HeyRuaHow to say “family” in Irish
- Irish:
- muintir
- English:
- family, people, community (religious)
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, second declension
- Pronunciation:
- “MWIN-tyir” /ˈmˠɪn̠ʲtʲəɾʲ/
- Plural:
- muintireacha (families)
- Genitive singular:
- muintire, na muintire (e.g. athair na muintire, father of the family)
- Genitive plural:
- muintireacha, na muintireacha (e.g. traidisiúin na muintireacha, the traditions of the families)
What does “muintir” mean?
“Muintir” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- family
- The members of a person's family or household, especially parents and relatives.Also: folks, relatives, parents, kin.
2 other meanings: people or community (religious)
- 2people
- The people of a particular place, community or group, as in the people of a town or country.Also: folk, inhabitants, community, locals.
- 3community (religious)
- The members of a religious community or household of followers.Also: community, household, followers.
Other Irish words for family: teaghlach (family), muirear (family)
“Muintir” with the article
The plural of family in Irish is muintireacha. Here is muintir after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Muintir” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using muintir, the Irish word for family.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Family in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for family?
The Irish for family is muintir (pronounced “MWIN-tyir”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is muintireacha. Depending on context it can also mean people or community (religious).
How do you pronounce muintir in Irish?
Muintir is said like “MWIN-tyir” (IPA /ˈmˠɪn̠ʲtʲəɾʲ/).
What is the plural of family in Irish?
The plural of muintir is muintireacha; with the article, na muintireacha means “the families”. The genitive plural is muintireacha, as in traidisiúin na muintireacha (the traditions of the families).
Does muintir have more than one meaning?
Yes. Muintir can mean family, people or community (religious), depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does muintir change to mhuintir?
After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo mhuintir. After ár (our) it stays ár muintir, because m does not take eclipsis.
What is the difference between 'muintir', 'clann' and 'teaghlach'?
'Clann' means a person's children, 'teaghlach' is the household unit, and 'muintir' is the wider family or folks, e.g. 'mo mhuintir' (my people, my family).
Is 'muintir' singular or plural in grammar?
It is a singular feminine collective noun, but it refers to many people: 'muintir na háite' means the local people.
