Tá Séamas, an ea? (un A) Séamas is it? Is ea (sha), It is.
Nach bhfuil Brian ag teacht freisin? (FRESH-in), also.
Ó, níl. Tá sé amuigh sa tsráid (uh-MWEE), He's out in the street.
2. Cé atá imeacht? (eg im-AHK*T), Who is leaving?
Tá Ruairí (ROH-i-ree) ag imeacht.
Nach bhfuil Seán ag imeacht freisin?
Ó, níl. Tá sé sa seomra eile fós (suh SHOHM-ruh EL-e fohs), He's still in the other room.
3. Cé atá ag ithe a bhricfeasta (eg I-he uh vrik-FAS-tuh), eating his breakfast
Liam, an ea? Is ea.
Nach bhfuil sé ag obair fós? (eg OH-bir), Isn't he at work yet?
Níl sé ag obair fós. Tá sé déanach (DAY*N-uhk), He's late.
4. Céard atá tú a dhéanamh? (uh YAY*N-uhv), What are you doing?
Tá mé ag déanamh báid (BAW*-id), I'm making a boat.
Bád, an ea? (baw*d, un A), A boat, is it? Is ea.
Nach maith an buachaill tú! (BOO-uhk*-il), Aren't you the good boy!
5. Cá bhfuil Seoirse ag siúl? (SHOHR-she uh SHOOL), Where is George walking?
Tá sé ag siúl ar an gcosán (er un guh-SAW*N), He's walking on the sidewalk.
Ar an gcosán, an ea? Is ea.
Maith an fear é! (mah un far ay*), He's a good man!
6. An bhfuil tú ag ól bainne? (eg ohl BAHN-ye), Are you drinking milk?
Níl mé ag ól bainne, ar chor ar bith (er HUHR er BI), not at all.
Céard atá tú ag ól, mar sin? (mahr shin), What are you drinking, then?
Tá mé ag ól uisce (ISH-ke), I am drinking water.
Uisce fuar, an ea? Is ea.
7. An bhfuil tú ag scríobh litreach? (uh shkreev LI-trahk*), Are you writing a letter?
Níl mé ag scríobh litreach anois (uh-NISH). Tá mé tuirseach (taw* may* toor-SHAHK*), I am tired.
Tuirseach, an ea? Is ea.
8. Cé atá ag fanacht amuigh? (uh fahn-uhk*t uh-MWEE), Who is waiting outside?
Nach bhfuil do mháthair amuigh ar an gcosán? (duh VWAW*-hir), Isn't your mother out on the sidewalk?
Má tá sí, abair léi teacht isteacht (maw* taw* shee, AH-bir lay* tyahk*t ish-TYAHK*), If she is, tell her to come in.
Note: To tell someone to give an order to a man, say "Abair leis" (AH-bir lesh) and add a verbal noun, such as "teacht" or "dul". An example: Abair leis dul abhaile (uh-VWAHL-e), Tell him to come home.
(c) 1997 The Irish People. May be reprinted with credit.
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