“Tá”
Vs
“Is”
Gaeilge has two forms of the verb “To Be” which can be represented as follows. An bhfuil sé fuar? Is it cold? An scannán é? Is it a film?
Tá / Níl It is / It isn’t Is ea / Ní hea It is / It isn’t
“Tá” is used to describe or express conditions/ actions / locations / emotions i.e. Tá mé go maith / Tá mé ag léamh / Tá me anseo / Tá áthas orm. While “Is” is used to identify / define and associate one thing with another i.e. Is mise an té / Is cóta atá ann / Is imreoir maith é.
Note: There isn’t an equivalent to the yes / no answer as is in English. Instead the verb is always repeated in the answer. Tá = “It is”
not “Yes”
Níl = “It isn’t”
Is ea (‘Sea) = “It is”
not “Yes”
Ní hea = “It isn’t”
not “No”
not “No”