Prepositional pronounsRoimhearan riochdail

What is a prepositional pronoun? Dè th’ ann an roimhear riochdail?

We often use prepositions (e.g. on, at, under) with a pronoun (e.g. I, you, it), to give us phrases such as “on me” and “under it”. In Gaelic this sentence structure is different as prepositions can join with pronouns to give us a new word. They are called prepositional pronouns. ’S tric a chleachdas sinn roimhearan (m.e. air, aig, fo) còmhla ri riochdairean (m.e. mi, thu, e/i) airson abairtean leithid “orm” agus “fodha” a thoirt dhuinn. Chan ionnan an structar seo ri seantansan anns a’ Bheurla a chionn ’s gum faighear facal ùr Gàidhlig nuair a thig roimhear agus riochdair ri chèile. ’S e roimhearan riochdail a chanar riutha seo.

A few examples Mar eisimpleir

AIR (on) + MI (I/me) = ORM, = “on me”

AIG (at) + THU (you) = AGAD, = “at you”

For most prepositions there is a list of seven prepositional pronouns. Don’t worry - this sounds scarier than it actually is! Why not learn the lists like a times table? They’re used so often in conversation that you’ll have them sussed in no time. Anns a’ chumantas tha liosta de sheachd roimhearan riochdail aig roimhearan. Na gabh dragh – chan eil a’ chùis idir cho eagalach ’s a shaoileadh tu! Nach ionnsaich tu na liostaichean mar chlàr nan uireadan? Bithear gan cleachdadh tric ’s minig ann an còmhradh ’s gum bi iad air do theangaidh an ceartair.

Adding emphasis to prepositional pronounsA’ cur cudrom air roimhearan riochdail

Just like personal pronouns (e.g. mise, thusa, esan), prepositional pronouns (e.g. on me, at you, with him) also have an emphatic form which can be used for adding emphasis or creating a contrast. It’s not so important to learn these from the start. Coltach ris na riochdairean pearsanta (m.e. mise, thusa, esan), tha iomsgaradh aig roimhearan riochdail cuideachd agus bithear a’ cleachdadh an tuiseil seo airson cudrom a chur air rud no eadar-dhealachadh a shealltainn. Chan eil e cho cudromach gun ionnsaich thu iad seo aig an toiseach.