Experiencer Constructions

Wanting: bi + experiencer + ag + iarradh + theme

Tha	mi	ag	iarraidh	[cupa ti].
be.pres	1sg	Prog	want.VN	[cup of tea]
'I want a cup of tea.' or 'I am asking for a cup of tea.'

bi + nominal + aig+ experiencer + air+theme

Love

Tha	gràdh	aice	air
be.pres	love	at.1sg	on.2sg
'I love you.'

Tha	gaol	aice	air
be.pres	love	at.1sg	on.2sg
'I love you.'

Hate

Tha	gràin	aca	oirnn.
be.pres	hate	at.3pl	on.1pl
'We hate them.'

Knowledge

Tha	fios	agam	air	an	story.
be.pres	knowledge	at.1sg	on	the	story
'I know the story.'

Note: fios 'knowledge' is used with inanimate things.

Remembrance

Tha	cuimhn'	agam	air	Mairi.
be.pres	memory	at.1sg	on	Mary
'I remember Mary.'

bi + nominal + air + experiencer

Afraid

Tha	an	t-eagal	orm.
be.pres	the	fear	on.1sg
'I am afraid (terrified/frightened).'

Ashamed

Tha	an	nàire	orm.
be.pres	the	ashamed	on.1sg
'I am ashamed.'

Tha	an	nàire	air	Iain.
be.pres	the	ashamed	on	Iain
'Iain is ahsamed.'

Drunk

Tha	an	deoch	orm.
be.pres	the	drink	on.1sg
'I am drunk.'

In a hurry/Rushed

Tha	cabhag	orm.
be.pres	hurry	on.1sg
'I am in a hurry.'

Hungry

Tha	an	t-acras	orm.
be.pres	the	huger	on.1sg
'I am hungry.'

Tha	an	t-acras	air	Iain	(airson	beagan	teoclaid).
be.pres	the	huger	on	Iain	(for	little	chocolate).
'Iain is hungry for some chocolate.'

Sleepy

Tha	an	cadal	orm.
be.pres	the	sleep	on.1sg
'I am sleepy.'

Tha	an	cadal	air	Iain.
be.pres	the	sleep	on	Iain
'Iain is sleepy.'

Rare version of the above sentence:

Tha	Iain	cadalach.
be.pres	Iain	sleepy
'Iain is sleepy.'

Thirsty

Tha	am	pathadh	orm.
be.pres	the	thirst	on.1sg
'I am thirsty.'

Tha	am	pathadh	air	Iain	(airson	leann).
be.pres	the	thirst	on	Iain	for	beer
'Iain is thirsty (for beer).'

Toothache

Tha	an	dèideadh	orm.
be.pres	the	toothache	on.1sg
'I have a toothache.'

Tha	an	dèideadh	air	Iain.
be.pres	the	toothache	on	Iain
'Iain has a toothache.'

Own: bi + possessed + le + possessor

Tha	an	leabhar	le	Fiona
be.pres	the	book	with	Fiona
'Fiona has the book.'

Is + nominal + le + experiencer

LIke and Dislike

• Is toigh leum

'S	toigh	leum	coffaidh.
cop.pres	liking	on.1sg	coffee
'I like coffee.'

• Cha toigh leat

Cha	toigh	leat	coffaidh.
cop.neg	liking	at.2sg	coffee
'You don't like coffee.'

Cuir + N + air + experiencer

• cuir cianals air "make homesick"
• cuir iongnadh air "surprise"

Verbal =

Còrd + theme + ri + experiencer "like"

Chord	an	latha	ris.
like.pst	the	day	to.3sg.m
'He liked the day.'

References

• Fisher, Muriel (2004). Scottish Gaelic Level 1. Seattle: Each-Mara Publications