The numbering system in Irish differentiates among simple cardinals (either stand-alone numbers, such as occur in mathematics, or numbers giving the quantity of some object) and ordinals, which put objects in some order. This will become clear when you study this lesson.
These numbers are used in counting, telling time, and when the noun to which they refer goes before them.
Examples of use:
aon bhó amháin, one cow dhá bhó, two cows trí bhó ceithre bhó cúig bhó sé bhó seacht mbó ocht mbó naoi mbó deich mbó aon bhó dhéag dhá bhó dhéag trí bhó dhéag ceithre bhó dhéag cúig bhó dhéag sé bhó dhéag seacht mbó dhéag ocht mbó dhéag naoi mbó dhéag fiche bó In this use, as you can see, aon, one, aspirates, “two” becomes “dhá” and aspirates, “four” has changed slightly, and from 11 on, there is a “dheag”, similar to English “teen”, added on. From 1 to 6, the number causes aspiration (where possible), and from 7 to 10, the number eclipses (where possible). It all sounds complicated, but if you will practice on the lists above, and then try to use the numbers several times a day, say in counting or in reading license plates, one numeral at a time, you will be pleasantly surprised at your facility. Now for a simpler and often-used help: telling time.
What time is it? Cén t-am é? a good morning, maidin mhaith good night, oíche mhaith mid-day, meán lae mid-night, meán oíche in the morning, ar maidin in the afternoon/evening, um tráthnóna at night, san oíche Days of the week Monday, An Luan On Monday, Dé Luain Tuesday, An Mháirt On Tuesday, Dé Mháirt Wednesday, An Chéadaoin On Wednesday, Dé Chéadaoin Thursday, An Déardaoin On Thursday Friday, An Aoine On Friday, Dé Aoine Saturday, An Satharn On Saturday, Dé Sathairn Sunday, An Domhnach (DOW-nahk*) On Sunday, Dé Domhnaigh (DOW-nee)
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