Germ in Irish (Geirm): Meaning, Pronunciation & Examples

Q: What is the Irish for germ?

The Irish for germ is geirm (pronounced “ger-im”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is geirmeacha.

Q: What is the plural of germ in Irish?

The plural of geirm is geirmeacha; with the article, na geirmeacha means “the germs”. The genitive plural is geirmeacha, as in leathadh na ngeirmeacha (the spread of the germs).

How to say “germ” in Irish

Irish:: geirm
English:: germ
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine
Pronunciation:: “ger-im” /ɟɛɾʲəmʲ/

Various forms

Plural:: geirmeacha (germs)
Genitive singular:: geirme, na geirme (e.g. fás na geirme, the growth of the germ)
Genitive plural:: geirmeacha, na ngeirmeacha (e.g. leathadh na ngeirmeacha, the spread of the germs)

What does “geirm” mean?

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

germ: A tiny living organism, such as a bacterium or virus, that can cause disease.Also: microbe, bug, bacterium.

1 other meaning:

2germ: The part of a seed or cell from which a new plant or organism develops; figuratively, the beginning of something.Also: seed, embryo, origin.

Other Irish words for germ: víreas (virus), frídín (germ)

“Geirm” with the article

The plural of germ in Irish is geirmeacha. Here is geirm after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an gheirm

the germ

Lenition: g becomes gh after an (feminine noun)

na geirmeacha

the germs

Plural: no change after na

“Geirm” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using geirm, the Irish word for germ.

Nigh do lámha chun na geirmeacha a mharú.

Wash your hands to kill the germs.

Tá geirmeacha i ngach áit sa chistin.

There are germs everywhere in the kitchen.

Is geirm í nach féidir a fheiceáil gan micreascóp.

It is a germ that cannot be seen without a microscope.

Scaipeann an gheirm sin go han-tapa.

That germ spreads very quickly.

Chonaic an t-eolaí an gheirm faoin micreascóp.

The scientist saw the germ under the microscope.

Maraíonn an glantóir seo geirmeacha go héasca.

This cleaner kills germs easily.

Bhí geirm an smaoinimh sin ina hintinn le fada.

The germ of that idea had been in her mind for a long time.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Germ in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for germ?

The Irish for germ is geirm (pronounced “ger-im”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is geirmeacha.

How do you pronounce geirm in Irish?

Geirm is said like “ger-im” (IPA /ɟɛɾʲəmʲ/).

What is the plural of germ in Irish?

The plural of geirm is geirmeacha; with the article, na geirmeacha means “the germs”. The genitive plural is geirmeacha, as in leathadh na ngeirmeacha (the spread of the germs).

Why does geirm change to gheirm or ngeirm?

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

Is there another word for 'germ' meaning a microbe?

Yes, 'miocrób' means microbe, and specific types are 'baictéar' (bacterium) and 'víreas' (virus); 'geirm' is the general everyday word.

Germ in Irish (Geirm): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage