Relationship in Irish (Coibhneas): Meaning

Q: What is the Irish for relationship?

The Irish for relationship is coibhneas (pronounced “KIV-nyas”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is coibhneasa. Depending on context it can also mean proportion.

Q: What is the plural of relationship in Irish?

The plural of coibhneas is coibhneasa; with the article, na coibhneasa means “the relationships”. The genitive plural is coibhneas, as in córas na gcoibhneas (the system of relationships).

Q: Does coibhneas have more than one meaning?

Yes. Coibhneas can mean relationship or proportion, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “relationship” in Irish

Irish:: coibhneas
English:: relationship, proportion
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, first declension
Pronunciation:: “KIV-nyas” /ˈkɪvʲnʲəs/

Various forms

Plural:: coibhneasa (relationships)
Genitive singular:: coibhnis, an choibhnis (e.g. céim coibhnis, degree of relationship)
Genitive plural:: coibhneas, na gcoibhneas (e.g. córas na gcoibhneas, the system of relationships)

What does “coibhneas” mean?

“Coibhneas” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

relationship: A connection or relation between people or things, especially kinship by blood or marriage.Also: kinship, relation, affinity.

1 other meaning: proportion

2proportion: The comparative relation of one thing to another in size, amount or degree.Also: ratio, relativity, comparison.

Other Irish words for relationship: caidreamh (relationship), gaol (relationship)

“Coibhneas” with the article

The plural of relationship in Irish is coibhneasa. Here is coibhneas after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an coibhneas

the relationship

No change after an

na coibhneasa

the relationships

Plural: no change after na

“Coibhneas” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using coibhneas, the Irish word for relationship.

Níl aon choibhneas idir an dá theaghlach.

There is no relationship between the two families.

Tá coibhneas gaoil eatarthu ar thaobh a máthar.

They are related on their mother's side.

Cén coibhneas atá aige leat?

How is he related to you?

Ní fheicim an coibhneas idir an dá smaoineamh.

I don't see the connection between the two ideas.

Bíonn an pá i gcoibhneas leis an obair.

The pay is in proportion to the work.

Phléamar na coibhneasa idir na tíortha.

We discussed the relations between the countries.

Is ceist choibhnis í, dar liom.

It is a question of proportion, in my view.

Other nouns in Irish

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Relationship in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for relationship?

The Irish for relationship is coibhneas (pronounced “KIV-nyas”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is coibhneasa. Depending on context it can also mean proportion.

How do you pronounce coibhneas in Irish?

Coibhneas is said like “KIV-nyas” (IPA /ˈkɪvʲnʲəs/).

What is the plural of relationship in Irish?

The plural of coibhneas is coibhneasa; with the article, na coibhneasa means “the relationships”. The genitive plural is coibhneas, as in córas na gcoibhneas (the system of relationships).

Does coibhneas have more than one meaning?

Yes. Coibhneas can mean relationship or proportion, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does coibhneas change to choibhneas or gcoibhneas?

Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) coibhneas becomes mo choibhneas (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár gcoibhneas (eclipsis).

What is the difference between 'coibhneas' and 'gaol'?

'Gaol' is the everyday word for family relationship, while 'coibhneas' is more formal and also covers abstract relations and proportion, as in 'i gcoibhneas le'.

How do you say 'relativity' in Irish?

The derived noun 'coibhneasacht' is used, as in 'teoiric na coibhneasachta' (theory of relativity).

Relationship in Irish (Coibhneas): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage