HeyRuaHow to say “elegy” in Irish
- Irish:
- marbhna
- English:
- elegy
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, fourth declension
- Pronunciation:
- “MAR-uh-vuh-nuh” /ˈmˠaɾˠəwnˠə/
- Plural:
- marbhnaí (elegies)
- Genitive singular:
- marbhna, an mharbhna (e.g. véarsaí an mharbhna, the verses of the elegy)
- Genitive plural:
- marbhnaí, na marbhnaí (e.g. cnuasach na marbhnaí, the collection of elegies)
What does “marbhna” mean?
- elegy
- A poem or song of mourning, especially one lamenting a person who has died.Also: lament, dirge, funeral poem.
“Marbhna” with the article
The plural of elegy in Irish is marbhnaí. Here is marbhna after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Marbhna” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using marbhna, the Irish word for elegy.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Elegy in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for elegy?
The Irish for elegy is marbhna (pronounced “MAR-uh-vuh-nuh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is marbhnaí.
How do you pronounce marbhna in Irish?
Marbhna is said like “MAR-uh-vuh-nuh” (IPA /ˈmˠaɾˠəwnˠə/).
What is the plural of elegy in Irish?
The plural of marbhna is marbhnaí; with the article, na marbhnaí means “the elegies”. The genitive plural is marbhnaí, as in cnuasach na marbhnaí (the collection of elegies).
Why does marbhna change to mharbhna?
After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo mharbhna. After ár (our) it stays ár marbhna, because m does not take eclipsis.
What is the difference between marbhna and caoineadh?
A marbhna is a composed elegy, usually a literary poem, while caoineadh is a lament or keening, often the traditional wailing over the dead. Both can translate as 'lament'.
