Um (about, around)
Learn how to use the Irish preposition 'um', meaning 'around' or 'about', including its forms with pronouns and the mutations it causes.
The preposition um generally means “around” or “about”. While it is used in Standard Irish, particularly in formal contexts and set phrases, it is most commonly heard in everyday speech in Munster. In other dialects, the preposition faoi often replaces it.
Historical note on 'um' and 'faoi'
The preposition um underwent a sound change in some dialects, becoming má and then fá. This form fá was then often associated with faoi (“under”, “about”). As a result, many speakers now use faoi (or its dialectal variant fú or fá) to mean “about”. For example, labhairt fúm (“to speak about me”) is far more common than labhairt umam. Ulster Irish often maintains a distinction between fá (“about”) and faoi (“under”).
Initial Mutations
The preposition um causes different mutations depending on whether it is followed by the definite article an.
Without the Article
When um is followed by a noun without the article, it causes lenition on certain consonants.
Lenition after 'um'
Rule Lenites c, d, f, g, s, and t. Does not affect b, m, or p.
- um Nollaig - at Christmas
- um Shionainn - along the Shannon
Note that b, m, and p are not lenited after um.
- um banríon - around a queen
With the Article
When um is followed by the definite article an, it causes eclipsis in the standard language.
Eclipsis after 'um an'
Rule Causes eclipsis on nouns following 'um an'.
- um an mbaile - around the town
- um an gcoirthe - against the stone
Dialectal forms vary significantly.
Forms with Pronouns
Like all simple prepositions, um combines with pronouns to create a single word. These are known as prepositional pronouns or conjugated prepositions.
| Person | Standard Form | Emphatic Form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st sg. (I) | umam | umamsa | around me |
| 2nd sg. (you) | umat | umatsa | around you |
| 3rd sg. (he/it) | uime | uimesean | around him, about it |
| 3rd sg. (she) | uimpi | uimpise | around her |
| 1st pl. (we) | umainn | umainne | around us |
| 2nd pl. (you) | umaibh | umaibhse | around you |
| 3rd pl. (they) | umpu | umpusan | around them |
- Chuir sí an cóta uimpi. - She put the coat on.
- D’fhiafraigh siad uime. - They asked about him.
Question Words
The preposition um combines with question words to ask “about what?” or “about whom?”. These forms are followed by an indirect relative clause.
-
cé uime - about whom…?
-
cad uime / cá huime - about what…? / why…?
-
Cá huime a bhfuil tú anseo? - Why are you here?
Common Uses of ‘um’
Time
um can mean “at” a specific time or event.
- um Nollaig - at Christmas
- um thráthnóna - in the afternoon
- um an am sin - at that time
Location and Movement
It can mean “around”, “along”, or “against”.
- D’iadh siad um an rí. - They gathered around the king.
- a bhéirt mhac uime - his two sons accompanying him (literally, “around him”)
- um Shionainn - along the Shannon
- um an gcoirthe - against the stone
Expressing ‘to put on’
The verb cuir combined with um means “to put on” clothing.
- Chuir sí an cóta uimpi. - She put on the coat. (Literally: She put the coat around herself.)
Expressing ‘about’ or ‘concerning’
This usage is common in formal and official language, such as in the titles of organisations and laws.
- An tÚdarás um Ard-Oideachas - The Higher Education Authority
- An tAcht um Chosaint Sonraí - The Data Protection Act
It can also appear with certain nouns and verbs:
- grá um - love for
- ag fonóid um - laughing at
- troid um - to fight for
Idiomatic and Formal Uses
is uime means “therefore” or “for that reason”.
- Is uime sin a tháinig mé. - That is why I came.
The phrase fáth um means “the reason why”, though um is often omitted in modern Irish.
- Cén fáth (um) a bhfuil tú anseo? - Why are you here?