Ionsar (to, towards)
Learn how to use the Irish preposition 'ionsar' (to, towards), including its forms, mutations, and usage, which is most common in Ulster Irish.
The preposition ionsar means “to” or “towards”. It is a compound preposition primarily used in Ulster Irish that triggers specific sound changes, known as initial mutations, on the noun that follows it.
Etymology and spelling
The form ionsar comes from the older phrase d'ionsaí ar, which literally means “to approach on”. It is a combination of the verbal noun ionsaí (“approaching”) and the preposition ar (“on”). Because of this origin, it is sometimes written as ionns'ar. Other historical or alternative forms include inseair and ionnsaighe.
Initial Mutations
Ionsar causes the following noun to mutate. The type of mutation depends on whether the noun is preceded by the definite article an.
Without an Article
When ionsar is followed directly by a noun, it causes lenition.
- ionsar theach Bhriain - to Brian’s house
With the Singular Article
When ionsar is followed by the singular definite article an, the mutation that follows depends on the dialect.
In other dialects, if ionsar is used at all, it typically causes eclipsis (except on words beginning with d or t).
- ionsar an ngairdín - to the garden
Question Forms
To ask “to whom?” or “to what?”, you can use the following phrases:
cé ionsair?- to whom?cá hionsar?- to what? / where to?
Conjugated Forms
Like many Irish prepositions, ionsar combines with pronouns to create a single word. These are known as conjugated prepositions or prepositional pronouns.
| Person | Standard Form | Emphatic Form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st sg. (I) | ionsorm | ionsormsa | to me |
| 2nd sg. (you) | ionsort | ionsortsa | to you |
| 3rd sg. (he) | ionsair | ionsairsean | to him |
| 3rd sg. (she) | ionsuirthi | ionsuirthise | to her |
| 1st pl. (we) | ionsorainn | ionsorainne | to us |
| 2nd pl. (you) | ionsoraibh | ionsoraibhse | to you |
| 3rd pl. (they) | ionsorthu | ionsorthusan | to them |
Usage
The use of ionsar is largely confined to Ulster Irish. It appears in phrases indicating direction or movement towards something.
- druid ionsar - turn towards
- tar ionsar an teach - come to the house