ar ndóigh
/ɛɾʲˈn̪ˠoː/
The Irish phrase for 'of course' is ar ndóigh.
ar ndóigh is used to indicate enthusiastic agreement.
Meaning: indicates enthusiastic agreement (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the preposition ar (on) and the noun ndóigh (manner/way/certainty), literally meaning 'on certainty' or 'in a certain way'.
How does it change in a sentence?
ar ndóigh is an adverbial idiom and does not change its form based on the subject or tense of the sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɛɾʲˈn̪ˠoː/
Did you know?
- The preposition ar in ar ndóigh is an ancient linguistic blend of three different Old Irish words meaning 'for', 'on' and 'after'.
- In Irish, the concept of certainty is expressed through a noun that also means 'manner' or 'way'.
Example conversation
Conor asks Aoife for a favor.
- ConorAn féidir leat an leabhar seo a léamh?Can you read this book?
- AoifeAr ndóigh, a Chonaire!Of course, Conor!
- ConorGo raibh maith agat, a Aoife.Thank you, Aoife.
- AoifeNíimhe go léir!You are welcome!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ar ndóigh, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
