Cúpla Focal: A couple of Irish Gaelic words
At Birmingham Irish, we feel that the beautiful language of Gaelic is an extraordinary gift that should be passed down from generation to generation with immense pride. This very reason is behind our language column, Cúpla Focal, meaning, a couple of Irish Gaelic words.
Dia Daoibh – Hello everyone!
Last month we began the process of learning to say what time it is.
You can already ask what time it is: (Cén t-am é?)
Now let’s take that a little further:
Tá sé cúig nóiméad tar éis a naoi: it is five past nine.
Tá sé cúig nóiméad tar éis a cúig: it is five past five.
Tá sé cúig nóiméad go dtí a naoi: it is five to nine.
Tá sé cúig nóiméad go dtí a cúig: it is five to five.
Tar éis = past
go dtí = to
Try these:
1. Tá sé fiche nóiméad tar éis a seacht
2. Tá sé fiche nóiméad go dtí a seacht.
3. Tá sé deich nóiméad tar a sé.
4. Tá sé deich nóiméad go dtí a trí.
5. Tá sé cúig nóiméad tar éis a hocht.
(Answers at the bottom!)
Now let’s look at the days of the week!
Dé Luain: Monday
Dé Máirt: Tuesday
Dé Céadaoin: Wednesday
Déardaoin: Thursday
Dé hAoine: Friday
Dé Sathairn: Saturday
Dé Domhnaigh: Sunday
(Go to focal.ie for help with pronunciation)
(Answers to numbers 1-5 above)
1. 7.20
2. 6.40
3. 6.10
4. 2.50
5. 8.05
We hope you were successful. Well done for giving it a go!
New classes in Irish will be beginning on Zoom in September. If you would like to join us, please do let us know by emailing jennifer@birish.org.uk. All levels are welcome and it’s all free!
Ádh mór – Good luck!
