HeyRuaHow to say “middle” in Irish
- Irish:
- meán
- English:
- middle, average, medium
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, first declension
- Pronunciation:
- “myawn” /mʲaːn̪ˠ/
- Plural:
- meáin (middles)
- Genitive singular:
- meáin, an mheáin (e.g. luach an mheáin, the value of the mean)
- Genitive plural:
- meán, na meán (e.g. cumhacht na meán, the power of the media)
What does “meán” mean?
“Meán” has four alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- middle
- The middle or central point of something, especially of a period of time, as in midday or midnight.Also: mid, midpoint, centre.
3 other meanings: average or medium
- 2average
- The average or mean value of a set of numbers or amounts.Also: mean, norm.
- 3medium
- A means of communication; in the plural 'na meáin' it means the media.Also: media, mass media.
- 4medium
- A substance or means through which something acts or is carried, or a person said to contact the spirits of the dead.Also: means, spiritualist medium.
Other Irish words for middle: lár (middle), lárnach (central), meánach (middle), coim (waist)
“Meán” with the article
The plural of middle in Irish is meáin. Here is meán after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Meán” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using meán, the Irish word for middle.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Middle in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for middle?
The Irish for middle is meán (pronounced “myawn”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is meáin. Depending on context it can also mean average or medium.
How do you pronounce meán in Irish?
Meán is said like “myawn” (IPA /mʲaːn̪ˠ/).
What is the plural of middle in Irish?
The plural of meán is meáin; with the article, na meáin means “the middles”. The genitive plural is meán, as in cumhacht na meán (the power of the media).
Does meán have more than one meaning?
Yes. Meán can mean middle, average or medium, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does meán change to mheán?
After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo mheán. After ár (our) it stays ár meán, because m does not take eclipsis.
What is the difference between 'meán' and 'lár'?
'Lár' is the everyday word for the middle or centre of a place, as in 'i lár an bhaile'. 'Meán' is used for the middle of a time period, as in 'meán lae', and for an average or a medium.
How do I say 'the media' in Irish?
Say 'na meáin' or, more fully, 'na meáin chumarsáide'. The genitive is 'na meán', as in 'cumhacht na meán'.
