Gaelic Grammar - The Definite Article

The Definite Artice - 'the'

The definite article in Gaelic is [an] however this can change to [a'] or [am] depending on the noun! There are also some instances where using the definite article creates lenition in the noun and its addjectives. The following table can be used to distinguish what happens to certain nouns on the basis of what letter that noun begins with, and any difference that the gender of the noun makes.

Nouns beginning with...

Set 1

D ~ T ~ N ~ L ~ R

There is no change to the definite article, however the feminine nouns cause their adjectives to lenite.

- an rathad mòr

- an doras mòr

- an tunnag mhòr

- an lèine dhub

Set 2

B ~ P ~ M ~ C ~ G

The masculine noun takes am and the feminine noun takes a' and also takes and causes lenition.

(However there are some exceptions for masculine nouns like 'an còta mòr'.)

- am balach mòr

- a' bhò mhòr

- a' chaileag mhòr

Set 3

Vowels

Nouns beginning with a vowel in the masculine take 'an' and add 't-'. In the feminine, 'an' is used and adjectives are lenited.

- an t-eilean mòr

- an eala mhòr

Set 4

Nouns beginning with 'S' in the masculine are treated like the 1st set of nouns. In the feminine however, 'an t-' is used and adjectives are lenited.

- an saighdear mòr

- an t-slighe mhòr

Set 5

Nouns beginning with 'F' in the masculine take 'am'. In the feminine, 'an' is used and the noun and adjectives are lenited.

- am facal mòr

- an fhaoileag mhòr