This form will generate a set of sample copula sentences, personalised so they will be easier for you to remember. (Use the printer-friendly tab for a nicer printout.) I suggest you read these sentences out loud every day for a week or so, and then keep this page handy for future reference. Any time you are confused about how to form a particular copula sentence, you'll be able to find a similar example here that you can modify by replacing the nouns as needed.
Sin spásaire. That's a astronaut.
Is spásaire [é] an dalta. The student is a astronaut.
Is spásaire Seán. Seán is a astronaut.
Is spásaire é. He is a astronaut.
An spásaire é? Is ea (sea).
Cad í an fadhb? What is the problem?
Cé hé an spásaire? Is é an dalta an spásaire.
Who is the astronaut? The student is the astronaut.
Cé hé an dalta? Is é an spásaire an dalta.
Who is the student? The astronaut is the student.
Note: The subject goes first, then the predicate.
Is é an spásaire é. He is the astronaut.
(The first "é" is just a proleptic pronoun. "The astronaut" is the predicate, and the second "é" is the subject, so it is required.)
Cé hé? Who is he?
Cé hé tusa? Who are you?
Is mise an spásaire. I am the astronaut.
Is mise Seán. I'm Seán
Seo é Seán. This is Seán. / Here is Seán.
Is é Seán an spásaire. Seán is the astronaut. / The astronaut is Seán.
Restructuring a sentence to avoid an indefinite subject:
*Is duine spásaire. A astronaut is a person.
- Better (Ulster): Duine atá sa spásaire.
- Better (Other dialects): Is duine é an spásaire. -or- Duine is ea an spásaire.
Split predicate
Is spásaire é a bhfuil a lán eolais faoin chopail aige. He's a astronaut who knows a lot about the copula.