HeyRuaHow to say “feeling” in Irish
- Irish:
- mothú
- English:
- feeling, consciousness, perceiving
- Word type:
- noun (verbal noun)
- Verbal noun of:
- mothaigh, to feel (ag mothú, feeling)
- Gender:
- masculine
- Pronunciation:
- “MOH-hoo” /ˈmˠɔhuː/
- Genitive singular:
- mothaithe, an mhothaithe (e.g. cumas mothaithe, ability to feel)
What does “mothú” mean?
“Mothú” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- feeling
- The act of feeling or sensing something; the verbal noun of the verb mothaigh (feel, sense).Also: sensing, sensation, perception.
2 other meanings: consciousness or perceiving
- 2consciousness
- Awareness or sensibility, as when someone comes back to their senses after fainting.Also: sensibility, awareness.
- 3perceiving
- The act of perceiving or noticing something, such as hearing a sound or movement.Also: noticing, hearing.
Other Irish words for feeling: aireachtáil (feeling), mothúchán (emotion), mothálach (sensitive)
“Mothú” as a verbal noun
After ag, mothú means feeling: it is the verbal noun of the verb mothaigh (to feel). A noun that follows it goes into the genitive.
“Mothú” with the article
Here is mothú after the article (an t-alt).
“Mothú” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using mothú, the Irish word for feeling.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Feeling in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for feeling?
The Irish for feeling is mothú (pronounced “MOH-hoo”). It’s a masculine noun. Depending on context it can also mean consciousness or perceiving.
How do you pronounce mothú in Irish?
Mothú is said like “MOH-hoo” (IPA /ˈmˠɔhuː/).
Does mothú have a plural?
No plural form is given for mothú in the standard. Many abstract and mass nouns in Irish have no plural.
Does mothú have more than one meaning?
Yes. Mothú can mean feeling, consciousness or perceiving, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does mothú change to mhothú?
After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo mhothú. After ár (our) it stays ár mothú, because m does not take eclipsis.
What is the difference between mothú and mothúchán?
Mothú is the act of feeling or sensation, as in 'níl aon mhothú i mo lámh', while mothúchán means an emotion, as in 'mothúcháin láidre' (strong emotions).
What does 'gan mhothú' mean?
'Gan mhothú' means unconscious or senseless, for example 'bhí sé sínte gan mhothú' (he was lying unconscious).
