Difference between revisions of "Language/Irish/Grammar/Question-Words"

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◀️ Telling Time — Previous Lesson	Next Lesson — Answering Questions ▶️

Irish → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Question Words

Welcome to this lesson on Question Words in the Irish language! Understanding how to form questions is a critical part of mastering any language, and Irish is no exception. In this lesson, we'll explore the fundamental question words that will help you communicate effectively and gather information from others.

Why are Question Words Important?

Question words allow you to inquire about the world around you, express curiosity, and engage in meaningful conversations. Whether you're asking about someone's name, the time of day, or where an event is happening, these words are essential tools in your language arsenal. They can help you navigate daily life in an Irish-speaking environment and connect with the rich culture that the language embodies.

Lesson Structure:

Overview of Irish Question Words

Detailed explanations and examples

Practice exercises to reinforce your learning

Before we dive in, let's take a look at the question words we will cover:

Overview of Irish Question Words[edit | edit source]

In Irish, question words are often used at the beginning of a sentence to indicate that a question is being asked. Below are some of the most common question words:

Cé (Who)

Cad (What)

Cén (Which)

Cá (Where)

Cathain (When)

Conas (How)

Cén fáth (Why)

Let's explore these words in detail.

Question Words Explained[edit | edit source]

Cé (Who)[edit | edit source]

This word is used when you want to ask about a person.

Here are some examples:

Irish	Pronunciation	English
Cé atá ann?	/keː aˈt̪ˠaː an/	Who is there?
Cé mhéad atá agat?	/keː hʲeːd̪ˠ aˈt̪ˠaː ɡəɡʲ/	How many do you have?
Cé tusa?	/keː ˈt̪ˠusə/	Who are you?
Cé a scríobh an leabhar?	/keː aˈʃkʲɾʲuːv an ˈlʲawər/	Who wrote the book?

Cad (What)[edit | edit source]

Use this word to ask for information about objects or concepts.

Irish	Pronunciation	English
Cad é seo?	/kad eː ʃo/	What is this?
Cad atá ar siúl?	/kad aˈt̪ˠaː aɾʲ ʃiːl/	What is happening?
Cad is ainm duit?	/kad ɪs ˈanʲɪm d̪ʲɪtʲ/	What is your name?
Cad a chonaic tú?	/kad a xɔˈnʲiːk̪ʲ tuː/	What did you see?

Cén (Which)[edit | edit source]

This word is used to ask about a specific item or choice among a group.

Irish	Pronunciation	English
Cén leabhar atá agat?	/keːn ˈlʲawər aˈt̪ˠaː ɡəɡʲ/	Which book do you have?
Cén bia is fearr leat?	/keːn bʲiːə ɪs fʲaːɾʲ lʲatʲ/	Which food do you prefer?
Cén seachtain atá ann?	/keːn ˈʃaːxt̪ʲɪn aˈt̪ˠaː an/	Which week is it?
Cén dath a thaitníonn leat?	/keːn daːh a hˠaˈt̪ʲnʲiːn lʲatʲ/	Which color do you like?

Cá (Where)[edit | edit source]

This word is used to ask about a place or location.

Irish	Pronunciation	English
Cá bhfuil tú?	/kaː ˈwʲɪlʲ tuː/	Where are you?
Cá bhfuil an siopa?	/kaː ˈwʲɪlʲ an ˈʃiːpə/	Where is the shop?
Cá fhéachann tú?	/kaː ˈhʲeːxən̪ˠ tuː/	Where do you look?
Cá gcuireann tú?	/kaː ˈɡʲˠuːɾʲən̪ˠ tuː/	Where do you put it?

Cathain (When)[edit | edit source]

Use this word to inquire about time.

Irish	Pronunciation	English
Cathain a thagann sé?	/ˈkaːhən̪ˠ a ˈhʲaɡənʲ ʃeː/	When does he come?
Cathain a bhíonn tú saor?	/ˈkaːhən̪ˠ a ˈvʲiːnʲ tuː siːɾʲ/	When are you free?
Cathain a bheidh an cóisir?	/ˈkaːhən̪ˠ a vʲeː ʌn ˈkoːʃɪɾʲ/	When will the party be?
Cathain a thosaíonn an rang?	/ˈkaːhən̪ˠ a ˈhʊsˠiːn̪ˠ an ˈr̪aŋɡ̪/	When does the class start?

Conas (How)[edit | edit source]

This word asks about the manner or method of something.

Irish	Pronunciation	English
Conas atá tú?	/ˈkʊnəs aˈt̪ˠaː tuː/	How are you?
Conas a dhéanaimid é?	/ˈkʊnəs a ˈjʲeːn̪ˠɪbʲ eː/	How do we do it?
Conas a tháinig tú anseo?	/ˈkʊnəs a ˈh̪ˠaːnʲɪɡ tuː ˈh̪ˠeːnʲə/	How did you come here?
Conas a chónaíonn tú?	/ˈkʊnəs a ˈxoːnʲiːn̪ˠ tuː/	How do you live?

Cén fáth (Why)[edit | edit source]

This phrase is used to ask for reasons or explanations.

Irish	Pronunciation	English
Cén fáth a bhfuil tú brónach?	/keːn fˠaː/ a ˈwʲɪlʲ tuː ˈbɾˠoːnəx/	Why are you sad?
Cén fáth nach bhfuil tú anseo?	/keːn fˠaː nax ˈwʲɪlʲ tuː ˈh̪ˠeːnʲə/	Why are you not here?
Cén fáth a thagann sé?	/keːn fˠaː a ˈhʲaɡənʲ ʃeː/	Why does he come?
Cén fáth nach bhfuil sé ag obair?	/keːn fˠaː nax ˈwʲɪlʲ ʃeː aɡ ˈoːbʲəɾʲ/	Why is he not working?

Practice Exercises[edit | edit source]

Now that we've covered the question words, it’s time to put your knowledge to the test! Below are some exercises that will help solidify your understanding. Try to complete them without looking at the answers first!

1. Fill in the blank with the correct question word: "___ atá ag labhairt?" (Who is speaking?)

2. Translate to Irish: "What is your favorite food?"

3. Choose the correct question word: "___ a bhfuil an siopa?" (Where is the shop?)

4. Answer the question: "Cá bhfuil tú?" (Where are you?)

5. Fill in the blank: "___ a dhéanann tú?" (What do you do?)

6. Write a question using "Cén" (Which).

7. Translate to English: "Cén fáth a bhfuil tú brónach?"

8. Answer the question: "Cathain a thagann sé?" (When does he come?)

9. Fill in the blank: "___ atá ar siúl?" (What is happening?)

10. Use "Conas" (How) to ask a question about someone's health.

Solutions and Explanations[edit | edit source]

1. Cé

2. Cad é an bia is fearr leat?

3. Cá

4. Táim i mo chónaí i mBaile Átha Cliath. (I live in Dublin.)

5. Cad

6. Cén leabhar atá agat?

7. Why are you sad?

8. Tagann sé amárach. (He comes tomorrow.)

9. Cad

10. Conas atá tú?

Great job on completing the exercises! Understanding these question words is crucial for your progression in the Irish language. Remember, practice makes perfect. Don’t hesitate to revisit this lesson or use these question words in your daily conversations.

As you continue on your journey to learn Irish, keep these question words handy. They will not only help you gather information but also encourage engaging conversations with others.

Thank you for joining me in this lesson! Keep up the great work, and I look forward to seeing you in the next lesson.

Table of Contents - Irish Course - 0 to A1[edit source]

Course Presentation

Greetings and Introductions

Basic Sentence Structure

Numbers and Time

Questions and Answers

Family and Relationships

Possession and Pronouns

Food and Drink

Verb Conjugation

Hobbies and Activities

Adjectives and Adverbs

Travel and Transportation

Prepositions

Weather and Seasons

Irish History and Culture

Irish Literature and Folklore

Videos[edit | edit source]

ASKING + ANSWERING QUESTIONS in IRISH - PAST TENSE | How ...[edit | edit source]

Sources[edit | edit source]

Other Lessons[edit | edit source]

◀️ Telling Time — Previous Lesson	Next Lesson — Answering Questions ▶️

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+<span pgnav>
+{| class="wikitable pg_template_nav"
+|[[Language/Irish/Vocabulary/Telling-Time|◀️ Telling Time — Previous Lesson]]
+|[[Language/Irish/Grammar/Answering-Questions|Next Lesson — Answering Questions ▶️]]
+|}
+</span>
 {{Irish-Page-Top}}
+<div class="pg_page_title">[[Language/Irish|Irish]]  → [[Language/Irish/Grammar|Grammar]] → [[Language/Irish/Grammar/0-to-A1-Course|0 to A1 Course]] → Question Words</div>
+Welcome to this lesson on '''Question Words''' in the Irish language! Understanding how to form questions is a critical part of mastering any language, and Irish is no exception. In this lesson, we'll explore the fundamental question words that will help you communicate effectively and gather information from others.
+'''Why are Question Words Important?'''
+Question words allow you to inquire about the world around you, express curiosity, and engage in meaningful conversations. Whether you're asking about someone's name, the time of day, or where an event is happening, these words are essential tools in your language arsenal. They can help you navigate daily life in an Irish-speaking environment and connect with the rich culture that the language embodies.
+'''Lesson Structure:'''
+* Overview of Irish Question Words
+* Detailed explanations and examples
+* Practice exercises to reinforce your learning
-<div class="pg_page_title">[[Language/Irish|Irish]]  → [[Language/Irish/Grammar|Grammar]] → [[Language/Irish/Grammar/0-to-A1-Course|0 to A1 Course]] → Questions and Answers → Question Words</div>
+Before we dive in, let's take a look at the question words we will cover:
 __TOC__
-As a beginner in Irish, forming questions can be a bit tricky, especially when using question words. However, with a bit of practice and understanding of the basics, you will be able to ask and answer questions with ease. In this lesson, you will learn how to form questions using question words such as who, what, when, and where.
+=== Overview of Irish Question Words ===
+In Irish, question words are often used at the beginning of a sentence to indicate that a question is being asked. Below are some of the most common question words:
+* '''Cé''' (Who)
+* '''Cad''' (What)
+* '''Cén''' (Which)
+* '''Cá''' (Where)
+* '''Cathain''' (When)
+* '''Conas''' (How)
+* '''Cén fáth''' (Why)
+Let's explore these words in detail.
+=== Question Words Explained ===
+==== Cé (Who) ====
+This word is used when you want to ask about a person.
+Here are some examples:
+{| class="wikitable"
+! Irish !! Pronunciation !! English
+|-
+| Cé atá ann? || /keː aˈt̪ˠaː an/ || Who is there?
+|-
+| Cé mhéad atá agat? || /keː hʲeːd̪ˠ aˈt̪ˠaː ɡəɡʲ/ || How many do you have?
+|-
+| Cé tusa? || /keː ˈt̪ˠusə/ || Who are you?
+|-
+| Cé a scríobh an leabhar? || /keː aˈʃkʲɾʲuːv an ˈlʲawər/ || Who wrote the book?
+|}
+==== Cad (What) ====
+Use this word to ask for information about objects or concepts.
+{| class="wikitable"
+! Irish !! Pronunciation !! English
+|-
+| Cad é seo? || /kad eː ʃo/ || What is this?
+|-
+| Cad atá ar siúl? || /kad aˈt̪ˠaː aɾʲ ʃiːl/ || What is happening?
+|-
+| Cad is ainm duit? || /kad ɪs ˈanʲɪm d̪ʲɪtʲ/ || What is your name?
+|-
+| Cad a chonaic tú? || /kad a xɔˈnʲiːk̪ʲ tuː/ || What did you see?
+|}
+==== Cén (Which) ====
+This word is used to ask about a specific item or choice among a group.
+{| class="wikitable"
+! Irish !! Pronunciation !! English
+|-
+| Cén leabhar atá agat? || /keːn ˈlʲawər aˈt̪ˠaː ɡəɡʲ/ || Which book do you have?
+|-
+| Cén bia is fearr leat? || /keːn bʲiːə ɪs fʲaːɾʲ lʲatʲ/ || Which food do you prefer?
+|-
+| Cén seachtain atá ann? || /keːn ˈʃaːxt̪ʲɪn aˈt̪ˠaː an/ || Which week is it?
+|-
+| Cén dath a thaitníonn leat? || /keːn daːh a hˠaˈt̪ʲnʲiːn lʲatʲ/ || Which color do you like?
+|}
+==== Cá (Where) ====
+This word is used to ask about a place or location.
+{| class="wikitable"
+! Irish !! Pronunciation !! English
+|-
+| Cá bhfuil tú? || /kaː ˈwʲɪlʲ tuː/ || Where are you?
+|-
+| Cá bhfuil an siopa? || /kaː ˈwʲɪlʲ an ˈʃiːpə/ || Where is the shop?
+|-
+| Cá fhéachann tú? || /kaː ˈhʲeːxən̪ˠ tuː/ || Where do you look?
+|-
+| Cá gcuireann tú? || /kaː ˈɡʲˠuːɾʲən̪ˠ tuː/ || Where do you put it?
+|}
+==== Cathain (When) ====
+Use this word to inquire about time.
+{| class="wikitable"
+! Irish !! Pronunciation !! English
+|-
+| Cathain a thagann sé? || /ˈkaːhən̪ˠ a ˈhʲaɡənʲ ʃeː/ || When does he come?
+|-
+| Cathain a bhíonn tú saor? || /ˈkaːhən̪ˠ a ˈvʲiːnʲ tuː siːɾʲ/ || When are you free?
+|-
+| Cathain a bheidh an cóisir? || /ˈkaːhən̪ˠ a vʲeː ʌn ˈkoːʃɪɾʲ/ || When will the party be?
+|-
+| Cathain a thosaíonn an rang? || /ˈkaːhən̪ˠ a ˈhʊsˠiːn̪ˠ an ˈr̪aŋɡ̪/ || When does the class start?
+|}
+==== Conas (How) ====
+This word asks about the manner or method of something.
+{| class="wikitable"
+! Irish !! Pronunciation !! English
+|-
+| Conas atá tú? || /ˈkʊnəs aˈt̪ˠaː tuː/ || How are you?
+|-
+| Conas a dhéanaimid é? || /ˈkʊnəs a ˈjʲeːn̪ˠɪbʲ eː/ || How do we do it?
+|-
+| Conas a tháinig tú anseo? || /ˈkʊnəs a ˈh̪ˠaːnʲɪɡ tuː ˈh̪ˠeːnʲə/ || How did you come here?
+|-
+| Conas a chónaíonn tú? || /ˈkʊnəs a ˈxoːnʲiːn̪ˠ tuː/ || How do you live?
+|}
+==== Cén fáth (Why) ====
+This phrase is used to ask for reasons or explanations.
+{| class="wikitable"
+! Irish !! Pronunciation !! English
+|-
-== Irish Question Words ==
+| Cén fáth a bhfuil tú brónach? || /keːn fˠaː/ a ˈwʲɪlʲ tuː ˈbɾˠoːnəx/ || Why are you sad?
-Firstly, let's take a look at the most commonly used question words in Irish:
+|-
-* Cé (pronounced as kay) - who
+| Cén fáth nach bhfuil tú anseo? || /keːn fˠaː nax ˈwʲɪlʲ tuː ˈh̪ˠeːnʲə/ || Why are you not here?
-* Cad (pronounced as kahd) - what
-* Cén t-am (pronounced as kane tahm) - when
-* Cén áit (pronounced as kane awtch) - where
-* Cén fáth (pronounced as kane faw) - why
-* Conas (pronounced as kun-us) - how
-* Céard a (pronounced as kay-ard a) - what or what is
-These question words can be used in different sentence structures to ask a variety of different questions.
+|-
-== Basic Sentence Structure ==
+| Cén fáth a thagann sé? || /keːn fˠaː a ˈhʲaɡənʲ ʃeː/ || Why does he come?
-Before learning how to use question words, it's essential to understand the basic sentence structure in Irish. In Irish, the word order of a sentence is generally subject-verb-object (SVO). As an example:
+|-
-* D'ith mé an t-alainn bia. (pronounced as dee meh on tall-inn bee-ah) - I ate the lovely food.
+| Cén fáth nach bhfuil sé ag obair? || /keːn fˠaː nax ˈwʲɪlʲ ʃeː aɡ ˈoːbʲəɾʲ/ || Why is he not working?
-The subject (I), verb (ate), and object (food) in this sentence follow this order. However, if you want to emphasize a specific aspect of the sentence, you can change the word order. For example:
+|}
-* An t-alainn bia a d'ith mé. (pronounced as on tall-inn bee-ah a dee meh) - The lovely food I ate.
+=== Practice Exercises ===
-In this case, the emphasis is on the food rather than the action of eating.
+Now that we've covered the question words, it’s time to put your knowledge to the test! Below are some exercises that will help solidify your understanding. Try to complete them without looking at the answers first!
-== Forming Questions Using Question Words ==
+. Fill in the blank with the correct question word: "___ atá ag labhairt?" (Who is speaking?)
-In Irish, when forming questions using question words, you can switch the word order of the sentence, and the verb may take a different form.
+. Translate to Irish: "What is your favorite food?"
-### Yes/No Questions ###
+. Choose the correct question word: "___ a bhfuil an siopa?" (Where is the shop?)
-The most straightforward type of question in Irish is a yes/no question. These questions can be formed by starting a sentence with "an" (pronounced as on) or "nach" (pronounced as nock). "An" means "is," and "nach" means "isn't." For example:
+. Answer the question: "Cá bhfuil tú?" (Where are you?)
-* An ith tú an bia? (pronounced as on ih too on bee-ah) - Do you eat the food?
+. Fill in the blank: "___ a dhéanann tú?" (What do you do?)
-* Nach miste leat é? (pronounced as nock mish-ta lat ay) - Don't you like it?
-### Information Questions ###
+. Write a question using "Cén" (Which).
-Information questions in Irish use question words and are formed by switching the word order of a sentence. The word order follows this structure: question word + verb + subject + object. As an example:
+. Translate to English: "Cén fáth a bhfuil tú brónach?"
-* Cad a ithimid? (pronounced as kahd a ih-him-id) - What do we eat?
+. Answer the question: "Cathain a thagann sé?" (When does he come?)
-In this sentence example, "cad" (what) is the question word, "ithimid" (eat) is the verb, and "a" is a particle that connects the question word and the verb. The word order changes to question word + verb + subject, which in this case is implied, + object.
+. Fill in the blank: "___ atá ar siúl?" (What is happening?)
-* Cén t-am a thosaíonn an scannán? (pronounced as kane tahm a ho-see-un on scun-awn) - When does the movie start?
+. Use "Conas" (How) to ask a question about someone's health.
-In this example, "cén t-am" (when) is the question word, "thosaíonn" (start) is the verb, and "an scannán" (the movie) is the object. The word order changes to question word + verb + subject + object.
+=== Solutions and Explanations ===
-### Indirect Questions ###
+. Cé
-Indirect questions in Irish can also use question words. However, they don't need to switch the word order of the sentence, and the verb does not change form. As an example:
+. Cad é an bia is fearr leat?
-* Tá mé ag ceisteacht cén t-am a thosaíonn an scannán. (pronounced as taw may egg kesh-thach-t kane tahm a ho-see-un on scun-awn) - I'm wondering when the movie starts.
+. Cá
-In this sentence, the word order of the sentence follows the SVO structure, and "cén t-am" (when) is used as an indirect question word.
+. Táim i mo chónaí i mBaile Átha Cliath. (I live in Dublin.)
-### Using "Céard a" ###
+. Cad
-"Céard a" is a question structure that is used in Irish to ask for a definition or explanation of something. This structure follows the word order: "céard a + verb + subject + object?" For example:
+. Cén leabhar atá agat?
-* Céard a dhéanann dlúthdhiosca? (pronounced as kay-ard a yawn-un dool-h-jiss-ka) - What does a CD do?
+. Why are you sad?
-In this sentence, "céard a" (what or what is) is the question word, "dhéanann" (do) is the verb, and "dlúthdhiosca" (CD) is the object. The word order changes to question word + verb + subject (implied) + object.
+. Tagann sé amárach. (He comes tomorrow.)
-== Examples ==
+. Cad
-To see how these question words can be used in practice, let's look at some examples:
+. Conas atá tú?
-* Cé atá ann? (pronounced as kay a-taw on) - Who is there?
+Great job on completing the exercises! Understanding these question words is crucial for your progression in the Irish language. Remember, practice makes perfect. Don’t hesitate to revisit this lesson or use these question words in your daily conversations.
-* Cad atá ar siúl anseo? (pronounced as kahd a-taw err shool on-shuh) - What's going on here?
-* Cén t-am a itheann tú? (pronounced as kane tahm a ih-han too) - When do you eat?
-* Cén áit a bhfuil tú ina chónaí? (pronounced as kane awtch a will too in-a chown-ee) - Where do you live?
-* Cén fáth a mbíonn sé ag déanamh sin? (pronounced as kane faw a meeb-inn shay egg dayn-uv shin) - Why does he/she do that?
-* Conas atá tú? (pronounced as kun-us a-taw too) - How are you?
-* Céard a thógann tú leat go minic? (pronounced as kay-ard a hug-un too lat go min-ick) - What do you often take with you?
-== Conclusion ==
+As you continue on your journey to learn Irish, keep these question words handy. They will not only help you gather information but also encourage engaging conversations with others.
-By understanding the basic sentence structure in Irish and practicing forming questions using question words, you will be able to communicate more effectively in Irish. Remember to pay attention to the word order changes depending on the type of question and practice using these different question words in context.
+Thank you for joining me in this lesson! Keep up the great work, and I look forward to seeing you in the next lesson.
 {{#seo:
-|title=Irish Grammar - Questions and Answers - Question Words
-|keywords=Irish Grammar, question words, forming questions, Irish sentence structure, yes/no questions, information questions, indirect questions, céard a, Irish question words
+|title=Irish Grammar: Question Words
-|description=Learn how to form questions using Irish question words such as who, what, when, and where in this beginner Irish grammar lesson. Understand the Irish sentence structure and learn how to use different types of question words in context.
+|keywords=Irish language, question words, beginners, learn Irish, Irish grammar
+|description=In this lesson, you will learn about essential question words in Irish, how to form questions, and practice exercises to reinforce your learning.
 }}
-{{Irish-0-to-A1-Course-TOC}}
+{{Template:Irish-0-to-A1-Course-TOC}}
 [[Category:Course]]
@@ Line 101: / Line 303: @@
 [[Category:0-to-A1-Course]]
 [[Category:Irish-0-to-A1-Course]]
-<span gpt></span> <span model=gpt-3.5-turbo></span> <span temperature=1></span>
+<span openai_correct_model></span> <span gpt></span> <span model=gpt-4o-mini></span> <span temperature=0.7></span>
+==Videos==
+===ASKING + ANSWERING QUESTIONS in IRISH - PAST TENSE | How ...===
+<youtube>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4yYteiumxQ</youtube>
-==Videos==
+==Sources==
+* [https://ling-app.com/ga/irish-question-words/ Irish Question Words: #1 Easy Guide For Beginners - Ling App]
+* [https://www.twinkl.co.uk/teaching-wiki/irish-question-words What are Irish Question Words? Teaching Wiki - Twinkl]
-===ASKING + ANSWERING QUESTIONS in IRISH - PAST TENSE | How ...===
-<youtube>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4yYteiumxQ</youtube>
@@ Line 124: / Line 331: @@
-<span class='maj'></span>
-==Sources==
-* [https://ling-app.com/ga/irish-question-words/ Irish Question Words: #1 Easy Guide For Beginners - Ling App]
-* [https://www.twinkl.co.uk/teaching-wiki/irish-question-words What are Irish Question Words? Teaching Wiki - Twinkl]
 {{Irish-Page-Bottom}}
+<span pgnav>
+{| class="wikitable pg_template_nav"
+|[[Language/Irish/Vocabulary/Telling-Time|◀️ Telling Time — Previous Lesson]]
+|[[Language/Irish/Grammar/Answering-Questions|Next Lesson — Answering Questions ▶️]]
+|}
+</span>