Model in Irish (Mainicín): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for model?

The Irish for model is mainicín (pronounced “MAN-ik-een”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is mainicíní. Depending on context it can also mean mannequin.

Q: What is the plural of model in Irish?

The plural of mainicín is mainicíní; with the article, na mainicíní means “the models”. The genitive plural is mainicíní, as in grianghraif na mainicíní (the photographs of the models).

Q: Does mainicín have more than one meaning?

Yes. Mainicín can mean model or mannequin, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “model” in Irish

Irish:: mainicín
English:: model, mannequin
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, fourth declension
Pronunciation:: “MAN-ik-een” /ˈmˠanʲəciːnʲ/

Various forms

Plural:: mainicíní (models)
Genitive singular:: mainicín, an mhainicín (e.g. gúna an mhainicín, the model's dress)
Genitive plural:: mainicíní, na mainicíní (e.g. grianghraif na mainicíní, the photographs of the models)

What does “mainicín” mean?

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

model: A person who wears clothes to display them, or who poses for photographers or artists.Also: fashion model, artist's model.

1 other meaning: mannequin

2mannequin: A life-size figure of a person used to display clothes in a shop window.Also: dummy, tailor's dummy, shop dummy.

“Mainicín” with the article

The plural of model in Irish is mainicíní. Here is mainicín after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an mainicín

the model

No change after an

na mainicíní

the models

Plural: no change after na

“Mainicín” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using mainicín, the Irish word for model.

Is mainicín í a deirfiúr i bPáras.

Her sister is a model in Paris.

Bhí an mainicín ag siúl ar an ardán.

The model was walking on the catwalk.

Theastaigh uaithi a bheith ina mainicín.

She wanted to be a model.

Bhí na mainicíní go léir an-ard.

The models were all very tall.

Chuir sé seaicéad nua ar an mainicín san fhuinneog.

He put a new jacket on the mannequin in the window.

Ghlac an grianghrafadóir pictiúr den mhainicín.

The photographer took a picture of the model.

Tá obair an mhainicín níos deacra ná mar a cheapfá.

A model's work is harder than you'd think.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Model in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for model?

The Irish for model is mainicín (pronounced “MAN-ik-een”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is mainicíní. Depending on context it can also mean mannequin.

How do you pronounce mainicín in Irish?

Mainicín is said like “MAN-ik-een” (IPA /ˈmˠanʲəciːnʲ/).

What is the plural of model in Irish?

The plural of mainicín is mainicíní; with the article, na mainicíní means “the models”. The genitive plural is mainicíní, as in grianghraif na mainicíní (the photographs of the models).

Does mainicín have more than one meaning?

Yes. Mainicín can mean model or mannequin, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does mainicín change to mhainicín?

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

Is 'mainicín' used for a scale model, like a model car?

No, for a scale model use 'samhail' or 'múnla'. 'Mainicín' is a fashion or artist's model, or a shop dummy.

Model in Irish (Mainicín): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage