HeyRuaHow to say “empathy” in Irish
- Irish:
- ionbhá
- English:
- empathy
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, fourth declension
- Pronunciation:
- “UN-vaw” /ˈɪnˠwaː/
- Plural:
- ionbhánna (empathies)
- Genitive singular:
- ionbhá, na hionbhá (e.g. easpa ionbhá, a lack of empathy)
- Genitive plural:
- ionbhánna, na n-ionbhánna (e.g. easpa na n-ionbhánna, the lack of empathies)
What does “ionbhá” mean?
- empathy
- The ability to understand and share the feelings of another person.Also: fellow feeling, sympathy, understanding.
“Ionbhá” with the article
The plural of empathy in Irish is ionbhánna. Here is ionbhá after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Ionbhá” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using ionbhá, the Irish word for empathy.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Empathy in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for empathy?
The Irish for empathy is ionbhá (pronounced “UN-vaw”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is ionbhánna.
How do you pronounce ionbhá in Irish?
Ionbhá is said like “UN-vaw” (IPA /ˈɪnˠwaː/).
What is the plural of empathy in Irish?
The plural of ionbhá is ionbhánna; with the article, na hionbhánna means “the empathies”. The genitive plural is ionbhánna, as in easpa na n-ionbhánna (the lack of empathies).
Why does ionbhá sometimes have a t or h in front of it?
Irish nouns beginning with a vowel take a prefix after certain words: an ionbhá (the empathy), a hionbhá (her empathy), a n-ionbhá (their empathy), na hionbhánna (the empathies).
What is the difference between ionbhá and comhbhá?
Ionbhá is empathy, feeling with someone as if in their place, while comhbhá is sympathy or solidarity with someone or a cause.
