Magpie in Irish (Meaig): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for magpie?

The Irish for magpie is meaig (pronounced “meg”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is meaigeanna. Depending on context it can also mean chatterbox.

Q: What is the plural of magpie in Irish?

The plural of meaig is meaigeanna; with the article, na meaigeanna means “the magpies”. The genitive plural is meaigeanna, as in gleo na meaigeanna (the chatter of the magpies).

Q: Does meaig have more than one meaning?

Yes. Meaig can mean magpie or chatterbox, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “magpie” in Irish

Irish:: meaig
English:: magpie, chatterbox
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine, second declension
Pronunciation:: “meg” /mʲaɟ/

Various forms

Plural:: meaigeanna (magpies)
Genitive singular:: meaige, na meaige (e.g. nead na meaige, the magpie's nest)
Genitive plural:: meaigeanna, na meaigeanna (e.g. gleo na meaigeanna, the chatter of the magpies)

What does “meaig” mean?

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

magpie: A black and white bird of the crow family with a long tail, known for chattering and collecting shiny things.Also: pie, bird.

1 other meaning: chatterbox

2chatterbox: A person, especially a woman, who talks a lot; used figuratively.Also: gossip, talkative person.

“Meaig” with the article

The plural of magpie in Irish is meaigeanna. Here is meaig after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an mheaig

the magpie

Lenition: m becomes mh after an (feminine noun)

na meaigeanna

the magpies

Plural: no change after na

“Meaig” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using meaig, the Irish word for magpie.

Chonaic mé meaig sa ghairdín ar maidin.

I saw a magpie in the garden this morning.

Tá an mheaig ag déanamh nide sa chrann.

The magpie is building a nest in the tree.

Bhí dath dubh agus bán ar eireaball na meaige.

The magpie's tail was black and white.

Bíonn na meaigeanna an-ghlórach i rith an earraigh.

The magpies are very noisy in spring.

Deirtear gur droch-chomhartha é meaig amháin a fheiceáil.

They say seeing a single magpie is a bad sign.

Ghoid an mheaig an fáinne den fhuinneog.

The magpie stole the ring from the window.

Is meaig cheart í, ní stopann sí ag caint.

She's a real chatterbox, she never stops talking.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Magpie in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for magpie?

The Irish for magpie is meaig (pronounced “meg”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is meaigeanna. Depending on context it can also mean chatterbox.

How do you pronounce meaig in Irish?

Meaig is said like “meg” (IPA /mʲaɟ/).

What is the plural of magpie in Irish?

The plural of meaig is meaigeanna; with the article, na meaigeanna means “the magpies”. The genitive plural is meaigeanna, as in gleo na meaigeanna (the chatter of the magpies).

Does meaig have more than one meaning?

Yes. Meaig can mean magpie or chatterbox, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does meaig change to mheaig?

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

Is there another Irish word for magpie?

Yes, 'snag breac' is also used for the magpie, but 'meaig' is the common everyday word.

Can 'meaig' describe a person?

Yes, figuratively 'meaig' can mean a chatterbox, someone who talks constantly.

Magpie in Irish (Meaig): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage