If you’re learning the Irish language, you’ve likely stumbled upon one of its trickiest aspects—irregular verbs in Irish. These verbs, known in Irish as briathra neamhrialta, don’t follow the standard rules of conjugation and can leave even the most motivated learners scratching their heads.
But don’t worry—you’re not alone, and you’re not without support. With the help of Gaeilgeoir AI’s powerful learning tools, understanding and using these irregular Irish verbs becomes much more manageable. In this guide, we’ll walk you through what irregular verbs are, why they matter, and how to master them effectively—even if you’re just starting out.
What Are Irregular Verbs in Irish?
In any language, irregular verbs are those that don’t follow the usual conjugation patterns. Irish has 11 core irregular verbs, each with unique forms in the past, present, and future tenses. Rather than simply adding an ending like regular verbs, irregular verbs can change their stems entirely.
Here are the 11 irregular verbs you’ll need to know:
- Abair – to say
- Beir – to catch
- Bí – to be
- Clois – to hear
- Déan – to do/make
- Faigh – to get
- Feic – to see
- Ith – to eat
- Tabhair – to give
- Tar – to come
- Téigh – to go
These verbs appear all the time in Irish, so getting comfortable with them early can dramatically improve your fluency.
Why Irregular Verbs Matter So Much
Irregular verbs in Irish form the backbone of everyday conversation. They help you express basic actions like going places (Téigh), being somewhere (Bí), seeing things (Feic), or saying how you feel (Abair). Mastering these will help you move from basic phrases to actual conversations with confidence.
Many irregular verbs are also part of idiomatic expressions, which are essential if you want to sound natural and native. For example, Rug mé greim air means “I grabbed hold of it,” using the past tense of Beir.
How Gaeilgeoir AI Helps You Learn Irregular Verbs
Gaeilgeoir AI is designed specifically to make tricky grammar like this easier. With AI-powered grammar tools, real-time feedback, and interactive flashcards, you can master Irish irregular verbs with personalized support. You’ll get smart conjugation tools, targeted quizzes, and pronunciation feedback to help you nail each form. Best of all, the system adapts to your level, so whether you’re a complete beginner or brushing up for an exam, you’ll get exactly what you need. You can start your free trial here to explore these tools firsthand.
Breakdown of the 11 Irregular Irish Verbs
1. Abair (to say)
Present: Deir mé
Past: Dúirt mé
Future: Déarfaidh mé
Example: Dúirt sé go raibh sé tuirseach – He said he was tired.
2. Beir (to catch)
Present: Beirim
Past: Rug mé
Future: Béarfaidh mé
Used in expressions like rug mé greim air – I grabbed it.
3. Bí (to be)
Present: Tá mé
Past: Bhí mé
Future: Beidh mé
Arguably the most important verb in Irish.
4. Clois (to hear)
Present: Cloisim
Past: Chuala mé
Future: Cloisfidh mé
Example: Chuala mé an ceol – I heard the music.
5. Déan (to do/make)
Present: Déanaim
Past: Rinne mé
Future: Déanfaidh mé
Example: Rinne sí an obair bhaile – She did the homework.
6. Faigh (to get)
Present: Faighim
Past: Fuair mé
Future: Gheobhaidh mé
Example: Fuair mé bronntanas – I got a present.
7. Feic (to see)
Present: Feicim
Past: Chonaic mé
Future: Feicfidh mé
Example: Feicfidh mé thú amárach – I’ll see you tomorrow.
8. Ith (to eat)
Present: Ithim
Past: D’ith mé
Future: Íosfaidh mé
Example: D’ith mé an t-arán – I ate the bread.
9. Tabhair (to give)
Present: Tugaim
Past: Thug mé
Future: Tabharfaidh mé
Example: Thug sé an leabhar dom – He gave me the book.
10. Tar (to come)
Present: Tagaim
Past: Tháinig mé
Future: Tiocfaidh mé
Example: Tháinig siad go mall – They came late.
11. Téigh (to go)
Present: Téim
Past: Chuaigh mé
Future: Rachaidh mé
Example: Chuaigh muid chuig an trá – We went to the beach.
Quick Verb Conjugation Table
| Verb | Present | Past | Future |
|---|---|---|---|
| Téigh | Téim | Chuaigh mé | Rachaidh mé |
| Tar | Tagaim | Tháinig mé | Tiocfaidh mé |
| Faigh | Faighim | Fuair mé | Gheobhaidh mé |
| Ith | Ithim | D’ith mé | Íosfaidh mé |
| Tabhair | Tugaim | Thug mé | Tabharfaidh mé |
Tips for Learning Irregular Verbs Effectively
1. Start Small
Begin with just 2 or 3 verbs and focus on using them in full sentences.
2. Group Similar Patterns
Note that some verbs follow similar patterns in certain tenses. For example, Chonaic mé (I saw) and Chuala mé (I heard) both start with “Cho-” in the past.
3. Use Context
Don’t just memorize isolated verb forms. Try using them in real contexts. For example, in your daily journal: Dúirt mé le mo chara…
4. Practice with Flashcards
Gaeilgeoir AI offers smart flashcards that test you on conjugation forms and usage.
5. Check for Common Errors
Avoid mistakes like saying deanaigh mé instead of rinne mé. These small slips are common but easily corrected. You can read more about them in our Common Mistakes in Irish article.
6. Use Realistic Dialogue
Check out our Basic Irish Conversation Guide to see these verbs in actual use. It’s easier to remember verbs when they’re tied to meaning and emotion.
How AI Is Revolutionizing Irish Grammar Learning
AI in education has made language learning more engaging and effective. According to a Cambridge study on AI tools in language learning, AI systems help learners retain grammar patterns, reduce errors, and stay motivated. Gaeilgeoir AI follows these same principles by offering smart, adaptive learning tailored to Irish.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Confusing irregular forms (e.g., Feic vs. Faigh)
- Over-regularizing verbs (e.g., deanaigh mé)
- Forgetting tense-specific stem changes
Final Thoughts
Irregular verbs in Irish may seem like an intimidating hurdle, but with the right approach and consistent practice, you’ll master them. These verbs are essential for expressing everyday actions and emotions. Learning them unlocks your ability to have real, flowing conversations.
Gaeilgeoir AI is here to make that journey easier. With personalized lessons, grammar tools, and pronunciation feedback, you’ll gain confidence in no time. If you’re serious about learning Irish, don’t wait—join our learning platform and take your Irish to the next level today.
Further Reading
