Lack in Irish (Easpa): Meaning, Pronunciation & Examples

Q: What is the Irish for lack?

The Irish for lack is easpa (pronounced “AS-puh”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is easpaí. Depending on context it can also mean deficiency or abscess.

Q: What is the plural of lack in Irish?

The plural of easpa is easpaí; with the article, na heaspaí means “the lacks”. The genitive plural is easpaí, as in leigheas na n-easpaí (the remedy for the deficiencies).

Q: Does easpa have more than one meaning?

Yes. Easpa can mean lack, deficiency or abscess, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “lack” in Irish

Irish:: easpa
English:: lack, deficiency, abscess
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine, fourth declension
Pronunciation:: “AS-puh” /ˈasˠpˠə/

Various forms

Plural:: easpaí (lacks)
Genitive singular:: easpa, na heaspa (e.g. cúis na heaspa, the cause of the shortage)
Genitive plural:: easpaí, na n-easpaí (e.g. leigheas na n-easpaí, the remedy for the deficiencies)

What does “easpa” mean?

“Easpa” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

lack: The state of not having something, or not having enough of it.Also: want, absence, shortage, deficiency.

2 other meanings: deficiency or abscess

2deficiency: A defect or shortcoming in something or someone.Also: defect, shortcoming, flaw.
3abscess: A painful swelling on the body that fills with pus.Also: boil, sore.

Other Irish words for lack: díth (lack), ceal (want), easnamh (deficiency), uireasa (lack)

“Easpa” with the article

The plural of lack in Irish is easpaí. Here is easpa after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an easpa

the lack

No change: feminine nouns starting with a vowel keep their form after an

na heaspaí

the lacks

Plural: na adds h before a vowel

“Easpa” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using easpa, the Irish word for lack.

Tá easpa airgid ar an scoil i mbliana.

The school is short of money this year.

Bhí frustrachas orainn mar gheall ar an easpa foclóirí maithe.

We were frustrated because of the lack of good dictionaries.

Ní raibh easpa bia orainn riamh.

We were never short of food.

Tá easpa codlata ag cur isteach orm.

Lack of sleep is affecting me.

Thug an múinteoir faoi deara an easpa oibre.

The teacher noticed the lack of work.

Cuireadh an moill i leith easpa foirne.

The delay was blamed on a lack of staff.

Tá easpa ar a mhuineál aige.

He has an abscess on his neck.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

líneline páirtíparty dlílaw ealaínart clogclock iarratasapplication

Lack in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for lack?

The Irish for lack is easpa (pronounced “AS-puh”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is easpaí. Depending on context it can also mean deficiency or abscess.

How do you pronounce easpa in Irish?

Easpa is said like “AS-puh” (IPA /ˈasˠpˠə/).

What is the plural of lack in Irish?

The plural of easpa is easpaí; with the article, na heaspaí means “the lacks”. The genitive plural is easpaí, as in leigheas na n-easpaí (the remedy for the deficiencies).

Does easpa have more than one meaning?

Yes. Easpa can mean lack, deficiency or abscess, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does easpa sometimes have a t or h in front of it?

Irish nouns beginning with a vowel take a prefix after certain words: an easpa (the lack), a heaspa (her lack), a n-easpa (their lack), na heaspaí (the lacks).

How do I say I am short of something with 'easpa'?

Use 'tá easpa X orm', for example 'tá easpa ama orm' (I am short of time); the thing lacking goes in the genitive.

How is 'easpa' different from 'ganntanas'?

'Easpa' is a general lack or absence, while 'ganntanas' stresses scarcity, as in 'ganntanas uisce' (a water shortage).

Lack in Irish (Easpa): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage