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In Gaelic, there is no indefinite article like 'a' or 'an'. The definite article 'the' in Gaelic varies based on gender, initial letter, and sentence context. Let's look at some examples:
What even are these 'cases'?
ainm. an tuiseal ainmeach/’bunasach’ -
the nominative/’basic’ case
This is used when when a noun (naming-word) stands alone, with no preposition before it and when it is not being connected to another noun or verbal noun.
For example: ‘tha am bòrd glan’ the table is clean
tabh. an tuiseal tabhartach -
the dative case
This is used when the noun follows a simple preposition, such as ‘air’ on, ‘aig’ at, ‘ron’ before, ‘fon’ under, ‘leis’ with etc.
For example:
‘suidh aig a’ bhòrd’ sit at the table
‘cuir air a’ bhòrd e’ put it on the table
gin. an tuiseal ginideach - the genitive case.
This is used when the noun is being married with another noun, such as ‘casan a’ bhùird’ the legs of the table; the noun comes after a verbal noun, such as ‘tha mi a’ glanadh a’ bhùird’ I am cleaning the table (lit. I am at cleaning of the table); the noun comes after a compound preposition, such as ‘ri taobh a’ bhùird’ beside the table (lit. to/at the side of the table)
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