HeyRuaHow to say “handful” in Irish
- Irish:
- mám
- English:
- handful, mountain pass, yoke
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, third declension
- Pronunciation:
- “mawm” /mˠɑːmˠ/
- Plural:
- mámanna (handfuls)
- Genitive singular:
- máma, an mháma (e.g. lán máma, a double handful)
- Genitive plural:
- mámanna, na mámanna (e.g. méid na mámanna, the size of the handfuls)
What does “mám” mean?
“Mám” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- handful
- The amount you can hold in two hands cupped together, a double handful.Also: double handful, fistful.
“Mám” with the article
The plural of handful in Irish is mámanna. Here is mám after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Mám” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using mám, the Irish word for handful.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Handful in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for handful?
The Irish for handful is mám (pronounced “mawm”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is mámanna. Depending on context it can also mean mountain pass or yoke.
How do you pronounce mám in Irish?
Mám is said like “mawm” (IPA /mˠɑːmˠ/).
What is the plural of handful in Irish?
The plural of mám is mámanna; with the article, na mámanna means “the handfuls”. The genitive plural is mámanna, as in méid na mámanna (the size of the handfuls).
Does mám have more than one meaning?
Yes. Mám can mean handful, mountain pass or yoke, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does mám change to mhám?
After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo mhám. After ár (our) it stays ár mám, because m does not take eclipsis.
How is 'mám' different from 'dorn' or 'glac'?
'Dorn' is a fist or fistful and 'glac' a single handful, while 'mám' is properly the double handful, both hands together.
