Wilderness in Irish (Fásach): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for wilderness?

The Irish for wilderness is fásach (pronounced “FAW-suhkh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is fásaigh. Depending on context it can also mean desert or rank growth.

Q: What is the plural of wilderness in Irish?

The plural of fásach is fásaigh; with the article, it is na fásaigh. The genitive plural is fásach, as in ainmhithe na bhfásach (the animals of the wildernesses).

Q: Does fásach have more than one meaning?

Yes. Fásach can mean wilderness, desert or rank growth, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “wilderness” in Irish

Irish:: fásach
English:: wilderness, desert, rank growth
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, first declension
Pronunciation:: “FAW-suhkh” /ˈfˠɑːsˠəx/

Various forms

Plural:: fásaigh
Genitive singular:: fásaigh, an fhásaigh (e.g. lár an fhásaigh, the middle of the wilderness)
Genitive plural:: fásach, na bhfásach (e.g. ainmhithe na bhfásach, the animals of the wildernesses)

What does “fásach” mean?

“Fásach” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

wilderness: An uncultivated, uninhabited area of land left wild.Also: wasteland, wild land, waste.

2 other meanings: desert or rank growth

2desert: A barren, deserted place where few or no people live.Also: deserted place, barren land.
3rank growth: A thick, wild growth of weeds or grass on neglected land.Also: overgrowth, weeds.

“Fásach” with the article

The plural of wilderness in Irish is fásaigh. Here is fásach after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an fásach

the wilderness

No change after an

na fásaigh

the wilderness (plural)

Plural: no change after na

“Fásach” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using fásach, the Irish word for wilderness.

Chaith sé daichead lá san fhásach.

He spent forty days in the wilderness.

Is fásach é an gairdín anois.

The garden is a wilderness now.

Bhí guth ag glaoch san fhásach.

A voice was crying in the wilderness.

D'fhág siad an talamh ina fhásach.

They left the land a wilderness.

Thrasnaigh siad fásaigh mhóra na hAfraice.

They crossed the great deserts of Africa.

Bhí ciúnas an fhásaigh thart timpeall orainn.

The silence of the wilderness was all around us.

Tá fásach ar an bpáirc sin le blianta.

That field has been overgrown for years.

Other nouns in Irish

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Wilderness in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for wilderness?

The Irish for wilderness is fásach (pronounced “FAW-suhkh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is fásaigh. Depending on context it can also mean desert or rank growth.

How do you pronounce fásach in Irish?

Fásach is said like “FAW-suhkh” (IPA /ˈfˠɑːsˠəx/).

What is the plural of wilderness in Irish?

The plural of fásach is fásaigh; with the article, it is na fásaigh. The genitive plural is fásach, as in ainmhithe na bhfásach (the animals of the wildernesses).

Does fásach have more than one meaning?

Yes. Fásach can mean wilderness, desert or rank growth, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does fásach change to fhásach or bhfásach?

Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) fásach becomes m'fhásach (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár bhfásach (eclipsis).

What is the difference between 'fásach' and 'gaineamhlach'?

'Gaineamhlach' is specifically a sandy desert like the Sahara, while 'fásach' is any wild, uncultivated or deserted place, a wilderness.

Is 'fásach' related to the verb 'fás'?

Yes, it is linked to 'fás' (grow), which is why it can also mean wild, rank growth on neglected land.

Wilderness in Irish (Fásach): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage