HeyRuaHow “cad” works
Cad stands before a noun, a pronoun or the copula: cad é sin, cad is ainm duit. Before a verb it takes a and the verb is lenited: cad a tharla, cad a dúirt sé (dúirt does not lenite). Céard works the same way.
séimhiú or h urú or t-
cadwhat
+athat
+tharlahappened
=
Cad a tharla?What happened?
“Cad” in questions
Cad é sin?
What is that?
Cad is ainm duit?
What is your name?
Cad a tharla?
What happened?
Cad atá ort?
What is wrong with you?
Cad a dúirt sé?
What did he say?
Cad a dhéanfaidh mé?
What will I do?
Cad ba mhaith leat?
What would you like?
Cad as duit?
Where are you from?
Cad faoi?
What about it?
Céard é sin?
What is that? (Connacht)
Across the dialects
cadthe standard, and MunstercéardConnachtcad é, goidéUlster
Other question words
What in Irish (cad, céard): the questions people ask
Is it cad or céard?
Both are correct. Cad is the standard form and is used in Munster; céard is what you hear in Connacht. Ulster says cad é, often written goidé.
How do you say what is your name in Irish?
Cad is ainm duit? The answer is Seán is ainm dom, my name is Seán. You will also hear Cén t-ainm atá ort?
What is the difference between cad and cad é?
Cad é sin? and cad a tharla? are both normal. Cad é appears when what is followed by a pronoun or a noun; before a verb use cad a.