HeyRuaHow to say “to handle” in Irish
- Irish:
- láimhsigh
- English:
- to handle, manage, wield
- Word type:
- verb, second-conjugation
- Verbal noun:
- láimhsiú (ag láimhsiú, handling)
- Verbal adjective:
- láimhsithe
- Pronunciation:
- “LAWV-shee” /ˈlɑːvʲʃiː/
What does “láimhsigh” mean?
“Láimhsigh” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- to handle
- To hold, touch or move something with your hands.Also: hold, touch, finger.
2 other meanings: manage or wield
- 2to manage
- To deal with or manage a situation, person or matter.Also: deal with, handle, cope with.
- 3to wield
- To use a tool or weapon skilfully with the hands.Also: use, manipulate, operate.
Other Irish verbs for to handle: láimhseáil (handle)
“Láimhsigh” in the different tenses
Every form follows An Caighdeán Oifigiúil.
Aimsir Chaite (Past)
| Person | Positive | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| mé (I) | Láimhsigh méI handled | Níor láimhsigh méI did not handle | Ar láimhsigh mé?Did I handle? |
| tú (you) | Láimhsigh túYou handled | Níor láimhsigh túYou did not handle | Ar láimhsigh tú?Did you handle? |
| sé / sí (he / she) | Láimhsigh sé / síHe handled | Níor láimhsigh sé / síHe did not handle | Ar láimhsigh sé / sí?Did he handle? |
| sinn (we) | LáimhsíomarWe handled | Níor láimhsíomarWe did not handle | Ar láimhsíomar?Did we handle? |
| sibh (you, plural) | Láimhsigh sibhYou handled | Níor láimhsigh sibhYou did not handle | Ar láimhsigh sibh?Did you handle? |
| siad (they) | Láimhsigh siadThey handled | Níor láimhsigh siadThey did not handle | Ar láimhsigh siad?Did they handle? |
| saorbhriathar (autonomous) | Láimhsíodh | Níor láimhsíodh | Ar láimhsíodh? |
Aimsir Láithreach (Present)
| Person | Positive | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| mé (I) | LáimhsímI handle | Ní láimhsímI do not handle | An láimhsím?Do I handle? |
| tú (you) | Láimhsíonn túYou handle | Ní láimhsíonn túYou do not handle | An láimhsíonn tú?Do you handle? |
| sé / sí (he / she) | Láimhsíonn sé / síHe handles | Ní láimhsíonn sé / síHe does not handle | An láimhsíonn sé / sí?Does he handle? |
| sinn (we) | LáimhsímidWe handle | Ní láimhsímidWe do not handle | An láimhsímid?Do we handle? |
| sibh (you, plural) | Láimhsíonn sibhYou handle | Ní láimhsíonn sibhYou do not handle | An láimhsíonn sibh?Do you handle? |
| siad (they) | Láimhsíonn siadThey handle | Ní láimhsíonn siadThey do not handle | An láimhsíonn siad?Do they handle? |
| saorbhriathar (autonomous) | Láimhsítear | Ní láimhsítear | An láimhsítear? |
Aimsir Fháistineach (Future)
| Person | Positive | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| mé (I) | Láimhseoidh méI will handle | Ní láimhseoidh méI will not handle | An láimhseoidh mé?Will I handle? |
| tú (you) | Láimhseoidh túYou will handle | Ní láimhseoidh túYou will not handle | An láimhseoidh tú?Will you handle? |
| sé / sí (he / she) | Láimhseoidh sé / síHe will handle | Ní láimhseoidh sé / síHe will not handle | An láimhseoidh sé / sí?Will he handle? |
| sinn (we) | LáimhseoimidWe will handle | Ní láimhseoimidWe will not handle | An láimhseoimid?Will we handle? |
| sibh (you, plural) | Láimhseoidh sibhYou will handle | Ní láimhseoidh sibhYou will not handle | An láimhseoidh sibh?Will you handle? |
| siad (they) | Láimhseoidh siadThey will handle | Ní láimhseoidh siadThey will not handle | An láimhseoidh siad?Will they handle? |
| saorbhriathar (autonomous) | Láimhseofar | Ní láimhseofar | An láimhseofar? |
Modh Coinníollach (Conditional)
| Person | Positive | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| mé (I) | LáimhseoinnI would handle | Ní láimhseoinnI would not handle | An láimhseoinn?Would I handle? |
| tú (you) | LáimhseofáYou would handle | Ní láimhseofáYou would not handle | An láimhseofá?Would you handle? |
| sé / sí (he / she) | Láimhseodh sé / síHe would handle | Ní láimhseodh sé / síHe would not handle | An láimhseodh sé / sí?Would he handle? |
| sinn (we) | LáimhseoimisWe would handle | Ní láimhseoimisWe would not handle | An láimhseoimis?Would we handle? |
| sibh (you, plural) | Láimhseodh sibhYou would handle | Ní láimhseodh sibhYou would not handle | An láimhseodh sibh?Would you handle? |
| siad (they) | LáimhseoidísThey would handle | Ní láimhseoidísThey would not handle | An láimhseoidís?Would they handle? |
| saorbhriathar (autonomous) | Láimhseofaí | Ní láimhseofaí | An láimhseofaí? |
“Láimhsigh” in a sentence: Irish examples
Past, present, future and conditional, with a negative and a question.
Other verbs in Irish
More everyday Irish verbs to learn next.
To handle in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for to handle?
The Irish for to handle is láimhsigh (pronounced “LAWV-shee”). It is a second-conjugation verb; the verbal noun is láimhsiú.
What is the verbal noun of láimhsigh?
The verbal noun of láimhsigh is láimhsiú, used after ag for the continuous: ag láimhsiú (handling). The verbal adjective is láimhsithe.
How do you say láimhsigh in the past and the future?
Past: Láimhsigh mé; negative Níor láimhsigh mé; question Ar láimhsigh mé?. Future: Láimhseoidh mé; negative Ní láimhseoidh mé; question An láimhseoidh mé?.
What is the modh coinníollach of láimhsigh?
The conditional (modh coinníollach) first person is Láimhseoinn (I would handle); negative Ní láimhseoinn; question An láimhseoinn?.
Does láimhsigh have more than one meaning?
Yes. Láimhsigh can mean to handle, to manage or to wield, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Does 'láimhsigh' come from the word for hand?
Yes, it is related to 'lámh' (hand), so its basic meaning is to handle something physically, as in 'láimhsigh go cúramach' (handle with care).
How is 'láimhsigh' different from 'bainistigh'?
'Láimhsigh' means to handle or deal with something, physically or practically, while 'bainistigh' means to manage in a business or organisational sense, as in 'bainistigh comhlacht' (manage a company).
