Tha
yes, verb echo
Scottish Gaelic has no single words for "yes" and "no". Speakers repeat the verb from the question instead. Tha means "yes" and Chan eil means "no" when the question uses a bheil, "is". It is also called Is e and Chan e.
Meaning: answers to yes/no questions (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Gaelic | Note |
|---|---|
| Tha | yes, verb echo |
| Chan eil | no, verb echo |
| Is e | yes, identity questions |
| Chan e | no, identity questions |
To answer A bheil thu sgìth?, "Are you tired?", you say Tha for yes or Chan eil for no. You can add more, as in Tha mi sgìth, "I am tired".
How does it change in a sentence?
The answer copies the verb of the question. A question with an e or an i, which asks what something is, gets Is e or Is i for yes and Chan e or Chan i for no. A past question with an robh gets Bha or Cha robh.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Learners often look for a word to mean "yes" and end up saying Tha to every question. It only fits questions that use a bheil, so a question about the past needs Bha.
Did you know?
- Irish works the same way, with Tá for yes and Níl for no, because both languages answer with the verb of the question.
Examples in context
- A bheil thu sgìth? Tha.Are you tired? Yes.
- A bheil Gàidhlig agad? Chan eil.Do you speak Gaelic? No.
- An robh thu aig an taigh? Cha robh.Were you at home? No.
Example conversation
Calum asks his friend Mairi questions after a long walk in Skye.
- CalumA bheil thu sgìth?Are you tired?
- MairiTha, tha mi sgìth.Yes, I am tired.
- CalumA bheil an t-acras ort?Are you hungry?
- MairiChan eil, tapadh leat.No, thank you.
