HeyRuaHow to say “lightning” in Irish
- Irish:
- tintreach
- English:
- lightning
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, second declension
- Pronunciation:
- “TIN-trukh” /ˈtʲɪnʲtʲɾʲəx/
Various forms
- Genitive singular:
- tintrí, na tintrí (e.g. splanc tintrí, a flash of lightning)
What does “tintreach” mean?
- lightning
- The bright flash of electricity seen in the sky during a thunderstorm.Also: flash of lightning, lightning bolt, thunderbolt.
“Tintreach” with the article
Here is tintreach after the article (an t-alt).
an tintreach
the lightning
No change: d and t are not lenited after an
“Tintreach” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using tintreach, the Irish word for lightning.
Bhí toirneach agus tintreach ann an oíche ar fad.
There was thunder and lightning all night.
Bhuail an tintreach an crann mór sa pháirc.
Lightning struck the big tree in the field.
Chonaic mé splanc tintrí os cionn na farraige.
I saw a flash of lightning over the sea.
Tá eagla ar an madra roimh an tintreach.
The dog is afraid of the lightning.
Chuaigh sé thart mar a bheadh splanc tintrí ann.
He went past like a flash of lightning.
Ná seas faoi chrann nuair a bhíonn tintreach ann.
Don't stand under a tree when there's lightning.
Las an tintreach an spéir ar fad.
The lightning lit up the whole sky.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Lightning in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for lightning?
The Irish for lightning is tintreach (pronounced “TIN-trukh”). It’s a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce tintreach in Irish?
Tintreach is said like “TIN-trukh” (IPA /ˈtʲɪnʲtʲɾʲəx/).
Does tintreach have a plural?
No plural form is given for tintreach in the standard. Many abstract and mass nouns in Irish have no plural.
Why does tintreach change to thintreach or dtintreach?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) tintreach becomes mo thintreach (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár dtintreach (eclipsis).
What is the difference between 'tintreach' and 'toirneach'?
'Tintreach' is lightning, the flash you see, while 'toirneach' is thunder, the noise you hear. They often appear together: 'toirneach agus tintreach'.
