Moor in Irish (Móinteach): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for moor?

The Irish for moor is móinteach (pronounced “MOHN-tyukh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is móintigh. Depending on context it can also mean reclaimed bog.

Q: What is the plural of moor in Irish?

The plural of móinteach is móintigh; with the article, na móintigh means “the moors”. The genitive plural is móinteach, as in fásra na móinteach (the vegetation of the moors).

Q: Does móinteach have more than one meaning?

Yes. Móinteach can mean moor or reclaimed bog, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “moor” in Irish

Irish:: móinteach
English:: moor, reclaimed bog
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, first declension
Pronunciation:: “MOHN-tyukh” /ˈmˠoːnʲtʲəx/

Various forms

Plural:: móintigh (moors)
Genitive singular:: móintigh, an mhóintigh (e.g. lár an mhóintigh, the middle of the moor)
Genitive plural:: móinteach, na móinteach (e.g. fásra na móinteach, the vegetation of the moors)

What does “móinteach” mean?

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

moor: An area of open, wet, rough land with heather and bog, usually unsuitable for crops.Also: moorland tract, heath, bogland, wet ground.

1 other meaning: reclaimed bog

2reclaimed bog: A piece of bogland that has been drained and brought into use as fields.Also: reclaimed bogland, cutaway bog.

Other Irish words for moor: caorán (moor)

“Móinteach” with the article

The plural of moor in Irish is móintigh. Here is móinteach after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an móinteach

the moor

No change after an

na móintigh

the moors

Plural: no change after na

“Móinteach” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using móinteach, the Irish word for moor.

Tá móinteach mór taobh thiar den sliabh.

There is a big moor behind the mountain.

Shiúlamar trasna an mhóintigh inné.

We walked across the moor yesterday.

Bhí na caoirigh amuigh ar an móinteach.

The sheep were out on the moor.

Fásann fraoch ar imeall an mhóintigh.

Heather grows on the edge of the moor.

Tá móintigh fhairsinge in iarthar na tíre.

There are wide moors in the west of the country.

Chuamar amú sa mhóinteach sa cheo.

We got lost on the moor in the fog.

Rinne m'athair páirc den mhóinteach.

My father made a field out of the moorland.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

tógáillifting gnéaspect dearmadforgetfulness céquay comharthasign maoiniúfunding

Moor in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for moor?

The Irish for moor is móinteach (pronounced “MOHN-tyukh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is móintigh. Depending on context it can also mean reclaimed bog.

How do you pronounce móinteach in Irish?

Móinteach is said like “MOHN-tyukh” (IPA /ˈmˠoːnʲtʲəx/).

What is the plural of moor in Irish?

The plural of móinteach is móintigh; with the article, na móintigh means “the moors”. The genitive plural is móinteach, as in fásra na móinteach (the vegetation of the moors).

Does móinteach have more than one meaning?

Yes. Móinteach can mean moor or reclaimed bog, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does móinteach change to mhóinteach?

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

How is 'móinteach' different from 'portach'?

'Portach' is a bog, especially one where turf is cut, while 'móinteach' is open moorland or rough boggy ground, sometimes reclaimed.

Moor in Irish (Móinteach): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage