glas
/ɡl̪ˠɑsˠ/
The Irish word for green is glas or uaine.
Meaning: having green as its colour (adj)
Ways to say it
| Irish | IPA |
|---|---|
| glas | /ɡl̪ˠɑsˠ/ (Munster) /ɡlˠɑsˠ/ (Connacht, Ulster) |
| uaine | /ˈuənʲə/ /ˈuənʲhɪ/ (Cork) |
Both forms are used to describe the color green, but they often convey different qualities of that color. Both words can also function as nouns to mean the color green itself.
Which one should you use?
The form uaine is typically used to describe a bright, vivid or lush green, such as the color of fresh grass or leaves. In contrast, glas is often used for more muted, dull or bluish-green shades, such as the color of water or certain stones.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡl̪ˠɑsˠ/
Did you know?
- In Irish, glas is used for things that English speakers might describe as blue, such as the sea or the sky.
- The word glas has separate meanings for a 'lock' or 'clasp' and a 'stream' in addition to the color green.
- In some traditional contexts, glas was used to describe the pale, greenish-grey complexion of a frightened or sick person.
Examples in context
- Is glas na cnoic i bhfad uainnFar-off hills are green.This sentence shows how to describe the color of hills using glas.
- Tá an t-uisce glas.The water is green.This sentence demonstrates the use of glas to describe the color of water.Tatoeba #3522311 by JimiYoru, translation #3522310 by Jesse
- Codlaíonn smaointe glasa neamhdhaite go fíochmhar.Colorless green ideas sleep furiously.This sentence uses the form glas in a complex descriptive context.Tatoeba #719083 by Vortarulo, translation #702472 by mailohilohi
- Tá an tábla glasThe table is green
- Is maith liom an dath uaineI like the color green
- Is breá liom an trá glasI love the green beach
- Tá an taobh amuigh an dorcha ach tá an féar glasThe outside is dark, but the grass is green
- Is breá liom péire bróga glasaI love a pair of green shoes
Example conversation
Saoirse and Oisín are looking at a new car.
- SaoirseAn maith leis tú an carr glas seo?Do you like this green car?
- OisínIs iontach an dath é.It is a wonderful colour.
- SaoirseTá glas an carra go hálainn.The green of the car is beautiful.
- OisínTá mé ag é ceannach!I am buying it!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “green” translations and entries glas, uaine, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries glas, uaine, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0, Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
