ách
The Irish word for "ouch" is ách.
ách is an interjection used to express one's own physical pain.
Meaning: expression of one’s own physical pain (intj)
Did you know?
- In some Irish dialects, the interjection for sudden pain can sound very similar to the word for 'death', creating a dark linguistic coincidence in moments of injury.
- If you are witnessing someone else's pain rather than feeling your own, you would typically switch from ách to a phrase of sympathy instead of an interjection.
- In some Irish-speaking communities, the intensity of the cry can vary depending on whether the pain is perceived as a momentary nuisance or a serious injury, affecting the vowel length.
Example conversation
Siobhán accidentally bumps her toe on a table.
- SiobhánÁch! Tháinig mé ar an mbord.Ouch! I hit the table.
- CathalAn bhfuil tú ceart go leor, a Siobhán?Are you alright, Siobhán?
- SiobhánTá mé ceart, ach tá sé go tobann.I'm okay, but it was sudden.
- CathalBígí cúramach, a chailín.Be careful, girl.
