ba mhaith liom

Polite Wants

Level 1

Ba mhaith liom cupán tae means I would like a cup of tea. This is a useful polite request, distinct from stating a present fact with is.

How It Works

Ba mhaith liom cupán tae means I would like a cup of tea. This is a useful polite request, distinct from stating a present fact with is.

Ba mhaith liom is a conventional polite expression of a wish. A noun can name the requested item; a verbal noun can name a desired action. Context gives its would-like meaning here, since ba can also express past meanings in other copular sentences.

Examples (3)

  1. Ba mhaith liom cupán tae.

    I would like a cup of tea.

  2. Ba mhaith léi teacht.

    She would like to come.

  3. Ba mhaith linn fanacht.

    We would like to stay.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

ba mhaith liomLevel 1Polite Wants

Learn This First

Build a polite wish from the familiar copular liking construction.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

bale