HeyRuaHow to say “maiden” in Irish
- Irish:
- maighdean
- English:
- maiden, virgin
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, second declension
- Pronunciation:
- “MY-jun” /ˈmˠəidʲən̪ˠ/
- Plural:
- maighdeana (maidens)
- Genitive singular:
- maighdine, na maighdine (e.g. scéal na maighdine, the story of the maiden)
- Genitive plural:
- maighdean, na maighdean (e.g. amhrán na maighdean, the song of the maidens)
What does “maighdean” mean?
“Maighdean” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- maiden
- A young unmarried woman or girl, a word now mostly found in literary or set phrases.Also: maid, girl, young woman.
1 other meaning: virgin
- 2virgin
- A person, usually a woman, who has never had sexual intercourse; also used of the Virgin Mary.Also: the Virgin Mary.
Other Irish words for maiden: ógbhean (young woman)
“Maighdean” with the article
The plural of maiden in Irish is maighdeana. Here is maighdean after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Maighdean” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using maighdean, the Irish word for maiden.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Maiden in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for maiden?
The Irish for maiden is maighdean (pronounced “MY-jun”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is maighdeana. Depending on context it can also mean virgin.
How do you pronounce maighdean in Irish?
Maighdean is said like “MY-jun” (IPA /ˈmˠəidʲən̪ˠ/).
What is the plural of maiden in Irish?
The plural of maighdean is maighdeana; with the article, na maighdeana means “the maidens”. The genitive plural is maighdean, as in amhrán na maighdean (the song of the maidens).
Does maighdean have more than one meaning?
Yes. Maighdean can mean maiden or virgin, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does maighdean change to mhaighdean?
After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo mhaighdean. After ár (our) it stays ár maighdean, because m does not take eclipsis.
How do you say 'mermaid' in Irish?
A mermaid is 'maighdean mhara', literally 'maiden of the sea', with the genitive 'mara' lenited after the feminine noun.
Is 'maighdean' the everyday word for a girl?
No, for an ordinary girl use 'cailín' or 'girseach'; 'maighdean' is literary or used in set phrases like 'an Mhaighdean Mhuire'.
