The definite articleThe Definite Article - a

Knowing some Gaelic grammar helps you to understand and communicate in the language. Use the quiz to put your knowledge of the definite article to the test.

Part ofGaelic (Learners)Grammar

The Definite Article - a

3. The definite article in the nominative case - a'

a' is used in front of feminine words beginning with the consonants b, c, g, m and p. When you put a' in front of feminine words beginning with the consonants b, c, g, m and p, you also insert an h after the initial consonant, eg a' bhanais, a' bhean.

The definite article

Indefinite formDefinite formMeaning
banaisa' bhanaisthe wedding
bàirneacha' bhàirneachthe barnacle, limpet
bana-phrionnsaa' bhana-phrionnsathe princess
caileaga' chaileagthe girl
cailleacha' chailleachthe old woman
camhanacha' chamhanachthe dawn
gainmheacha' ghainmheachthe sand
gealacha' ghealachthe moon
glainnea' ghlainnethe glass
miasa' mhiasthe bowl
mina' mhinthe meal (cereal)
misneachda' mhisneachdthe courage
pòcaida' phòcaidthe pocket
poita' phoitthe pot
pròisa' phròisthe pride
Indefinite formbanais
Definite forma' bhanais
Meaningthe wedding
Indefinite formbàirneach
Definite forma' bhàirneach
Meaningthe barnacle, limpet
Indefinite formbana-phrionnsa
Definite forma' bhana-phrionnsa
Meaningthe princess
Indefinite formcaileag
Definite forma' chaileag
Meaningthe girl
Indefinite formcailleach
Definite forma' chailleach
Meaningthe old woman
Indefinite formcamhanach
Definite forma' chamhanach
Meaningthe dawn
Indefinite formgainmheach
Definite forma' ghainmheach
Meaningthe sand
Indefinite formgealach
Definite forma' ghealach
Meaningthe moon
Indefinite formglainne
Definite forma' ghlainne
Meaningthe glass
Indefinite formmias
Definite forma' mhias
Meaningthe bowl
Indefinite formmin
Definite forma' mhin
Meaningthe meal (cereal)
Indefinite formmisneachd
Definite forma' mhisneachd
Meaningthe courage
Indefinite formpòcaid
Definite forma' phòcaid
Meaningthe pocket
Indefinite formpoit
Definite forma' phoit
Meaningthe pot
Indefinite formpròis
Definite forma' phròis
Meaningthe pride