HeyRuaHow to say “ellipsis” in Irish
- Irish:
- focalbhá
- English:
- ellipsis
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine
- Pronunciation:
- “FUK-ul-vaw” /ˈfˠɔkəlˠˌwaː/
Various forms
- Genitive singular:
- focalbhá, an fhocalbhá (e.g. sampla d'fhocalbhá, an example of ellipsis)
What does “focalbhá” mean?
- ellipsis
- In grammar, the leaving out of a word or words from a sentence when the meaning is still understood.Also: omission of words, elision of words.
“Focalbhá” with the article
Here is focalbhá after the article (an t-alt).
an focalbhá
the ellipsis
No change after an
“Focalbhá” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using focalbhá, the Irish word for ellipsis.
Is sampla maith d'fhocalbhá é sin.
That is a good example of ellipsis.
Míníonn an múinteoir an focalbhá don rang.
The teacher explains ellipsis to the class.
Tá focalbhá coitianta sa chaint laethúil.
Ellipsis is common in everyday speech.
Úsáidtear focalbhá chun athrá a sheachaint.
Ellipsis is used to avoid repetition.
Ní thuigim riail an fhocalbhá fós.
I still don't understand the rule of ellipsis.
Tá focalbhá san abairt seo.
There is ellipsis in this sentence.
Scríobh sí aiste ar an bhfocalbhá.
She wrote an essay on ellipsis.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Ellipsis in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for ellipsis?
The Irish for ellipsis is focalbhá (pronounced “FUK-ul-vaw”). It’s a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce focalbhá in Irish?
Focalbhá is said like “FUK-ul-vaw” (IPA /ˈfˠɔkəlˠˌwaː/).
Does focalbhá have a plural?
No plural form is given for focalbhá in the standard. Many abstract and mass nouns in Irish have no plural.
Why does focalbhá change to fhocalbhá or bhfocalbhá?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) focalbhá becomes m'fhocalbhá (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár bhfocalbhá (eclipsis).
Is 'focalbhá' the same as the three dots (...) in writing?
Not exactly: 'focalbhá' is the grammatical omission of words; the punctuation mark of three dots is usually called 'poncanna fágála' in Irish.
