HeyRuaHow to say “pin” in Irish
- Irish:
- pionna
- English:
- pin, peg, skittle
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, fourth declension
- Pronunciation:
- “PYUN-uh” /ˈpʲʊn̪ˠə/
- Plural:
- pionnaí (pins)
- Genitive singular:
- pionna, an phionna (e.g. ceann an phionna, the head of the pin)
- Genitive plural:
- pionnaí, na bpionnaí (e.g. bosca na bpionnaí, the box of pins)
What does “pionna” mean?
“Pionna” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- pin
- A small pointed piece of metal or a peg used to fasten or hold things in place.Also: peg, fastener, dowel.
2 other meanings: peg or skittle
- 2peg
- A wooden or plastic peg, such as a clothes peg or a tent peg.Also: clothes peg, tent peg, clothespin.
- 3skittle
- A pin used in the game of skittles or ninepins; in the plural it can mean the game itself.Also: ninepin, bowling pin.
Other Irish words for pin: biorán (pin), peig (peg), bróiste (brooch)
“Pionna” with the article
The plural of pin in Irish is pionnaí. Here is pionna after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Pionna” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using pionna, the Irish word for pin.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Pin in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for pin?
The Irish for pin is pionna (pronounced “PYUN-uh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is pionnaí. Depending on context it can also mean peg or skittle.
How do you pronounce pionna in Irish?
Pionna is said like “PYUN-uh” (IPA /ˈpʲʊn̪ˠə/).
What is the plural of pin in Irish?
The plural of pionna is pionnaí; with the article, na pionnaí means “the pins”. The genitive plural is pionnaí, as in bosca na bpionnaí (the box of pins).
Does pionna have more than one meaning?
Yes. Pionna can mean pin, peg or skittle, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does pionna change to phionna or bpionna?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) pionna becomes mo phionna (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár bpionna (eclipsis).
What is the difference between pionna and biorán?
A biorán is usually a small sewing pin or hairpin, while a pionna is more often a peg or a mechanical pin, as in pionna éadaigh or pionna pubaill.
