Schedule & Booking

1. Cén t-am é?

   kayn TAM ay

   What time is it?

   Usage

   Basic time question. "Am" (time) takes a "t-" prefix after the definite article

   Grammar Note

   "Am" (time) is masculine and vowel-initial — it gets "t-" after the definite article "an" in the nominative/accusative. "Cén" = "cé (who/what) + an (the)" contracted.

2. Tá mé déanach

   taw may JAY-nukh

   I am late

   Usage

   Saying you are late. "Déanach" (late) used as an adjective

   Grammar Note

   "Déanach" (late) is the adjective for being behind time. Its antonym is "luath" (early). The comparative "níos déanaí" means "later". "Mall" is used for slowness of speed instead.

3. Beidh mé ann amárach

   byeh may un uh-MAW-rukh

   I will be there tomorrow

   Usage

   Confirming tomorrow's appointment. "Beidh" is the future form of "bí"

   Grammar Note

   "Beidh" is the irregular future of "bí": "tá (present) → bhí (past) → beidh (future) → bheadh (conditional)." "Bí" is the most important irregular verb in Irish — highly suppletive.

4. Cén lá é inniu?

   kayn law ay IN-yoo

   What day is today?

   Usage

   Asking what day of the week it is. "Lá" (day) is a fundamental Irish time word

   Grammar Note

   Irish days: Dé Luain (Mon), Dé Máirt (Tue), Dé Céadaoin (Wed), Déardaoin (Thu), Dé hAoine (Fri), Dé Sathairn (Sat), Dé Domhnaigh (Sun). Prefix "Dé" (of the day) precedes day names.

5. Fan nóiméad

   fan NOH-mayd

   Wait a moment

   Usage

   Asking someone to wait briefly. "Nóiméad" (minute/moment) used colloquially for "just a moment"

   Grammar Note

   "Fan" (wait) imperative uses the bare verb root. Irish imperative singular = bare root; plural adds "-aigí" after a broad-vowel stem (or "-igí" after a slender one): "fan (wait, singular) → fanaigí (wait, plural)."

6. Tá an t-am ag dul thart

   taw un TAM egg dul HART

   Time is passing / Time is going by

   Usage

   Expressing that time is passing

   Grammar Note

   "Dul thart" (going past) is the Irish expression for time passing. "Thart" (past/around) combines with motion verbs for "passing" expressions. Compare "dul thart" vs "dul timpeall" (going around).

7. Tá coinne agam

   taw KIN-yeh AG-um

   I have an appointment

   Usage

   Announcing you have an appointment. "Coinne" works for medical, business, and personal appointments

   Grammar Note

   "Coinne" covers medical, business, and personal appointments. Extended form: "tá coinne agam le [person]" (I have an appointment with [person]).

8. Ar maidin

   er MAJ-in

   In the morning / This morning

   Usage

   Time adverbial for morning appointments and events

   Grammar Note

   Irish time-of-day expressions: "ar maidin" (morning), "um nóin" (around noon), "tráthnóna" (afternoon/evening), "san oíche" (at night). "Ar" (on/at) is used idiomatically with time periods.

9. An féidir linn bualadh le chéile?

   un FAY-dir lin BOO-luh leh KAY-leh

   Can we meet? / Is it possible for us to meet?

   Usage

   Arranging to meet someone. "Bualadh le" (meeting with) is the Irish idiom for "to meet"

   Grammar Note

   "Bualadh" means both "hitting" and "meeting" — the verbal noun of "buail." "Bualadh le" (to meet with/hit with) is an idiom for meeting someone. "Le chéile" (together/each other) adds reciprocity.

10. Tá mé ag fanacht

    taw may egg FAN-ukht

    I am waiting

    Usage

    Saying you are waiting. "Fanacht" is the verbal noun of "fan" (to wait/stay)

    Grammar Note

    "Fanacht" covers both "waiting" and "staying/remaining." "Fanacht anseo" (staying here), "fanacht le duine" (waiting for someone). The progressive "ag fanacht" is the most common form in everyday Irish.

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