HeyRuaHow to say “monk” in Irish
- Irish:
- manach
- English:
- monk, tenant of church lands
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, first declension
- Pronunciation:
- “MAN-ukh” /ˈmˠanˠəx/
- Plural:
- manaigh (monks)
- Genitive singular:
- manaigh, an mhanaigh (e.g. cill an mhanaigh, the monk's cell)
- Genitive plural:
- manach, na manach (e.g. saol na manach, the life of the monks)
What does “manach” mean?
“Manach” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- monk
- A man who belongs to a religious order and lives in a monastery under vows.Also: friar, religious brother, monastic.
1 other meaning: tenant of church lands
- 2tenant of church lands
- In historical use, a person who held and farmed land belonging to the church.Also: church tenant.
“Manach” with the article
The plural of monk in Irish is manaigh. Here is manach after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Manach” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using manach, the Irish word for monk.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Monk in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for monk?
The Irish for monk is manach (pronounced “MAN-ukh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is manaigh. Depending on context it can also mean tenant of church lands.
How do you pronounce manach in Irish?
Manach is said like “MAN-ukh” (IPA /ˈmˠanˠəx/).
What is the plural of monk in Irish?
The plural of manach is manaigh; with the article, na manaigh means “the monks”. The genitive plural is manach, as in saol na manach (the life of the monks).
Does manach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Manach can mean monk or tenant of church lands, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does manach change to mhanach?
After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo mhanach. After ár (our) it stays ár manach, because m does not take eclipsis.
What is the difference between manach and bráthair?
Manach is a monk living in a monastery (mainistir), while bráthair usually means a friar or a religious brother, often active in the community.
What is the Irish for a nun?
A nun is bean rialta, and a monastery is mainistir.
