aon
/ɯ̃ːn/
The Gaelic word for the number one is aon. Wiktionary also lists aonar and aonan.
Meaning: cardinal number 1 (num)
Ways to say it
| Gaelic | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| aon | /ɯ̃ːn/ /ɯ̃ːn̪ˠ/ |
|
| aonar | /ˈɯ̃ːnəɾ/ /ˈɤ̃ːnəɾ/ |
masculine |
| aonan | /ˈɯnan/ /ˈɤ̃nan/ (Lewis) |
masculine |
aon is used as the cardinal number one. When referring to a single person or thing in a general sense, related pronouns like neach, fear or tè may be used. If you are referring to any person or people in general, the indefinite pronoun duine is employed.
Which one should you use?
While aon represents the number one, the form aonar is used to mean 'alone' or 'solitary'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The form aon is used as a cardinal number specifically before a noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɯ̃ːn/
Did you know?
- The Gaelic word aonar for 'alone' is actually a compound of aon for 'one' and fer for 'man'.
- Depending on the noun that follows, aon can trigger different grammatical changes in the words around it.
Examples in context
- Chan eil ach aonan agam.I only have one.This sentence shows how to use aonan to express having only one.
- Cha stad fiù 's aon tacsi.Not even one taxi stopped.This sentence demonstrates the use of aon in the context of taxis.Tatoeba #878957 by Cainntear, translation #442983 by CK
- Chan eil ach aon mhiann agam.I have but one wish.This sentence illustrates the use of aon when expressing a single wish.Tatoeba #5884205 by Catriona, translation #254935 by Eldad
- Bha mi a' fuireach aonarach.I was staying alone.
- Bha mi a' coimhead airson aon pìos pizza.I was looking for one piece of pizza.
- Chan eil ach aon dhealbh agam.I only have one picture.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hamish and Mairead are ordering food at a cafe.
- HamishAon chàisean, mas euch thu, Mairead.One cheese sandwich, please, Mairead.
- MaireadAn robh thu ag iarraidh dhà?Did you want two?
- HamishChan eil, aon chàisean an casualties.No, just one cheese sandwich.
- MaireadTha aon chàisean an seo, Hamish.Here is one cheese sandwich, Hamish.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “one” translations and entries aon, aonar, aonan, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aon, aonan, aonar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0, Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
