is maith liom
The Irish phrase for "I like" is is maith liom.
is maith liom is used to express that someone enjoys something or has a positive opinion of it.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase means "is good with me". It is composed of is, which is a copula. maith, meaning "good". And liom, which is the prepositional pronoun for "with me".
Which one should you use?
While is maith liom expresses a general liking or preference, it is less intense than is breá liom, which means "I love" or "I really like".
How does it change in a sentence?
When using this phrase, remember that the thing being liked is actually the subject of the sentence, while the person doing the liking is the object of the preposition liom.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly try to use the verb for "to like" directly with a subject. Instead, ensure the thing being liked is the subject and you are using the prepositional pronoun liom.
Did you know?
- The word maith is also used in the common Irish greeting go raibh maith agat, which means 'thank you' and literally translates to 'may good be at you'.
- The word is comes from the Proto-Indo-European root *h₁ésti, making it a very distant relative of the English word 'is'.
- The pronoun liom is a combination of a preposition and a pronoun, meaning the phrase 'with me' is condensed into a single word.
Examples in context
- Is maith liom sacar.I like football.This example shows how to use is maith liom with a sport.Tatoeba #3931117 by turklehceleri, translation #858100 by miravalles
- Is maith liom Máire.I like Mary.This example shows how to use is maith liom with a person.Tatoeba #11027025 by janTuki, translation #2851615 by Amastan
- Is maith liom ceoldráma.I like opera.This example shows how to use is maith liom with a type of music.Tatoeba #3944682 by turklehceleri, translation #3374157 by CK
- Is maith liom an seacláid.I like chocolate.
- Is maith liom an ceol traidisiúnta.I like traditional music.
- Is maith liom na radharcanna áille.I like the beautiful sights.
- Is maith liom an bia blasta.I like the tasty food.
- Tá grá agam do gheansaí úr.I like your new jumper.
- Is maith liom go mór an aimsir álainn.I like the beautiful weather a lot.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Cian and Siobhán are talking about their favorite foods.
- CianIs maith liom uisceadach.I like porridge.
- SiobhánNíl sé sin go maith, ach is maith liom úlla.I don't like that, but I like apples.
- CianIs maith liom úlla أيضاً!I like apples too!
- SiobhánTá muidne go hiontach!We are great!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries is, liom, maith, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
