Language/Irish/Grammar/Give-your-Opinion

Irish Grammar - Give your Opinion

Hi Irish learners! 😊
In this lesson, you will learn how to give your opinion in Irish. You'll also learn about the differences between formal and informal language registers.

Consider broadening your understanding by checking out these related lessons: Future Tense & Questions.

Using Formal and Informal Language

In Irish, there are different ways to speak depending on the formality of the situation. The formal way of speaking is used when speaking to strangers, elders, or in a business setting. The informal way is used among friends or family. It's important to learn both and know the correct situation to use each form.

Using "Is maith liom" to Express Your Opinion

"I think" or "I like" can be expressed in Irish with the phrase "is maith liom" (pronounced: iss mah l-yome). "Is maith liom" is used to express that something is pleasurable to you or that you have a positive opinion about it.

For example:

Irish	Pronunciation	English
Is maith liom pizza	iss mah l-yome pizza	I like pizza
Is maith liom éirinn	iss mah l-yome ay-reen	I like Ireland
is maith liom na hamhráin seo	iss mah l-yome nah ow-rawn shuh	I like these songs

Using "Ní maith liom" to Express a Negative Opinion

"Ní maith liom" (pronounced: nee mah l-yome) is the negative form of "is maith liom". It means "I don't like". Use it when you don't have a positive opinion about something or when you want to express a negative opinion.

For example:

Irish	Pronunciation	English
Ní maith liom arán	nee mah l-yome a-rawn	I don't like bread.
Ní maith liom blas an bhricfeasta	nee mah l-yome blahs on vrick-fah-stah	I don't like the taste of breakfast.
Ní maith liom an aimsir seo	nee mah l-yome on aim-sir shuh	I don't like this weather.

Asking for Opinions

If you want to ask for someone's opinion in Irish, you can use the phrase "Cad é mar a cheapann tú?" (pronounced: kahd ay mah-rah kyop-awn too), which means "What do you think?"

For example:

• Person 1: Cad é mar a cheapann tú faoin ndráma? (kahd ay mah-rah kyop-awn too fween n-draw-mah) What do you think about the play?
• Person 2: Is breá liom é. (iss braw l-yome ay) I love it.

Dialogue

Here's an example dialogue between two friends:

• Person 1: Cad é mar a cheapann tú faoin bia sin? (kahd ay mah-rah kyop-awn too fween bee-ah shin) What do you think about that food?
• Person 2: Is maith liom é. (iss mah l-yome ay) I like it.
• Person 1: Ceapann tú go bhfuil sé flaithiúil? (kyop-awn too guh will shay flah-hool) Do you think it's generous?
• Person 2: Tá sé, tá sé. (taw shay, taw shay) Yes, it is, it is.

Conclusion

Giving your opinion in Irish is easy once you get the hang of it. Remember to use "is maith liom" for positive opinions and "ní maith liom" for negative opinions. And don't forget to ask for opinions using "Cad é mar a cheapann tú".

To improve your Irish Grammar, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!

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➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎

Having concluded this lesson, consider checking out these related pages: Imperative Mood & Conditional Mood.

Other Lessons

• Personal pronouns
• Pronouns
• Future Tense
• Negation
• Irish Modal Verbs (need, want, must, can)
• Plurals
• Imperative Mood
• Adjectives
• Conditional Mood

Sources

• Irish Grammar - Give your Opinion
• Learn Irish 201: Language & Culture - Online Course - FutureLearn
• Irish Gaelic Grammar