Droch vs dona & deagh vs math
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Droch vs dona & deagh vs math
Don't worry, I'm not troubled by lenition this time.
But I can't make out whether these are simply interchangeable or whether you traditionally use droch (or deagh) with some nouns and dona (or math) with others - or whether perhaps they are usually interchangeable but there are a few exceptions in which using one of these would seem quite unidiomatic.
But I can't make out whether these are simply interchangeable or whether you traditionally use droch (or deagh) with some nouns and dona (or math) with others - or whether perhaps they are usually interchangeable but there are a few exceptions in which using one of these would seem quite unidiomatic.
The most important difference in terms of usability is that 'droch' and 'deagh' are ONLY used directly before the noun (and lenite it where possible).
'S e droch naidheachd a th' ann. It's bad news.
(or, less common, 's e naidheachd dhona a th' ann.)
BUT, if you really want to say 'the news is bad':
Tha an naidheachd dona.
The same system applies to 'deagh' and 'math'.
There are subtle differences in meaning and register too, but the ability of 'droch' and 'deagh' to precede the noun lends them emphasis, so they are often used in emphatic situations, i.e. particularly bad or good.
The frontal positions also means they lend themselves to compound nouns and adjectives, e.g.
droch-nàdarrach: bad-natured
deagh-aithnichte: well-known
And both 'droch' and 'deagh' are used a lot in spoken/colloquial Gaelic.
Think that's enough to be going on with!
Consult Colin Mark's dictionary for idiomatic usage.
'S e droch naidheachd a th' ann. It's bad news.
(or, less common, 's e naidheachd dhona a th' ann.)
BUT, if you really want to say 'the news is bad':
Tha an naidheachd dona.
The same system applies to 'deagh' and 'math'.
There are subtle differences in meaning and register too, but the ability of 'droch' and 'deagh' to precede the noun lends them emphasis, so they are often used in emphatic situations, i.e. particularly bad or good.
The frontal positions also means they lend themselves to compound nouns and adjectives, e.g.
droch-nàdarrach: bad-natured
deagh-aithnichte: well-known
And both 'droch' and 'deagh' are used a lot in spoken/colloquial Gaelic.
Think that's enough to be going on with!
Consult Colin Mark's dictionary for idiomatic usage.
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Mòran taing! That's just what I wanted to know - and, moreover, you made me look up the Colin Mark dictionary in GoogleBooks and... ged a tha faclair Aonghais MhicBhatair agam mu thràth, tharraing mi am fear le Cailean Marc aig Amazon cuideachd - tha e coltach gu bheil tòrr fiosrachaidh ann a bharrachd air ea**r-thea******idhean!
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- Maor
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- Rianaire
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- Rianaire
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Good point, Niall.
@Seonaidh: When Horoghellaidh says worse, he means very bad as such, and not worse in comparison to something else. Just like saying "Bad news" in English with a strong emphasis on "bad".
@Seonaidh: When Horoghellaidh says worse, he means very bad as such, and not worse in comparison to something else. Just like saying "Bad news" in English with a strong emphasis on "bad".
Oileanach chànan chuthachail
Na dealbhan agam
Na dealbhan agam
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I took it as a wordplay on "cofaidh"=coffee and the suffix -(a)idh for the future tense, hence "cofaidh mi=I will [have a] coffee" (so I said "chofainn cuideachd=I would coffee too" ).horogheallaidh wrote:now all I need is someone to explain the 'cofaidh' thing...
A bheil sin ceart, a Sheonaidh, or was I off the target?
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Bha mi airson ràdh "often" is chan ann "always" no "usually"
Oileanach chànan chuthachail
Na dealbhan agam
Na dealbhan agam
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hmm, ach chan urrainn dhuit "mar is trice" a chleachdadh san t-seagh seo. Chanainn sa rudeigin mar "mar is dual dhuit" .
Mar is trice, bidh mi a' cluich badminton oidhche ardaoin.
I usually play badminton on thursday evening.
Bidh mi a' cluich badminton oidhche ardaoin gu tric.
I often play badminton on thursday evening.
Dùrachdan.
Mar is trice, bidh mi a' cluich badminton oidhche ardaoin.
I usually play badminton on thursday evening.
Bidh mi a' cluich badminton oidhche ardaoin gu tric.
I often play badminton on thursday evening.
Dùrachdan.
Dèan buil cheart de na fhuair thu!