HeyRuaHow to say “melanin” in Irish
- Irish:
- meilinin
- English:
- melanin
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine
- Pronunciation:
- “MEL-in-in” /mʲɛlʲɪnʲɪnʲ/
Various forms
- Genitive singular:
- meilinine, na meilinine (e.g. leibhéal na meilinine, the level of melanin)
What does “meilinin” mean?
- melanin
- A dark natural pigment found in the skin, hair and eyes of people and animals.Also: skin pigment, pigment.
“Meilinin” with the article
Here is meilinin after the article (an t-alt).
an mheilinin
the melanin
Lenition: m becomes mh after an (feminine noun)
“Meilinin” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using meilinin, the Irish word for melanin.
Is lí nádúrtha í meilinin.
Melanin is a natural pigment.
Tá an mheilinin le fáil sa chraiceann.
Melanin is found in the skin.
Cosnaíonn meilinin an craiceann ar an ngrian.
Melanin protects the skin from the sun.
Braitheann dath na súl ar mheilinin.
Eye colour depends on melanin.
Tá níos mó meilinine i gcraiceann dorcha.
There is more melanin in dark skin.
Déanann cealla speisialta an mheilinin.
Special cells make melanin.
Bíonn easpa meilinine ar dhaoine albíneacha.
Albino people lack melanin.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Melanin in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for melanin?
The Irish for melanin is meilinin (pronounced “MEL-in-in”). It’s a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce meilinin in Irish?
Meilinin is said like “MEL-in-in” (IPA /mʲɛlʲɪnʲɪnʲ/).
Does meilinin have a plural?
No plural form is given for meilinin in the standard. Many abstract and mass nouns in Irish have no plural.
Why does meilinin change to mheilinin?
After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo mheilinin. After ár (our) it stays ár meilinin, because m does not take eclipsis.
Is 'meilinin' related to 'melanoma'?
Yes, both come from the Greek word for black; melanoma is 'meileanóma' in Irish, a cancer of the cells that make meilinin.
