ba mhaith liom
In Irish, "I would like" is said as ba mhaith liom.
The phrase is used as a polite way to express a wish or a desire for something. You can use it to request an object by placing the noun directly after the phrase, such as Ba mhaith liom tae for "I would like tea".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "it would be pleasing with me". In this construction, ba mhaith is the conditional form of "is good/pleasant" and liom means "with me".
How does it change in a sentence?
When expressing a desire for a specific object, the noun follows the phrase directly.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying Ba mhaith dom. While English speakers often try to use the preposition "to" or "for", in Irish you must use the correct prepositional pronoun with the adjective maith to say ba mhaith liom.
Did you know?
- The word liom is a prepositional pronoun, a unique feature of Celtic languages where a preposition and a pronoun merge into a single word.
- The word liom evolved from a conflation of the Old Irish lium and friumm, showing how two different ancestral words merged over centuries to form one modern word.
- In the phrase ba mhaith liom, the word ba is the conditional form of 'is', which sets the entire mood of the sentence to a polite, hypothetical state.
Examples in context
- Ba mhaith liom do thuairim a cloisteail.I would like to hear your opinion.This sentence shows how to use ba mhaith liom to express a desire to hear an opinion.Tatoeba #11841341 by Tatoebauser, translation #681642 by Source_VOA
- Ba mhaith liom bhur n-aird, le bhur dtoil.I would like your attention, please.This sentence shows how to use ba mhaith liom to politely request attention.Tatoeba #6319223 by BasicDeer, translation #12480158 by reubsboyd
- Ba mhaith liom áirithint a dhéanamh do dhuine amháin.I would like to make a reservation for one person.This sentence shows how to use ba mhaith liom when making a reservation.Tatoeba #10926501 by janTuki, translation #12480154 by reubsboyd
- Ba bhreá liom bheith ag obair ansin.I would love to work there.
- Ba bhreá liom dul go dtí an phictiúrlann.I would love to go to the cinema.
Example conversation
Aoife and Conor are at a cafe.
- AoifeBa mhaith liom cupán caife, le do thoil.I would like a cup of coffee, please.
- ConorAr mhaith leat rud éigin eile?Would you like anything else?
- AoifeBa mhaith liom slice slice cáca freasaí أيضاً.I would like a slice of strawberry cake too.
- ConorBeidh sé sin réidh go luath, a Aoife.That will be ready soon, Aoife.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ba, liom, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
