HeyRuaHow to say “rare” in Irish
- Irish:
- annamh
- English:
- rare, lonely
- Word type:
- adjective
- Rarer:
- níos annaimhe
- Rarest:
- is annaimhe
- Plural:
- annamha
- Pronunciation:
- “AN-uv” /ˈanəvˠ/
What does “annamh” mean?
“Annamh” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- rare
- Not happening or found very often.Also: infrequent, seldom, uncommon, scarce.
1 other meaning: lonely
- 2lonely
- Of a place, remote and lonely, with few people.Also: desolate, remote, isolated.
“Annamh” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is annamh after éan (bird, masculine), after cuairt (visit, feminine) and after a plural.
séimhiú (the h) the ending
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, annamha.
Rarer, rarest, very rare
Tá an t-éan seo níos annaimhe ná an ceann eile. This bird is rarer than the other one.
| rarer | níos annaimhe | in the past tense: ní b'annaimhe |
|---|---|---|
| rarest | is annaimhe | in the past tense: ab annaimhe |
| as rare as | chomh hannamh le | chomh puts an h before a vowel |
| very rare | an-annamh | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too rare | ró-annamh | ró- lenites |
“Annamh” 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.
Rare in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for rare?
The Irish for rare is annamh (pronounced “AN-uv”). It comes after the noun: éan annamh, a rare bird; cuairt annamh, a rare visit.
How do you say rarer and rarest in Irish?
níos annaimhe is rarer and is annaimhe is rarest. In the past tense they become ní b'annaimhe and ab annaimhe.
What is the plural of annamh?
With a plural noun annamh becomes annamha: éin annamha, cuairteanna annamha.
How do you say very rare in Irish?
an-annamh. Too rare is ró-annamh, and as rare as is chomh hannamh le.
Does annamh have more than one meaning?
Yes. Annamh can mean rare or lonely, depending on context; the first is the most common.
How do I say 'I rarely do something' with annamh?
Use the pattern 'Is annamh a' plus the verb, for example 'Is annamh a dhéanaim aclaíocht' means 'I rarely exercise'.
What is the opposite of annamh?
The opposite is 'minic', as in 'Is minic a bhím ann' (I am often there).
