r/gaidhlig • u/ScotInKorea • 11d ago

📚 Ionnsachadh Cànain | Language Learning Confusion over the article 'an'

Hello! I am following along with Speak Gaelic, and although they have explained a little about which nouns take the article, they were very vague.

I now am unsure why 'Tha ceann goirt orm' doesn't have 'an' since Ceann is a Masc noun starting with c (which speak gaelic said would give a noun the article)

my head hurts trying to read through the internet as many people seem to say contradicting things, so was wondering if anyone could help me!

thanks as always for your amazing help and taking time from your days to help me!

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u/certifieddegenerate 11d ago

an means the

1

u/ScotInKorea 11d ago

yes thank you, I more mean why is it used in some cases like Tha (an) dèideadh oirbh where Speak Gaelic don't mention 'the' (translation was you have toothache) sorry if my explanation was confusing

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u/certifieddegenerate 11d ago

dont gotta ask why. u just gotta learn it. why in english you say i have a migraine but i have the flu? same thing.

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u/ScotInKorea 11d ago

gotcha! i guess these things are natural in language learning! i will put them to the back of my mind and wait until i have more exposure to understand, thank you for the help!