Caibidil a Trí Déag: Sentences and Syntax (Abairt agus Comhréir)Miscellaneous |
directional adverbs with le
subjunctive clauses |
The use of directional adverbs as the imperative resembles the German or English: "Runter mit dir!"=Down you go, see the first example)
It may also be used as a normal sentence (in German this is less common, see 2nd and 3rd example)
directional adverb + le + subject | Anuas leat! = Down with you!/Down you go!
Suas an crann leis agus .... = Up the tree with him and.... Síos an bóthar liom.... = I go down the street here... |
The use of directional adverbs as the imperative also allows the use of the imperative plural suffix -igí:
síosaigí libh = down with ye!
(also: sit down!)
affirmative: | Go + subjunctive of the verb + subject + object |
negative: | Nár + subjunctive of the verb + subject + object |
go requires eclipsis, nár lenition
subjunctive clauses, that begin with go/nár, are used for wishes, curses, hopes etc.
They act as the optative.
e.g.: Go raibh maith agat = Thank you! (lit.: "That may good be by you")
Go n-éirí an bóthair leat = Good luck! (lit.: "That rise the way with you!")
Go dtaga do ríocht = Thy Kingdom come! (lit.: "That may come your kingdom!")
Nár laga Dia do lámh = May God not weaken your hand! (lit.: "That-not weaken God your hand!")
Nár lige Dia = God forbid! (lit.: "That-not allow God ")
Other uses of the subjunctive: see tenses