HeyRuaHow to say “hearth” in Irish
- Irish:
- tinteán
- English:
- hearth, home
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, first declension
- Pronunciation:
- “tin-TYAWN” /tʲɪnʲˈtʲɑːn̪ˠ/
- Plural:
- tinteáin (hearths)
- Genitive singular:
- tinteáin, an tinteáin (e.g. cois an tinteáin, beside the hearth)
- Genitive plural:
- tinteán, na dtinteán (e.g. glanadh na dtinteán, the cleaning of the hearths)
What does “tinteán” mean?
“Tinteán” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- hearth
- The floor of a fireplace where the fire is lit, and by extension the fireside.Also: fireplace, fireside, grate.
1 other meaning: home
- 2home
- A home or household, thought of as centred on the fire.Also: household, homestead.
Other Irish words for hearth: teallach (hearth)
“Tinteán” with the article
The plural of hearth in Irish is tinteáin. Here is tinteán after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Tinteán” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using tinteán, the Irish word for hearth.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Hearth in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for hearth?
The Irish for hearth is tinteán (pronounced “tin-TYAWN”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is tinteáin. Depending on context it can also mean home.
How do you pronounce tinteán in Irish?
Tinteán is said like “tin-TYAWN” (IPA /tʲɪnʲˈtʲɑːn̪ˠ/).
What is the plural of hearth in Irish?
The plural of tinteán is tinteáin; with the article, na tinteáin means “the hearths”. The genitive plural is tinteán, as in glanadh na dtinteán (the cleaning of the hearths).
Does tinteán have more than one meaning?
Yes. Tinteán can mean hearth or home, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does tinteán change to thinteán or dtinteán?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) tinteán becomes mo thinteán (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár dtinteán (eclipsis).
What is the difference between tinteán and teallach?
Both mean hearth or fireplace; tinteán is the everyday word, while teallach is also common and somewhat more literary or Ulster in flavour.
What does 'Níl aon tinteán mar do thinteán féin' mean?
It is a proverb meaning 'there's no place like home', literally 'there is no hearth like your own hearth'.
