HeyRuaHow to say “middle age” in Irish
- Irish:
- meánaois
- English:
- middle age, middle ages
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, second declension
- Pronunciation:
- “MAWN-eesh” /ˈmʲaːnˠiːʃ/
- Plural:
- meánaoiseanna (middle ages)
- Genitive singular:
- meánaoise, na meánaoise (e.g. daoine na meánaoise, middle-aged people)
- Genitive plural:
- meánaoiseanna, na meánaoiseanna (e.g. tréimhsí na meánaoiseanna, the periods of middle age)
What does “meánaois” mean?
“Meánaois” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- middle age
- The period of a person's life between youth and old age, roughly from forty to sixty.Also: midlife, middle years.
“Meánaois” with the article
The plural of middle age in Irish is meánaoiseanna. Here is meánaois after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Meánaois” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using meánaois, the Irish word for middle age.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Middle age in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for middle age?
The Irish for middle age is meánaois (pronounced “MAWN-eesh”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is meánaoiseanna. Depending on context it can also mean middle ages.
How do you pronounce meánaois in Irish?
Meánaois is said like “MAWN-eesh” (IPA /ˈmʲaːnˠiːʃ/).
What is the plural of middle age in Irish?
The plural of meánaois is meánaoiseanna; with the article, na meánaoiseanna means “the middle ages”. The genitive plural is meánaoiseanna, as in tréimhsí na meánaoiseanna (the periods of middle age).
Does meánaois have more than one meaning?
Yes. Meánaois can mean middle age or middle ages, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does meánaois change to mheánaois?
After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo mheánaois. After ár (our) it stays ár meánaois, because m does not take eclipsis.
How do I say 'middle-aged' in Irish?
Use the genitive after the noun: fear meánaoise, 'a middle-aged man', or say duine atá sa mheánaois.
How do I refer to the historical Middle Ages?
Use the singular with the article and a capital: an Mheánaois, as in sa Mheánaois, 'in the Middle Ages'.
