HeyRuaHow to say “eyebrow” in Irish
- Irish:
- mala
- English:
- eyebrow, brow
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, fourth declension
- Pronunciation:
- “MAL-uh” /ˈmˠalˠə/
- Plural:
- malaí (eyebrows)
- Genitive singular:
- mala, na mala (e.g. ribí na mala, the hairs of the eyebrow)
- Genitive plural:
- malaí, na malaí (e.g. cruth na malaí, the shape of the eyebrows)
What does “mala” mean?
“Mala” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- eyebrow
- The line of hair that grows above each eye.Also: brow.
1 other meaning: brow
- 2brow
- The top edge or slope of a hill.Also: slope, incline, hillside.
“Mala” with the article
The plural of eyebrow in Irish is malaí. Here is mala after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Mala” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using mala, the Irish word for eyebrow.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Eyebrow in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for eyebrow?
The Irish for eyebrow is mala (pronounced “MAL-uh”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is malaí. Depending on context it can also mean brow.
How do you pronounce mala in Irish?
Mala is said like “MAL-uh” (IPA /ˈmˠalˠə/).
What is the plural of eyebrow in Irish?
The plural of mala is malaí; with the article, na malaí means “the eyebrows”. The genitive plural is malaí, as in cruth na malaí (the shape of the eyebrows).
Does mala have more than one meaning?
Yes. Mala can mean eyebrow or brow, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does mala change to mhala?
After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo mhala. After ár (our) it stays ár mala, because m does not take eclipsis.
Is 'mala' the same as 'mála' (bag)?
No. 'Mala' with a short a means eyebrow or brow of a hill, while 'mála' with a long á means bag.
What is the word for eyelash?
An eyelash is 'fabhra', while 'mala' is the eyebrow above it.
