Fossil in Irish (Iontaise): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for fossil?

The Irish for fossil is iontaise (pronounced “UN-tish-uh”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is iontaisí.

Q: What is the plural of fossil in Irish?

The plural of iontaise is iontaisí; with the article, na hiontaisí means “the fossils”. The genitive plural is iontaisí, as in bailiúchán na n-iontaisí (the fossil collection).

How to say “fossil” in Irish

Irish:: iontaise
English:: fossil
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine, fourth declension
Pronunciation:: “UN-tish-uh” /ˈiːn̪ˠt̪ˠəʃə/

Various forms

Plural:: iontaisí (fossils)
Genitive singular:: iontaise, na hiontaise (e.g. aois na hiontaise, the age of the fossil)
Genitive plural:: iontaisí, na n-iontaisí (e.g. bailiúchán na n-iontaisí, the fossil collection)

What does “iontaise” mean?

fossil: The preserved remains or impression of a plant or animal from long ago, found in rock.Also: fossilised remains, petrified remains.

“Iontaise” with the article

The plural of fossil in Irish is iontaisí. Here is iontaise after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an iontaise

the fossil

No change: feminine nouns starting with a vowel keep their form after an

na hiontaisí

the fossils

Plural: na adds h before a vowel

“Iontaise” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using iontaise, the Irish word for fossil.

Fuair mé iontaise ar an trá inné.

I found a fossil on the beach yesterday.

Tá an iontaise seo na milliúin bliain d'aois.

This fossil is millions of years old.

Rinne an t-eolaí staidéar ar chruth na hiontaise.

The scientist studied the shape of the fossil.

Tá go leor iontaisí sa mhúsaem sin.

There are lots of fossils in that museum.

Choinnigh mé m'iontaise i mbosca beag.

I kept my fossil in a small box.

Is féidir iontaisí a fheiceáil sa charraig seo.

You can see fossils in this rock.

Bhí iontaise éisc istigh sa chloch.

There was a fish fossil inside the stone.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Fossil in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for fossil?

The Irish for fossil is iontaise (pronounced “UN-tish-uh”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is iontaisí.

How do you pronounce iontaise in Irish?

Iontaise is said like “UN-tish-uh” (IPA /ˈiːn̪ˠt̪ˠəʃə/).

What is the plural of fossil in Irish?

The plural of iontaise is iontaisí; with the article, na hiontaisí means “the fossils”. The genitive plural is iontaisí, as in bailiúchán na n-iontaisí (the fossil collection).

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

Irish nouns beginning with a vowel take a prefix after certain words: an iontaise (the fossil), a hiontaise (her fossil), a n-iontaise (their fossil), na hiontaisí (the fossils).

How do you say 'fossil fuels' in Irish?

Fossil fuels are 'breoslaí iontaise', using the genitive 'iontaise' after 'breosla'.

Fossil in Irish (Iontaise): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage