HeyRuaHow to say “delay” in Irish
- Irish:
- moill
- English:
- delay, slowness
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, second declension
- Pronunciation:
- “mwil” /mˠɪlʲ/
- Plural:
- moilleanna (delays)
- Genitive singular:
- moille, na moille (e.g. fad na moille, the length of the delay)
- Genitive plural:
- moilleanna, na moilleanna (e.g. fad na moilleanna, the length of the delays)
What does “moill” mean?
“Moill” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- delay
- A period of waiting when something happens later than planned or expected.Also: lateness, holdup, wait.
“Moill” with the article
The plural of delay in Irish is moilleanna. Here is moill after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Moill” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using moill, the Irish word for delay.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Delay in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for delay?
The Irish for delay is moill (pronounced “mwil”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is moilleanna. Depending on context it can also mean slowness.
How do you pronounce moill in Irish?
Moill is said like “mwil” (IPA /mˠɪlʲ/).
What is the plural of delay in Irish?
The plural of moill is moilleanna; with the article, na moilleanna means “the delays”. The genitive plural is moilleanna, as in fad na moilleanna (the length of the delays).
Does moill have more than one meaning?
Yes. Moill can mean delay or slowness, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does moill change to mhoill?
After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo mhoill. After ár (our) it stays ár moill, because m does not take eclipsis.
How do I say someone or something is late using 'moill'?
Use 'tá moill ar' plus the person or thing: 'Tá moill ar an mbus' means the bus is late, and 'Tá moill orm' means I'm late.
Why is it 'gan mhoill' and not 'gan moill'?
'Gan' often lenites an indefinite noun, so the set phrase is 'gan mhoill' (without delay, soon), though 'gan moill ar bith' is also heard.
