HeyRuaHow to say “hour” in Irish
- Irish:
- uair
- English:
- hour, time
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, second declension
- Pronunciation:
- “oo-ur” /uəɾʲ/
- Plural:
- uaireanta (hours); also uaire
- Genitive singular:
- uaire, na huaire (e.g. leath uaire, half an hour)
- Genitive plural:
- uaireanta, na n-uaireanta (e.g. líon na n-uaireanta, the number of hours)
What does “uair” mean?
“Uair” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- hour
- A period of sixty minutes.Also: sixty minutes.
2 other meanings: time
- 2time
- A single occasion or instance when something happens.Also: occasion, instance, once.
- 3time
- A point or period of time when something happens or is done.Also: when, moment.
“Uair” with the article
The plural of hour in Irish is uaireanta. Here is uair after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Uair” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using uair, the Irish word for hour.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Hour in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for hour?
The Irish for hour is uair (pronounced “oo-ur”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is uaireanta. Depending on context it can also mean time.
How do you pronounce uair in Irish?
Uair is said like “oo-ur” (IPA /uəɾʲ/).
What is the plural of hour in Irish?
The plural of uair is uaireanta; with the article, na huaireanta means “the hours”. The genitive plural is uaireanta, as in líon na n-uaireanta (the number of hours).
Does uair have more than one meaning?
Yes. Uair can mean hour or time, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does uair sometimes have a t or h in front of it?
Irish nouns beginning with a vowel take a prefix after certain words: an uair (the hour), a huair (her hour), a n-uair (their hour), na huaireanta (the hours).
What is the difference between 'uair' and 'am'?
'Am' is time in general (níl am agam, I have no time), while 'uair' is an occasion or an hour (an chéad uair, the first time).
How do I say 'one hour' clearly?
Say 'uair an chloig', since 'uair' alone can also mean 'once' or 'a time'.
