HeyRuaHow to say “capital city” in Irish
- Irish:
- príomhchathair
- English:
- capital city
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, fifth declension
- Pronunciation:
- “PREEV-khah-hir” /ˈpˠɾˠiːvˠˌxahəɾʲ/
- Plural:
- príomhchathracha (capital cities)
- Genitive singular:
- príomhchathrach, na príomhchathrach (e.g. lár na príomhchathrach, the centre of the capital)
- Genitive plural:
- príomhchathracha, na bpríomhchathracha (e.g. ainmneacha na bpríomhchathracha, the names of the capital cities)
What does “príomhchathair” mean?
- capital city
- The main city of a country or region, usually where the government is based.Also: capital, chief city, metropolis.
Other Irish words for capital city: ardchathair (capital city)
“Príomhchathair” with the article
The plural of capital city in Irish is príomhchathracha. Here is príomhchathair after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Príomhchathair” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using príomhchathair, the Irish word for capital city.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Capital city in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for capital city?
The Irish for capital city is príomhchathair (pronounced “PREEV-khah-hir”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is príomhchathracha.
How do you pronounce príomhchathair in Irish?
Príomhchathair is said like “PREEV-khah-hir” (IPA /ˈpˠɾˠiːvˠˌxahəɾʲ/).
What is the plural of capital city in Irish?
The plural of príomhchathair is príomhchathracha; with the article, na príomhchathracha means “the capital cities”. The genitive plural is príomhchathracha, as in ainmneacha na bpríomhchathracha (the names of the capital cities).
Why does príomhchathair change to phríomhchathair or bpríomhchathair?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) príomhchathair becomes mo phríomhchathair (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár bpríomhchathair (eclipsis).
Can 'príomhchathair' mean a capital letter?
No, a capital letter is 'ceannlitir' or 'litir mhór'; 'príomhchathair' only means a capital city.
How is 'príomhchathair' formed?
It combines 'príomh' (chief, main) with 'cathair' (city), with lenition: 'príomhchathair'.
