Bleating in Irish (Méileach): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for bleating?

The Irish for bleating is méileach (pronounced “MAY-lyukh”). It’s a feminine noun.

How to say “bleating” in Irish

Irish:: méileach
English:: bleating
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine, second declension
Pronunciation:: “MAY-lyukh” /ˈmʲeːlʲəx/

Various forms

Genitive singular:: méilí, na méilí (e.g. torann na méilí, the noise of the bleating)

What does “méileach” mean?

bleating: The thin wavering cry made by a sheep, lamb or goat.Also: bleat, baa, bleating of sheep.

“Méileach” with the article

Here is méileach after the article (an t-alt).

an mhéileach

the bleating

Lenition: m becomes mh after an (feminine noun)

“Méileach” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using méileach, the Irish word for bleating.

Chuala mé méileach ón bpáirc.

I heard bleating from the field.

Bhí an mhéileach ar siúl ar feadh na hoíche.

The bleating went on all night.

Dhúisigh méileach na n-uan mé ar maidin.

The bleating of the lambs woke me in the morning.

Ní raibh le cloisteáil ach fuaim na méilí.

Nothing could be heard but the sound of bleating.

Bhí méileach na gcaorach le cloisteáil ar an sliabh.

The bleating of the sheep could be heard on the mountain.

Thosaigh an gabhar ag méileach go hard.

The goat started bleating loudly.

Is aoibhinn liom méileach na n-uan san earrach.

I love the bleating of lambs in spring.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

tráebb measrespect scilskill inisisland MáireMary raonrange

Bleating in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for bleating?

The Irish for bleating is méileach (pronounced “MAY-lyukh”). It’s a feminine noun.

How do you pronounce méileach in Irish?

Méileach is said like “MAY-lyukh” (IPA /ˈmʲeːlʲəx/).

Does méileach have a plural?

No plural form is given for méileach in the standard. Many abstract and mass nouns in Irish have no plural.

Why does méileach change to mhéileach?

After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo mhéileach. After ár (our) it stays ár méileach, because m does not take eclipsis.

What other Irish words describe animal sounds like 'méileach'?

Irish has a set of similar nouns: 'géimneach' is the lowing of cattle, 'seitreach' is the neighing of a horse and 'tafann' is barking.

How do I say a sheep is bleating?

Use 'ag méileach', as in 'Tá an chaora ag méileach', meaning 'The sheep is bleating'.

Bleating in Irish (Méileach): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage