HeyRuaHow to say “ability” in Irish
- Irish:
- ábaltacht
- English:
- ability, strength
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, third declension
- Pronunciation:
- “AW-bul-tukht” /ˈɑːbˠəl̪ˠt̪ˠəxt̪ˠ/
- Plural:
- ábaltachtaí (abilities)
- Genitive singular:
- ábaltachta, na hábaltachta (e.g. tástáil ábaltachta, ability test)
- Genitive plural:
- ábaltachtaí, na n-ábaltachtaí (e.g. raon na n-ábaltachtaí, the range of abilities)
What does “ábaltacht” mean?
“Ábaltacht” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- ability
- The power or skill to do something; capability.Also: capability, capacity, skill, competence.
1 other meaning: strength
- 2strength
- Physical strength or fitness to do work.Also: fitness, vigour.
Other Irish words for ability: cumas (ability), scil (skill), inniúlacht (ability), inmhe (capability)
“Ábaltacht” with the article
The plural of ability in Irish is ábaltachtaí. Here is ábaltacht after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Ábaltacht” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using ábaltacht, the Irish word for ability.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Ability in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for ability?
The Irish for ability is ábaltacht (pronounced “AW-bul-tukht”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is ábaltachtaí. Depending on context it can also mean strength.
How do you pronounce ábaltacht in Irish?
Ábaltacht is said like “AW-bul-tukht” (IPA /ˈɑːbˠəl̪ˠt̪ˠəxt̪ˠ/).
What is the plural of ability in Irish?
The plural of ábaltacht is ábaltachtaí; with the article, na hábaltachtaí means “the abilities”. The genitive plural is ábaltachtaí, as in raon na n-ábaltachtaí (the range of abilities).
Does ábaltacht have more than one meaning?
Yes. Ábaltacht can mean ability or strength, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does ábaltacht sometimes have a t or h in front of it?
Irish nouns beginning with a vowel take a prefix after certain words: an ábaltacht (the ability), a hábaltacht (her ability), a n-ábaltacht (their ability), na hábaltachtaí (the abilities).
What is the difference between ábaltacht and cumas?
Both mean ability; cumas is the more common word in standard and official Irish, while ábaltacht is related to the adjective ábalta, 'able', and is common in speech.
