Generation in Irish (Glúin): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for generation?

The Irish for generation is glúin (pronounced “gloon”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is glúnta. Depending on context it can also mean step in a series.

Q: What is the plural of generation in Irish?

The plural of glúin is glúnta; with the article, na glúnta means “the generations”. The genitive plural is glúnta, as in traidisiún na nglúnta (the tradition of generations).

Q: Does glúin have more than one meaning?

Yes. Glúin can mean generation or step in a series, depending on context; the first is the most common. Glúin also has its own entry as a noun, feminine meaning knee.

How to say “generation” in Irish

Irish:: glúin
English:: generation, step in a series
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine, second declension
Pronunciation:: “gloon” /ɡl̪ˠuːnʲ/

Various forms

Plural:: glúnta (generations)
Genitive singular:: glúine, na glúine (e.g. daoine na glúine seo, the people of this generation)
Genitive plural:: glúnta, na nglúnta (e.g. traidisiún na nglúnta, the tradition of generations)

What does “glúin” mean?

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

generation: All the people born and living at about the same time, or one stage in the line of descent of a family.Also: age group, descent.

1 other meaning: step in a series

2step in a series: One stage or degree in a series or line, such as a degree of kinship.Also: step in series, degree, stage.

Other entries for “glúin”

The same spelling has its own page as:

glúinknee · noun, feminine

“Glúin” with the article

The plural of generation in Irish is glúnta. Here is glúin after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an ghlúin

the generation

Lenition: g becomes gh after an (feminine noun)

na glúnta

the generations

Plural: no change after na

“Glúin” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using glúin, the Irish word for generation.

Is í an ghlúin óg a shábhálfaidh an teanga.

It's the young generation that will save the language.

Tá trí ghlúin den teaghlach ina gcónaí sa teach.

Three generations of the family live in the house.

Bhí saol difriúil ag glúin m'athar.

My father's generation had a different life.

Tháinig an scéal anuas trí na glúnta.

The story came down through the generations.

Ní thuigeann an ghlúin níos sine an teicneolaíocht.

The older generation doesn't understand the technology.

Is ball de ghlúin nua scríbhneoirí í.

She is a member of a new generation of writers.

Is trua nach raibh a leithéid ag ár nglúin féin.

It's a pity our own generation never had the like.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Generation in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for generation?

The Irish for generation is glúin (pronounced “gloon”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is glúnta. Depending on context it can also mean step in a series.

How do you pronounce glúin in Irish?

Glúin is said like “gloon” (IPA /ɡl̪ˠuːnʲ/).

What is the plural of generation in Irish?

The plural of glúin is glúnta; with the article, na glúnta means “the generations”. The genitive plural is glúnta, as in traidisiún na nglúnta (the tradition of generations).

Does glúin have more than one meaning?

Yes. Glúin can mean generation or step in a series, depending on context; the first is the most common. Glúin also has its own entry as a noun, feminine meaning knee.

Why does glúin change to ghlúin or nglúin?

Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) glúin becomes mo ghlúin (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár nglúin (eclipsis).

Is 'glúin' meaning generation the same word as 'glúin' meaning knee?

They are spelled the same, but the plural differs: 'glúnta' means generations, while 'glúine' means knees, as in 'ar a glúine' (on her knees).

Generation in Irish (Glúin): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage