Volunteering

1. Ba mhaith liom oibriú mar shaorálaí anseo. Cén chaoi a gcláraím?

   Ba wah lum IV-roo mar HAYR-aw-lee un-SHUH. Kayn khee a GLAW-reem?

   I'd like to volunteer here. How do I sign up?

   Usage

   Basic phrase to express interest in volunteering and ask about registration

   Grammar Note

   "Ba mhaith liom" is a conditional construction for expressing wishes. "mar shaorálaí" uses "mar" (as/like) + noun to indicate a role; "mar" lenites the following noun.

2. Cá bhfuil ionad comhordúcháin na saorálaithe?

   Kaw will IN-ud koh-or-DOO-khawn na SAYR-aw-lih-eh?

   Where is the volunteer coordination center?

   Usage

   Asking for the location of the volunteer coordination center

   Grammar Note

   Irish uses genitive chains: "comhordúcháin na saorálaithe" = "of coordination of the volunteers." "cá bhfuil" uses eclipsis on "fuil."

3. Tá taithí agam ar theagasc / leigheas / thógáil.

   Taw TAH-hee A-gum er HYAG-usk / LYE-us / HOH-gawl.

   I have experience in teaching / medical / construction.

   Usage

   Stating your professional skills or background; choose the relevant option

   Grammar Note

   "Tá … agam" is the standard Irish "have" construction. The noun after preposition "ar" undergoes lenition.

4. Cé chomh fada is a mhaireann an gealltanas oibre deonaí?

   Kay khuh fah-da iss a wah-run un gyal-tuh-nuss IV-reh DYO-nee?

   How long is the volunteer commitment?

   Usage

   Asking about the duration or length of the volunteer commitment

   Grammar Note

   "Cé chomh fada" is an idiomatic expression asking about extent. "a mhaireann" is a relative clause with lenited verb.

5. An bhfuil trealamh nó oiliúint speisialta ag teastáil uaim?

   Un will tral-uv noh ih-looant spesh-awl-ta eg tyas-tawl oo-im?

   Do I need any special equipment or training?

   Usage

   Asking whether special gear or prior training is required before starting

   Grammar Note

   "ag teastáil uaim" means "needed by me" (literally "at needing from me"). "An bhfuil" is the interrogative form with eclipsis.

6. Ba mhaith liom cabhrú le faoiseamh tubaiste / obair chomhshaoil.

   Ba wah lum kow-roo le fwish-uv tub-ish-teh / ub-ir khoh-hweel.

   I'd like to help with disaster relief / environmental work.

   Usage

   Expressing desire to help in a specific field such as disaster relief or environmental protection

   Grammar Note

   "le" is a preposition meaning "with/for." "obair chomhshaoil" is a genitive compound: "work of the environment."

7. An bhfuil seisiún treoraithe ann do shaorálaithe?

   Un will shesh-oon tror-ih-ha own duh HAYR-aw-lih-eh?

   Is there a volunteer orientation session?

   Usage

   Asking whether an orientation or induction session exists for new volunteers

   Grammar Note

   "Ann" is an adverb of existence ("there"). The preposition "do" triggers lenition on the following noun.

8. An féidir liom oibriú mar shaorálaí mar chuid de ghrúpa?

   Un fay-dir lum iv-roo mar HAYR-aw-lee mar khwij deh roo-pa?

   Can I volunteer as part of a group?

   Usage

   Asking whether group volunteering is possible

   Grammar Note

   "An féidir liom" is the standard Irish way to ask "can I." The preposition "de" causes lenition on the following word.

9. An gcuirtear lóistín agus béilí ar fáil do shaorálaithe?

   Un gur-thar loh-shtyin a-gus bay-lee er fawl duh HAYR-aw-lih-eh?

   Are accommodation and meals provided for volunteers?

   Usage

   Asking whether housing and meals are covered for volunteers

   Grammar Note

   "An gcuirtear" is an interrogative passive construction. Irish uses the passive voice (autonomous form) very frequently.

10. Cé na teangacha a bhfuil cabhair uaibh leo?

    Kay na chyang-ukha a will kow-ir oo-iv lyoh?

    What languages do you need help with?

    Usage

    Asking which languages the organization needs assistance with

    Grammar Note

    "a bhfuil" is an indirect relative clause requiring eclipsis. "uaibh" is the plural form of the preposition "ó" (from/by).

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