I (in)

The preposition i is one of the most fundamental prepositions in Irish, primarily meaning “in”. It is used to describe location, time, states, and membership. It triggers specific initial mutations and combines with the definite article and pronouns to form new words.

Case and Meaning

The preposition i is followed by the dative case. In modern Irish, the dative is usually identical to the nominative, so this is rarely a concern for learners except with a few irregular nouns.

Unlike some other languages, Irish does not distinguish between location (“in”) and movement (“into”) with this preposition. The same form is used for both.

• sa phota - in the pot / into the pot

Initial Mutations

The mutation that i causes depends on whether it is followed by the definite article.

Without the Article

When i is used alone before a noun, it causes eclipsis.

• i gCeanada - in Canada
• i mBaile Átha Cliath - in Dublin

With the Article

When i combines with the singular definite article to form sa or san, the mutation rule varies by dialect. The Standard Irish rule is the most common one taught to learners.

In Standard Irish, sa/san causes lenition. A t-prefix is added to feminine nouns beginning with s.

• sa chistin - in the kitchen
• san oifig - in the office
• sa tsráid - in the street (feminine)

The Form ‘in’

Under certain circumstances, the preposition takes the form in instead of i. This form does not cause any initial mutation.

This occurs:

• Before vowels: in Éirinn (in Ireland), in Albain (in Scotland).
• Before the number dhá (two): in dhá bhróig (in two shoes).
• Before the possessive pronoun bhur (your, plural): in bhur dteach (in your house).
• Before titles of books, films, etc.: in “Cré na Cille” (in “Graveyard Clay”).

The Forms ‘ins’ and ‘is’

In some dialects, i becomes ins or is before gach (every) and its variants like chuile or chaon. In these cases, gach is not eclipsed.

• ins gach bliain - in every year
• sa chuile áit - everywhere

The standard form remains i ngach, with eclipsis.

Combining with the Definite Article

The preposition i merges with the definite article an, an, and na.

• i + an (before a consonant) = sa
• i + an (before a vowel) = san
• i + na (plural) = sna

In some dialects, you may also encounter the unmerged forms ins an and ins na.

Conjugated and Possessive Forms

Like all Irish prepositions, i combines with pronouns to form a single word, known as a conjugated or prepositional pronoun. It also combines with possessive pronouns.

Conjugated Forms (in me, in you)

These forms mean “in” + a personal pronoun.

Possessive Forms (in my, in your)

These forms mean “in” + a possessive pronoun.

Adverbial Forms with ‘seo’, ‘sin’, and ‘siúd’

The 3rd person singular masculine form ann combines with the demonstratives seo, sin, and siúd to create adverbs of place.

• ann + seo = anseo (here)
• ann + sin = ansin (there; then)
• ann + siúd = ansiúd (over there, yonder)

When used in the literal sense of “in this” or “in that”, the words are usually kept separate: ann seo, ann sin.

Relative Clause Forms

The preposition i combines with the indirect relative pronoun a and the relative form of the copula ar.

Common Uses

Spatial Location

The most common use is to indicate a location in or inside something.

• Tá an bainne sa chuisneoir. - The milk is in the fridge.

Relative Location

It can also describe a relative position, similar to “at”.

• in íochtar na tíre - in the lower part of the country
• i mbun an chnoic - at the bottom of the hill
• in imeall na foraoise - at the edge of the forest

Temporal Usage

It is used to specify a time in which something happens.

• san oíche - in the night
• i mí Eanáir - in January

Describing Qualities or Parts

i can be used to specify a part of something or to describe an inherent quality.

• briste sa lár - broken in the middle
• bán sa ghruaig - fair-haired (literally “white in the hair”)
• Tá éirim an cheoil sa ghasúr. - The boy has a musical aptitude.

Describing a State

It is used to describe a person’s physical or emotional state.

• i bpian - in pain
• in imní - in anxiety

Expressing ‘in a state of being’

A very common structure uses bí + i + possessive pronoun + noun to describe a state, role, or condition.

• Progressive with verbs of state: This structure forms the progressive aspect for verbs like “sleep”, “sit”, “stand”, and “live”.

  • Tá mé i mo chodladh. - I am sleeping. (literally “I am in my sleeping”)
  • Tá sí ina cónaí i nGaillimh. - She lives in Galway. (literally “She is in her living…”)

• Temporary roles or professions: It is used instead of the copula to describe a temporary or newly acquired role.

  • Tá mé i mo dhochtúir. - I am a doctor.
  • Tá tú i do fhear anois. - You are a man now.

• Existence: The form ann is used with tá to express existence, meaning “there is” or “there are”.

  • Tá teach ann. - There is a house.

• Becoming: The verb éirigh is used with this structure to mean “to become”.

  • Éireoidh mé i mo dhochtúir. - I will become a doctor.

Membership

It is used to indicate membership in a group or organisation.

• sna Gardaí - in the police (Gardaí)
• i mbanna ceoil - in a band

Expressing Ability (‘in ann’)

The phrase in ann followed by a verbal noun means “to be able to” or “capable of”.

• An bhfuil tú in ann snámh? - Are you able to swim?

Rates and Ratios (‘per’)

With the article, it can mean “per”.

• deich bpunt sa lá - ten pounds per day

Distributive Usage (‘for’)

It can be used in a “one for one” sense.

• fear san fhear - man for man

With Specific Verbs

Some verbs are idiomatically followed by i.

• glaoigh in ainm - to call by name