bithidh

Scottish Gaelic

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈpi.ɪ/, /ˈpihi/
• Hyphenation: bi‧thidh

Verb

bithidh

1. independent future emphatic of bi

Usage notes

• Some speakers use bithidh in contrast to the alternative form bidh, the former being used only as an affirmative answer to questions formed with bi:

  Bidh sinn ag obair a-màireach. ― We will be working tomorrow.

  Am bi e aig an taigh a-màireach? — Bithidh. ― Will he be at home tomorrow? — Yes.

• This is however not true for all speakers, and the following sentence is also correct:

  Bithidh sinn ag obair a-màireach. ― We will be working tomorrow.

• Bithidh (and bidh) is also used for the present habitual, to denote a current and ongoing regular activity:

  Bithidh/Bidh mi ag èisteachd ris an rèidio. ― I (often) listen to the radio. (literally, “I will be listening to the radio.”)

  Am bi thu a'cluich tàileasg? — Bithidh. ― Do you play chess? Yes.

References

• Colin Mark (2003) “bi”, in The Gaelic-English dictionary, London: Routledge, →ISBN, page 75