nuair

Irish

Etymology

Contraction of an uair (“the time”).

Pronunciation

• (careful speech) IPA^(key): /n̪ˠuəɾʲ/
• (rapid speech) IPA^(key): /n̪ˠɔɾʲ/, /n̪ˠɛɾʲ/, /n̪ˠəɾʲ/ (as if spelled noir)

Conjunction

nuair (with direct relative form of verb)

1. when

   Nuair a thiocfas an bás ní imeoidh sé folamh. (proverb)

   When death comes he won’t leave empty.

   • 1894 March, Peadar Mac Fionnlaoigh, “An rí nach robh le fagháil bháis”, in Irisleabhar na Gaedhilge, volume 1:5, Dublin: Gaelic Union, pages 185–88:

     Nuair d’fhás an gasúr suas, chuir a mháthair ar scoil é, ⁊ bhíodh sí ag tabhairt airgid dó, gan fhios do’n rígh, le leabhairidhe ⁊ neithe cheannach dó.

     When the lad grew up, his mother sent him to school, and she used to give him money unknown to the king, to buy books, &c.

Further reading

• Ó Dónaill, Niall (1977) “nuair”, in Foclóir Gaeilge–Béarla, Dublin: An Gúm, →ISBN
• Quiggin, E. C. (1906) A Dialect of Donegal, Cambridge University Press, page 36

Scottish Gaelic

Alternative forms

• an uair
• dar

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /n̪ˠuəɾʲ/
• (rapid speech) IPA^(key): /n̪ˠəɾʲ/, /n̪ˠaɾʲ/

Conjunction

nuair

1. when (relative/non-interrogative)

   Tha i as toilichte nuair nach eil e a' seinn. ― She is happiest when he isn't singing.

   Nì mi sin nuair a bhios àm agam. ― I'll do it when I have time.

   Bha i dorcha nuair a ràinig iad an t-eilean. ― It was dark when they reached the island.

Usage notes

• If followed by the future tense, the relative future tense is used.
• In the sense "at what time" cuin is used instead.

  Innis dhomh cuin a thèid iad ann. ― Tell me when will they go there.