HeyRuaHow to say “new” in Irish
- Irish:
- nua
- English:
- new, fresh
- Word type:
- adjective
- Newer:
- níos nuaí
- Newest:
- is nuaí
- Pronunciation:
- “noo-a” /n̪ˠuə/
What does “nua” mean?
“Nua” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- new
- Recently made, bought or obtained, not old or used before.Also: brand-new, latest.
1 other meaning: fresh
- 2fresh
- Recent or different from what came before.Also: recent, novel, modern.
“Nua” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is nua after carr (car, masculine), after bróg (shoe, feminine) and after a plural.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, nua.
Newer, newest, very new
Tá mo theach níos nuaí ná do theachsa. My house is newer than yours.
| newer | níos nuaí | in the past tense: ní ba nuaí |
|---|---|---|
| newest | is nuaí | in the past tense: ba nuaí |
| as new as | chomh nua le | no change after chomh |
| very new | an-nua | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too new | rónua | ró- lenites |
“Nua” in a sentence: Irish examples
With a masculine noun, a feminine noun, a plural, a comparison and on its own.
Phrases with nua: Go maire tú do shaol nua (congratulations on your wedding), Comhghairdeas leat faoin bpost nua (congratulations on the new job), Go maire tú do theach nua (blessing on a new home), Comhghairdeas faoin leanbh nua (congratulations on your new baby)
Other adjectives in Irish
More everyday Irish adjectives to learn next.
Phrases with “nua”
New in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for new?
The Irish for new is nua (pronounced “noo-a”). It comes after the noun: carr nua, a new car; bróg nua, a new shoe.
How do you say newer and newest in Irish?
níos nuaí is newer and is nuaí is newest. In the past tense they become ní ba nuaí and ba nuaí.
How do you say very new in Irish?
an-nua. Too new is rónua, and as new as is chomh nua le.
Does nua have more than one meaning?
Yes. Nua can mean new or fresh, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between nua and úr?
Nua means new in general, as in carr nua, while úr often means fresh, as in arán úr (fresh bread), though in some dialects úr is also used for new.
What does 'as an nua' mean?
'As an nua' means anew or from scratch, as in Thosaigh sé as an nua (He started again from scratch).
