Expectation in Irish (Ionchas): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for expectation?

The Irish for expectation is ionchas (pronounced “UN-khus”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is ionchais. Depending on context it can also mean expectancy.

Q: What is the plural of expectation in Irish?

The plural of ionchas is ionchais; with the article, na hionchais means “the expectations”. The genitive plural is ionchas, as in bainistíocht na n-ionchas (the management of expectations).

Q: Does ionchas have more than one meaning?

Yes. Ionchas can mean expectation or expectancy, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “expectation” in Irish

Irish:: ionchas
English:: expectation, expectancy
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, first declension
Pronunciation:: “UN-khus” /ˈʊnˠəxəsˠ/

Various forms

Plural:: ionchais (expectations)
Genitive singular:: ionchais, an ionchais (e.g. leibhéal an ionchais, the level of expectation)
Genitive plural:: ionchas, na n-ionchas (e.g. bainistíocht na n-ionchas, the management of expectations)

What does “ionchas” mean?

“Ionchas” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

expectation: A belief or hope about what will happen in the future.Also: prospect, hope.

1 other meaning: expectancy

2expectancy: The amount that is expected, as in the number of years a person is likely to live.Also: life expectancy, likelihood.

Other Irish words for expectation: dóigh (expectation)

“Ionchas” with the article

The plural of expectation in Irish is ionchais. Here is ionchas after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an t-ionchas

the expectation

Masculine nouns take t before a vowel after an

na hionchais

the expectations

Plural: na adds h before a vowel

“Ionchas” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using ionchas, the Irish word for expectation.

Bhí ionchas mór ag na daoine.

The people had great expectations.

Níor comhlíonadh an t-ionchas sin riamh.

That expectation was never fulfilled.

Tá ionchais arda ag mo thuismitheoirí.

My parents have high expectations.

Tá ionchas saoil níos faide ag mná.

Women have a longer life expectancy.

Ní raibh aon ionchas agam go dtiocfadh sé.

I had no expectation that he would come.

Tháinig an toradh thar ár n-ionchas.

The result exceeded our expectations.

Is ard é leibhéal an ionchais sa scoil.

The level of expectation in the school is high.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Expectation in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for expectation?

The Irish for expectation is ionchas (pronounced “UN-khus”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is ionchais. Depending on context it can also mean expectancy.

How do you pronounce ionchas in Irish?

Ionchas is said like “UN-khus” (IPA /ˈʊnˠəxəsˠ/).

What is the plural of expectation in Irish?

The plural of ionchas is ionchais; with the article, na hionchais means “the expectations”. The genitive plural is ionchas, as in bainistíocht na n-ionchas (the management of expectations).

Does ionchas have more than one meaning?

Yes. Ionchas can mean expectation or expectancy, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does ionchas sometimes have a t or h in front of it?

Irish nouns beginning with a vowel take a prefix after certain words: an t-ionchas (the expectation), a hionchas (her expectation), a n-ionchas (their expectation), na hionchais (the expectations).

How is 'ionchas' different from 'dóchas'?

'Dóchas' is hope in general, while 'ionchas' is what you expect or count on, as in 'ionchas saoil' for life expectancy.

Expectation in Irish (Ionchas): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage