Focal an Lae #84
The Word of the Day in Irish
Word: aon (AY-uhn) [eːn]
Meaning: aon = one; any
Usage:
- aon bhó amháin (AY-uhn WOH uh-WAW-ihn) = one cow (lit., one cow only)
- Níl aon ní air. (NEEL AY-uhn NEE EHR) = There’s nothing wrong with him. (lit., is-not one/any thing on-him)
- a haon, a dó, capall is bó (uh HAY-uhn, uh DOH, KAH-puhl ihs BOH)
= one, two, a horse and a cow... the beginning of a children’s counting song
- Tá sé ar aon airde liom. (TAW SHAY ehr AY-uhn AWR-juh loom, oo as in book)
= He’s the same height as I am. (lit., he is on one height with-me)
History: Old Irish “óen” and Welsh “un” come from Indo-European *oi-no- (one). There are obvious cognates in most European languages.
Scottish Gaelic: aon