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Updated Apr 19, 2026
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Irish Verb Conjugations Explained: First and Second Types
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Understanding Irish Verb Conjugations
Getting your head around Irish verb conjugations is absolutely crucial for your exams, especially in the writing sections. The good news? Once you crack the system, it becomes much easier than you think.
Irish verbs are split into two main groups called conjugations. Think of these as different teams that follow their own playbook. The verb stem is just the basic dictionary form of the verb - like glan (to clean) or dún (to close).
Here's a game-changer: caol le caol agus leathan le leathan is the most important spelling rule you'll ever learn in Irish. If the last vowel in your verb stem is slender (e, i), your ending must start with a slender vowel. If it's broad (a, o, u), your ending must start with a broad vowel.
Quick tip: Remember broad vowels as "are old uncles" - a, o, u. The slender vowels are just e and i!
Telling the Conjugations Apart
The secret to mastering first conjugation and second conjugation verbs is surprisingly simple - just count the syllables! It's honestly that straightforward.
An Chéad Réimniú (First Conjugation) includes all verbs with just one syllable. Think of verbs like dún (close), bris (break), ól (drink), and glan (clean). These are your short, snappy verbs.
An Dara Réimniú (Second Conjugation) covers verbs with two or more syllables. Most of these end in -aigh or -igh, like ceannaigh (buy), bailigh (collect), éirigh (get up), and oscail (open).
Remember: One syllable = first conjugation, two or more = second conjugation. Count those syllables and you're halfway there!
Past Tense (Aimsir Chaite)
The past tense is your go-to for describing things that have already happened, and the patterns are actually quite predictable once you get the hang of them.
For first conjugation verbs, you add a séimhiú (that's the 'h' after the first letter) to the start. So glan becomes ghlan. For the muid form, you tack on -amar or -eamar depending on that golden rule - ghlanamar in this case.
Second conjugation verbs also get the séimhiú treatment - bailigh becomes bhailigh. But here's where it gets interesting: for the muid form, you drop the -igh and add -íomar. So bailigh becomes bhailíomar.
Watch out: Verbs starting with vowels, l, n, r, or f can't take a séimhiú. Instead, you might need to add d' before them, like d'ól mé.
Future Tense (Aimsir Fháistineach)
The future tense is brilliant for talking about what's going to happen, and it follows some really clear patterns that'll make your life easier.
First conjugation verbs get -faidh or -fidh added to the end, following our caol le caol rule. So dún becomes dúnfaidh. For the muid form, use -faimid or -fimid - giving you dúnfaimid.
Second conjugation verbs need a bit more work. First, drop that -aigh or -igh from the end - ceannaigh becomes ceann. Then add -óidh or -eoidh depending on whether the last vowel is broad or slender. Since ceann ends with broad 'a', we get ceannóidh.
Critical mistake to avoid: Never write ceannaighfidh! You must drop the -aigh first, then add the future ending.
Working Through Examples
Let's put this into practice with some real examples that'll show you exactly how this works in action.
Take bris (to break) in the past tense. It's one syllable, so it's first conjugation. Add the séimhiú to get bhris, and for muid, the 'i' is slender so we need -eamar: bhriseamar. Simple as that!
Now try críochnaigh (to finish) in the future tense. Two syllables means second conjugation. Drop the -aigh to get críochn, then since the 'o' is broad, add -óidh: críochnóidh. The muid form becomes críochnóimid.
The key is following the steps methodically - identify the conjugation, apply the right rule, check your vowels, and you're sorted. Practice with different verbs and you'll spot the patterns quickly.
Pro tip: Always identify which conjugation you're dealing with before you start changing anything. This one step will save you from most mistakes!
Exam Success Summary
Here's everything you need to remember for your exams, broken down into bite-sized chunks that'll stick in your memory.
First conjugation verbs have one syllable (like dún, glan, bris). In the past tense, add séimhiú and use -amar/-eamar for muid. In the future, add -faidh/-fidh and -faimid/-fimid for muid.
Second conjugation verbs have two or more syllables, often ending in -aigh/-igh (like ceannaigh, bailigh). Past tense gets séimhiú, with muid dropping -igh and adding -íomar. Future tense drops -aigh/-igh and adds -óidh/-eoidh, with muid getting -óimid/-eoimid.
Remember: count syllables first, follow the pattern for that conjugation, and always check your caol le caol rule. You've absolutely got this!
Final reminder: The syllable count is your compass - it'll always point you in the right direction for which conjugation to use.
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Basil
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This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
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The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
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In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
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very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
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I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
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THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Irish Verb Conjugations Explained: First and Second Types
Learning Irish verb conjugations might seem daunting, but it's actually quite straightforward once you know the patterns. All Irish verbs fall into two main groups based on how many syllables they have, and each group follows its own set of... Show more
Understanding Irish Verb Conjugations
Getting your head around Irish verb conjugations is absolutely crucial for your exams, especially in the writing sections. The good news? Once you crack the system, it becomes much easier than you think.
Irish verbs are split into two main groups called conjugations. Think of these as different teams that follow their own playbook. The verb stem is just the basic dictionary form of the verb - like glan (to clean) or dún (to close).
Here's a game-changer: caol le caol agus leathan le leathan is the most important spelling rule you'll ever learn in Irish. If the last vowel in your verb stem is slender (e, i), your ending must start with a slender vowel. If it's broad (a, o, u), your ending must start with a broad vowel.
Quick tip: Remember broad vowels as "are old uncles" - a, o, u. The slender vowels are just e and i!
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
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Telling the Conjugations Apart
The secret to mastering first conjugation and second conjugation verbs is surprisingly simple - just count the syllables! It's honestly that straightforward.
An Chéad Réimniú (First Conjugation) includes all verbs with just one syllable. Think of verbs like dún (close), bris (break), ól (drink), and glan (clean). These are your short, snappy verbs.
An Dara Réimniú (Second Conjugation) covers verbs with two or more syllables. Most of these end in -aigh or -igh, like ceannaigh (buy), bailigh (collect), éirigh (get up), and oscail (open).
Remember: One syllable = first conjugation, two or more = second conjugation. Count those syllables and you're halfway there!
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Past Tense (Aimsir Chaite)
The past tense is your go-to for describing things that have already happened, and the patterns are actually quite predictable once you get the hang of them.
For first conjugation verbs, you add a séimhiú (that's the 'h' after the first letter) to the start. So glan becomes ghlan. For the muid form, you tack on -amar or -eamar depending on that golden rule - ghlanamar in this case.
Second conjugation verbs also get the séimhiú treatment - bailigh becomes bhailigh. But here's where it gets interesting: for the muid form, you drop the -igh and add -íomar. So bailigh becomes bhailíomar.
Watch out: Verbs starting with vowels, l, n, r, or f can't take a séimhiú. Instead, you might need to add d' before them, like d'ól mé.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
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Future Tense (Aimsir Fháistineach)
The future tense is brilliant for talking about what's going to happen, and it follows some really clear patterns that'll make your life easier.
First conjugation verbs get -faidh or -fidh added to the end, following our caol le caol rule. So dún becomes dúnfaidh. For the muid form, use -faimid or -fimid - giving you dúnfaimid.
Second conjugation verbs need a bit more work. First, drop that -aigh or -igh from the end - ceannaigh becomes ceann. Then add -óidh or -eoidh depending on whether the last vowel is broad or slender. Since ceann ends with broad 'a', we get ceannóidh.
Critical mistake to avoid: Never write ceannaighfidh! You must drop the -aigh first, then add the future ending.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
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Working Through Examples
Let's put this into practice with some real examples that'll show you exactly how this works in action.
Take bris (to break) in the past tense. It's one syllable, so it's first conjugation. Add the séimhiú to get bhris, and for muid, the 'i' is slender so we need -eamar: bhriseamar. Simple as that!
Now try críochnaigh (to finish) in the future tense. Two syllables means second conjugation. Drop the -aigh to get críochn, then since the 'o' is broad, add -óidh: críochnóidh. The muid form becomes críochnóimid.
The key is following the steps methodically - identify the conjugation, apply the right rule, check your vowels, and you're sorted. Practice with different verbs and you'll spot the patterns quickly.
Pro tip: Always identify which conjugation you're dealing with before you start changing anything. This one step will save you from most mistakes!
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
Exam Success Summary
Here's everything you need to remember for your exams, broken down into bite-sized chunks that'll stick in your memory.
First conjugation verbs have one syllable (like dún, glan, bris). In the past tense, add séimhiú and use -amar/-eamar for muid. In the future, add -faidh/-fidh and -faimid/-fimid for muid.
Second conjugation verbs have two or more syllables, often ending in -aigh/-igh (like ceannaigh, bailigh). Past tense gets séimhiú, with muid dropping -igh and adding -íomar. Future tense drops -aigh/-igh and adds -óidh/-eoidh, with muid getting -óimid/-eoimid.
Remember: count syllables first, follow the pattern for that conjugation, and always check your caol le caol rule. You've absolutely got this!
Final reminder: The syllable count is your compass - it'll always point you in the right direction for which conjugation to use.
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user