HeyRuaHow to say “strange” in Irish
- Irish:
- ait
- English:
- strange, funny, pleasant
- Word type:
- adjective
- Stranger:
- níos aite
- Strangest:
- is aite
- Plural:
- aite
- Pronunciation:
- “atch” /atʲ/
What does “ait” mean?
“Ait” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- strange
- Unusual or odd in a way that surprises you.Also: odd, peculiar, queer, weird.
2 other meanings: funny or pleasant
- 2funny
- Comical or amusing in an odd way.Also: comical, droll, amusing.
- 3pleasant
- Pleasant, fine or delightful; an older literary sense.Also: fine, delightful, likeable.
Other Irish adjectives for strange: aisteach (strange), corr (odd), coimhthíoch (strange), strainséartha (strange)
“Ait” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is ait after rud (thing, masculine), after aimsir (weather, feminine) and after a plural.
séimhiú (the h) the ending
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, aite.
Stranger, strangest, very strange
Tá an scéal seo níos aite ná an chéad cheann. This story is stranger than the first one.
| stranger | níos aite | in the past tense: ní b'aite |
|---|---|---|
| strangest | is aite | in the past tense: ab aite |
| as strange as | chomh hait le | chomh puts an h before a vowel |
| very strange | an-ait | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too strange | ró-ait | ró- lenites |
“Ait” 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.
Strange in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for strange?
The Irish for strange is ait (pronounced “atch”). It comes after the noun: rud ait, a strange thing; aimsir ait, strange weather.
How do you say stranger and strangest in Irish?
níos aite is stranger and is aite is strangest. In the past tense they become ní b'aite and ab aite.
What is the plural of ait?
With a plural noun ait becomes aite: rudaí aite, aimsirí aite.
How do you say very strange in Irish?
an-ait. Too strange is ró-ait, and as strange as is chomh hait le.
Does ait have more than one meaning?
Yes. Ait can mean strange, funny or pleasant, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'ait' and 'aisteach'?
Both mean strange or odd; 'aisteach' is the more common everyday word, while 'ait' can also suggest something comical, as in 'duine ait', an odd character.
How do I say 'I find it strange'?
Use 'Is ait liom', for example 'Is ait liom nár tháinig sé', I find it strange that he did not come.
