tá / bíonn
Current and Habitual States
Contrast Tá sé sa bhaile anois with Bíonn sé sa bhaile ar an Domhnach. The difference concerns aspect and regularity, not simply clock time.
How It Works
Contrast Tá sé sa bhaile anois with Bíonn sé sa bhaile ar an Domhnach. The difference concerns aspect and regularity, not simply clock time.
Tá locates a present situation, while bíonn describes a recurring situation. The choice does not depend simply on whether an English translation uses is or are. In these examples anois highlights the current occasion and gach lá highlights repetition.
Examples (3)
- Tá sé sa bhaile anois.
He is at home now.
- Bíonn sé sa bhaile gach lá.
He is at home every day.
- Tá an siopa dúnta inniu.
The shop is closed today.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Interpret the aspect contrast after learning the habitual form itself.
Words in This Pattern
Practice tá / bíonn in Bubblegum
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