aird
/ɑːɾˠdʲ/
The English word 'attention' is translated into Irish as aird.
aird is used to refer to mental focus.
Meaning: mental focus (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word aird literally means 'attention', 'notice' or 'heed'.
How does it change in a sentence?
As a noun, aird is feminine. When you are paying attention to a specific object or person, it typically takes the preposition ar (on) to indicate the object of that attention.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɑːɾˠdʲ/
Did you know?
- While English speakers 'pay' attention, Irish speakers 'give' aird using the verb tabhair. This frames mental focus as a gift or a resource offered to someone else.
- The word aird shares its roots with the Old Irish word for a 'peak' or 'point of the compass'.
- In Irish, adjectives describing the level of attention must be feminine because aird is a feminine noun. This remains true even if the person paying the attention is male.
Examples in context
- Níor thug mé aird air.I didn’t pay attention to it.This sentence demonstrates how to express not paying attention to something using aird.
- Ba mhaith liom bhur n-aird, le bhur dtoil.I would like your attention, please.This sentence shows how to politely request someone's attention using aird.Tatoeba #6319223 by BasicDeer, translation #12480158 by reubsboyd
- Aire!Attention!
- Coimseá an airdDistraction / diversion of attention
- Níor thug sé aird ar an gcuid oibre.He didn't pay attention to his work.
Example conversation
Siobhán and Oisín are studying together in a library.
- SiobhánAn bhfuil an aird agat anois, a Oisín?Do you have the attention now, Oisín?
- OisínTá, táim ag éistean go léir.Yes, I am listening completely.
- SiobhánNí féidir liom an aird a choinneáil.I cannot keep the attention.
- OisínTóg break beag, a Siobhán.Take a small break, Siobhán.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry aird, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aird, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0, Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
