Expressing Opinions and Preferences in Irish

Overview

Being able to share your opinions is a key step toward having real conversations in Irish. At the A2 level, you can express what you think, what you prefer, and what you feel strongly about using a set of copula-based patterns and verb structures.

The main opinion structures use the copula is with prepositional pronouns of le (with). You already know Is maith liom (I like) from basic preference expressions. Now you will expand to Is fearr liom (I prefer), Ceapaim go... (I think that...), and Is dóigh liom go... (I suppose that...). These structures let you express a range of opinions from mild to strong.

Many opinion expressions combine the copula with the conjunction go (that) + eclipsis, creating dependent clauses: Ceapaim go bhfuil sé go maith (I think it is good). This pattern of embedding a full clause after an opinion verb is essential for natural-sounding Irish.

How It Works

Opinion Expressions

Irish	English	Strength
Ceapaim go...	I think that...	moderate
Is dóigh liom go...	I suppose that...	tentative
Measaim go...	I reckon that...	moderate
Creidim go...	I believe that...	strong
Tá mé cinnte go...	I am sure that...	very strong

Preference Expressions

Irish	English
Is fearr liom... ná...	I prefer... to...
Is breá liom...	I love...
Is fuath liom...	I hate...
Is cuma liom.	I don't care. / I don't mind.
B'fhearr liom...	I would prefer...

Negative Opinions

Irish	English
Ní cheapaim go...	I don't think that...
Ní dóigh liom go...	I don't suppose that...
Ní aontaím le...	I don't agree with...

Agreeing and Disagreeing

Irish	English
Aontaím leat.	I agree with you.
Ní aontaím leat.	I don't agree with you.
Tá an ceart agat.	You are right.
Tá sé sin fíor.	That is true.
Ní hea.	That is not so.

Examples in Context

Irish	English	Note
Ceapaim go bhfuil sé go maith.	I think it is good.	"go" + eclipsis
Is fearr liom tae ná caife.	I prefer tea to coffee.	"ná" = than
Is fuath liom an fhuacht.	I hate the cold.	Strong dislike
Is dóigh liom go bhfuil sé ceart.	I suppose it is correct.	Tentative opinion
Measaim go bhfuil sé suimiúil.	I reckon it is interesting.	Moderate opinion
Is cuma liom.	I don't mind.	Indifference
Aontaím leat go hiomlán.	I agree with you completely.	"go hiomlán" = completely
Ní cheapaim go bhfuil sé sin ceart.	I don't think that is right.	Negative opinion
B'fhearr liom fanacht sa bhaile.	I would prefer to stay at home.	Past/conditional copula
Cad a cheapann tú?	What do you think?	Asking for opinion

Common Mistakes

Using "tá" instead of the copula for preferences

• Wrong: Tá fearr liom tae
• Right: Is fearr liom tae.
• Why: Preference expressions use the copula is, not the verb tá.

Forgetting eclipsis after "go"

• Wrong: Ceapaim go fuil sé maith
• Right: Ceapaim go bhfuil sé maith.
• Why: The conjunction go (that) triggers eclipsis on the following verb.

Mixing up "ná" (than) and "nach" (that...not)

• Wrong: Is fearr liom tae nach caife
• Right: Is fearr liom tae ná caife.
• Why: In comparisons, use ná (than). Nach means "that...not" and is used in negative subordinate clauses.

Practice Tips

1. Practice expressing opinions about five different topics (weather, food, music, a book, a place) using different structures each time: Ceapaim go..., Is dóigh liom go..., Is fearr liom....
2. Have a mini-debate with yourself: state an opinion, then counter it. Ceapaim go bhfuil sé go maith. Ach ní aontaím — is dóigh liom go bhfuil sé go dona.

Related Concepts

• The Copula (Is) — the copula structures that power opinion and preference expressions