HeyRuaHow to say “permanent” in Irish
- Irish:
- buan
- English:
- permanent, steadfast
- Word type:
- adjective
- More permanent:
- níos buaine
- Most permanent:
- is buaine
- Plural:
- buana
- Pronunciation:
- “boo-un” /bˠuənˠ/
What does “buan” mean?
“Buan” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- permanent
- Lasting for a long time or for ever, not temporary.Also: lasting, enduring, durable.
1 other meaning: steadfast
- 2steadfast
- Firm and constant, not changing or giving way.Also: constant, abiding, persistent.
“Buan” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is buan after post (job, masculine), after cuimhne (memory, 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: cuimhne bhuan. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: post buan.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, buana. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant: poist bhuana; after other plurals it does not: cuimhní buana.
More permanent, most permanent, very permanent
| more permanent | níos buaine | in the past tense: ní ba bhuaine |
|---|---|---|
| most permanent | is buaine | in the past tense: ba bhuaine |
| as permanent as | chomh buan le | no change after chomh |
| very permanent | an-bhuan | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too permanent | róbhuan | ró- lenites |
“Buan” 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.
Permanent in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for permanent?
The Irish for permanent is buan (pronounced “boo-un”). It comes after the noun: post buan, a permanent job; cuimhne bhuan, a permanent memory.
How do you say more permanent and most permanent in Irish?
níos buaine is more permanent and is buaine is most permanent. In the past tense they become ní ba bhuaine and ba bhuaine.
Why does buan become bhuan?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So cuimhne bhuan (a permanent memory) but post buan (a permanent job), because post is masculine.
What is the plural of buan?
With a plural noun buan becomes buana: poist bhuana, cuimhní buana. After a plural that ends in a slender consonant it is lenited as well.
How do you say very permanent in Irish?
an-bhuan. Too permanent is róbhuan, and as permanent as is chomh buan le.
Does buan have more than one meaning?
Yes. Buan can mean permanent or steadfast, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the opposite of 'buan'?
The usual opposite is 'sealadach' (temporary), as in 'post sealadach' versus 'post buan'.
What does 'más buan mo chuimhne' mean?
It is an idiom meaning 'if my memory serves me right', literally 'if my memory is lasting'.
