Understanding Gaelic Verbs: Must, Need, and Permission

Gaelic has a surprisingly elegant set of verbs that express necessity, ability, and permission. However, most learners quickly discover that these forms do not behave like the English equivalents of “must,” “need,” or “can.” Instead, Gaelic uses constructions built around feum and faod, each with its own quirks.

Let’s break them down so you can stop guessing. When you conduct your research and check a dictionary on how to use these verbs, you will likely come across the following:

1. FEUMAIDH — “must / have to”

Feumaidh expresses obligation, necessity, duty, or a strong requirement.

Example:

Feumaidh mi falbh.

I must go / I have to go.

2. FEUM versus FEUM AGAM — “need”

When Gaelic means need in the sense of “I need X (a noun),” it switches to a possession-style structure:

Example:

Tha feum agam air uisge.

I need water.

Structure Breakdown

The structure is:

• Tha + feum + aig (at) + person + air (on) + thing/person needed

  
  

Think of it literally as: “There is need at me on water.”

We see a similar construction with loving someone:

"Tha gaol agam ort." (There is love at me on you)

Why It Matters

This is not interchangeable with feumaidh.

• Tha feum agam air uisge = I need water (a requirement).

• Feumaidh mi uisge òl = I must drink water (an obligation).

  
  

Different constructions lead to different meanings.

3. FAOD — “may / allowed to / can (permission)”

When talking about permission, Gaelic uses forms of faod.

Example:

Faodaidh tu ithe.

You may eat / You’re allowed to eat.

Faodaidh can also mean “possibly / might,” depending on the context.

Negative Form

Chan fhaod thu…

– You may not / You’re not allowed to.

Common Mistake

Learners often use faodaidh when they actually mean physical ability. Gaelic splits ability into two ideas:

• Permission? → Faodaidh tu…

• Ability? → Is urrainn dhut…

  
  

So:

• Faodaidh mi snàmh. (sounds like “I may swim [if permitted]”)

• Tha mi comasach air snàmh. or ’S urrainn dhomh snàmh. (I can swim / I’m able to swim)

  
  

4. Quick Comparison Chart

Meaning	Gaelic Construction	Example
I must eat a biscuit.	Feumaidh + subject + verb	Feumaidh mi briosgaid ithe.
I need water.	Tha feum aig… air…	Tha feum agam air uisge.
We must/need to leave.	Feumaidh + subject + verb.	Feumaidh sinn falbh.
You are allowed to eat.	Faodaidh + subject + verb	Faodaidh tu ithe.
I can swim (ability).	’S urrainn do…	’S urrainn dhomh snàmh.

5. Why Learners Struggle

Most students come from grammar patterns where “can,” “must,” and “need” behave consistently. Gaelic presents unique challenges:

• Possession-style structures

• Future forms meaning present

• Separate verbs for permission versus ability

• Prepositional pronouns everywhere

  
  

This complexity is why even mid-level learners often say “faodaidh mi…” for every type of ability or “feumaidh mi…” for every type of need.

Structured teaching can make a significant difference. One effective session can save learners years of frustration. Use what you’ve learned from grammar books and dictionaries as your reference point — everyday speech varies a lot, and not everyone uses standard grammar.

Conclusion

Understanding the nuances of Gaelic verbs is essential for effective communication. By grasping the differences between feumaidh, feum, and faod, learners can navigate the language more confidently. Embrace the learning process, and remember that practice is key to mastering these concepts.