FaclairDictionary EnglishGàidhlig

Opinions on how things would be Beachdan air mar a bhitheadh nithean

I would / used to make them with our motherBhithinn gan dèanamh còmhla ri ar màthair

Look out for the following pieces of vocabulary in this clip.

When talking about the past, English uses 'would' in the same way as 'used to' (e.g. we would go for a walk, we used to go for a walk). Gaelic also does this with bhiodh, bhitheadh and bhithinn.

bhithinn … I used to / I would …

bhithinn gan dèanamh I used to make them / I would make them

am bithinn …? would I …?

cha bhithinn … I would not …

bhiodh an dotair a’ draibheadh càr mar sin the doctor used to / would drive a car like that

cha bhiodh tusa a’ cur ort aodach snog you didn’t use to / wouldn’t wear nice clothes

Video is playing in pop-over.

PersonNeach
GaelicGàidhlig
EnglishBeurla
Bellag Seall na cèicichean sin.
Bhithinn gan dèanamh còmhla ri ar màthair nuair a bha mi beag.
Look at those cakes.
I used to make them with our mother when I was little.
Ceit Cha bhitheadh idir, a Bhellag.
Bhithinn-sa gan dèanamh còmhla ri ar màthair.
Bha thusa ro òg.
Bhiodh tusa a’ nighe nan soithichean.
Not at all, Bella.
I used to make them with our mother.
You were too young.
You used to wash the dishes.
Bellag A Cheit, seall an càr dubh sin.
Bhiodh an dotair a’ dràibheadh càr mar sin.
Kate, look at that black car.
The doctor used to drive a car like that.
Ceit Cha bhitheadh.
Cha robh càr aig an dotair idir.
No.
The doctor didn’t have a car at all.
Bellag Bha.
Bhithinn a’ suidhe anns a’ chàr aige nuair a bhiodh e anns an taigh againn.
Yes.
I used to sit in his car when he was in our house.
Ceit Obh, obh, a Bhellag.
Tha thu air fàs sean.
Chan eil cuimhne cheart agad air rud sam bith.
Oh dear, Bella.
You’ve gotten old.
You can’t remember anything properly.
Bellag Dè do bheachd air an dreasa sin? What do you think of that dress?
Ceit Tha i glè shnog. It’s very nice.
Bellag Bhithinn a’ cur dreasa mar sin orm tric nuair a bhithinn a’ dol a-mach. I often used to wear a dress like that when I went out
Ceit Cha bhitheadh, a ghràidh.
Cha bhiodh tusa a’ cur ort aodach snog uair sam bith.
No, dear.
You didn’t use to wear nice clothes ever.