Uaireanta bíonn mearbhall ar dhaoine faoi úsáid na bhfocal thuas mar go bhfuil siad cosúil le chéile ó thaobh brí de. Mar sin féin, úsáidtear gach ceann acu i gcomhthéacs faoi leith.
Aithne: (Acquaintance)
Tá aithne agam air I know him (am acquainted with him)
Tá aithne shúl agam air I know him to see
Gan aithne gan urlabhra Comatose
Cuireadh in aithne dó mé I was introduced to him
Duine atá ar m’aithne A person I know
Eolas: (Knowledge/information)
Tá an-eolas aige ar Bhaile Átha Cliath He knows Dublin very well
Tá sé ar eolas agam I know it
Oifig eolais Information office
Coinnigh ar an eolas mé Keep me informed
Tá eolas na slí aige He knows the way
Bhí na gardaí ag lorg eolais The guards were looking for information
Fios: (knowledge/information/mystical knowledge)
Níl a fhios agam: I don’t know
Ag Dia atá a fhios God only knows
Ná tabhair fios ar bith dóibh Don’t tell them anything
Dá mbeadh a fhios acu If they only knew
Níl uaidh ach fios He is only fishing for information
Is bean feasa í She is a wise woman/fortune teller
