HeyRuaHow to say “purple moor-grass” in Irish
- Irish:
- fionnán
- English:
- purple moor-grass
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine
- Pronunciation:
- “FYUN-awn” /ˈfʲʊn̪ˠaːnˠ/
Various forms
- Genitive singular:
- fionnáin, an fhionnáin (e.g. fás an fhionnáin, the growth of the moor-grass)
What does “fionnán” mean?
- purple moor-grass
- A coarse grass, Molinia caerulea, that grows on bogs and wet moorland and turns pale in winter.Also: moor grass, bent grass, Molinia, coarse grass.
“Fionnán” with the article
Here is fionnán after the article (an t-alt).
an fionnán
the purple moor-grass
No change after an
“Fionnán” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using fionnán, the Irish word for purple moor-grass.
Fásann fionnán go tiubh ar an bportach.
Purple moor-grass grows thickly on the bog.
Bhí an fionnán bán i lár an gheimhridh.
The moor-grass was pale in the middle of winter.
Shiúlamar tríd an bhfionnán fliuch.
We walked through the wet moor-grass.
Tá boladh an fhionnáin ar an sliabh.
There is a smell of moor-grass on the mountain.
Is maith leis na caoirigh an fionnán óg.
The sheep like the young moor-grass.
Chonaic mé giorria ina luí san fhionnán.
I saw a hare lying in the moor-grass.
Gearradh fionnán fadó le haghaidh tuí.
Moor-grass was cut long ago for thatch.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Purple moor-grass in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for purple moor-grass?
The Irish for purple moor-grass is fionnán (pronounced “FYUN-awn”). It’s a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce fionnán in Irish?
Fionnán is said like “FYUN-awn” (IPA /ˈfʲʊn̪ˠaːnˠ/).
Does fionnán have a plural?
No plural form is given for fionnán in the standard. Many abstract and mass nouns in Irish have no plural.
Why does fionnán change to fhionnán or bhfionnán?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) fionnán becomes m'fhionnán (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár bhfionnán (eclipsis).
Is 'fionnán' the same as ordinary grass?
No, 'féar' is the general word for grass, while 'fionnán' is the specific coarse moor-grass of bogs and hills.
