HeyRuaHow to say “penguin” in Irish
- Irish:
- piongain
- English:
- penguin
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, second declension
- Pronunciation:
- “PYUNG-gin” /pʲʊŋɡənʲ/
- Plural:
- piongainí (penguins)
- Genitive singular:
- piongaine, na piongaine (e.g. sciatháin na piongaine, the penguin's wings)
- Genitive plural:
- piongainí, na bpiongainí (e.g. coilíneacht na bpiongainí, the penguin colony)
What does “piongain” mean?
- penguin
- A black and white seabird that cannot fly, swims very well and lives mainly in the far south of the world.Also: penguins, Antarctic bird, flightless bird.
“Piongain” with the article
The plural of penguin in Irish is piongainí. Here is piongain after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Piongain” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using piongain, the Irish word for penguin.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Penguin in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for penguin?
The Irish for penguin is piongain (pronounced “PYUNG-gin”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is piongainí.
How do you pronounce piongain in Irish?
Piongain is said like “PYUNG-gin” (IPA /pʲʊŋɡənʲ/).
What is the plural of penguin in Irish?
The plural of piongain is piongainí; with the article, na piongainí means “the penguins”. The genitive plural is piongainí, as in coilíneacht na bpiongainí (the penguin colony).
Why does piongain change to phiongain or bpiongain?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) piongain becomes mo phiongain (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár bpiongain (eclipsis).
Is 'piongain' related to 'pingin'?
No. 'Piongain' means penguin, while 'pingin' means a penny; they only look alike.
