HeyRuaHow to say “strange” in Irish
- Irish:
- aduain
- English:
- strange, unfamiliar, lonely
- Word type:
- adjective
- Stranger:
- níos aduaine
- Strangest:
- is aduaine
- Plural:
- aduaine
- Pronunciation:
- “a-DOO-in” /əˈd̪ˠuənʲ/
What does “aduain” mean?
“Aduain” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- strange
- Unfamiliar and odd, so that it seems weird or eerie.Also: weird, eerie, uncanny, odd.
2 other meanings: unfamiliar or lonely
- 2unfamiliar
- Not known or not familiar to you, foreign or alien.Also: foreign, alien, unknown.
- 3lonely
- Remote and lonely, so that a place feels desolate.Also: desolate, remote, eerie.
Other Irish adjectives for strange: aisteach (strange), ait (strange), corr (odd), coimhthíoch (strange)
“Aduain” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is aduain after fear (man, masculine), after oíche (night, feminine) and after a plural.
séimhiú (the h) the ending
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, aduaine.
Stranger, strangest, very strange
Bhí an dara háit níos aduaine ná an chéad cheann. The second place was stranger than the first.
| stranger | níos aduaine | in the past tense: ní b'aduaine |
|---|---|---|
| strangest | is aduaine | in the past tense: ab aduaine |
| as strange as | chomh haduain le | chomh puts an h before a vowel |
| very strange | an-aduain | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too strange | ró-aduain | ró- lenites |
“Aduain” 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 aduain (pronounced “a-DOO-in”). It comes after the noun: fear aduain, a strange man; oíche aduain, a strange night.
How do you say stranger and strangest in Irish?
níos aduaine is stranger and is aduaine is strangest. In the past tense they become ní b'aduaine and ab aduaine.
What is the plural of aduain?
With a plural noun aduain becomes aduaine: fir aduaine, oícheanta aduaine.
How do you say very strange in Irish?
an-aduain. Too strange is ró-aduain, and as strange as is chomh haduain le.
Does aduain have more than one meaning?
Yes. Aduain can mean strange, unfamiliar or lonely, depending on context; the first is the most common.
How is 'aduain' different from 'aisteach'?
'Aisteach' is the everyday word for strange or odd, while 'aduain' suggests something eerie, unfamiliar or uncanny. You might say 'áit aduain' for an eerie, unfamiliar place.
Which preposition is used with 'aduain' to say something is unfamiliar to someone?
Use 'do': 'Tá an teanga aduain dom' means 'The language is strange to me'.
