HeyRuaHow to say “foreign” in Irish
- Irish:
- eachtrannach
- English:
- foreign, alien
- Word type:
- adjective
- More foreign:
- níos eachtrannaí
- Most foreign:
- is eachtrannaí
- Plural:
- eachtrannacha
- Pronunciation:
- “AKH-tran-ukh” /ˈaxt̪ˠɾˠən̪ˠəx/
What does “eachtrannach” mean?
“Eachtrannach” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- foreign
- Coming from or belonging to another country.Also: alien, outlandish, external.
1 other meaning: alien
- 2alien
- Strange or unfamiliar, not belonging to the place or group.Also: strange, unfamiliar.
Other Irish adjectives for foreign: eachtrach (foreign), gallda (foreign), iasachtach (foreign), strainséartha (strange)
The same spelling has its own page as:
“Eachtrannach” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is eachtrannach after fear (man, masculine), after teanga (language, feminine) and after a plural.
séimhiú (the h) the ending
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, eachtrannacha.
More foreign, most foreign, very foreign
Bhí an bia níos eachtrannaí ná mar a shíl mé. The food was more foreign than I thought.
| more foreign | níos eachtrannaí | in the past tense: ní b'eachtrannaí |
|---|---|---|
| most foreign | is eachtrannaí | in the past tense: ab eachtrannaí |
| as foreign as | chomh heachtrannach le | chomh puts an h before a vowel |
| very foreign | an-eachtrannach | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too foreign | ró-eachtrannach | ró- lenites |
“Eachtrannach” 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.
Foreign in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for foreign?
The Irish for foreign is eachtrannach (pronounced “AKH-tran-ukh”). It comes after the noun: fear eachtrannach, a foreign man; teanga eachtrannach, a foreign language.
How do you say more foreign and most foreign in Irish?
níos eachtrannaí is more foreign and is eachtrannaí is most foreign. In the past tense they become ní b'eachtrannaí and ab eachtrannaí.
What is the plural of eachtrannach?
With a plural noun eachtrannach becomes eachtrannacha: fir eachtrannacha, teangacha eachtrannacha.
How do you say very foreign in Irish?
an-eachtrannach. Too foreign is ró-eachtrannach, and as foreign as is chomh heachtrannach le.
Does eachtrannach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Eachtrannach can mean foreign or alien, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'eachtrannach' and 'iasachta'?
'Eachtrannach' is the general adjective for foreign, as in 'tír eachtrannach'. 'Iasachta' is a genitive form used in set phrases such as 'teanga iasachta' and 'focal iasachta' (a loanword).
