Liking, Loving and Wanting in Irish: Is Maith Liom and Ba Mhaith Liom

Irish expresses likes and preferences through le ("with"). Once you know a handful of patterns, you can talk about your tastes with ease.

The pattern

Is maith + le + person + thing means "person likes thing" — literally "thing is good with person".

• Is maith liom tae. — I like tea.
• Is maith leat ceol. — You like music.
• Is maith leis peil. — He likes football.
• Is maith léi leabhair. — She likes books.

The forms of "le"

Person	Form
I	liom
you	leat
he	leis
she	léi
we	linn
you (pl.)	libh
they	leo

Strong feelings

English	Irish
I like	Is maith liom
I don't like	Ní maith liom
I love	Is breá liom
I prefer	Is fearr liom
I would like	Ba mhaith liom

Examples:

• Is breá liom an samhradh. — I love the summer.
• Ní maith liom an geimhreadh. — I don't like the winter.
• Is fearr liom tae ná caife. — I prefer tea to coffee.
• Ba mhaith liom cupán tae. — I would like a cup of tea.

Questions and answers

• An maith leat caife? — Do you like coffee?
• Is maith. — Yes (I do).
• Ní maith. — No (I don't).

Irish does not have a simple "yes" or "no"; the answer repeats the verb.

Wanting to do something

Ba mhaith liom followed by a verbal phrase expresses a wish:

• Ba mhaith liom dul abhaile. — I would like to go home.
• Ba mhaith liom Gaeilge a fhoghlaim. — I would like to learn Irish.

Common mistakes

1. Saying "Tá mé maith le..." Use is maith liom.
2. Mixing up liom and leat.
3. Forgetting the mutation in ba mhaith.

Tips

1. Learn the seven "le" forms.
2. Make a list of things you like and dislike.
3. Use the dictionary to find words for your hobbies.

Look up any word with English Irish Dictionary →