HeyRuaHow to say “lonely” in Irish
- Irish:
- uaigneach
- English:
- lonely, desolate, eerie
- Word type:
- adjective
- More lonely:
- níos uaigní
- Most lonely:
- is uaigní
- Plural:
- uaigneacha
- Pronunciation:
- “OO-ig-nyuch” /ˈuəɟnʲəx/
What does “uaigneach” mean?
“Uaigneach” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- lonely
- Feeling sad because you are alone or have no company.Also: lonesome, alone, sad.
2 other meanings: desolate or eerie
- 2desolate
- Describes a place that is remote, empty and quiet, with few people.Also: isolated, remote, solitary, bleak.
- 3eerie
- Strange and a little frightening, giving a lonely, uneasy feeling.Also: weird, uncanny, spooky.
“Uaigneach” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is uaigneach after fear (man, masculine), after oíche (night, feminine) and after a plural.
séimhiú (the h) the ending
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, uaigneacha.
More lonely, most lonely, very lonely
Tá an baile níos uaigní anois ná mar a bhí. The town is lonelier now than it was.
| more lonely | níos uaigní | in the past tense: ní b'uaigní |
|---|---|---|
| most lonely | is uaigní | in the past tense: ab uaigní |
| as lonely as | chomh huaigneach le | chomh puts an h before a vowel |
| very lonely | an-uaigneach | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too lonely | ró-uaigneach | ró- lenites |
“Uaigneach” 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.
Lonely in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for lonely?
The Irish for lonely is uaigneach (pronounced “OO-ig-nyuch”). It comes after the noun: fear uaigneach, a lonely man; oíche uaigneach, a lonely night.
How do you say more lonely and most lonely in Irish?
níos uaigní is more lonely and is uaigní is most lonely. In the past tense they become ní b'uaigní and ab uaigní.
What is the plural of uaigneach?
With a plural noun uaigneach becomes uaigneacha: fir uaigneacha, oícheanta uaigneacha.
How do you say very lonely in Irish?
an-uaigneach. Too lonely is ró-uaigneach, and as lonely as is chomh huaigneach le.
Does uaigneach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Uaigneach can mean lonely, desolate or eerie, depending on context; the first is the most common.
How do I say I miss someone using uaigneach?
Use "uaigneach i ndiaidh" with the person: "Tá mé uaigneach i do dhiaidh" means I am lonely without you, I miss you.
What is the noun for loneliness?
The noun is "uaigneas", as in "Tá uaigneas orm", I feel lonely.
