Pebble in Irish (Méaróg): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for pebble?

The Irish for pebble is méaróg (pronounced “MAY-rohg”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is méaróga. Depending on context it can also mean jackstone or fish finger.

Q: What is the plural of pebble in Irish?

The plural of méaróg is méaróga; with the article, na méaróga means “the pebbles”. The genitive plural is méaróg, as in mála na méaróg (the bag of pebbles).

Q: Does méaróg have more than one meaning?

Yes. Méaróg can mean pebble, jackstone or fish finger, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “pebble” in Irish

Irish:: méaróg
English:: pebble, jackstone, fish finger
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine, second declension
Pronunciation:: “MAY-rohg” /ˈmʲeːɾˠoːɡ/

Various forms

Plural:: méaróga (pebbles)
Genitive singular:: méaróige, na méaróige (e.g. dath na méaróige, the colour of the pebble)
Genitive plural:: méaróg, na méaróg (e.g. mála na méaróg, the bag of pebbles)

What does “méaróg” mean?

“Méaróg” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

pebble: A small smooth stone, of the kind you might pick up between your fingers on a beach.Also: fingerstone, small stone.

2 other meanings: jackstone or fish finger

2jackstone: A small stone used in the children's game of jacks or fivestones.Also: fivestone, jacks.
3fish finger: A finger-shaped piece of fish covered in breadcrumbs, also called méaróg éisc.Also: fish stick.

Other Irish words for pebble: púróg (pebble)

“Méaróg” with the article

The plural of pebble in Irish is méaróga. Here is méaróg after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an mhéaróg

the pebble

Lenition: m becomes mh after an (feminine noun)

na méaróga

the pebbles

Plural: no change after na

“Méaróg” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using méaróg, the Irish word for pebble.

Phioc sí méaróg bhán suas ón trá.

She picked a white pebble up from the beach.

Chaith an buachaill an mhéaróg isteach san uisce.

The boy threw the pebble into the water.

Tá an trá seo lán de mhéaróga.

This beach is full of pebbles.

Choinnigh mé mo mhéaróg ádhúil i mo phóca.

I kept my lucky pebble in my pocket.

Bhí cruth croí ar an méaróg sin.

That pebble was shaped like a heart.

Bhíodh na páistí ag imirt le méaróga.

The children used to play jacks with pebbles.

Bhí méaróg i mo bhróg ar feadh an lae.

There was a pebble in my shoe all day.

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Pebble in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for pebble?

The Irish for pebble is méaróg (pronounced “MAY-rohg”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is méaróga. Depending on context it can also mean jackstone or fish finger.

How do you pronounce méaróg in Irish?

Méaróg is said like “MAY-rohg” (IPA /ˈmʲeːɾˠoːɡ/).

What is the plural of pebble in Irish?

The plural of méaróg is méaróga; with the article, na méaróga means “the pebbles”. The genitive plural is méaróg, as in mála na méaróg (the bag of pebbles).

Does méaróg have more than one meaning?

Yes. Méaróg can mean pebble, jackstone or fish finger, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does méaróg change to mhéaróg?

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

What is the difference between méaróg and púróg?

Both can mean a pebble; méaróg is linked to méar (finger), a stone small enough to hold in the fingers, while púróg is also a pebble or small round stone.

How do you say fish fingers in Irish?

Fish fingers are méaróga éisc.

Pebble in Irish (Méaróg): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage