HeyRuaHow to say “reading” in Irish
- Irish:
- léamh
- English:
- reading, interpretation, reading (of a bill)
- Word type:
- noun (verbal noun)
- Verbal noun of:
- léigh, to read (ag léamh, reading)
- Gender:
- masculine, first declension
- Pronunciation:
- “lyayv” /lʲeːvˠ/
- Plural:
- léamha
- Genitive singular:
- léimh, an léimh (e.g. leabhar léimh, reader, reading book)
- Genitive plural:
- léamha, na léamha (e.g. ord na léamha, the order of the readings)
What does “léamh” mean?
“Léamh” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- reading
- The act of reading text; it is the verbal noun of the verb léigh.Also: read, perusal.
2 other meanings: interpretation or reading (of a bill)
- 2interpretation
- A particular way of understanding or interpreting something, such as a text or situation.Also: reading, understanding.
- 3reading (of a bill)
- A formal stage at which a bill is considered in parliament.Also: reading, stage of a bill.
Other Irish words for reading: léitheoireacht (reading)
“Léamh” as a verbal noun
After ag, léamh means reading: it is the verbal noun of the verb léigh (to read). A noun that follows it goes into the genitive.
“Léamh” with the article
The plural of reading in Irish is léamha. Here is léamh after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Léamh” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using léamh, the Irish word for reading.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Reading in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for reading?
The Irish for reading is léamh (pronounced “lyayv”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is léamha. Depending on context it can also mean interpretation or reading (of a bill).
How do you pronounce léamh in Irish?
Léamh is said like “lyayv” (IPA /lʲeːvˠ/).
What is the plural of reading in Irish?
The plural of léamh is léamha; with the article, it is na léamha. The genitive plural is léamha, as in ord na léamha (the order of the readings).
Does léamh have more than one meaning?
Yes. Léamh can mean reading, interpretation or reading (of a bill), depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between léamh and léitheoireacht?
Léamh is the verbal noun, the act of reading (ag léamh leabhair), while léitheoireacht means reading as an activity or habit, or reading matter.
What does the idiom 'níl léamh ná scríobh air' mean?
It means something is indescribable or beyond words, for example 'níl léamh ná scríobh ar an ngrá a bhí agam di'.
