Face in Irish (Aghaidh): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for face?

The Irish for face is aghaidh (pronounced “eye”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is aghaidheanna. Depending on context it can also mean front or direction.

Q: What is the plural of face in Irish?

The plural of aghaidh is aghaidheanna; with the article, na haghaidheanna means “the faces”. The genitive plural is aghaidheanna, as in grianghraif na n-aghaidheanna (the photographs of the faces).

Q: Does aghaidh have more than one meaning?

Yes. Aghaidh can mean face, front or direction, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “face” in Irish

Irish:: aghaidh
English:: face, front, direction
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine, second declension
Pronunciation:: “eye” /əi/

Various forms

Plural:: aghaidheanna (faces)
Genitive singular:: aghaidhe, na haghaidhe (e.g. dreach na haghaidhe, the look of the face)
Genitive plural:: aghaidheanna, na n-aghaidheanna (e.g. grianghraif na n-aghaidheanna, the photographs of the faces)

What does “aghaidh” mean?

“Aghaidh” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

face: The front part of the head, from the forehead to the chin.Also: countenance, features.

2 other meanings: front or direction

2front: The front or facing side of something, such as a building, cliff or clock dial.Also: facade, surface, dial.
3direction: The direction someone is facing or heading, as in phrases like 'ar aghaidh' (forward) and 'in aghaidh' (against).Also: forward, onward.

Other Irish words for face: grua (cheek), gnúis (face)

“Aghaidh” with the article

The plural of face in Irish is aghaidheanna. Here is aghaidh after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an aghaidh

the face

No change: feminine nouns starting with a vowel keep their form after an

na haghaidheanna

the faces

Plural: na adds h before a vowel

“Aghaidh” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using aghaidh, the Irish word for face.

Las aghaidh an pháiste le háthas.

The child's face lit up with joy.

Nigh d'aghaidh sula dtéann tú ar scoil.

Wash your face before you go to school.

Bhí aghaidh bhrónach air ar maidin.

He had a sad face this morning.

Ar aghaidh leat, tá tú ag déanamh go maith!

Go on, you're doing well!

Bhí siad ag imirt in aghaidh a chéile.

They were playing against each other.

Chonaic mé a lán aghaidheanna nua sa rang.

I saw lots of new faces in the class.

Cheannaigh mé bronntanas le haghaidh mo mháthar.

I bought a present for my mother.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Phrases with “aghaidh”

Ar aghaidh linnlet's go Díreach ar aghaidhstraight ahead

Face in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for face?

The Irish for face is aghaidh (pronounced “eye”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is aghaidheanna. Depending on context it can also mean front or direction.

How do you pronounce aghaidh in Irish?

Aghaidh is said like “eye” (IPA /əi/).

What is the plural of face in Irish?

The plural of aghaidh is aghaidheanna; with the article, na haghaidheanna means “the faces”. The genitive plural is aghaidheanna, as in grianghraif na n-aghaidheanna (the photographs of the faces).

Does aghaidh have more than one meaning?

Yes. Aghaidh can mean face, front or direction, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does aghaidh sometimes have a t or h in front of it?

Irish nouns beginning with a vowel take a prefix after certain words: an aghaidh (the face), a haghaidh (her face), a n-aghaidh (their face), na haghaidheanna (the faces).

What is the difference between 'ar aghaidh' and 'in aghaidh'?

'Ar aghaidh' means forward or ahead (ar aghaidh leat, go on), while 'in aghaidh' means against (in aghaidh an rúin, against the motion).

How do I say 'for' using aghaidh?

Use 'le haghaidh' followed by the genitive: le haghaidh na scoile, for the school.

Face in Irish (Aghaidh): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage