HeyRuaHow to say “nothing” in Irish
- Irish:
- faic
- English:
- nothing, whit
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, fourth declension
- Pronunciation:
- “fak” /fˠakʲ/
- Plural:
- faiceanna
- Genitive singular:
- faic, na faic (e.g. luach na faic, the value of nothing)
- Genitive plural:
- faiceanna, na bhfaiceanna (e.g. cuid na bhfaiceanna, the trifles)
What does “faic” mean?
“Faic” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- nothing
- Nothing at all, used mainly with a negative verb to mean not anything.Also: anything, not a thing, nothing at all.
“Faic” with the article
The plural of nothing in Irish is faiceanna. Here is faic after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Faic” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using faic, the Irish word for nothing.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Nothing in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for nothing?
The Irish for nothing is faic (pronounced “fak”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is faiceanna. Depending on context it can also mean whit.
How do you pronounce faic in Irish?
Faic is said like “fak” (IPA /fˠakʲ/).
What is the plural of nothing in Irish?
The plural of faic is faiceanna; with the article, it is na faiceanna. The genitive plural is faiceanna, as in cuid na bhfaiceanna (the trifles).
Does faic have more than one meaning?
Yes. Faic can mean nothing or whit, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does faic change to fhaic or bhfaic?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) faic becomes m'fhaic (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár bhfaic (eclipsis).
Does 'faic' need a negative verb?
Usually yes: 'Ní fhaca mé faic' means 'I saw nothing'. On its own as an answer it can stand alone: 'Cad a fuair tú? Faic.'
What is the difference between 'faic', 'tada' and 'dada'?
All three mean 'nothing'; they differ mainly by dialect and are interchangeable in most sentences.
