i bhfad i gcéin
The English phrase 'distant' can be translated into Irish as i bhfad i gcéin.
i bhfad i gcéin is used as an adverbial phrase to describe how far something is.
Meaning: far off (noun)
Which one should you use?
The shorter form i gcéin can be used to mean 'at a distance' or 'far away' without the emphasis of bhfad.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase i gcéin specifically means 'at a distance'.
Did you know?
- In traditional Irish poetry, references to the 'distant' often evoke the concept of Tír na nÓg, the mythical 'Land of Youth' located across the sea.
- If you were describing a 'distant relative' in Irish, you would not use i bhfad i gcéin, as that phrase is strictly for physical or temporal distance.
- While i bhfad i gcéin describes distance, the Irish word fad literally means 'length'. To say something is 'far' in Irish is essentially to say it is 'at a great length'.
Examples in context
- Tá an t-oileán i bhfad i gcéin.The island is far off.
- Níl an baile i bhfad i gcéin.The town is not far off.
Example conversation
Niamh and Cian are looking at a map.
- NiamhAn bhfuil an cathair anseo?Is the city here?
- CianNí hea, tá sí i bhfad i gcéin.No, it is far off.
- NiamhAn féidir linn dul ann inniu?Can we go there today?
- CianNí féidir, tá sé ró-fhada.We can't, it is too far.
