Greek in Irish (Gréigis): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for Greek?

The Irish for Greek is Gréigis (pronounced “GRAY-gish”). It’s a feminine noun.

How to say “Greek” in Irish

Irish:: Gréigis
English:: Greek
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine
Pronunciation:: “GRAY-gish” /ˈɟɾʲeːɟɪʃ/

Various forms

Genitive singular:: Gréigise, na Gréigise (e.g. múinteoir Gréigise, a Greek teacher)

What does “Gréigis” mean?

Greek: The Greek language, spoken in Greece and Cyprus, in its modern or ancient form.Also: Greek language, ancient Greek, Modern Greek.

“Gréigis” with the article

Here is Gréigis after the article (an t-alt).

an Ghréigis

the Greek

Lenition: G becomes Gh after an (feminine noun)

“Gréigis” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using Gréigis, the Irish word for Greek.

Tá Gréigis á foghlaim agam le bliain.

I've been learning Greek for a year.

Labhraíonn a máthair Gréigis go líofa.

Her mother speaks Greek fluently.

Scríobhadh an Tiomna Nua i nGréigis.

The New Testament was written in Greek.

Is deacair aibítir na Gréigise a léamh.

The Greek alphabet is hard to read.

Rinne sé staidéar ar an nGréigis san ollscoil.

He studied Greek at university.

An bhfuil aon Ghréigis agat?

Do you have any Greek?

Tá an leabhar seo aistrithe ón nGréigis.

This book is translated from Greek.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

cainttalk gáneed ionadplace lármiddle cearta right íocpayment

Greek in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for Greek?

The Irish for Greek is Gréigis (pronounced “GRAY-gish”). It’s a feminine noun.

How do you pronounce Gréigis in Irish?

Gréigis is said like “GRAY-gish” (IPA /ˈɟɾʲeːɟɪʃ/).

Does Gréigis have a plural?

No. Gréigis is a name, so it is used in the singular only.

Why does Gréigis change to Ghréigis or nGréigis?

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

What is the difference between Gréigis, an Ghréig and Gréagach?

Gréigis is the Greek language, an Ghréig is the country Greece, and Gréagach is a Greek person (also the adjective 'Greek').

Why does it sometimes appear as an nGréigis?

Language names often take the article in Irish, and as a feminine noun it is lenited after it: an Ghréigis, as in Tá an Ghréigis deacair.

Greek in Irish (Gréigis): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage