Metropolis in Irish (Ceannchathair): Meaning

Q: What is the Irish for metropolis?

The Irish for metropolis is ceannchathair (pronounced “KYAN-kha-hir”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is ceannchathracha.

Q: What is the plural of metropolis in Irish?

The plural of ceannchathair is ceannchathracha; with the article, na ceannchathracha means “the metropolises”. The genitive plural is ceannchathracha, as in daonra ceannchathracha na hEorpa (the population of Europe's major cities).

How to say “metropolis” in Irish

Irish:: ceannchathair
English:: metropolis
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine
Pronunciation:: “KYAN-kha-hir” /ˈcaun̪ˠˌxahəɾʲ/

Various forms

Plural:: ceannchathracha (metropolises)
Genitive singular:: ceannchathrach, na ceannchathrach (e.g. lár na ceannchathrach, the centre of the metropolis)
Genitive plural:: ceannchathracha, na gceannchathracha (e.g. daonra ceannchathracha na hEorpa, the population of Europe's major cities)

What does “ceannchathair” mean?

metropolis: A chief or principal city, especially the main city of a country or region.Also: chief city, capital city, principal city.

“Ceannchathair” with the article

The plural of metropolis in Irish is ceannchathracha. Here is ceannchathair after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an cheannchathair

the metropolis

Lenition: c becomes ch after an (feminine noun)

na ceannchathracha

the metropolises

Plural: no change after na

“Ceannchathair” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using ceannchathair, the Irish word for metropolis.

Is ceannchathair mhór í Londain.

London is a great metropolis.

Tá an cheannchathair plódaithe le turasóirí sa samhradh.

The metropolis is crowded with tourists in summer.

Chónaigh sé i lár na ceannchathrach ar feadh blianta.

He lived in the heart of the metropolis for years.

Tá ceannchathracha an domhain ag fás go tapa.

The world's major cities are growing rapidly.

Ba mhaith liom cuairt a thabhairt ar cheannchathair éigin.

I would like to visit some big city.

Tá praghsanna tithe an-ard sa cheannchathair.

House prices are very high in the metropolis.

D'fhág sí an cheannchathair agus d'fhill sí abhaile.

She left the big city and returned home.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Metropolis in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for metropolis?

The Irish for metropolis is ceannchathair (pronounced “KYAN-kha-hir”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is ceannchathracha.

How do you pronounce ceannchathair in Irish?

Ceannchathair is said like “KYAN-kha-hir” (IPA /ˈcaun̪ˠˌxahəɾʲ/).

What is the plural of metropolis in Irish?

The plural of ceannchathair is ceannchathracha; with the article, na ceannchathracha means “the metropolises”. The genitive plural is ceannchathracha, as in daonra ceannchathracha na hEorpa (the population of Europe's major cities).

Why does ceannchathair change to cheannchathair or gceannchathair?

Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) ceannchathair becomes mo cheannchathair (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár gceannchathair (eclipsis).

What is the difference between ceannchathair and príomhchathair?

Príomhchathair is the usual word for a country's capital city, while ceannchathair means a metropolis or chief city and is more formal.

Metropolis in Irish (Ceannchathair): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage