HeyRuaHow to say “to sing” in Irish
- Irish:
- can
- English:
- to sing, say
- Word type:
- verb, first-conjugation
- Verbal noun:
- canadh (ag canadh, singing)
- Verbal adjective:
- canta
- Pronunciation:
- “kan” /kanˠ/
What does “can” mean?
“Can” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- to sing
- To make music with your voice, such as singing a song.Also: chant, sing a song.
1 other meaning: say
- 2to say
- To say, speak or utter something, often in set phrases like telling the truth.Also: speak, utter, tell.
“Can” in the different tenses
Every form follows An Caighdeán Oifigiúil.
Aimsir Chaite (Past)
| Person | Positive | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| mé (I) | Chan méI sang | Níor chan méI did not sing | Ar chan mé?Did I sing? |
| tú (you) | Chan túYou sang | Níor chan túYou did not sing | Ar chan tú?Did you sing? |
| sé / sí (he / she) | Chan sé / síHe sang | Níor chan sé / síHe did not sing | Ar chan sé / sí?Did he sing? |
| sinn (we) | ChanamarWe sang | Níor chanamarWe did not sing | Ar chanamar?Did we sing? |
| sibh (you, plural) | Chan sibhYou sang | Níor chan sibhYou did not sing | Ar chan sibh?Did you sing? |
| siad (they) | Chan siadThey sang | Níor chan siadThey did not sing | Ar chan siad?Did they sing? |
| saorbhriathar (autonomous) | Canadh | Níor canadh | Ar canadh? |
Aimsir Láithreach (Present)
| Person | Positive | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| mé (I) | CanaimI sing | Ní chanaimI do not sing | An gcanaim?Do I sing? |
| tú (you) | Canann túYou sing | Ní chanann túYou do not sing | An gcanann tú?Do you sing? |
| sé / sí (he / she) | Canann sé / síHe sings | Ní chanann sé / síHe does not sing | An gcanann sé / sí?Does he sing? |
| sinn (we) | CanaimidWe sing | Ní chanaimidWe do not sing | An gcanaimid?Do we sing? |
| sibh (you, plural) | Canann sibhYou sing | Ní chanann sibhYou do not sing | An gcanann sibh?Do you sing? |
| siad (they) | Canann siadThey sing | Ní chanann siadThey do not sing | An gcanann siad?Do they sing? |
| saorbhriathar (autonomous) | Cantar | Ní chantar | An gcantar? |
Aimsir Fháistineach (Future)
| Person | Positive | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| mé (I) | Canfaidh méI will sing | Ní chanfaidh méI will not sing | An gcanfaidh mé?Will I sing? |
| tú (you) | Canfaidh túYou will sing | Ní chanfaidh túYou will not sing | An gcanfaidh tú?Will you sing? |
| sé / sí (he / she) | Canfaidh sé / síHe will sing | Ní chanfaidh sé / síHe will not sing | An gcanfaidh sé / sí?Will he sing? |
| sinn (we) | CanfaimidWe will sing | Ní chanfaimidWe will not sing | An gcanfaimid?Will we sing? |
| sibh (you, plural) | Canfaidh sibhYou will sing | Ní chanfaidh sibhYou will not sing | An gcanfaidh sibh?Will you sing? |
| siad (they) | Canfaidh siadThey will sing | Ní chanfaidh siadThey will not sing | An gcanfaidh siad?Will they sing? |
| saorbhriathar (autonomous) | Canfar | Ní chanfar | An gcanfar? |
Modh Coinníollach (Conditional)
| Person | Positive | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| mé (I) | ChanfainnI would sing | Ní chanfainnI would not sing | An gcanfainn?Would I sing? |
| tú (you) | ChanfáYou would sing | Ní chanfáYou would not sing | An gcanfá?Would you sing? |
| sé / sí (he / she) | Chanfadh sé / síHe would sing | Ní chanfadh sé / síHe would not sing | An gcanfadh sé / sí?Would he sing? |
| sinn (we) | ChanfaimisWe would sing | Ní chanfaimisWe would not sing | An gcanfaimis?Would we sing? |
| sibh (you, plural) | Chanfadh sibhYou would sing | Ní chanfadh sibhYou would not sing | An gcanfadh sibh?Would you sing? |
| siad (they) | ChanfaidísThey would sing | Ní chanfaidísThey would not sing | An gcanfaidís?Would they sing? |
| saorbhriathar (autonomous) | Chanfaí | Ní chanfaí | An gcanfaí? |
“Can” 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 sing in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for to sing?
The Irish for to sing is can (pronounced “kan”). It is a first-conjugation verb; the verbal noun is canadh.
What is the verbal noun of can?
The verbal noun of can is canadh, used after ag for the continuous: ag canadh (singing). The verbal adjective is canta.
How do you say can in the past and the future?
Past: Chan mé; negative Níor chan mé; question Ar chan mé?. Future: Canfaidh mé; negative Ní chanfaidh mé; question An gcanfaidh mé?.
What is the modh coinníollach of can?
The conditional (modh coinníollach) first person is Chanfainn (I would sing); negative Ní chanfainn; question An gcanfainn?.
Does can have more than one meaning?
Yes. Can can mean to sing or to say, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'can' and 'seinn'?
'Can' means to sing with the voice, as in 'can amhrán'. 'Seinn' is mainly used for playing an instrument, as in 'seinn an fheadóg', though it can also mean sing.
How do I say 'singing' in Irish?
Use 'ag canadh', for example 'Tá sí ag canadh'.
