Existence in Irish (Marthain): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for existence?

The Irish for existence is marthain (pronounced “MAR-hin”). It’s a feminine noun. Depending on context it can also mean duration or livelihood.

Q: Does marthain have more than one meaning?

Yes. Marthain can mean existence, duration or livelihood, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “existence” in Irish

Irish:: marthain
English:: existence, duration, livelihood
Word type:: noun (verbal noun)
Gender:: feminine, third declension
Pronunciation:: “MAR-hin” /ˈmˠaɾˠhənʲ/

Various forms

Genitive singular:: marthana, na marthana (e.g. cúrsaí marthana, matters of survival)

What does “marthain” mean?

“Marthain” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

existence: The state of existing or being alive; also the verbal noun of the verb mair, to live or last.Also: living, survival, subsistence.

2 other meanings: duration or livelihood

2duration: The length of time that something lasts or endures.Also: lasting, endurance, permanence.
3livelihood: The means of supporting oneself, sustenance.Also: sustenance, living.

Other Irish words for existence: saol (life), bith (world), beatha (life)

“Marthain” with the article

Here is marthain after the article (an t-alt).

an mharthain

the existence

Lenition: m becomes mh after an (feminine noun)

“Marthain” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using marthain, the Irish word for existence.

Tá an teanga fós ar marthain sa cheantar.

The language still survives in the area.

Is beag nach ndeachaigh an t-éan sin as marthain.

That bird almost became extinct.

Ní raibh a fhios agam go raibh a leithéid ar marthain.

I didn't know such a thing existed.

Bhí sé deacair fanacht ar marthain le linn an Ghorta.

It was hard to survive during the Famine.

Is ceist marthana í seo don phobal.

This is a question of survival for the community.

Tá an seanchaisleán ar marthain le cúig chéad bliain.

The old castle has stood for five hundred years.

Bíonn marthain fhada ag na crainn sin.

Those trees are long-lived.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Existence in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for existence?

The Irish for existence is marthain (pronounced “MAR-hin”). It’s a feminine noun. Depending on context it can also mean duration or livelihood.

How do you pronounce marthain in Irish?

Marthain is said like “MAR-hin” (IPA /ˈmˠaɾˠhənʲ/).

Does marthain have a plural?

No plural form is given for marthain in the standard. Many abstract and mass nouns in Irish have no plural.

Does marthain have more than one meaning?

Yes. Marthain can mean existence, duration or livelihood, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does marthain change to mharthain?

After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo mharthain. After ár (our) it stays ár marthain, because m does not take eclipsis.

What is the difference between marthain and maireachtáil?

Both come from mair. Maireachtáil is the everyday verbal noun for living or getting by, while marthain is more about existence or endurance, as in ar marthain, 'in existence'.

Existence in Irish (Marthain): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage