HeyRuaHow to say “foreign” in Irish
- Irish:
- iasachtach
- English:
- foreign, strange, given to borrowing
- Word type:
- adjective
- More foreign:
- níos iasachtaí
- Most foreign:
- is iasachtaí
- Plural:
- iasachtacha
- Pronunciation:
- “EE-uh-suckt-uck” /ˈiəsˠəxt̪ˠəx/
What does “iasachtach” mean?
“Iasachtach” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- foreign
- Coming from another country or place, not native.Also: alien, exotic, imported.
2 other meanings: strange or given to borrowing
- 2strange
- Unfamiliar or odd, not what you are used to.Also: unfamiliar, odd, novel.
- 3given to borrowing
- Inclined to borrow things from other people.Also: borrowing.
Other Irish adjectives for foreign: eachtrach (foreign), gallda (foreign), eachtrannach (foreign), strainséartha (strange)
“Iasachtach” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is iasachtach after focal (word, masculine), after teanga (language, feminine) and after a plural.
séimhiú (the h) the ending
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, iasachtacha.
More foreign, most foreign, very foreign
| more foreign | níos iasachtaí | in the past tense: ní b'iasachtaí |
|---|---|---|
| most foreign | is iasachtaí | in the past tense: ab iasachtaí |
| as foreign as | chomh hiasachtach le | chomh puts an h before a vowel |
| very foreign | an-iasachtach | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too foreign | ró-iasachtach | ró- lenites |
“Iasachtach” 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 iasachtach (pronounced “EE-uh-suckt-uck”). It comes after the noun: focal iasachtach, a foreign word; teanga iasachtach, a foreign language.
How do you say more foreign and most foreign in Irish?
níos iasachtaí is more foreign and is iasachtaí is most foreign. In the past tense they become ní b'iasachtaí and ab iasachtaí.
What is the plural of iasachtach?
With a plural noun iasachtach becomes iasachtacha: focail iasachtacha, teangacha iasachtacha.
How do you say very foreign in Irish?
an-iasachtach. Too foreign is ró-iasachtach, and as foreign as is chomh hiasachtach le.
Does iasachtach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Iasachtach can mean foreign, strange or given to borrowing, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'iasachtach' and 'eachtrach'?
'Eachtrach' is the usual word for foreign in official senses, as in 'Gnóthaí Eachtracha' (foreign affairs), while 'iasachtach' suggests something introduced or unfamiliar, as in 'focal iasachtach' (a loanword).
Is 'iasachtach' related to 'iasacht'?
Yes, it comes from 'iasacht' (a loan), so 'focal iasachtach' is literally a borrowed word.
