HeyRuaHow to say “to let” in Irish
- Irish:
- lig
- English:
- to let, let out, let go, rent
- Word type:
- verb, first-conjugation
- Verbal noun:
- ligean (ag ligean, letting)
- Verbal adjective:
- ligthe
- Pronunciation:
- “lig” /lʲɪɟ/
What does “lig” mean?
“Lig” has four alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- to let
- To allow someone to do something or allow something to happen, usually with 'do'.Also: allow, permit.
3 other meanings: let out or let go or rent
- 2to let out
- To release or give out a sound, breath or cry, such as a sigh or a scream.Also: utter, emit, release.
- 3to let go
- To release something or let it escape from you, often with 'uait' or 'amach'.Also: release, set free.
- 4to rent
- To let a house or land to someone for rent.Also: let, lease.
“Lig” in the different tenses
Every form follows An Caighdeán Oifigiúil.
Aimsir Chaite (Past)
| Person | Positive | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| mé (I) | Lig méI let | Níor lig méI did not let | Ar lig mé?Did I let? |
| tú (you) | Lig túYou let | Níor lig túYou did not let | Ar lig tú?Did you let? |
| sé / sí (he / she) | Lig sé / síHe let | Níor lig sé / síHe did not let | Ar lig sé / sí?Did he let? |
| sinn (we) | LigeamarWe let | Níor ligeamarWe did not let | Ar ligeamar?Did we let? |
| sibh (you, plural) | Lig sibhYou let | Níor lig sibhYou did not let | Ar lig sibh?Did you let? |
| siad (they) | Lig siadThey let | Níor lig siadThey did not let | Ar lig siad?Did they let? |
| saorbhriathar (autonomous) | Ligeadh | Níor ligeadh | Ar ligeadh? |
Aimsir Láithreach (Present)
| Person | Positive | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| mé (I) | LigimI let | Ní ligimI do not let | An ligim?Do I let? |
| tú (you) | Ligeann túYou let | Ní ligeann túYou do not let | An ligeann tú?Do you let? |
| sé / sí (he / she) | Ligeann sé / síHe lets | Ní ligeann sé / síHe does not let | An ligeann sé / sí?Does he let? |
| sinn (we) | LigimidWe let | Ní ligimidWe do not let | An ligimid?Do we let? |
| sibh (you, plural) | Ligeann sibhYou let | Ní ligeann sibhYou do not let | An ligeann sibh?Do you let? |
| siad (they) | Ligeann siadThey let | Ní ligeann siadThey do not let | An ligeann siad?Do they let? |
| saorbhriathar (autonomous) | Ligtear | Ní ligtear | An ligtear? |
Aimsir Fháistineach (Future)
| Person | Positive | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| mé (I) | Ligfidh méI will let | Ní ligfidh méI will not let | An ligfidh mé?Will I let? |
| tú (you) | Ligfidh túYou will let | Ní ligfidh túYou will not let | An ligfidh tú?Will you let? |
| sé / sí (he / she) | Ligfidh sé / síHe will let | Ní ligfidh sé / síHe will not let | An ligfidh sé / sí?Will he let? |
| sinn (we) | LigfimidWe will let | Ní ligfimidWe will not let | An ligfimid?Will we let? |
| sibh (you, plural) | Ligfidh sibhYou will let | Ní ligfidh sibhYou will not let | An ligfidh sibh?Will you let? |
| siad (they) | Ligfidh siadThey will let | Ní ligfidh siadThey will not let | An ligfidh siad?Will they let? |
| saorbhriathar (autonomous) | Ligfear | Ní ligfear | An ligfear? |
Modh Coinníollach (Conditional)
| Person | Positive | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| mé (I) | LigfinnI would let | Ní ligfinnI would not let | An ligfinn?Would I let? |
| tú (you) | LigfeáYou would let | Ní ligfeáYou would not let | An ligfeá?Would you let? |
| sé / sí (he / she) | Ligfeadh sé / síHe would let | Ní ligfeadh sé / síHe would not let | An ligfeadh sé / sí?Would he let? |
| sinn (we) | LigfimisWe would let | Ní ligfimisWe would not let | An ligfimis?Would we let? |
| sibh (you, plural) | Ligfeadh sibhYou would let | Ní ligfeadh sibhYou would not let | An ligfeadh sibh?Would you let? |
| siad (they) | LigfidísThey would let | Ní ligfidísThey would not let | An ligfidís?Would they let? |
| saorbhriathar (autonomous) | Ligfí | Ní ligfí | An ligfí? |
“Lig” 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 let in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for to let?
The Irish for to let is lig (pronounced “lig”). It is a first-conjugation verb; the verbal noun is ligean.
What is the verbal noun of lig?
The verbal noun of lig is ligean, used after ag for the continuous: ag ligean (letting). The verbal adjective is ligthe.
How do you say lig in the past and the future?
Past: Lig mé; negative Níor lig mé; question Ar lig mé?. Future: Ligfidh mé; negative Ní ligfidh mé; question An ligfidh mé?.
What is the modh coinníollach of lig?
The conditional (modh coinníollach) first person is Ligfinn (I would let); negative Ní ligfinn; question An ligfinn?.
Does lig have more than one meaning?
Yes. Lig can mean to let, to let out, to let go or to rent, depending on context; the first is the most common.
How do I say 'pretend' with 'lig'?
Use 'lig ar': 'Lig sé air go raibh sé tinn' means 'He pretended he was sick'.
What is the difference between 'lig' and 'scaoil'?
'Lig do' mainly means to allow, while 'scaoil' means to release or loosen, as in 'scaoil an rópa'. Both can mean letting something go.
