HeyRuaHow to say “middle” in Irish
- Irish:
- meánach
- English:
- middle, average
- Word type:
- adjective
- More middle:
- níos meánaí
- Most middle:
- is meánaí
- Plural:
- meánacha
- Pronunciation:
- “MAWN-akh” /mʲɑːnˠəx/
What does “meánach” mean?
“Meánach” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- middle
- In the middle position, between two others.Also: central, medial, intermediate.
1 other meaning: average
- 2average
- Of medium or ordinary size, amount or quality.Also: medium, moderate, mean.
Other Irish adjectives for middle: lárnach (central), idirmheánach (intermediate)
“Meánach” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is meánach after méid (amount, masculine), after aois (age, 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: aois mheánach. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: méid meánach.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, meánacha. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: aoiseanna meánacha.
More middle, most middle, very middle
| more middle | níos meánaí | in the past tense: ní ba mheánaí |
|---|---|---|
| most middle | is meánaí | in the past tense: ba mheánaí |
| as middle as | chomh meánach le | no change after chomh |
| very middle | an-mheánach | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too middle | rómheánach | ró- lenites |
“Meánach” 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.
Middle in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for middle?
The Irish for middle is meánach (pronounced “MAWN-akh”). It comes after the noun: méid meánach, a middle amount; aois mheánach, a middle age.
How do you say more middle and most middle in Irish?
níos meánaí is more middle and is meánaí is most middle. In the past tense they become ní ba mheánaí and ba mheánaí.
Why does meánach become mheánach?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So aois mheánach (a middle age) but méid meánach (a middle amount), because méid is masculine.
What is the plural of meánach?
With a plural noun meánach becomes meánacha: méideanna meánacha, aoiseanna meánacha.
How do you say very middle in Irish?
an-mheánach. Too middle is rómheánach, and as middle as is chomh meánach le.
Does meánach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Meánach can mean middle or average, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'meánach' and 'lárnach'?
'Meánach' means middle or average, as in 'méid mheánach' (average size), while 'lárnach' means central, as in 'an rialtas lárnach' (the central government).
