Ireland is a closed book to those who do not know her language. No one can know Ireland properly until one knows the language. Her treasures are hidden as a book unopened.
Margaret Emmeline Dobbs
In any language journey, you have to learn how to ask questions. In Gaeilge, Irish question words are essential. It's how you gather information, gain clarity, and engage in conversations. You'll see these words in almost every conversation or Irish lesson.
| Irish Question Word | English Translation | Example in Irish | Example in English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cé | Who | Cé tú? | Who are you? |
| Cad / Céard / Cén | What | Cad é seo? | What is this? |
| Cá / Cén áit | Where | Cá bhfuil tú? | Where are you? |
| Cathain / Cén uair | When | Cathain a thosaíonn an rang? | When does the class start? |
| Cén fáth | Why | Cén fáth a bhfuil tú déanach? | Why are you late? |
| Conas | How | Conas atá tú? | How are you? |
Why Question Words in Irish Matter
Unlike in English, where you can change your intonation to ask a question, Irish requires the specific question words and particles to form proper questions. You need the right word to be understood and follow the rules of Irish grammar, because without them, everyday communication in the language is impossible.
main question words to start building proper questions: Cé, Cad, Cá, Cathain, Cén fáth, Conas.
Cé — Who
Cad / Céard / Cén — What
Cá / Cén áit — Where
Cathain / Cén uair — When
Cén fáth — Why
Conas — How
Six Core Question Words in Irish
To get started asking and understanding questions, direct your attention to the six main question words in Irish.
Cad / Céard / Cén: What
Irish has a few ways of asking “what”:
Cé: Who
Cé is used when asking about people.
Cá / Cén áit: Where
To ask about place or position:
Cathain / Cén uair: When
Two main ways of saying “when”:
Cén fáth → Why
For asking about reasons:
Conas: How
Used for manner or method:
How Wh-Questions Are Structured in Irish
You can't just learn a few words in Gaeilge and expect to start asking questions. You need to form a question, complete with special particles. You have to know these structures before you can begin to use Irish question words correctly.
The Role of a + Mutation (Séimhiú / Urú)
In many examples, Irish inserts the particle a between the question word and the verb. This can trigger either lenition (adding h after the first consonant) or urú (prefixing another consonant).
Knowing which mutation to apply is a rule you’ll meet often in grammar content and exam questions.
Direct vs Indirect Wh-Questions
Irish distinguishes between direct and indirect forms:
This difference might feel unusual to learners of other languages, such as Spanish or French, but with exposure and practice, you'll start to recognise the patterns.
Word Order and Irish Syntax in Questions
In Irish, the verb still comes early in the sentence, but question words change the order. Compare:
Notice how bhfuil (a dependent form of tá) is pulled into the question form. Getting used to this order is one of the first steps to mastering Irish question words.
Yes/No Questions and the Echo Answer
In most languages, just like in English, you can say "yes" or "no" when answering closed questions. However, Irish is different, and there are no standalone words for "yes" or "no". Instead, you have to build your answers around the verb in the question, which can be even trickier with irregular Irish verbs.
Since Irish has no “yes” or “no,” remember:
- Repeat the verb = yes (Tuigim).
- Add ní + verb = no (Ní thuigim).
This "echo answer" is expected in oral Irish.
The Particle an (present/future) / ar (past)
Yes/no questions usually begin with the particle an or ar:
These particles are always followed by the appropriate dependent form of the verb (bhfuil, ndéanfaidh, etc.).
Why Irish Has No “Yes” or “No”
To say “yes” or “no,” Irish echoes the verb from the question:
This may feel unusual at first, but it becomes natural with practice.
Echo Answer Strategy
The easiest way to remember:
This rule applies across question words in Irish and is an integral part of oral exams, especially in the Leaving Cert, where you need to answer clearly without defaulting to English habits.
Extended Question Words & Variants
The six core Irish question words aren't the only ones you'll have to learn. Instead, there are more useful phrases that expand the potential for what you can ask. You'll typically see these in textbooks, oral exams, and everyday conversations.
extended question forms learners will meet, like Cé mhéad (“How many”), An maith leat (“Do you like”), and Cén cineál (“What kind/type”).
An féidir…? / An maith leat…?
These are functional questions used to check ability or preference:
Cé mhéad…?
Used for numbers and amounts:
Cén cineál / Cén saghas / Cén sórt?
These mean “what kind/type of”:
Cá háit / Ina háit
Variants of where:
Cé acu…?
Used when making a choice:
- Cad / Céard / Cén — all mean “what,” but vary by region or context.
- Cathain / Cén uair — both mean “when.”
- Cén cineál / Cén saghas / Cén sórt — all mean “what kind/type.”
Common Challenges and Tips
Much like using Irish prepositions, you can't just learn the words; you have to use them in sentences and form proper questions. In Irish, while every learner is different, there are a few common challenges that you'll encounter. Simply being aware of them allows you to preempt them and minimise the risk of making common mistakes.
Which Mutation After Which Question Word
Different question words in Irish trigger different mutations:
Keeping a chart of these patterns can really help.
Avoiding English Order Thinking
Beginners often try to follow English word order, but Irish shifts the verb.
Remembering the Echo Answer
Since Irish has no words for “yes” or “no,” learners sometimes fall back on English. Instead:
Mixing Variants
Some question words have more than one form (Cad / Céard, Cathain / Cén uair). It's beneficial to practice both, but be aware that dialects may have a preference for one over the other.
Tips for Learning and Practice
Regular practice is one of the best ways to master Irish question words. Of course, you could always look for tailored tuition on Superprof. In addition to that, here's some of our best advice.
Looking for some common questions to practice with? Here you go.
| Irish Question Word | English Translation | Example in Irish | Example in English |
|---|---|---|---|
| An féidir…? | Can…? | An féidir liom dul amach? | Can I go out? |
| An maith leat…? | Do you like…? | An maith leat ceol? | Do you like music? |
| Cé mhéad…? | How many / How much? | Cé mhéad atá air? | How much does it cost? |
| Cén cineál…? | What kind…? | Cén cineál leabhair atá agat? | What kind of book do you have? |
| Cén saghas…? | What type…? | Cén saghas bia is fearr leat? | What type of food do you like? |
| Cén sórt…? | What sort…? | Cén sórt ceoil is fearr leat? | What sort of music do you prefer? |
| Cá háit…? | Where? | Cá háit a bhfuil tú anois? | Where are you now? |
| Ina háit… | Instead / in that place | Ina háit sin | Instead / in that place |
| Cé acu…? | Which (of two)? | Cé acu is fearr leat, tae nó caife? | Which do you prefer, tea or coffee? |
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