HeyRuaHow “conas” works
Conas takes a and a lenited verb (conas a tháinig, conas a dhéanann), or atá: conas atá tú. Cén chaoi, which way, takes a and an eclipsed verb: cén chaoi a bhfuil, cén chaoi a ndéanann. Cad é mar is followed by the verb directly: cad é mar atá tú.
séimhiú or h urú or t-
conashow
+athat
+rinnedid
=
Conas a rinne tú é?How did you do it?
cén chaoihow
+athat
+fuilare
=
Cén chaoi a bhfuil tú?How are you?
“Conas” in questions
Conas atá tú?
How are you?
Cén chaoi a bhfuil tú?
How are you? (Connacht)
Cad é mar atá tú?
How are you? (Ulster)
Conas a rinne tú é?
How did you do it?
Conas a deir tú é sin i nGaeilge?
How do you say that in Irish?
Conas a thagann tú ar scoil?
How do you come to school?
Conas a bhí an scannán?
How was the film?
Cén chaoi a ndéanann tú é?
How do you do it? (Connacht)
Across the dialects
conasthe standard, and Munstercén chaoiConnachtcad é marUlster
Other question words
How in Irish (conas, cén chaoi, cad é mar): the questions people ask
What are the three ways to say how are you in Irish?
Conas atá tú? (Munster and the standard), cén chaoi a bhfuil tú? (Connacht) and cad é mar atá tú? (Ulster). Every speaker understands all three.
Why is it conas atá but cén chaoi a bhfuil?
Conas takes the direct relative, so the verb is atá or a lenited form. Cén chaoi takes the indirect relative, so the verb is eclipsed after a: a bhfuil.
How do you answer conas atá tú?
Tá mé go maith, I am well, or tá mé go breá, I am fine. Then ask back: agus tú féin?, and yourself?