HeyRuaHow to say “city-state” in Irish
- Irish:
- cathairstát
- English:
- city-state
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, first declension
- Pronunciation:
- “KA-hir-stawt” /ˈkahəɾʲˌsˠt̪ˠaːt̪ˠ/
- Plural:
- cathairstáit (city-states)
- Genitive singular:
- cathairstáit, an chathairstáit (e.g. rialtas an chathairstáit, the government of the city-state)
- Genitive plural:
- cathairstát, na gcathairstát (e.g. stair na gcathairstát, the history of the city-states)
What does “cathairstát” mean?
- city-state
- An independent state made up of a single city and the land around it, such as ancient Athens or modern Singapore.Also: city state, polis.
“Cathairstát” with the article
The plural of city-state in Irish is cathairstáit. Here is cathairstát after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Cathairstát” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using cathairstát, the Irish word for city-state.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
City-state in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for city-state?
The Irish for city-state is cathairstát (pronounced “KA-hir-stawt”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is cathairstáit.
How do you pronounce cathairstát in Irish?
Cathairstát is said like “KA-hir-stawt” (IPA /ˈkahəɾʲˌsˠt̪ˠaːt̪ˠ/).
What is the plural of city-state in Irish?
The plural of cathairstát is cathairstáit; with the article, na cathairstáit means “the city-states”. The genitive plural is cathairstát, as in stair na gcathairstát (the history of the city-states).
Why does cathairstát change to chathairstát or gcathairstát?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) cathairstát becomes mo chathairstát (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár gcathairstát (eclipsis).
How is 'cathairstát' formed?
It combines cathair 'city' and stát 'state'. Because stát is the final element, it declines like stát: gen. sg. cathairstáit.
