Ag Lorg Comhchónaithe (Looking for a Flatmate)
Topic Overview: Describing People and Preferences
Imagine you're Sarah, a volunteer with an Irish language association, and you need to find a new flatmate for your shared accommodation. This scenario gives us perfect practice for describing people's appearance, personality, and preferences in Irish - essential vocabulary for daily conversations and social interactions.
Key Vocabulary for This Topic
Physical Appearance
- Cuma (kum-a) = Appearance
- Ard (ard) = Tall
- Íseal (ee-shall) = Short
- Gruaig (groo-ig) = Hair
- Gruaig fhionn (groo-ig ee-un) = Blonde hair
- Gruaig dhonn (groo-ig ghoun) = Brown hair
- Gruaig dhubh (groo-ig goov) = Black hair
- Súile (soo-la) = Eyes
- Súile gorma (soo-la gur-ma) = Blue eyes
- Súile donna (soo-la dun-a) = Brown eyes
Personality Traits
- Cairdiúil (kar-jool) = Friendly
- Cineálta (kin-ale-ta) = Kind
- Deas (jass) = Nice
- Múinte (moo-in-ta) = Polite
- Ciúin (kyoo-in) = Quiet
- Cainteach (kan-chakh) = Talkative
- Greannmhar (gran-var) = Funny
- Stuama (stoo-ma) = Sensible
Preferences and Interests
- Is maith liom... (iss mah lum) = I like...
- Is breá liom... (iss braw lum) = I love...
- Ní maith liom... (nee mah lum) = I don't like...
- Is fearr liom... (iss far lum) = I prefer...
Sample Flatmate Profile
Let me show you how Sarah might describe one of the applicants:
"Tá Aoife ina cailín deas, cairdiúil. Tá sí suas le fiche bliain d'aois. Tá gruaig fhionn uirthi agus súile gorma. Tá sí ard agus caol.
Is múinteoir í in scoil áitiúil. Is maith léi léamh, cócaireacht, agus ceol traidisiúnta. Ní maith léi torann mór sa teach. Is fearr léi oíche ciúin istigh ná dul amach go dtí an teach tábhairne.
Scríobh sí: 'Is duine ciúin mé ach is maith liom comhrá deas. Tá spéis mhór agam sa Ghaeilge agus ba mhaith liom cleachtadh a dhéanamh le mo chomhchónaithe.'"
Translation: "Aoife is a nice, friendly girl. She's about twenty years old. She has blonde hair and blue eyes. She's tall and slim.
She's a teacher in a local school. She likes reading, cooking, and traditional music. She doesn't like loud noise in the house. She prefers a quiet night in rather than going out to the pub.
She wrote: 'I'm a quiet person but I like good conversation. I have a great interest in Irish and I'd like to practice with my flatmates.'"
Your Turn: Practice Exercise
Now it's your turn! Choose one of these scenarios:
Scenario A: Create Your Own Profile Imagine you're applying to be Sarah's flatmate. Write a short profile describing:
- Your appearance (2-3 sentences)
- Your personality (2-3 sentences)
- Your likes and dislikes (3-4 sentences)
- Why you'd be a good flatmate (1-2 sentences)
Scenario B: Review an Applicant Create a profile for an imaginary applicant. Include:
- Their name and age
- Physical description
- Personality traits
- Hobbies and interests
- Living preferences
- One thing that makes them stand out
Helpful Sentence Starters
Use these phrases to structure your response:
- Appearance: "Tá [name] ina [fear/bean] [adjective]..." (Name is a [adjective] [man/woman])
- Age: "Tá sé/sí [age] bliain d'aois" (He/she is [age] years old)
- Personality: "Is duine [adjective] é/í" (He/she is a [adjective] person)
- Likes: "Is maith leis/léi..." (He/she likes...)
- Dislikes: "Ní maith leis/léi..." (He/she doesn't like...)
- Preferences: "Is fearr leis/léi..." (He/she prefers...)
Cultural Notes
In Irish culture, being able to describe people respectfully and accurately is important for social interactions. Notice how we focus on positive traits and interests rather than critical observations. This reflects the Irish value of being welcoming and finding common ground with others.
Grammar Focus: Describing People
Remember these key patterns:
- Use "Tá" for temporary states and locations: "Tá gruaig fhionn uirthi" (She has blonde hair)
- Use "Is" for permanent characteristics: "Is múinteoir í" (She is a teacher)
- Adjectives come after nouns: "fear deas" (nice man), "bean chairdiúil" (friendly woman)
Discussion Questions
After you post your profile or review, consider these questions:
- An mbeadh an duine seo oiriúnach mar chomhchónaithe? (Would this person be suitable as a flatmate?)
- Cad iad na rudaí is tábhachtaí i gcomhchónaithe? (What are the most important things in a flatmate?)
- Conas a chuirfeá síos ort féin do dhaoine nua? (How would you describe yourself to new people?)
Next Steps
Once you've written your profile or review:
- Share it in the comments below
- Read others' contributions and ask questions
- Practice the new vocabulary in your daily conversations
- Consider what qualities you value most in the people around you
Remember: This exercise helps you practice essential Irish vocabulary while thinking about real-life situations. Don't worry about making mistakes - that's how we learn!
Tús maith, leath na hoibre! (A good start is half the work!)
Caoimhe, OLS Community Manager - Irish