Patriarch in Irish (Patrarc): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for patriarch?

The Irish for patriarch is patrarc (pronounced “PAT-rark”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is patrarcaí.

Q: What is the plural of patriarch in Irish?

The plural of patrarc is patrarcaí; with the article, na patrarcaí means “the patriarchs”. The genitive plural is patrarcaí, as in scéalta na bpatrarcaí (the stories of the patriarchs).

How to say “patriarch” in Irish

Irish:: patrarc
English:: patriarch
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, fourth declension
Pronunciation:: “PAT-rark” /ˈpˠatˠɾˠəɾˠk/

Various forms

Plural:: patrarcaí (patriarchs)
Genitive singular:: patrarc, an phatrarc (e.g. teach an phatrarc, the patriarch's house)
Genitive plural:: patrarcaí, na bpatrarcaí (e.g. scéalta na bpatrarcaí, the stories of the patriarchs)

What does “patrarc” mean?

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

patriarch: A male head of a family or tribe, or one of the founding fathers of the Israelites in the Bible.Also: father of a family, head of a tribe.

1 other meaning:

2patriarch: A high-ranking bishop in certain Christian churches, especially the Orthodox churches.Also: bishop, church leader.

“Patrarc” with the article

The plural of patriarch in Irish is patrarcaí. Here is patrarc after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an patrarc

the patriarch

No change after an

na patrarcaí

the patriarchs

Plural: no change after na

“Patrarc” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using patrarc, the Irish word for patriarch.

Ba é Abrahám an chéad phatrarc.

Abraham was the first patriarch.

Tháinig an patrarc go dtí an Róimh.

The patriarch came to Rome.

Léamar faoi na patrarcaí sa Bhíobla.

We read about the patriarchs in the Bible.

Bhí an seanfhear ina phatrarc ar an teaghlach.

The old man was the patriarch of the family.

Labhair an patrarc leis an slua.

The patriarch spoke to the crowd.

Is é patrarc Chonstantinópail ceannaire na heaglaise.

The patriarch of Constantinople is the head of the church.

Thug sé cuairt ar áit chónaithe an phatrarc.

He visited the patriarch's residence.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Patriarch in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for patriarch?

The Irish for patriarch is patrarc (pronounced “PAT-rark”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is patrarcaí.

How do you pronounce patrarc in Irish?

Patrarc is said like “PAT-rark” (IPA /ˈpˠatˠɾˠəɾˠk/).

What is the plural of patriarch in Irish?

The plural of patrarc is patrarcaí; with the article, na patrarcaí means “the patriarchs”. The genitive plural is patrarcaí, as in scéalta na bpatrarcaí (the stories of the patriarchs).

Why does patrarc change to phatrarc or bpatrarc?

Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) patrarc becomes mo phatrarc (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár bpatrarc (eclipsis).

Is 'patrarc' only a religious word?

Mostly, yes: it is used for biblical figures and church leaders, though it can also describe the head of a family, e.g. 'patrarc an teaghlaigh'.

Patriarch in Irish (Patrarc): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage