nuair

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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

Scottish Gaelic

Alternative forms

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.