Ár nAthair
The phrase for "our father" in Gaelic is Ár nAthair.
This phrase refers to the Lord's Prayer.
Meaning: Lord's Prayer (name)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the possessive pronoun ár (our) and the noun athair (father).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Ireland, Ár nAthair is the standard formal translation. In Scotland, the phrases Ar n-Athair and Ar n-Atair are commonly used.
Did you know?
- Due to the homonym nathair, Gaelic speakers must rely on context or slight pronunciation shifts to distinguish between 'our father' and 'our snake'.
- The Gaelic word for 'snake' nathair shares a root with snàth meaning 'thread' and snàthad meaning 'needle'.
- The word nathair is cognate with the Welsh word neidr and the Breton word naer.
Example conversation
Catriona and Hamish are praying together in a quiet room.
- CatrionaAn t-am é seo do Ár nAthair, Hamish.It is time for the Our Father, Hamish.
- HamishTá mé réidh, a Chatríona.I am ready, Catriona.
- CatrionaDéan tús le Ár nAthair ansin.Start with the Our Father then.
- HamishÁr nAthair, a tha thu iadail…Our Father, who art in heaven…
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries nathair, CC BY-SA 4.0.
