Ways to say it
| Irish | IPA |
|---|---|
| aon | /eːn̪ˠ/ (Munster) /iːn̪ˠ/ (Connacht) |
| amháin | /əˈvˠɑːnʲ/ (Munster) /əˈwɑːnʲ/ (Connacht) |
aon is used as a cardinal number or as an adjective meaning 'one' or 'any' in a negative context. In negative sentences, 'aon' functions like 'any' in English, often resulting in a translation of 'no' (e.g., 'aon duine' meaning 'anyone' or 'no one' in a negative sentence). Related forms used as an impersonal pronoun or to mean 'one thing or person' include ceann and duine.
Which one should you use?
The form aon is used as a cardinal number or as an adjective meaning 'one' or 'any' in a negative context, whereas amháin is used as an adverb meaning 'only' or 'alone'. amháin is often placed after the noun it modifies. To express the specific quantity 'only one', Irish often uses the construction aon [noun] amháin.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/eːn̪ˠ/
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Níor aontaigh aon duine leis.No one agreed with him.This sentence shows how aon functions in a negative context to mean 'no one'.Tatoeba #5154553 by kemushi69, translation #1866485 by Spamster
- Níor gortaíodh aon duine eile.No one else was injured.This sentence demonstrates the use of aon to mean 'no one' in a negative sentence.Tatoeba #874870 by kemushi69, translation #874869 by CK
- Níl ach aon cheacht amháin againn inniu.We have only one lesson today.This sentence illustrates the construction using both aon and amháin to mean 'only one'.Tatoeba #3945038 by turklehceleri, translation #3945036 by AlanF_US
- An bhfuil aon ceist agat?Do you have any question?
- Níl aon bhealach eile.There is no other way.
- Níl anois ach duine amháin agam.Now I only have one person.
- Tá duine amháin ag fanacht leat.One person is waiting for you.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Cathal and Aoife are ordering drinks at a cafe.
- CathalAn bhfuil aon chápaig agat?Do you have one cap?
- AoifeNíl, ach tá aon uisce agam.No, but I have some water.
- CathalAn dteastaíonn aon rud eile uait?Do you want any other thing?
- AoifeNíl aon rud eile uaim, go raibh agat.I don't want anything else, thank you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “one” translations and entries aon, amháin, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries amháin, aon, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
