Focal an Lae #257
The Word of the Day in Irish
Word: gan (GUHN) [gən]
Meaning: gan = without
Usage:
- gan chara (guhn KHAH-ruh) [gən xarə] = without a friend
- D’fhág siad gan mé. (DAWG SHEE-uhd guhn MAY) [daːg s′iːəd gən m′eː] = They left without me.
- Dúirt mé leat gan é a ól. (DOORCH may LAT guhn AY OHL) [duːr′t′ m′eː l′æt gən eː oːl] = I told you not to drink it.
(lit., said I with-you without it to drink)
History: Old Irish “cen” comes from Indo-European *ken- (empty).
The only cognate in English seems to be “kenosis”, a theological term derived from Greek “kenos” (empty).
Scottish Gaelic: gun