in ainneoin
/ən̪ˠəˈnʲoːnʲ/
The English phrase 'despite' is translated into Irish as in ainneoin. Wiktionary also lists d'ainneoin and ainneoin.
Meaning: in spite of (prep)
Ways to say it
| Irish | IPA |
|---|---|
| in ainneoin | /ən̪ˠəˈnʲoːnʲ/ (Munster) /əˈn̪ˠan̠ʲoːnʲ/ (Connacht) |
| d'ainneoin | /d̪ˠəˈnʲuːnʲ/ (Munster) /ˈd̪ˠan̠ʲoːnʲ/ (Connacht) |
| ainneoin | /əˈnʲoːnʲ/ (Munster) /ˈan̠ʲoːnʲ/ (Connacht) |
This preposition is used to express the meaning 'in spite of'.
What does it mean word for word?
The core of the phrase is the noun ainneoin, which means spite, opposition or resistance.
How do you pronounce it?
/ən̪ˠəˈnʲoːnʲ/
Did you know?
- The word ainneoin is built from the root deóin, which means 'willingness'. To say 'despite' is literally to say 'in the opposite of willingness'.
- The concept of 'spite' in Irish often overlaps with the idea of 'stubbornness', making in ainneoin useful for describing acting against advice out of pride.
- In some dialects, the preposition in in in ainneoin may be omitted or blended into the following word, changing the pronunciation significantly.
Example sentences for Irish are not verified yet.
Example conversation
Siobhán and Cian are talking about a football match.
- SiobhánAn bhfuil an cluiche inniu?Is the game today?
- CianTá, in ainneoin an aeir olmhain.Yes, despite the bad weather.
- SiobhánAn bhfuil tú ag dul?Are you going?
- CianTá mé, in ainneoin mo chásáil.I am, despite my cough.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “despite” translations and entries in ainneoin, d'ainneoin, ainneoin, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ainneoin, CC BY-SA 4.0.
