HeyRuaHow to say “giant” in Irish
- Irish:
- fathach
- English:
- giant, giant of a man, giant star
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, first declension
- Pronunciation:
- “FA-hukh” /ˈfˠahəx/
- Plural:
- fathaigh (giants)
- Genitive singular:
- fathaigh, an fhathaigh (e.g. cos an fhathaigh, the giant's foot)
- Genitive plural:
- fathach, na bhfathach (e.g. scéalta na bhfathach, stories of the giants)
What does “fathach” mean?
“Fathach” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- giant
- A huge, man-like being of great size and strength found in stories and folklore.Also: ogre, titan.
2 other meanings: giant of a man or giant star
- 2giant of a man
- A very big, strong person, often used admiringly.Also: huge man, big man, hulk.
- 3giant star
- In astronomy, a star much larger and brighter than the sun.Also: red giant, blue giant.
“Fathach” with the article
The plural of giant in Irish is fathaigh. Here is fathach after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Fathach” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using fathach, the Irish word for giant.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Giant in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for giant?
The Irish for giant is fathach (pronounced “FA-hukh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is fathaigh. Depending on context it can also mean giant of a man or giant star.
How do you pronounce fathach in Irish?
Fathach is said like “FA-hukh” (IPA /ˈfˠahəx/).
What is the plural of giant in Irish?
The plural of fathach is fathaigh; with the article, na fathaigh means “the giants”. The genitive plural is fathach, as in scéalta na bhfathach (stories of the giants).
Does fathach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Fathach can mean giant, giant of a man or giant star, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does fathach change to fhathach or bhfathach?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) fathach becomes m'fhathach (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár bhfathach (eclipsis).
What is the difference between 'fathach' and 'arracht'?
'Fathach' is a giant, a huge human-like being, while 'arracht' is a monster or frightful creature.
How do I say 'a huge job' using 'fathach'?
Use 'obair fathaigh', literally 'a giant's work', meaning a herculean task.
