briathra
The Irish word for verbs is briathra.
The term briathra is used to refer to verbs in the Irish language.
Did you know?
- In some traditional Irish contexts, a briathar was not just a grammatical unit but was associated with 'incantations' or 'spells'. The power of the verb was believed to be the power to manifest change.
- The Irish language uses 'copula' verbs, which are a special class of verbs used specifically for identity and existence, behaving differently than almost any other verb type.
- While English uses auxiliary verbs to indicate tense, Irish often uses particles or changes the internal vowel of the verb to indicate the past tense.
Examples in context
- Ólann sé an tae gach lá.He drinks tea every day.
- Chonaic siad an scannán inné.They saw the movie yesterday.
- Is maith liom éadaí a cheannach dom féin.I like buying clothes for myself.
- Ní mór dúinn na briathra a staidéarú.We must study the verbs.
Example conversation
Niamh and Cian are studying Irish grammar together.
- NiamhAn bhfuil tú ag léamh na briathra?Are you reading the verbs?
- CianTá, ach tá siad an-deacair.Yes, but they are very difficult.
- NiamhIs féidir liom cabhrú leat.I can help you.
- CianGo raibh maith agat, a Niamh.Thank you, Niamh.
