Pronounce Irish "u" like English (oo) in "food" or "tool" when a síneadh (SHEEN-uh) is over the letter "ú." Protrude the lips farther than in the English sound, however, and hold the sound longer. Examples:úll (ool), múin (MOO-in), brú, lú,éalú(AY*-loo).
If the "u" has no síneadh, pronounce it the same way, but do not hold the sound as long. It will resemble the (u) in English "put" or "foot". Examples: rug (rug), puball (PU-buhl), guth (gu).
When next to an "a", a "u" may be pronounced (oo), as in: buail (BOO-il), nua (NOO-uh).
GRAMMAR
The saorbhriathra (say*r-VREE-uh-ruh), free forms, for "tá" in the past are:
bhíothas (VEE-huhs), people were, etc.
nírabhthas (nee ROU-huhs), people weren't, etc.
an rabhthas?, were people, etc?
nach rabhthas?, weren't people, etc?
Examples:
Bhíothas ag dul go dtína pictiúir; people were going to the movies.
Nach rabhthas ag léamh an leabhair sin? (uh LAY*-uhv un LOU-wir shin); weren't people reading that book?, wasn't that book being read?
In the future tense, the forms are:
beifear (BE-fuhr), people will be, etc.
níbheifear (nee VE-fuhr), people will not be, etc.
an mbeifear? (un ME-fuhr), will people be, etc?
nach mbeifear?, won't people be, etc?
Examples:
Beifear ag caitheamh tobac arís (uh KAH-huhv toh-BAHK uh-REESH), people will be smoking again.
An mbeifear ag teacht isteach go luath? (uh TYAHK*T ish-TYAHK* goh LOO-uh), will people be coming inside soon?