HeyRuaHow to say “alder” in Irish
- Irish:
- fearn
- English:
- alder, letter f
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine
- Pronunciation:
- “farn” /fʲaːɾˠn̪ˠ/
- Plural:
- fearnaí (alders)
- Genitive singular:
- fearna, an fhearna (e.g. adhmad an fhearna, the wood of the alder)
- Genitive plural:
- fearnaí, na bhfearnaí (e.g. duilleoga na bhfearnaí, the leaves of the alders)
What does “fearn” mean?
“Fearn” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- alder
- A tree of the birch family that grows in wet ground, with dark cones and wood that resists water.Also: alder tree, alnus.
1 other meaning: letter f
- 2letter f
- The name of the letter F in the old Irish tree alphabet (ogham).Also: ogham f.
“Fearn” with the article
The plural of alder in Irish is fearnaí. Here is fearn after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Fearn” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using fearn, the Irish word for alder.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Alder in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for alder?
The Irish for alder is fearn (pronounced “farn”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is fearnaí. Depending on context it can also mean letter f.
How do you pronounce fearn in Irish?
Fearn is said like “farn” (IPA /fʲaːɾˠn̪ˠ/).
What is the plural of alder in Irish?
The plural of fearn is fearnaí; with the article, na fearnaí means “the alders”. The genitive plural is fearnaí, as in duilleoga na bhfearnaí (the leaves of the alders).
Does fearn have more than one meaning?
Yes. Fearn can mean alder or letter f, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does fearn change to fhearn or bhfearn?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) fearn becomes m'fhearn (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár bhfearn (eclipsis).
Is 'fearn' used in place names?
Yes, it appears in names such as Fearna (Ferns) in County Wexford, meaning 'place of alders'.
