蜜芽传媒

If you have a ‘cúpla focal’;

This proverb translates as ‘there is no success without discipline.’

Let us look at the structure of the sentence.

The verb in Irish usually comes before its subject. In this case the verb is ‘bí’ in its third person present habitual tense form ‘bíonn’. It appears twice in this proverb. In the first case the verb is aspirated which in writing is shown by a ’h’ after the ‘b’. This changes the sound from ‘b’ to ‘v’. It is aspirated because it is preceded by the negative verbal particle ‘ní’ which is used before verbs in the present tense.

In the second case the verb is eclipsed by an ‘m’ which changes initial sound from ‘b’ to ‘m’. This occurs after the adverb ‘mar’.

‘Ach’ is the adverb ‘but’.

The two nouns are preceded by the definite article ‘an’ which is often used before an abstract noun. Therefore when talking about ‘love’ in a general way we would say ‘an grá’.

If you’re an advanced learner;

Although translated as ‘there is no success without discipline’. The direct translation is ‘there is no success unless there is discipline’.

You will notice that the definite article ‘an’ is used before the nouns ‘rath’ agus ‘smacht’. This often happens in Irish when talking about abstract ideas, e.g. ‘bíonn an grá foighdeach’ (love is patient).

The ‘ach’ can also mean ‘only’ when used with the negative form of the verb ‘Níl agam ach punt’ (I have only a pound).

It can also mean ‘unless’. ‘Ní féidir liom dul ach má fhaighim síob’ ( I can’t go unless I get a lift).

If you’re fluent but would like to improve your grammar;

Ciallaíonn an seanfhocal seo nach n-éireoidh leat do chuspóir a chur i gcrích mura gcoinníonn tú smacht ort féin.

Sa tseanfhocal seo úsáidtear an t-alt roimh na hainmfhocail ‘rath’ agus ‘smacht’. Tarlaíonn sin go minic nuair a bhímid ag caint ar théarmaí atá teibí. Sampla maith is ea ‘Bíonn an grá foighdeach agus bíonn sé lách.’ (Love is patient and kind).

Is féidir ‘mar’ a úsáid:

mar réamhfhocal - ‘mar mháistir’ (as a teacher)

mar chónasc - ‘mar a shiúlann sé’ (as he walks)

mar dhobhriathar - ‘mar a bhfaca mé’ (where I saw).

Sa chás seo is dobhriathar atá ann agus úsáidtear an fhoirm spleách den bhriathar a leanann é.

Amharc ar an difear idir an dá abairt seo:

‘Fan mar atá tú’ = Ná hathraigh an staid ina bhfuil tú.

‘Fan mar a bhfuil tú’ = Ná himigh on áit a bhfuil tú.