Midge in Irish (Míoltóg): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for midge?

The Irish for midge is míoltóg (pronounced “MEEL-tohg”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is míoltóga. Depending on context it can also mean mosquito.

Q: What is the plural of midge in Irish?

The plural of míoltóg is míoltóga; with the article, na míoltóga means “the midges”. The genitive plural is míoltóg, as in scamall na míoltóg (the cloud of midges).

Q: Does míoltóg have more than one meaning?

Yes. Míoltóg can mean midge or mosquito, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “midge” in Irish

Irish:: míoltóg
English:: midge, mosquito
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine, second declension
Pronunciation:: “MEEL-tohg” /ˈmʲiːl̪ˠt̪ˠoːɡ/

Various forms

Plural:: míoltóga (midges)
Genitive singular:: míoltóige, na míoltóige (e.g. greim na míoltóige, the midge's bite)
Genitive plural:: míoltóg, na míoltóg (e.g. scamall na míoltóg, the cloud of midges)

What does “míoltóg” mean?

“Míoltóg” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

midge: A tiny biting fly that often swarms on calm, damp evenings.Also: gnat, small fly, biting insect.

1 other meaning: mosquito

2mosquito: A small biting insect that sucks blood; the word is also used loosely for a mosquito.Also: biting fly.

Other Irish words for midge: corrmhíol (midge)

“Míoltóg” with the article

The plural of midge in Irish is míoltóga. Here is míoltóg after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an mhíoltóg

the midge

Lenition: m becomes mh after an (feminine noun)

na míoltóga

the midges

Plural: no change after na

“Míoltóg” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using míoltóg, the Irish word for midge.

Bhí míoltóg ag cur isteach orm ar feadh na hoíche.

A midge was bothering me all night.

Tá na míoltóga go dona anocht.

The midges are bad tonight.

Bhain an mhíoltóg greim as mo lámh.

The midge bit my hand.

Bhí an t-aer lán de mhíoltóga cois locha.

The air was full of midges by the lake.

Chuir mé ola ar mo chraiceann in aghaidh míoltóg.

I put oil on my skin against midges.

Tá greim míoltóige ar mo mhuineál.

There's a midge bite on my neck.

Ní maith liom siúl sa phortach mar gheall ar na míoltóga.

I don't like walking on the bog because of the midges.

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Midge in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for midge?

The Irish for midge is míoltóg (pronounced “MEEL-tohg”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is míoltóga. Depending on context it can also mean mosquito.

How do you pronounce míoltóg in Irish?

Míoltóg is said like “MEEL-tohg” (IPA /ˈmʲiːl̪ˠt̪ˠoːɡ/).

What is the plural of midge in Irish?

The plural of míoltóg is míoltóga; with the article, na míoltóga means “the midges”. The genitive plural is míoltóg, as in scamall na míoltóg (the cloud of midges).

Does míoltóg have more than one meaning?

Yes. Míoltóg can mean midge or mosquito, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does míoltóg change to mhíoltóg?

After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo mhíoltóg. After ár (our) it stays ár míoltóg, because m does not take eclipsis.

What is the difference between míoltóg and corrmhíol?

Míoltóg is the usual word for a midge, while corrmhíol is often used specifically for a gnat or mosquito, though usage overlaps.

Midge in Irish (Míoltóg): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage