Breandán,

A while back, I got "Is amadán tú" for "you're a fool."

Do I need to correct it to "Is a amadáin tú" ?

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I'm very much a beginner learner. Don't hesitate to correct me, as long as you explain why. This is how I learn best!

Also, I am wondering if the copula is always used when calling someone a fool.

Sass

No, no. The (you) above is part of the interjection:

Is amadán tú ! "You are a fool!", "You're a fool!" (Sentence, i.e., you are describing the listener as a fool.)

A amadáin ! "Fool!", "You fool!", "Hey, fool!" (Interjection - you are directly labelling the listener "a fool".)

Tar anseo, a amadáin ! "Come here, fool!" "Come here, you fool!" (Interjection - again a label)

One hint in English as to the difference is that there is no verb in the interjection.


You use the copula when describing someone as a fool:

Is amadán é. He is a fool. (description)

You can also substitute the structure tá sé ina ~, e.g., tá sé ina amadán. (description)

When "calling someone a fool" to their face, i.e., labelling them, no verb is present.

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Múinteoir Gaeilge - Irish Teacher
My "specialty" is Connemara Irish, particularly Cois Fhairrge dialect, but I can also speak Ulster and Munster Irish with native-level pronunciation.
Is fearr Gaeilge ḃriste ná Béarla cliste, cinnte, aċ i ḃfad níos fearr aríst í Gaeilge ḃinn ḃeo na nGaeltaċtaí.
Gaeilge Chonnacht (GC), go háraid Gaeilge Chois Fhairrge (GCF), Gaeilic Uladh (GU), Gaelainn na Mumhan (GM), agus Gaeilge an Chaighdeáin Oifigiúil (CO).

Got it.

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I'm very much a beginner learner. Don't hesitate to correct me, as long as you explain why. This is how I learn best!

Grmma a Breandán.

So once a fool, always a fool.

Sass

Yeah, trust me, I should know.

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Múinteoir Gaeilge - Irish Teacher
My "specialty" is Connemara Irish, particularly Cois Fhairrge dialect, but I can also speak Ulster and Munster Irish with native-level pronunciation.
Is fearr Gaeilge ḃriste ná Béarla cliste, cinnte, aċ i ḃfad níos fearr aríst í Gaeilge ḃinn ḃeo na nGaeltaċtaí.
Gaeilge Chonnacht (GC), go háraid Gaeilge Chois Fhairrge (GCF), Gaeilic Uladh (GU), Gaelainn na Mumhan (GM), agus Gaeilge an Chaighdeáin Oifigiúil (CO).