HeyRuaHow to say “maternal” in Irish
- Irish:
- máthartha
- English:
- maternal, native
- Word type:
- adjective
- More maternal:
- níos máthartha
- Most maternal:
- is máthartha
- Pronunciation:
- “MAW-har-ha” /ˈmˠaːhəɾˠhə/
What does “máthartha” mean?
“Máthartha” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- maternal
- Relating to a mother or to motherhood.Also: motherly, of a mother.
1 other meaning: native
- 2native
- Describes the language or country that is your own from birth, as in mother tongue.Also: mother, mother tongue.
“Máthartha” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is máthartha after fear (man, masculine), after teanga (language, feminine) and after a plural.
séimhiú (the h) the ending
After a feminine noun the adjective gets a séimhiú, an h after its first letter: teanga mháthartha. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: fear máthartha.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, máthartha. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant: fir mháthartha; after other plurals it does not: teangacha máthartha.
More maternal, most maternal, very maternal
Bhí sí níos máthartha ná a deirfiúr. She was more motherly than her sister.
| more maternal | níos máthartha | in the past tense: ní ba mháthartha |
|---|---|---|
| most maternal | is máthartha | in the past tense: ba mháthartha |
| as maternal as | chomh máthartha le | no change after chomh |
| very maternal | an-mháthartha | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too maternal | rómháthartha | ró- lenites |
“Máthartha” in a sentence: Irish examples
With a masculine noun, a feminine noun, a plural, a comparison and on its own.
Other adjectives in Irish
More everyday Irish adjectives to learn next.
Maternal in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for maternal?
The Irish for maternal is máthartha (pronounced “MAW-har-ha”). It comes after the noun: fear máthartha, a maternal man; teanga mháthartha, a maternal language.
How do you say more maternal and most maternal in Irish?
níos máthartha is more maternal and is máthartha is most maternal. In the past tense they become ní ba mháthartha and ba mháthartha.
Why does máthartha become mháthartha?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So teanga mháthartha (a maternal language) but fear máthartha (a maternal man), because fear is masculine.
How do you say very maternal in Irish?
an-mháthartha. Too maternal is rómháthartha, and as maternal as is chomh máthartha le.
Does máthartha have more than one meaning?
Yes. Máthartha can mean maternal or native, depending on context; the first is the most common.
How do I say 'mother tongue' in Irish?
Say 'teanga mháthartha', with lenition because teanga is feminine. 'Teanga dhúchais' is also common.
What is the paternal equivalent of 'máthartha'?
The equivalent is 'athartha', as in 'grá athartha' (paternal love).
