HeyRuaHow to say “old” in Irish
- Irish:
- sean
- English:
- old, former
- Word type:
- adjective
- Older:
- níos sine
- Oldest:
- is sine
- Plural:
- seana
- Pronunciation:
- “shan” /ʃanˠ/
What does “sean” mean?
“Sean” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- old
- Having lived or existed for a long time; not young or new.Also: aged, elderly, ancient.
1 other meaning: former
- 2former
- Belonging to an earlier time; long-established or of long standing.Also: long-standing, old-time.
Other Irish adjectives for old: aosta (aged)
“Sean” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is sean after teach (house, masculine), after oifig (office, feminine) and after a plural.
séimhiú (the h) the ending
After a feminine noun the adjective gets a séimhiú, an h after its first letter: oifig shean. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: teach sean.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, seana. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: oifigí seana.
Older, oldest, very old
Tá mise níos sine ná tusa. I am older than you.
| older | níos sine | in the past tense: ní ba shine |
|---|---|---|
| oldest | is sine | in the past tense: ba shine |
| as old as | chomh sean le | no change after chomh |
| very old | an-sean | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too old | róshean | ró- lenites |
“Sean” 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.
Old in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for old?
The Irish for old is sean (pronounced “shan”). It comes after the noun: teach sean, an old house; oifig shean, an old office.
How do you say older and oldest in Irish?
níos sine is older and is sine is oldest. In the past tense they become ní ba shine and ba shine.
Why does sean become shean?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So oifig shean (an old office) but teach sean (an old house), because teach is masculine.
What is the plural of sean?
With a plural noun sean becomes seana: tithe seana, oifigí seana.
How do you say very old in Irish?
an-sean. Too old is róshean, and as old as is chomh sean le.
Does sean have more than one meaning?
Yes. Sean can mean old or former, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Does 'sean' usually go before or after the noun?
Usually before, joined to the noun as a prefix that lenites it: 'seanfhear' (an old man), 'seanteach' (an old house). After a noun or as a predicate it stands alone: 'Tá sé sean'.
What is the difference between 'sean' and 'aosta'?
Both mean old, but 'aosta' stresses advanced age in people, 'duine aosta' (an elderly person), while 'sean' is the general word for old things and people.
