Irish

Alternative forms

• faoi n-a (superseded)

Particle

faoina ‎(triggers eclipsis, in regular past tenses faoinar)

1. under which, under whom; about which, about whom (indirect relative; not used in the past tense except with some irregular verbs)

   an crann faoina bhfuil sé ina shuí‎ ― the tree under which he is sitting

   an bhó faoina dúirt sé scéal‎ ― the cow about which he told a story

Usage notes

“About/under which” may also be expressed with the indirect relative particle before the verb and the appropriate inflected form of faoi in its original position in the clause:

• an crann a bhfuil sé ina shuí faoi‎ ― the tree he is sitting under
• an bhó a dúirt sé scéal fúithi‎ ― the cow he told a story about

Contraction

faoina

1. Contraction of faoi ‎(“under, about”) + a ‎(“his, her, their”).

   ‘under/about his’ (triggers lenition): faoina shúile‎ ― under his eyes

   ‘under/about her’ (triggers h-prothesis): faoina hascaill‎ ― under her arm

   ‘under/about their’ (triggers eclipsis): faoina gcosa‎ ― under their feet

Related terms