HeyRuaHow to say “pony” in Irish
- Irish:
- pónaí
- English:
- pony, ponytail
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, fourth declension
- Pronunciation:
- “POH-nee” /ˈpˠoːn̪ˠiː/
- Plural:
- pónaithe (ponies)
- Genitive singular:
- pónaí, an phónaí (e.g. diallait an phónaí, the pony's saddle)
- Genitive plural:
- pónaithe, na bpónaithe (e.g. aonach pónaithe, a pony fair)
What does “pónaí” mean?
“Pónaí” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- pony
- A small breed of horse.Also: small horse.
1 other meaning: ponytail
- 2ponytail
- Hair tied back at the back of the head so that it hangs down like a tail.Also: pony tail.
Other Irish words for pony: capaillín (pony)
“Pónaí” with the article
The plural of pony in Irish is pónaithe. Here is pónaí after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Pónaí” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using pónaí, the Irish word for pony.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Pony in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for pony?
The Irish for pony is pónaí (pronounced “POH-nee”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is pónaithe. Depending on context it can also mean ponytail.
How do you pronounce pónaí in Irish?
Pónaí is said like “POH-nee” (IPA /ˈpˠoːn̪ˠiː/).
What is the plural of pony in Irish?
The plural of pónaí is pónaithe; with the article, na pónaithe means “the ponies”. The genitive plural is pónaithe, as in aonach pónaithe (a pony fair).
Does pónaí have more than one meaning?
Yes. Pónaí can mean pony or ponytail, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does pónaí change to phónaí or bpónaí?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) pónaí becomes mo phónaí (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár bpónaí (eclipsis).
What is the difference between 'pónaí' and 'capall'?
'Capall' is the general word for a horse, while 'pónaí' is a small horse, such as the famous pónaí Chonamara.
