HeyRuaHow to say “moat” in Irish
- Irish:
- móta
- English:
- moat, mound, heavy clay
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, fourth declension
- Pronunciation:
- “MOH-tuh” /ˈmˠoːt̪ˠə/
- Plural:
- mótaí (moats)
- Genitive singular:
- móta, an mhóta (e.g. uisce an mhóta, the water of the moat)
- Genitive plural:
- mótaí, na mótaí (e.g. tógáil na mótaí, the building of the moats)
What does “móta” mean?
“Móta” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- moat
- A deep defensive ditch, usually filled with water, around a castle or fort.Also: defensive ditch, ditch.
2 other meanings: mound or heavy clay
- 2mound
- A raised bank of earth, such as an embankment, dike or earthen mound.Also: embankment, dike, earthwork, motte.
- 3heavy clay
- Thick, heavy soil or clay, especially in the phrase 'móta liath'.Also: marl, clay soil.
“Móta” with the article
The plural of moat in Irish is mótaí. Here is móta after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Móta” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using móta, the Irish word for moat.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Moat in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for moat?
The Irish for moat is móta (pronounced “MOH-tuh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is mótaí. Depending on context it can also mean mound or heavy clay.
How do you pronounce móta in Irish?
Móta is said like “MOH-tuh” (IPA /ˈmˠoːt̪ˠə/).
What is the plural of moat in Irish?
The plural of móta is mótaí; with the article, na mótaí means “the moats”. The genitive plural is mótaí, as in tógáil na mótaí (the building of the moats).
Does móta have more than one meaning?
Yes. Móta can mean moat, mound or heavy clay, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does móta change to mhóta?
After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo mhóta. After ár (our) it stays ár móta, because m does not take eclipsis.
Is 'móta' the same as 'díog'?
No: 'díog' is any ditch or drain, while 'móta' is specifically a defensive moat or an earthen mound.
Why do Irish place names with 'móta' often refer to a hill rather than water?
In Ireland 'móta' often means an earthen mound, such as a Norman motte, so a place like An Móta (Moate) is named after a mound, not a water-filled ditch.
