall</span> || at long last |
|- | |- | ||
− | | mu thràth (mar-thà) || already | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">mu thràth (mar-thà)</span> || already |
|- | |- | ||
− | | nas motha || no more | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">nas motha</span> || no more |
|- | |- | ||
− | | ré tamaill || for a time | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">ré tamaill</span> || for a time |
|- | |- | ||
− | | ri h-ùine || by and by, with time | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">ri h-ùine</span> || by and by, with time |
|- | |- | ||
− | | thuige seo || thus far, so far | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">thuige seo</span> || thus far, so far |
|- | |- | ||
− | | tràth 's a ... || when | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">tràth 's a ...</span> || when |
|- | |- | ||
− | | uaireannan || at times, sometimes | + | | <span style="color: #008000;">uaireannan</span> || at times, sometimes |
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
Loidhne 394: | Loidhne 394: | ||
{| style="width: 50%;" | {| style="width: 50%;" | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | I saw him yesterday. || Chunnaic mi e an-dé. | + | | I saw him yesterday. || <span style="color: #008000;">Chunnaic mi e an-dé.</span> |
|- | |- | ||
− | | I will go there on Monday. || Théid mi ann DiLuain. | + | | I will go there on Monday. || <span style="color: #008000;">Théid mi ann DiLuain.</span> |
|- | |- | ||
− | | He spent a little while there. || Bha e ann greis. | + | | He spent a little while there. || <span style="color: #008000;">Bha e ann greis.</span> |
|- | |- | ||
− | | We were there for a week. || Bha sinn ann seachdain. | + | | We were there for a week. || <span style="color: #008000;">Bha sinn ann seachdain.</span> |
|- | |- | ||
− | | She wants to go home for a month. || Tha i ag iarraidh a dhol dhachaigh mìos. | + | | She wants to go home for a month. || <span style="color: #008000;">Tha i ag iarraidh a dhol dhachaigh mìos.</span> |
|- | |- | ||
− | | What did you do in the afternoon? || Dé rinn thu feasgar? | + | | What did you do in the afternoon? || <span style="color: #008000;">Dé rinn thu feasgar?</span> |
|- | |- | ||
− | | Wait a moment! || Fuirich tiota! | + | | Wait a moment! || <span style="color: #008000;">Fuirich tiota!</span> |
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
− | In particular, the most overused word in modern Gaelic should be avoided - airson. | + | In particular, the most overused word in modern Gaelic should be avoided - <span style="color: #008000;">airson</span>. |
<br /> | <br /> | ||
<br /> | <br /> | ||
{{BeaganGramair}} | {{BeaganGramair}} |
Am mùthadh mu dheireadh on 19:55, 7 dhen Ghiblean 2020
Temporal adverbial expressions - or how to say when something happened. To start, let's take a look at the choices we have:
Adverbs of Time
These are itsy words that you can add on to a phrase or sentence to tell people when something happened.
a-bhòn-uiridh | an-uiridh | am bliadhna | an ath-bhliadhna1 | — | — |
the year before last | last year | this year | next year | — | — |
a-bhòin-dé | an-dé | an-diugh | a-màireach | an-earar | an-eararais |
the day before yesterday | yesterday | today | tomorrow | the day after tomorrow | three days from now |
a-bhòn-raoir | an-raoir | a-nochd | an ath-oidhche | — | — |
the night before last | last night | tonight | tomorrow night | — | — |
1Note that in terms of pronunciation, this is treated as a close compound i.e. it is reduced to /ə'NafləN/ by native speakers and almost never */ə'Na vliəNə/
This does not mean that you cannot say <year after next> in Gaelic, it just means that there is no single, easy word for it. Instead you have to employ periphrastic expressions.
— | am bliadhna | an ath-bhliadhna |
— | this year | next year |
— | a-nochd | an ath-oidhche |
— | tonight | tomorrow night |
an t-seachdainn seo chaidh | an t-seachdainn-sa | an ath-sheachdain |
last week | this week | next week |
The Days of the Week
DiLuain | DiMàirt | DiCiadain | DiarDaoin | DihAoine | DiSathairne | DiDòmhnaich |
Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
Sunday is also called Latha na Sàbaid. Traditionally the usage between the two depends on your denomination. Catholics and Episcopalians use DiDòmhnaich and Presbyterians use Latha na Sàbaid. For non-denominational reasons, we prefer DiDòmhnaich because it fits in with the rest of the paradigm. Be sure to pronounce the long vowel in Sàbaid, otherwise it becomes Latha na Sabaid, 'the Day of Fighting'.
The prefix Di- is the equivalent of the English -day suffix. However, unlike English, it's the prefix that's modified to express the concepts of <Monday afternoon>, <Friday night> etc:
madainn Luain | madainn Mhàrt | madainn Chiadain | madainn arDaoin | madainn hAoine | madainn Sathairne | madainnn Dòmhnaich |
Monday morning | Tuesday morning | Wednesday morning | Thursday morning | Friday morning | Saturday morning | Sunday morning |
feasgar Luain | feasgar Màrt | feasgar Ciadain | feasgar arDaoin | feasgar hAoine | feasgar Sathairne | feasgar Dòmhnaich |
Monday afternoon | Tuesday afternoon | Wednesday afternoon | Thursday afternoon | Friday afternoon | Saturday afternoon | Sunday afternoon |
oidhche Luain | oidhche Mhàrt | oidhche Chiadain | oidhche arDaoin | oidhche hAoine | oidhche Shathairne | oidhche Dhòmhnaich |
Monday night | Tuesday night | Wednesday night | Thursday night | Friday night | Saturday night | Sunday night |
That's the theory anyway. But, in colloquial usage, you'll often hear people saying things like feasgar DihAoine, madainn DiMàirt, etc. The most common ones in colloquial usage are the expressions with oidhche such as oidhche Luain, oidhche Mhàrt, etc.
The Months
For memorisation purposes, it's useful to note that from September onwards all months are feminine in gender! There are alternate names for some of the months, but we strongly suggest you stick with the recommended ones. Learning a language is difficult enough without having to worry about having 5 different choices for one term.
Gaelic | Genitive | English | Alternate Names |
Am Faoilteach (masc.) | ... an Fhaoiltich | January | Am Faoilleach (an Fhaoillich); Mìos Marbh; Deireadh-Geamhraidh |
An Gearran (masc.) | ... a' Ghearrain | February | |
Am Màrt (masc.) | ... a' Mhàirt | March | |
An Giblean (masc.) | ... a' Ghiblein | April | |
An Céitean (masc.) | ... a' Chéitein | May | A' Mhàigh (fem.) (... na Màighe) |
An t-Ògmhios (masc.) | ... an Ògmhiosa | June | Meadhan-Samhraidh |
An t-Iuchar (masc.) | ... an Iuchair | July | Deireadh-Samhraidh; Mìos Buidhe |
An Lùnastal (masc.) | ... an Lùnastail | August | |
An t-Sultain (fem.) | ... na Sultaine | September | |
An Dàmhair (fem.) | ... na Dàmhair | October | |
An t-Samhain (fem.) | ... na Samhna | November | |
An Dùbhlachd (fem.) | ... na Dùbhlachd | December | Mìos na Nollaig |
The date in Gaelic is given in the form of the Xth day of the month. A few examples:
1st March | A' chiad latha dhen Mhàrt |
24th June | An ceathramh latha ar fhichead dhen Ògmhios |
31st September | A' chiad latha deug ar fhichead dhen t-Sultain |
22nd December | An dàrna latha ar fhichead dhen Dùbhlachd |
Individual years are said by giving the 'hundreds' first and then the 'tens', for example:
1272 | dà cheud deug * trì fichead is a dhà dheug |
1817 | ochd ceud deug * is seachd deug |
1995 | naoidh ceud deug ceithir fichead * is a cóig deug |
2000 | bliadhna dà mhìle |
2003 | dà mhìle * is a trì |
Similar to English, B.C. and A.D. are expressed as R.C. standing for ro Chrìosd and A.D. standing for as déidh Chrìosd, for example, 347 B.C. is trì ceud dà fhichead is a seachd ro Chrìosd. Optionally, sa bhliadhna can be prefixed to any date for clarification, for example, sa bhliadhna naoi ceud deug trì fichead is a ceithir <in the year 1964>.
BCE? No, we don't use it, because it's pointless. It still uses the same date as a reference point so it's no less "offensive" (???) than B.C. or A.D. and just adds to the confusion.
The Seasons
The four seasons are expressed as follows. Notice that the short form of saying <in X> differs slightly from the long form!:
spring | summer | autumn | winter |
earrach (m) gen. & pl. earraich |
an-samhradh (m) gen. samhraidh pl. samhraidhean |
foghar (m) gen. foghair pl. foghairean |
geamhradh (m) gen. geamhraidh pl. geamhraidhean |
in spring | in summer | in autumn | in winter |
as t-earrach | as t-samhradh | as t-fhoghar | anns a' gheamhradh |
in the spring | in the summer | in the autumn | in the winter |
anns an earrach | anns an t-samhradh | anns an fhoghar | anns a' gheamhradh |
The Holidays of the Year
Note that while the word for day is normally latha, in these special calendar dates this has shortened to Là.
Faoi. 1 | Là na Bliadhna Ùire | New Year's Day | Callainn (fem) (...na Callainne); Nollaig Bheag (fem.) (... na Nollaig Bige) |
Faoi. 6 | Là nan Trì Rìgh | Epiphany | Là Fhéill nan Rìgh; Féill an Taisbeanaidh |
Gearr. 2 | Là Fhéill Brìghde | Candlemas | Là Fhéill Brìghde nan Coinnlean; Là Féill Moire nan Coinnlean |
Gearr. 14 | Là Fhéill Bhaileintin | Valentine's Day | |
Gearr. | Là na Bliadhna Ùire Sìnich | Chinese New Year | |
Gearr. | DiMàirt Inid | Shrove Tuesday, Pancake Day | |
Gearr. | DiCiadain na Luaithre | Ash Wednesday | |
Gearr. | An Carghas (masc.) (... a' Charghais) |
Lent | |
Màrt 1 | Là Dhàibhidh | St. David's Day | |
Màrt | Là na Màthar | Mother's Day/Mothering Sunday | |
Màrt 17 | Là Phàdraig | St. Patrick's Day | Là Fhéill Pàdraig |
Màrt | Seachdain na Càisge | Holy Week | |
Màrt | DiDòmhnaich Tùrnais | Palm Sunday | |
Màrt | DiArdaoin a' Bhrochain Mhóir | Maundy Thursday | DiArdaoin Inid |
Màrt | DihAoine na Ceusta | Good Friday | |
Màrt | A' Chàisg (fem.) (... na Càisge) |
Easter | |
Màrt | DiSathairne na Càisge | Easter Saturday | |
Màrt | A' Chàisg Mhór | Easter Sunday | Là Guileagain; Là Bàs nan Uighean; DiDòmhnaich na Càisge |
Màrt | DiLuain na Càisge | Easter Monday | |
Màrt | Co-fhad-tràth an Earraich | Vernal Equinox | |
Gibl. 1 | Là na Gogaireachd | April Fool's Day | Là Ruith na Cuthaige |
Gibl. 23 | Là Fhéill Seòrais | St. George's Day | |
Céit. 1 | Là Bealltainn | May Day/Beltane | |
Céit. | Deasghabhail (fem.) (... na Deasghabhalach) |
Ascension Day | DiArdaoin Freastail |
Céit. | Caingis (fem. indef.) | Pentecost/Whit Sunday | |
Céit. | DiDòmhnaich na Trianaid | Trinity Sunday | |
Céit. | DiArdaoin Corp Crìosda | Corpus Christi Transfiguration | |
Céit. | Là Fhéill an Earraich | Spring Bank Holiday | |
Ògmh. | Là an Athar | Father's Day | |
Ògmh. 21 | Grianstad an t-Samhraidh Là Leth an t-Samhraidh |
Summer Solstice Midsummer's Day | |
Iuch. 15 | Là Màrtainn Builg | St. Swithen's Day | |
Lùna. 1 | Lùghnasa | Lunasa (Harvest) | |
Lùna. | Là Fhéill an t-Samhraidh | Summer Bank Holiday | |
Sult. | Co-fhad-tràth an Fhoghair | Autumnal Equinox | |
Damh. 31 | Oidhche Shamhna | All Souls' Day/Hallowe'en | |
Damh. 31 Samh. 1 |
Là Samhna | Samhain | Là Fhéill Samhna |
Samh. 1 | Là nan Uile Naomh | All Saints' Day | |
Samh. 5 | Oidhche Ghuy Fawkes | Guy Fawkes' Night | |
Samh. 11 | Là nan Cuimhneachan | Rememberance Day | |
Samh. | DiDòmhnaich nan Cuimhneachan | Rememberance Sunday | |
Samh. | Aidbheint (fem.) (... na h-Aidmheint) |
Advent | |
Samh. | A' Chiad Dòmhnaich dhen Aidmheint | Advent Sunday | |
Samh. | Là na Taingealachd | Thanksgiving | Là Buidheachais an Fhoghair; Là Taingealachd an Fhoghair |
Samh. 30 | Là Chill Rìbhinn | St. Andrew's Day | |
Dùbh. 6 | Là Bodach na Nollaig | St. Nicholas' Day | |
Dùbh. 21 | Grianstad a' Gheamhraidh | Winter Solstice | |
Dùbh. | An Nollaig (fem.) (...na Nollaige) |
Christmas | |
Dùbh. 24 | Oidhche nam Bannag | Christmas Eve | Oidhche na Nollaig |
Dùbh. 25 | Là na Nollaig | Christmas Day | Là nam Bannag |
Dùbh. 26 | Boxing Day/St. Stephen's Day | ||
Dùbh. 28 | Là Fhéill nan Leanabhan Neoichiontach | Feast of the Holy Innocents | |
Dùbh. 31 | Oidhche Challainn | Hogmanay/New Year's Eve |
Other Adverbs of Time
Most adverbs are formed by the prepositon gu + ADJ, but there are a number of adverbs that have different formations:
a chaoidh | for ever (after) |
a chlisgeadh | suddenly, abruptly |
a dh'aithghearr | soon, in a short while |
a dh'oidhche | by night, at night time |
a ghnàth | habitually, always |
a h-uile turas | every time |
a h-uile uair | every time, always |
a latha | by day, at daytime |
ainneamh | seldom |
(ann) an ceartair | 1) +FUT in a moment 2) +PAST just now |
an-còmhnaidh | always, continually |
an-dràsta | now (in a more broad sense) |
an-sin | whereupon, then |
air a' mhionaid | this moment, minute |
air an uair | just now |
air chionn do ... | by the time that .... |
air ball | immediately, straightaway |
air tùs | in the beginning, at first |
air uairibh | sometimes, at times |
(am) fad is a ... | while |
am feadh | while, whilst |
a-nis | now (i.e. something is the case now that wasn't before) |
(ann) an tiota (beag) | in a twinkling, moment |
anns a' bhad | immediately, on the spot |
anns a' cheart àm | in the meanwhile |
a-rithist | again |
á seo suas | henceforward |
bho àm gu àm | from time to time, occasionally |
bho chionn aimsir | some time ago, long ago |
bho chionn ghoirid | a short while ago |
bho chionn treis | a while ago |
bho seo a-mach | henceforth |
car ùine | for a time, during a period |
(cho) fad is a ... | as long as ... |
fa dheòigh | at last |
f(h)ad is a ... | while, during |
fad na h-ùine | all the time |
ge be uair | whenever, at whichever time |
gach uair | whenever, every time |
gu bràth | forever |
gu cian nan cian | for ever and ever |
gu grad | abruptly |
gu minig | often |
gu seo | thus far, so far |
gu sìorraidh | for ever and ever |
gu tric | often |
gun dàil | immediately, without delay |
iomadh uair | often, many times |
leis sin | whereupon, with which |
mu dheireadh thall | at long last |
mu thràth (mar-thà) | already |
nas motha | no more |
ré tamaill | for a time |
ri h-ùine | by and by, with time |
thuige seo | thus far, so far |
tràth 's a ... | when |
uaireannan | at times, sometimes |
In Gaelic, adverbs of time do not require a preposition as certain English expressions do. They're simply attached at the end of the phrase, e.g.:
I saw him yesterday. | Chunnaic mi e an-dé. |
I will go there on Monday. | Théid mi ann DiLuain. |
He spent a little while there. | Bha e ann greis. |
We were there for a week. | Bha sinn ann seachdain. |
She wants to go home for a month. | Tha i ag iarraidh a dhol dhachaigh mìos. |
What did you do in the afternoon? | Dé rinn thu feasgar? |
Wait a moment! | Fuirich tiota! |
In particular, the most overused word in modern Gaelic should be avoided - airson.
Beagan gràmair | ||||||||||||
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