Cad is ainm duit?
The phrase "what is your name?" in Irish is Cad is ainm duit?
The phrase Cad is ainm duit? is used to ask someone for their name. When introducing yourself in response, you can use the phrase Is mise followed by your name, which translates to "I am".
Which one should you use?
You may also encounter the informal version Cén t-ainm atá ort?, which literally translates to "What name is on you?"
Did you know?
- In the phrase Cén t-ainm atá ort?, the Irish language treats a name as something that is 'on' a person rather than something a person 'has'.
- The word cad evolved from the Old Irish word cote, which asked about the 'nature' or 'kind' of something.
- The word is in this question is a copula, a specific type of verb used in Irish to link a subject to a definition or identity.
Example conversation
Cian and Aoife meet for the first time at a party.
- CianDia duit, cad is ainm duit?Hello, what is your name?
- AoifeIs Aoife mé. Agus tú?I am Aoife. And you?
- CianIs mise Cian. Nice to meet you!I am Cian. Nice to meet you!
- AoifeTá áthas agam go bhfuil tú anseo, a Chiane.I am glad you are here, Cian.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ainm, cad, duit, is, CC BY-SA 4.0.
