anois
/əˈn̪ˠɪʃ/
anois is the Irish word for "now".
anois refers to the present time or the current moment. Anois, ar aghaidh! is an informal way to say "Now, let's go!" or "Now, onwards!"
How do you pronounce it?
/əˈn̪ˠɪʃ/
Did you know?
- While anois means 'now', the phrase anois féin uses the word féin, which usually means 'self', to create the meaning 'right now'.
- In Old Irish, the word was written as indossa, which reveals its connection to the concept of 'this time' or 'this very moment'.
- In Irish, the word anois is often used as a 'filler' word to manage the flow of a conversation, similar to how English speakers use 'now' when starting a new topic or instruction.
Examples in context
- Anois, tá tú réidh!Now, you're ready!
- Níl mé anois ar fáil.I am not available now.
- Caithfidh muid imeacht anois.We must leave now.
- An bhfuil tú anois sa bhaile?Are you at home now?
Example conversation
Cathal and Aoife are meeting for lunch.
- CathalDia duit, Aoife! An bhfuil tú anseo anois?Hello, Aoife! Are you here now?
- AoifeTá, tá mé anseo.Yes, I am here.
- CathalAn bhfuil tú ocrasach anois?Are you hungry now?
- AoifeTá, tá ocras orm!Yes, I am hungry!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry anois, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries anois, CC BY-SA 4.0.
