fionn
/fjũːn̪ˠ/
The Gaelic word for blond is fionn. Wiktionary also lists bàn.
Meaning: having blond hair (adj)
Ways to say it
| Gaelic | IPA |
|---|---|
| fionn | /fjũːn̪ˠ/ |
| bàn | /paːn/ |
This adjective is used to describe someone or something that is blond, specifically referring to hair color.
How do you pronounce it?
/fjũːn̪ˠ/
Did you know?
- The word bàn shares an ancient root with the Greek word phānós, meaning 'bright', and the Sanskrit word bhānú, meaning 'light'.
- The word fionn is the name of a legendary warrior and hunter in Irish mythology, Fionn mac Cumhaill, whose name literally means 'fair' or 'blond'.
- Historically, the term fionn was used to describe 'fair' people in a way that connoted purity or nobility in early Celtic poetry.
Examples in context
- Tha falt bàn air Seumas.James has blond hair.This sentence demonstrates the use of bàn to describe hair.
- Tha i fionn.She is blond.
Example conversation
Mairead and Angus are describing a child.
- MaireadCoinnich ri an leanabh!Meet the baby!
- AngusO, tha e gu math fionn.Oh, he is very blond.
- MaireadTha e coltach ri mise.He looks like me.
- AngusTha sin fìor, a Mhairead.That is true, Mairead.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “blond” translations and entries fionn, bàn, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bàn, fionn, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
