Increase in Irish (Méadú): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for increase?

The Irish for increase is méadú (pronounced “MAY-doo”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is méaduithe. Depending on context it can also mean enlargement.

Q: What is the plural of increase in Irish?

The plural of méadú is méaduithe; with the article, na méaduithe means “the increases”. The genitive plural is méaduithe, as in sraith na méaduithe (the series of increases).

Q: Does méadú have more than one meaning?

Yes. Méadú can mean increase or enlargement, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “increase” in Irish

Irish:: méadú
English:: increase, enlargement
Word type:: noun (verbal noun)
Verbal noun of:: méadaigh, to increase (ag méadú, increasing)
Gender:: masculine
Pronunciation:: “MAY-doo” /ˈmʲeːd̪ˠuː/

Various forms

Plural:: méaduithe (increases)
Genitive singular:: méadaithe, an mhéadaithe (e.g. ráta méadaithe, rate of increase)
Genitive plural:: méaduithe, na méaduithe (e.g. sraith na méaduithe, the series of increases)

What does “méadú” mean?

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

increase: The act of making or becoming bigger or more; verbal noun of the verb méadaigh.Also: increasing, growth, rise, enlargement, magnification.

1 other meaning: enlargement

2enlargement: An enlarged copy or view of something, such as a photograph or image under magnification.Also: magnification, zoom.

Other Irish words for increase: breis (increase), méadaigh (increase), breisiú (increase), breisigh (increase)

“Méadú” as a verbal noun

After ag, méadú means increasing: it is the verbal noun of the verb méadaigh (to increase). A noun that follows it goes into the genitive.

agat

méadúverbal noun

ag méadúincreasing

“Méadú” with the article

The plural of increase in Irish is méaduithe. Here is méadú after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an méadú

the increase

No change after an

na méaduithe

the increases

Plural: no change after na

“Méadú” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using méadú, the Irish word for increase.

Tá méadú mór ar phraghas an pheitril.

The price of petrol has gone up a lot.

Tháinig méadú ar líon na ndaltaí i mbliana.

The number of pupils increased this year.

Bhí an méadú pá an-bheag ar fad.

The pay rise was very small.

Táimid ag súil le méaduithe eile sa chíos.

We expect further increases in the rent.

Bhí méadú suntasach ar an dífhostaíocht anuraidh.

There was a significant rise in unemployment last year.

Ní raibh aon mhéadú ar mo phá.

There was no increase in my pay.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Increase in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for increase?

The Irish for increase is méadú (pronounced “MAY-doo”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is méaduithe. Depending on context it can also mean enlargement.

How do you pronounce méadú in Irish?

Méadú is said like “MAY-doo” (IPA /ˈmʲeːd̪ˠuː/).

What is the plural of increase in Irish?

The plural of méadú is méaduithe; with the article, na méaduithe means “the increases”. The genitive plural is méaduithe, as in sraith na méaduithe (the series of increases).

Does méadú have more than one meaning?

Yes. Méadú can mean increase or enlargement, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does méadú change to mhéadú?

After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo mhéadú. After ár (our) it stays ár méadú, because m does not take eclipsis.

Which preposition follows méadú?

Say 'méadú ar' something, as in 'tháinig méadú ar an bpraghas' (the price increased); 'méadú i' or 'sa' is also heard.

What is the opposite of méadú?

The opposite is 'laghdú' (decrease), from the verb laghdaigh.

Increase in Irish (Méadú): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage