When we communicate in Gaelic, whether by writing, texting, phoning, we often use the preposition gu (to, towards). You will also hear and see do/dha.
Feumaidh mi fònadh gu Fearchar.
I must phone (to) Farquhar.
Sgrìobh mi litir gu Sìle.
I wrote a letter to Sheila.
Cuiridh mi teacsa gu Barabal agus Donaidh.
I will send a text to Barbara and Donnie.
We can combine the preposition gu (to, towards) with pronouns to form prepositional pronouns, in the same way that we have seen already in A2 of SpeakGaelic.
Preposition + pronoun | Prepositional Pronoun | |
gu + mi = | thugam to/towards me | |
gu + thu = | thugad to/towards you | |
gu + e = | thuige to/towards him | |
gu + i = | thuice to/towards her | |
gu + sinn = | thugainn to/towards us | |
gu + sibh = | thugaibh to/towards you (pl) | |
gu + iad = | thuca to/towards them |
thugam
to/towards me
thugad
to/towards you
thuige
to/towards him
thuice
to/towards her
thugainn
to/towards us
thugaibh
to/towards you (pl)
thuca
to/towards them
Using the prepositional pronouns with the sentences above gives us.
Feumaidh mi fònadh thuige. (Fearchar)
I must phone (to) him. (Farquhar)
Sgrìobh mi litir thuice. (Sìle)
I wrote a letter to her. (Sheila)
Cuiridh mi teacsa thuca. (Barabal is Donaidh)
I will send a text to them. (Barbara and Donnie)
and the remaining prepositional pronouns
Tha mi ‘n dùil gun cuir e fios thugam.
I expect he will send word/a message to me.
Leigidh mi fios thugad.
I will send word to you (I’ll let you know).
Cuiridh Mgr Mac a’ Ghobhainn teacsa thugainn.
Mr Smith will send a text (to) us (will send us a text).
Chuir mi cairt thugaibh.
I sent a card to you (plural).