Like in Irish (Macasamhail): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for like?

The Irish for like is macasamhail (pronounced “MAK-uh-sow-il”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is macasamhlacha. Depending on context it can also mean replica.

Q: What is the plural of like in Irish?

The plural of macasamhail is macasamhlacha; with the article, na macasamhlacha means “the likes”. The genitive plural is macasamhlacha, as in díol na macasamhlacha (the sale of the replicas).

Q: Does macasamhail have more than one meaning?

Yes. Macasamhail can mean like or replica, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “like” in Irish

Irish:: macasamhail
English:: like, replica
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine, third declension
Pronunciation:: “MAK-uh-sow-il” /ˈmˠakəsˠəulʲ/

Various forms

Plural:: macasamhlacha (likes)
Genitive singular:: macasamhla, na macasamhla (e.g. luach na macasamhla, the value of the replica)
Genitive plural:: macasamhlacha, na macasamhlacha (e.g. díol na macasamhlacha, the sale of the replicas)

What does “macasamhail” mean?

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

like: Someone or something equal or similar to a given person or thing; a match or counterpart.Also: equal, match, counterpart, likeness.

1 other meaning: replica

2replica: An exact copy or reproduction of something.Also: copy, reproduction, facsimile, duplicate.

Other Irish words for like: cosúil (like), taitin (please)

“Macasamhail” with the article

The plural of like in Irish is macasamhlacha. Here is macasamhail after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an mhacasamhail

the like

Lenition: m becomes mh after an (feminine noun)

na macasamhlacha

the likes

Plural: no change after na

“Macasamhail” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using macasamhail, the Irish word for like.

Ní fhaca mé a macasamhail riamh.

I never saw anything like it.

Níl a mhacasamhail le fáil in Éirinn.

His equal isn't to be found in Ireland.

Is macasamhail den bhuntéacs é seo.

This is a copy of the original text.

Tá an mhacasamhail sa mhúsaem anois.

The replica is in the museum now.

Rinne sé macasamhlacha den dealbh.

He made replicas of the statue.

Tá an pictiúr ina mhacasamhail den bhunsaothar.

The picture is a reproduction of the original work.

Other nouns in Irish

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Like in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for like?

The Irish for like is macasamhail (pronounced “MAK-uh-sow-il”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is macasamhlacha. Depending on context it can also mean replica.

How do you pronounce macasamhail in Irish?

Macasamhail is said like “MAK-uh-sow-il” (IPA /ˈmˠakəsˠəulʲ/).

What is the plural of like in Irish?

The plural of macasamhail is macasamhlacha; with the article, na macasamhlacha means “the likes”. The genitive plural is macasamhlacha, as in díol na macasamhlacha (the sale of the replicas).

Does macasamhail have more than one meaning?

Yes. Macasamhail can mean like or replica, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does macasamhail change to mhacasamhail?

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

How is macasamhail used to mean 'the like of'?

It is used with a possessive: ní fhaca mé a mhacasamhail means 'I never saw the like of it', similar to a leithéid.

Like in Irish (Macasamhail): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage