Do (to, for)
How to use the Irish preposition 'do' (to, for), including its conjugated forms, mutations, and common uses.
The preposition do generally means “to” or “for”. It is one of the most common prepositions in Irish and appears in a wide variety of grammatical structures, from indicating the indirect object of a verb to forming expressions of necessity and possession.
Initial Mutations
The preposition do causes lenition on the noun that follows it.
Without an article
Rule do + noun causes lenition.
- do Sheán - to Seán
With the singular article
Rule don (do + an) + noun causes lenition.
- dón mháthair - to the mother
With the singular article before 's'
Rule don (do + an) + noun beginning with 's' adds a t-prefix.
- dón tsagart - to the priest
Forms of ‘do’
Before Vowels and ‘fh’
Before a word beginning with a vowel or fh-, do contracts to d’.
- d’Úna - to Úna
- d’fhear - to a man
With the Article
When do comes before the definite article, the two words combine.
| Combination | Result |
|---|---|
do + an | don |
do + na | do na |
With Question Words
Do is used to form questions about the recipient or purpose of an action. These questions require an indirect relative clause.
cé dó?- to whom?cad dó / cé dó / cá dó?- for what purpose? / why?
Conjugated Forms
Like all simple prepositions, do combines with pronouns to form a single word. These are known as conjugated prepositions.
| Person | Standard Form | Emphatic Form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st sg. (I) | dom | domhsa | to me |
| 2nd sg. (you) | duit | duitse | to you |
| 3rd sg. (he) | dó | dósan | to him |
| 3rd sg. (she) | di | dise | to her |
| 1st pl. (we) | dúinn | dúinne | to us |
| 2nd pl. (you) | daoibh | daoibhse | to you |
| 3rd pl. (they) | dóibh | dóibhsean | to them |
Forms with Possessive Pronouns
Do also combines with possessive pronouns. These forms are important for constructing the progressive aspect with a pronominal object.
| Combination | Standard Form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
do mo | dom | to my |
do do | dod | to your |
do a | dá | to his / to her / to their |
do ár | dár | to our |
do bhur | do bhur | to your (pl.) |
With Relative Clauses
Do combines with the indirect relative particle a (or ar in the past tense) and with the relative form of the copula.
| Tense | Relative Particle (do + a/ar) | Copula Form (do + ar) | Copula (before vowel) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Present | dá | dar | darb | to which/who |
| Past | dár | dar | darbh | to which/who |
These forms are also used with the generalising relative pronoun, meaning “to everything that” or “to all those who”.
Common Uses
Indirect Object (Dative)
Do marks the indirect object of a verb, indicating the person or thing for whom or to whom an action is done.
- Scríobh mé litir duit. - I wrote you a letter.
- Thug sé an leabhar dom. - He gave the book to me.
- Inis an scéal dóibh. - Tell them the story.
This is different from indicating a direct spatial destination, which often uses chuig.
- Chuir mé litir chugat. - I sent a letter to you.
Proximity and Relationship
Do can indicate closeness, relationship, or exclusivity.
- Tá an siopa cóngarach don scoil. - The shop is close to the school.
- Is deartháir dom é. - He is a brother of mine.
- Teastaíonn seomra dom féin. - I need a room for myself.
In Wishes
Do is used in common greetings and wishes.
- Oíche mhaith duit! - Good night to you!
- Nollaig faoi mhaise daoibh. - A happy Christmas to you (all)!
In Copula Sentences
Do is frequently used in sentences with the copula (is) to indicate the person affected by a quality or state.
- Is breá liom an aimsir, ach is fuar di. - I love the weather, but it’s cold for her.
- Ní gá duit imeacht. - It is not necessary for you to leave. (You don’t have to leave.)
- Is fíor duit. - You are right. (lit. It is true for you.)
It is also used to express obligation or necessity (must/should).
- B’éigean dom rith. - I had to run.
- Ba chóir duit staidéar a dhéanamh. - You should study.
Identifying the Subject
In certain common questions and statements with the copula, do identifies the subject.
- Cad is ainm duit? - What is your name?
- Seán is ainm dom. - My name is Seán.
- Cá haois duit? - How old are you?
- Carb as duit? - Where are you from?
With Verbal Nouns
Do is used to mark the agent (subject) in certain verbal noun constructions, particularly those indicating time.
- tar éis é a dhéanamh dom - after I had done it
- le linn é a dhéanamh duit - while you were doing it
- roimh é a dhéanamh dó - before he had done it
In the Progressive Aspect
The forms of do with possessive pronouns are used to express the object in the progressive aspect (the “be…-ing” tenses).
- Tá mé do do bhualadh. - I am hitting you.
- Tá mé do mo bhualadh aige. - I am being hit by him.
With the Verbal Adjective
Do can be used with a verbal adjective to express necessity or suitability.
- Ní gearánta dom. - I shouldn’t complain / I have no reason to complain.
- Is scéal inchreidte dom é. - It is a believable story for me.
Telling Time
Do can mean “to” when telling time, though chun is also common.
- Tá sé ceathrú don a trí. - It is a quarter to three.
Spatial Destination
Less commonly, do can indicate a spatial destination, where chuig or go would be more typical today.
- Téigh don siopa. - Go to the shop.
- Don diabhal leat! - Go to hell!