HeyRuaHow to say “weak” in Irish
- Irish:
- fann
- English:
- weak, faint
- Word type:
- adjective
- Weaker:
- níos fainne
- Weakest:
- is fainne
- Plural:
- fanna
- Pronunciation:
- “fown” /fˠaun̪ˠ/
What does “fann” mean?
“Fann” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- weak
- Lacking strength or energy, feeble in body.Also: feeble, frail, languid.
1 other meaning: faint
- 2faint
- Barely perceptible, as a faint sound, light or voice.Also: dim, feeble, slight.
Other Irish adjectives for weak: lag (weak)
“Fann” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is fann after solas (light, masculine), after bean (woman, feminine) and after a plural.
séimhiú (the h) the ending
After a feminine noun the adjective gets a séimhiú, an h after its first letter: bean fhann. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: solas fann.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, fanna. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: mná fanna.
Weaker, weakest, very weak
Tá sé níos fainne inniu ná mar a bhí inné. He is weaker today than he was yesterday.
| weaker | níos fainne | in the past tense: ní b'fhainne |
|---|---|---|
| weakest | is fainne | in the past tense: ab fhainne |
| as weak as | chomh fann le | no change after chomh |
| very weak | an-fhann | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too weak | rófhann | ró- lenites |
“Fann” 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.
Weak in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for weak?
The Irish for weak is fann (pronounced “fown”). It comes after the noun: solas fann, weak light; bean fhann, a weak woman.
How do you say weaker and weakest in Irish?
níos fainne is weaker and is fainne is weakest. In the past tense they become ní b'fhainne and ab fhainne.
Why does fann become fhann?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So bean fhann (a weak woman) but solas fann (weak light), because solas is masculine.
What is the plural of fann?
With a plural noun fann becomes fanna: soilse fanna, mná fanna.
How do you say very weak in Irish?
an-fhann. Too weak is rófhann, and as weak as is chomh fann le.
Does fann have more than one meaning?
Yes. Fann can mean weak or faint, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'fann' and 'lag'?
Both mean weak; 'lag' is the more general everyday word, while 'fann' suggests faintness or feebleness, as in 'guth fann' (a faint voice).
