"We don't eat in the bed."

Translation: Ní ithimid sa leaba.

[patrickwilmes]

Why ni and not nil?

Thanks.

[galaxyrocker]

Níl is only the negative of tá. It's actually a contraction of Ní fhuil. The general negative particle is ní and that's what goes before other verbs. Another example Ní ólaim tae - I don't drink tea.

[becky3086]

Oh thank you, I think I just finally understand this. So Níl is used if we are saying "I am not" "We are not" "He is not" etc. but Ni is used for other verbs - We don't eat, I don't drink, He doesn't go, etc. etc.....wow, I have been struggling with that for a long time and now it seems so simple.

[NancyAnn11]

Well you explained it better . I wish they would give examples.

[becky3086]

I would like to know as well. It has been answered for me several times and I still have no idea why.

[becky3086]

Still wondering....

[galaxyrocker]

I just replied to the top level poster with the answer.

[JeffFoster14]

Because it's very uncomfortable to sleep on crumbs.

[gufcfan]

Ní íosann muid sa leaba

is also acceptable.

[Cibigi5]

why sa rather than san?

[SatharnPHL]

sa only becomes san before a vowel sound.

[Cibigi5]

Makes sense. Thanks.