HeyRuaWhat does “ar” mean?
- 1on
- Shows that something is resting on top of something else, like a cup on a table.Also: on top of, upon.
- 2on (feelings and states)
- Used to say that a feeling, illness or state is 'on' a person, as in hunger, fear or a cold.Also: feel, be hungry, be afraid, have a cold.
- 3must, owe
- Used to say that someone has to do something or owes something.Also: have to, must, owe.
Pronounced “er” /ɛɾʲ/.
“Ar” with pronouns
In Irish you never say “ar mé”. The preposition and the pronoun fuse into one word. Learn these 7 forms and you can use ar with anyone. Click a form for its own page.
| Pronoun | Irish | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| mé (me) | orm | on me | Tá ocras orm anois.I am hungry now. |
| tú (you) | ort | on you | An bhfuil tuirse ort?Are you tired? |
| sé (him / it) | air | on him / it | Tá slaghdán air inniu.He has a cold today. |
| sí (her / it) | uirthi | on her / it | Tá eagla uirthi roimh mhadraí.She is afraid of dogs. |
| sinn (us) | orainn | on us | Tá deifir mhór orainn inniu.We are in a big hurry today. |
| sibh (you (plural)) | oraibh | on you (plural) | An bhfuil fuacht oraibh?Are you all cold? |
| siad (them) | orthu | on them | Tá áthas mór orthu inniu.They are very happy today. |
“Ar” before a noun
Ar lenites the next word (séimhiú): the first letter takes an h, ar bhord.
No lenition in general statements such as ar meisce (drunk), ar díol (for sale).
Everyday phrases with “ar”
The other prepositions
Every simple preposition has its own set of pronoun forms.
“Ar” in Irish: frequently asked questions
What does ar mean in Irish?
ar means on. With a pronoun it becomes one word: orm (on me), ort (on you), air (on him / it).
What is the Irish for on me?
orm. The preposition ar and the pronoun mé fuse into one word; this is a prepositional pronoun (forainm réamhfhoclach).
Does ar change the next word?
Ar lenites the next word (séimhiú): the first letter takes an h, ar bhord. No lenition in general statements such as ar meisce (drunk), ar díol (for sale).
How do I say I am hungry or I am afraid in Irish?
In Irish a feeling is 'on' you, so you use ar: Tá ocras orm means 'I am hungry' and Tá eagla orm means 'I am afraid'.
How do I say I have to do something?
Use tá with a form of ar and the verbal noun: Tá orm imeacht means 'I have to go'.
