HeyRuaWhat does “ó” mean?
- 1from
- Shows where something or someone comes from, such as a person, place or source.Also: away from, off.
- 2since
- Shows the point in time when something started.Also: ever since, ago.
- 3want, need
- With 'tá' it shows what someone wants or needs, as in 'tá deoch uaim' (I want a drink).Also: want, need, i want, i need.
Pronounced “oh” /oː/.
“Ó” with pronouns
In Irish you never say “ó mé”. The preposition and the pronoun fuse into one word. Learn these 7 forms and you can use ó with anyone. Click a form for its own page.
| Pronoun | Irish | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| mé (me) | uaim | from me | Tá cupán tae uaim.I want a cup of tea. |
| tú (you) | uait | from you | Cad atá uait anois?What do you want now? |
| sé (him / it) | uaidh | from him / it | Fuair mé litir uaidh inné.I got a letter from him yesterday. |
| sí (her / it) | uaithi | from her / it | Fuair mé téacs uaithi aréir.I got a text from her last night. |
| sinn (us) | uainn | from us | Tá cabhair uainn anois.We need help now. |
| sibh (you (plural)) | uaibh | from you (plural) | Fuair mé bronntanas álainn uaibh.I got a lovely present from you. |
| siad (them) | uathu | from them | Níor chuala mé aon scéal uathu.I haven't heard any news from them. |
“Ó” before a noun
Ó lenites the next word (séimhiú): the first letter takes an h, ó chathair.
Used for wanting: tá uaim (I want).
Everyday phrases with “ó”
The other prepositions
Every simple preposition has its own set of pronoun forms.
“Ó” in Irish: frequently asked questions
What does ó mean in Irish?
ó means from, since. With a pronoun it becomes one word: uaim (from, since me), uait (from, since you), uaidh (from, since him / it).
What is the Irish for from me?
uaim. The preposition ó and the pronoun mé fuse into one word; this is a prepositional pronoun (forainm réamhfhoclach).
Does ó change the next word?
Ó lenites the next word (séimhiú): the first letter takes an h, ó chathair. Used for wanting: tá uaim (I want).
How do I say 'I want' in Irish?
Use 'tá ... uaim', putting the thing you want in the middle: 'Tá deoch uaim' means 'I want a drink'. For 'you want' say 'tá ... uait'.
Do I use 'ó' to say where I am from?
No, for where you come from use 'as': 'Is as Corcaigh mé' (I am from Cork). Use 'ó' for things coming from a person or place, as in 'Fuair mé litir ó Sheán' (I got a letter from Seán).
