HeyRuaHow to say “orchid” in Irish
- Irish:
- magairlín
- English:
- orchid, small testicle
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, fourth declension
- Pronunciation:
- “MAG-ar-leen” /ˈmˠaɡəɾˠlʲiːnʲ/
- Plural:
- magairlíní (orchids)
- Genitive singular:
- magairlín, an mhagairlín (e.g. bláth an mhagairlín, the flower of the orchid)
- Genitive plural:
- magairlíní, na magairlíní (e.g. bláthanna na magairlíní, the flowers of the orchids)
What does “magairlín” mean?
“Magairlín” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- orchid
- A wild or cultivated flowering plant of the orchid family, often with showy, unusually shaped flowers.Also: wild orchid, orchis.
1 other meaning: small testicle
- 2small testicle
- A diminutive of 'magairle', meaning a small testicle.Also: testicle.
“Magairlín” with the article
The plural of orchid in Irish is magairlíní. Here is magairlín after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Magairlín” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using magairlín, the Irish word for orchid.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Orchid in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for orchid?
The Irish for orchid is magairlín (pronounced “MAG-ar-leen”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is magairlíní. Depending on context it can also mean small testicle.
How do you pronounce magairlín in Irish?
Magairlín is said like “MAG-ar-leen” (IPA /ˈmˠaɡəɾˠlʲiːnʲ/).
What is the plural of orchid in Irish?
The plural of magairlín is magairlíní; with the article, na magairlíní means “the orchids”. The genitive plural is magairlíní, as in bláthanna na magairlíní (the flowers of the orchids).
Does magairlín have more than one meaning?
Yes. Magairlín can mean orchid or small testicle, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does magairlín change to mhagairlín?
After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo mhagairlín. After ár (our) it stays ár magairlín, because m does not take eclipsis.
Why does the Irish word for orchid relate to 'magairle'?
'Magairlín' is a diminutive of 'magairle' (testicle), from the shape of the orchid's root tubers, just like the Greek origin of English 'orchid'.
