HeyRuaHow to say “apostrophe” in Irish
- Irish:
- apastróf
- English:
- apostrophe
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, second declension
- Pronunciation:
- “AP-uh-strohf” /ˈapˠəsˠt̪ˠɾˠoːfˠ/
- Plural:
- apastrófa (apostrophes)
- Genitive singular:
- apastróife, na hapastróife (e.g. úsáid na hapastróife, use of the apostrophe)
- Genitive plural:
- apastróf, na n-apastróf (e.g. líon na n-apastróf, number of apostrophes)
What does “apastróf” mean?
- apostrophe
- The punctuation mark (') used in writing to show that a letter has been left out or, in English, to show possession.Also: apostrophe mark, punctuation mark.
“Apastróf” with the article
The plural of apostrophe in Irish is apastrófa. Here is apastróf after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Apastróf” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using apastróf, the Irish word for apostrophe.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Apostrophe in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for apostrophe?
The Irish for apostrophe is apastróf (pronounced “AP-uh-strohf”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is apastrófa.
How do you pronounce apastróf in Irish?
Apastróf is said like “AP-uh-strohf” (IPA /ˈapˠəsˠt̪ˠɾˠoːfˠ/).
What is the plural of apostrophe in Irish?
The plural of apastróf is apastrófa; with the article, na hapastrófa means “the apostrophes”. The genitive plural is apastróf, as in líon na n-apastróf (number of apostrophes).
Why does apastróf sometimes have a t or h in front of it?
Irish nouns beginning with a vowel take a prefix after certain words: an apastróf (the apostrophe), a hapastróf (her apostrophe), a n-apastróf (their apostrophe), na hapastrófa (the apostrophes).
When is the apostrophe used in Irish?
Mainly to mark an elided vowel, as in m'athair, d'ól or b'fhéidir. Irish does not use the apostrophe for possession as English does.
Does apastróf also mean the rhetorical figure of addressing someone absent?
In general usage apastróf is the punctuation mark; the rhetorical sense is rare and learners should use the word for the mark.
