HeyRuaHow to say “hair” in Irish
- Irish:
- ruainne
- English:
- hair, bit
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, fourth declension
- Pronunciation:
- “ROON-yuh” /ˈɾˠuənʲə/
- Plural:
- ruainní (hairs)
- Genitive singular:
- ruainne, an ruainne (e.g. fad an ruainne, the length of the hair)
- Genitive plural:
- ruainní, na ruainní (e.g. fad na ruainní, the length of the hairs)
What does “ruainne” mean?
“Ruainne” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- hair
- A single hair or fibre, for example from an animal's coat or a garment.Also: single hair, fibre, thread.
“Ruainne” with the article
The plural of hair in Irish is ruainní. Here is ruainne after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Ruainne” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using ruainne, the Irish word for hair.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Hair in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for hair?
The Irish for hair is ruainne (pronounced “ROON-yuh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is ruainní. Depending on context it can also mean bit.
How do you pronounce ruainne in Irish?
Ruainne is said like “ROON-yuh” (IPA /ˈɾˠuənʲə/).
What is the plural of hair in Irish?
The plural of ruainne is ruainní; with the article, na ruainní means “the hairs”. The genitive plural is ruainní, as in fad na ruainní (the length of the hairs).
Does ruainne have more than one meaning?
Yes. Ruainne can mean hair or bit, depending on context; the first is the most common.
How is ruainne used with a negative?
With a negative it means nothing at all: 'Níl ruainne agam' means 'I have nothing at all', much like 'dada' or 'faic'.
What is the difference between ruainne and ribe?
Both can mean a single hair, but 'ribe' is the usual word for a hair of the head, while 'ruainne' more often means a fibre or a tiny scrap of anything.
