cén fáth
/ceːnˠ ˈfˠɑː/
The Irish word for "why" can be expressed in several ways, most commonly as cén fáth. Wiktionary also lists cad chuige and canathaobh.
Meaning: (interrogative) for what reason (adv)
Ways to say it
| Irish | IPA |
|---|---|
| cén fáth | /ceːnˠ ˈfˠɑː/ (Connacht) |
| cad chuige | /kɑt̪ˠ ˈxɪɟɪ/ (Munster) /kəˈt̪ˠiɟə/ (Mayo, Ulster) |
| canathaobh |
The term is used as an interrogative adverb to ask for the reason or cause of something. Cén fáth is versatile and can even be used as a standalone question to mean "Why?" when responding to a statement.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase cén fáth is composed of cén, meaning "which" or "what" and fáth, meaning "reason" or "cause".
Which one should you use?
Cén fáth is the most common way to ask "why" in standard Irish. In contrast, cad chuige is often perceived as more traditional or dialectal depending on the region. The form canathaobh is also available.
How do you pronounce it?
/ceːnˠ ˈfˠɑː/
Did you know?
- The word fáth in cén fáth traces back to a Proto-Celtic root meaning 'inspired utterance'. This connects the concept of a 'reason' to the ancient idea of poetic or divine speech.
Examples in context
- Cad chuige a bhfuil tú ag gáire?Why are you laughing?This sentence shows how to use cad chuige to ask for a reason.
- I ndáiríre? Cén fáth?Really? Why?This sentence demonstrates how cén fáth can be used as a standalone question.Tatoeba #10258347 by eo_as, translation #505876 by wma
- Cén fáth nach ndéanfaidh tú?Why don't you?This sentence shows the use of cén fáth in a negative construction.Tatoeba #4555674 by Choctaw_Irish, translation #3425596 by DostKaplan
- Cén fáth a dhiúltaítear rochtain don phobal ar an eolas poiblí?Why is access to public information denied?
- 15 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Niamh and Conor are talking about a cancelled trip.
- NiamhCén fáth nach bhfuil muid ag dul go Gaillimh?Why are we not going to Galway?
- ConorTá an aimsir ró-uafásach inniu, a Niamh.The weather is too terrible today, Niamh.
- NiamhAch tá sé i bhfad níos fearr anois!But it is much better now!
- ConorSin fíor, ach tá an carr brise.That is true, but the car is broken.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “why” translations and entries cén fáth, cad chuige, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cad, cad chuige, cén, fáth, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0, Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
