HeyRuaHow “cathain” works
Cathain is always followed by a and a lenited verb: cathain a tháinig, cathain a bheidh. It asks about time; for which day or which year use cén lá and cén bhliain.
séimhiú or h urú or t-
cathainwhen
+athat
+tháinigcame
=
Cathain a tháinig tú?When did you come?
“Cathain” in questions
Cathain a bheidh tú ar ais?
When will you be back?
Cathain a tharla sé?
When did it happen?
Cathain a thosaíonn an rang?
When does the class start?
Cathain a chonaic tú í?
When did you see her?
Cathain a bhí tú in Éirinn?
When were you in Ireland?
Cathain a rugadh thú?
When were you born?
Cén uair a bheidh tú ar ais?
When will you be back? (Connacht)
Across the dialects
cathainthe standard, and Munstercén uairConnachtcá huairUlster
Other question words
When in Irish (cathain): the questions people ask
Is it cathain or cén uair?
Both mean when. Cathain is the standard form; cén uair, literally which time, is what Connacht speakers say, and Ulster has cá huair. All three take a and a lenited verb.
How do you say when were you born in Irish?
Cathain a rugadh thú? The answer is Rugadh mé i 1990 or Rugadh i mBaile Átha Cliath mé for where.