HeyRuaHow to say “to wash” in Irish
- Irish:
- nigh
- English:
- to wash, wash up
- Word type:
- verb, first-conjugation
- Verbal noun:
- ní (ag ní, washing)
- Verbal adjective:
- nite
- Pronunciation:
- “nee” /nʲiː/
What does “nigh” mean?
“Nigh” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- to wash
- To clean something or someone with water, often with soap.Also: clean, bathe, rinse.
1 other meaning: wash up
- 2to wash up
- To wash dishes, clothes or a part of the body as a household task.Also: do the dishes, do the washing, launder.
Other Irish verbs for to wash: glan (clean)
“Nigh” in the different tenses
Every form follows An Caighdeán Oifigiúil.
Aimsir Chaite (Past)
| Person | Positive | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| mé (I) | Nigh méI washed | Níor nigh méI did not wash | Ar nigh mé?Did I wash? |
| tú (you) | Nigh túYou washed | Níor nigh túYou did not wash | Ar nigh tú?Did you wash? |
| sé / sí (he / she) | Nigh sé / síHe washed | Níor nigh sé / síHe did not wash | Ar nigh sé / sí?Did he wash? |
| sinn (we) | NíomarWe washed | Níor níomarWe did not wash | Ar níomar?Did we wash? |
| sibh (you, plural) | Nigh sibhYou washed | Níor nigh sibhYou did not wash | Ar nigh sibh?Did you wash? |
| siad (they) | Nigh siadThey washed | Níor nigh siadThey did not wash | Ar nigh siad?Did they wash? |
| saorbhriathar (autonomous) | Níodh | Níor níodh | Ar níodh? |
Aimsir Láithreach (Present)
| Person | Positive | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| mé (I) | NímI wash | Ní nímI do not wash | An ním?Do I wash? |
| tú (you) | Níonn túYou wash | Ní níonn túYou do not wash | An níonn tú?Do you wash? |
| sé / sí (he / she) | Níonn sé / síHe washes | Ní níonn sé / síHe does not wash | An níonn sé / sí?Does he wash? |
| sinn (we) | NímidWe wash | Ní nímidWe do not wash | An nímid?Do we wash? |
| sibh (you, plural) | Níonn sibhYou wash | Ní níonn sibhYou do not wash | An níonn sibh?Do you wash? |
| siad (they) | Níonn siadThey wash | Ní níonn siadThey do not wash | An níonn siad?Do they wash? |
| saorbhriathar (autonomous) | Nitear | Ní nitear | An nitear? |
Aimsir Fháistineach (Future)
| Person | Positive | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| mé (I) | Nífidh méI will wash | Ní nífidh méI will not wash | An nífidh mé?Will I wash? |
| tú (you) | Nífidh túYou will wash | Ní nífidh túYou will not wash | An nífidh tú?Will you wash? |
| sé / sí (he / she) | Nífidh sé / síHe will wash | Ní nífidh sé / síHe will not wash | An nífidh sé / sí?Will he wash? |
| sinn (we) | NífimidWe will wash | Ní nífimidWe will not wash | An nífimid?Will we wash? |
| sibh (you, plural) | Nífidh sibhYou will wash | Ní nífidh sibhYou will not wash | An nífidh sibh?Will you wash? |
| siad (they) | Nífidh siadThey will wash | Ní nífidh siadThey will not wash | An nífidh siad?Will they wash? |
| saorbhriathar (autonomous) | Nífear | Ní nífear | An nífear? |
Modh Coinníollach (Conditional)
| Person | Positive | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| mé (I) | NífinnI would wash | Ní nífinnI would not wash | An nífinn?Would I wash? |
| tú (you) | NífeáYou would wash | Ní nífeáYou would not wash | An nífeá?Would you wash? |
| sé / sí (he / she) | Nífeadh sé / síHe would wash | Ní nífeadh sé / síHe would not wash | An nífeadh sé / sí?Would he wash? |
| sinn (we) | NífimisWe would wash | Ní nífimisWe would not wash | An nífimis?Would we wash? |
| sibh (you, plural) | Nífeadh sibhYou would wash | Ní nífeadh sibhYou would not wash | An nífeadh sibh?Would you wash? |
| siad (they) | NífidísThey would wash | Ní nífidísThey would not wash | An nífidís?Would they wash? |
| saorbhriathar (autonomous) | Nífí | Ní nífí | An nífí? |
“Nigh” in a sentence: Irish examples
Past, present, future and conditional, with a negative and a question.
Other verbs in Irish
More everyday Irish verbs to learn next.
To wash in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for to wash?
The Irish for to wash is nigh (pronounced “nee”). It is a first-conjugation verb; the verbal noun is ní.
What is the verbal noun of nigh?
The verbal noun of nigh is ní, used after ag for the continuous: ag ní (washing). The verbal adjective is nite.
How do you say nigh in the past and the future?
Past: Nigh mé; negative Níor nigh mé; question Ar nigh mé?. Future: Nífidh mé; negative Ní nífidh mé; question An nífidh mé?.
What is the modh coinníollach of nigh?
The conditional (modh coinníollach) first person is Nífinn (I would wash); negative Ní nífinn; question An nífinn?.
Does nigh have more than one meaning?
Yes. Nigh can mean to wash or to wash up, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'nigh' and 'glan'?
'Nigh' means to wash with water, as in 'nigh na soithí', while 'glan' is the general word for clean, as in 'glan an seomra'.
How do I say 'wash yourself' in Irish?
Use the reflexive form: 'Nigh thú féin', or in the past 'Nigh mé mé féin'.
