tá
The Irish word for "is" is tá.
tá is used to express that someone or something is currently in a certain state, such as being happy, being at a location or being a certain color.
Which one should you use?
The form 'tá' is used to express existence or a state, whereas 'is' (the verb 'is') is used for permanent identity or classification.
Did you know?
- In Irish, the verb tá is often used to express possession. Instead of saying 'I have a book', an Irish speaker says tá leabhar agam, which literally translates to 'a book is at me'.
- The word tá is so versatile that it can be used as a one-word answer to mean 'yes' in specific contexts, essentially saying 'it is' or 'that is the case'.
- The word tá is actually a shortened form of an older verbal structure, essentially functioning as a way to express 'is being' or 'is existing'.
Examples in context
- Tá sé seo deacair.This is difficult.This sentence shows how to use tá to describe a state of difficulty.Tatoeba #869107 by cailleachnangadhair, translation #869091 by CK
- Tá Sami ina suí ar an tolg.Sami is sitting on the couch.This sentence demonstrates the use of tá to describe someone's current position.Tatoeba #11841352 by Tatoebauser, translation #7190039 by OsoHombre
- Tá teach Tomás lán le bréagán.Tom's house is full of toys.This sentence shows how tá is used to describe the state of a house being full.Tatoeba #4062798 by tinybat, translation #4059251 by Hybrid
- Tá sé galánta.He is polite.
- Is Éireannach mé.I am Irish.
- Is mac é.He is a son.
- Tá méI am
- Tá túYou are
- Níl sé fuairHe is not cold
- Ní hÉireannach méI am not Irish
- Is féidir liom dul ann.I can go there.
- 101 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Oisín and Aoife are talking about the weather.
- OisínTá sé an-trom an lá inniu.It is a very heavy day today.
- AoifeTá an fríochainear ann freisin.The frost is there too.
- OisínTá an aimsir uafásach.The weather is awful.
- AoifeTá sé fíor, a Oisín.It is true, Oisín.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
