mar
/ˈmˠɑɾˠ/
The Irish word for 'as' (meaning 'in the role of') is mar.
Meaning: In the role of (prep)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Munster Irish, the phrase cosúil le is predominantly used for comparisons instead of mar.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈmˠɑɾˠ/
Did you know?
- The modern usage of mar is a distant relative of the Scottish Gaelic word far, which means 'where'.
- In some poetic contexts, mar is used to create similes that function more like metaphors, blending the role of the person with the object they are compared to.
- Irish often uses a 'double-comparison' structure where mar is paired with other particles to emphasize a role, a nuance not found in the English 'as'.
Examples in context
- Fan mar atá tú.Stay as you are.
- Ghlac sé leis mar ionaí pearsanta an uair seo.He took it as a personal attack this time.Tatoeba #7799803 by eo_as, translation #7799804 by eo_as
- Ghearr sé é leis an scian a fuair sé mar bronntanas óna dheartháir.He cut it with the knife that he received as a present from his brother.Tatoeba #871620 by kemushi69, translation #871618 by CM
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Siobhán and Cian are discussing a school play.
- SiobhánCé beidh mar an príomhcharactar?Who will be as the main character?
- CianTá mé ag súil go mbeidh tú mar an rí.I hope that you will be as the king.
- SiobhánNí féidir liom é a dhéanamh mar an rí.I cannot do it as the king.
- CianInsigh liom mar an t-aisteoir eile anas.Tell me as the other actor there.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry mar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0, Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
