HeyRuaHow to say “potential” in Irish
- Irish:
- poitéinseal
- English:
- potential
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine
- Pronunciation:
- “pot-AYN-shul” /pˠɔˈtʲeːnʲʃəlˠ/
- Plural:
- poitéinsil (potentials)
- Genitive singular:
- poitéinsil, an phoitéinsil (e.g. difríocht phoitéinsil, potential difference)
- Genitive plural:
- poitéinseal, na bpoitéinseal (e.g. raon na bpoitéinseal, the range of the potentials)
What does “poitéinseal” mean?
“Poitéinseal” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- potential
- The ability or capacity to develop or achieve something in the future.Also: capability, capacity, promise.
1 other meaning:
- 2potential
- In physics, the electric or other potential at a point, such as voltage.Also: electric potential, voltage.
Other Irish words for potential: féidearthacht (possibility)
“Poitéinseal” with the article
The plural of potential in Irish is poitéinsil. Here is poitéinseal after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Poitéinseal” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using poitéinseal, the Irish word for potential.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Potential in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for potential?
The Irish for potential is poitéinseal (pronounced “pot-AYN-shul”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is poitéinsil.
How do you pronounce poitéinseal in Irish?
Poitéinseal is said like “pot-AYN-shul” (IPA /pˠɔˈtʲeːnʲʃəlˠ/).
What is the plural of potential in Irish?
The plural of poitéinseal is poitéinsil; with the article, na poitéinsil means “the potentials”. The genitive plural is poitéinseal, as in raon na bpoitéinseal (the range of the potentials).
Why does poitéinseal change to phoitéinseal or bpoitéinseal?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) poitéinseal becomes mo phoitéinseal (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár bpoitéinseal (eclipsis).
Is 'poitéinseal' the same as 'cumas'?
'Cumas' means ability you already have, while 'poitéinseal' is potential still to be developed; 'acmhainn' is also used for capacity or resources.
