HeyRuaHow to say “ancient” in Irish
- Irish:
- ársanta
- English:
- ancient, archaic
- Word type:
- adjective
- More ancient:
- níos ársanta
- Most ancient:
- is ársanta
- Pronunciation:
- “AWR-sun-ta” /ɑːɾˠsˠən̪ˠt̪ˠə/
What does “ársanta” mean?
“Ársanta” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- ancient
- Very old, belonging to a time long ago.Also: very old, aged, venerable.
1 other meaning: archaic
- 2archaic
- Old-fashioned and no longer in common use, especially of words or customs.Also: antiquated, old-fashioned, obsolete.
Other Irish adjectives for ancient: ársa (ancient), clasaiceach (classical), seanda (ancient)
“Ársanta” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is ársanta after crann (tree, masculine), after cathair (city, feminine) and after a plural.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, ársanta.
More ancient, most ancient, very ancient
Tá an caisleán seo níos ársanta ná an séipéal. This castle is more ancient than the church.
| more ancient | níos ársanta | in the past tense: ní b'ársanta |
|---|---|---|
| most ancient | is ársanta | in the past tense: ab ársanta |
| as ancient as | chomh hársanta le | chomh puts an h before a vowel |
| very ancient | an-ársanta | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too ancient | ró-ársanta | ró- lenites |
“Ársanta” in a sentence: Irish examples
With a masculine noun, a feminine noun, a plural, a comparison and on its own.
Other adjectives in Irish
More everyday Irish adjectives to learn next.
Ancient in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for ancient?
The Irish for ancient is ársanta (pronounced “AWR-sun-ta”). It comes after the noun: crann ársanta, an ancient tree; cathair ársanta, an ancient city.
How do you say more ancient and most ancient in Irish?
níos ársanta is more ancient and is ársanta is most ancient. In the past tense they become ní b'ársanta and ab ársanta.
How do you say very ancient in Irish?
an-ársanta. Too ancient is ró-ársanta, and as ancient as is chomh hársanta le.
Does ársanta have more than one meaning?
Yes. Ársanta can mean ancient or archaic, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'ársanta' and 'seanda'?
Both mean ancient or very old; 'seanda' is often used of antiquities and archaeology, as in 'séadchomharthaí seanda', while 'ársanta' also covers archaic language and customs.
