HeyRuaHow to say “to start” in Irish
- Irish:
- preab
- English:
- to start, bounce, throb, kick
- Word type:
- verb, first-conjugation
- Verbal noun:
- preabadh (ag preabadh, starting)
- Verbal adjective:
- preabtha
- Pronunciation:
- “pryab” /pʲɾʲabˠ/
What does “preab” mean?
“Preab” has four alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- to start
- To jump or move suddenly with surprise or fright.Also: jump, spring, leap, give a start.
3 other meanings: bounce or throb or kick
“Preab” in the different tenses
Every form follows An Caighdeán Oifigiúil.
Aimsir Chaite (Past)
| Person | Positive | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| mé (I) | Phreab méI started | Níor phreab méI did not start | Ar phreab mé?Did I start? |
| tú (you) | Phreab túYou started | Níor phreab túYou did not start | Ar phreab tú?Did you start? |
| sé / sí (he / she) | Phreab sé / síHe started | Níor phreab sé / síHe did not start | Ar phreab sé / sí?Did he start? |
| sinn (we) | PhreabamarWe started | Níor phreabamarWe did not start | Ar phreabamar?Did we start? |
| sibh (you, plural) | Phreab sibhYou started | Níor phreab sibhYou did not start | Ar phreab sibh?Did you start? |
| siad (they) | Phreab siadThey started | Níor phreab siadThey did not start | Ar phreab siad?Did they start? |
| saorbhriathar (autonomous) | Preabadh | Níor preabadh | Ar preabadh? |
Aimsir Láithreach (Present)
| Person | Positive | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| mé (I) | PreabaimI start | Ní phreabaimI do not start | An bpreabaim?Do I start? |
| tú (you) | Preabann túYou start | Ní phreabann túYou do not start | An bpreabann tú?Do you start? |
| sé / sí (he / she) | Preabann sé / síHe starts | Ní phreabann sé / síHe does not start | An bpreabann sé / sí?Does he start? |
| sinn (we) | PreabaimidWe start | Ní phreabaimidWe do not start | An bpreabaimid?Do we start? |
| sibh (you, plural) | Preabann sibhYou start | Ní phreabann sibhYou do not start | An bpreabann sibh?Do you start? |
| siad (they) | Preabann siadThey start | Ní phreabann siadThey do not start | An bpreabann siad?Do they start? |
| saorbhriathar (autonomous) | Preabtar | Ní phreabtar | An bpreabtar? |
Aimsir Fháistineach (Future)
| Person | Positive | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| mé (I) | Preabfaidh méI will start | Ní phreabfaidh méI will not start | An bpreabfaidh mé?Will I start? |
| tú (you) | Preabfaidh túYou will start | Ní phreabfaidh túYou will not start | An bpreabfaidh tú?Will you start? |
| sé / sí (he / she) | Preabfaidh sé / síHe will start | Ní phreabfaidh sé / síHe will not start | An bpreabfaidh sé / sí?Will he start? |
| sinn (we) | PreabfaimidWe will start | Ní phreabfaimidWe will not start | An bpreabfaimid?Will we start? |
| sibh (you, plural) | Preabfaidh sibhYou will start | Ní phreabfaidh sibhYou will not start | An bpreabfaidh sibh?Will you start? |
| siad (they) | Preabfaidh siadThey will start | Ní phreabfaidh siadThey will not start | An bpreabfaidh siad?Will they start? |
| saorbhriathar (autonomous) | Preabfar | Ní phreabfar | An bpreabfar? |
Modh Coinníollach (Conditional)
| Person | Positive | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| mé (I) | PhreabfainnI would start | Ní phreabfainnI would not start | An bpreabfainn?Would I start? |
| tú (you) | PhreabfáYou would start | Ní phreabfáYou would not start | An bpreabfá?Would you start? |
| sé / sí (he / she) | Phreabfadh sé / síHe would start | Ní phreabfadh sé / síHe would not start | An bpreabfadh sé / sí?Would he start? |
| sinn (we) | PhreabfaimisWe would start | Ní phreabfaimisWe would not start | An bpreabfaimis?Would we start? |
| sibh (you, plural) | Phreabfadh sibhYou would start | Ní phreabfadh sibhYou would not start | An bpreabfadh sibh?Would you start? |
| siad (they) | PhreabfaidísThey would start | Ní phreabfaidísThey would not start | An bpreabfaidís?Would they start? |
| saorbhriathar (autonomous) | Phreabfaí | Ní phreabfaí | An bpreabfaí? |
“Preab” 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 start in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for to start?
The Irish for to start is preab (pronounced “pryab”). It is a first-conjugation verb; the verbal noun is preabadh.
What is the verbal noun of preab?
The verbal noun of preab is preabadh, used after ag for the continuous: ag preabadh (starting). The verbal adjective is preabtha.
How do you say preab in the past and the future?
Past: Phreab mé; negative Níor phreab mé; question Ar phreab mé?. Future: Preabfaidh mé; negative Ní phreabfaidh mé; question An bpreabfaidh mé?.
What is the modh coinníollach of preab?
The conditional (modh coinníollach) first person is Phreabfainn (I would start); negative Ní phreabfainn; question An bpreabfainn?.
Does preab have more than one meaning?
Yes. Preab can mean to start, to bounce, to throb or to kick, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'preab' and 'léim'?
'Léim' is the general verb for jumping or leaping, while 'preab' suggests a sudden spring, a start of surprise or a bounce, as in 'Phreab an liathróid' (the ball bounced).
How do I say 'I woke with a start'?
Use the noun in the phrase 'de phreab': 'Dhúisigh mé de phreab.'
