tá uaim
The Irish phrase for "I need" is tá uaim.
tá uaim is used to express that someone lacks something or requires it.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say "I need you" (singular, informal), you would say tá uaim thú.
Did you know?
- The phrase tá uaim literally translates to 'is from me', a structure that feels backwards to English speakers.
- Unlike English where 'need' is a verb, in this Irish construction, the concept functions more like a state of being.
- Because the phrase uses a prepositional pronoun, the object of your need changes its grammatical form to the genitive case. For example, a noun might change its spelling slightly to show it is the thing being needed.
Example conversation
Conor and Niamh are studying in a library.
- ConorTá uaimn peann, Niamh.I need a pen, Niamh.
- NiamhAn bhfuil ceann amháin uait?Do you need just one?
- ConorTá, lebhram.Yes, please.
- NiamhSeo é an peann.Here is the pen.
