HeyRuaHow to say “shelter” in Irish
- Irish:
- fothain
- English:
- shelter, lee, covert
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, third declension
- Pronunciation:
- “FO-hin” /ˈfˠɔhənʲ/
- Plural:
- fothanacha (shelters)
- Genitive singular:
- fothana, na fothana (e.g. áit fothana, a sheltered place)
- Genitive plural:
- fothanacha, na bhfothanacha (e.g. tógáil na bhfothanacha, the building of shelters)
What does “fothain” mean?
“Fothain” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- shelter
- Protection from wind, rain or bad weather, or a place that gives it.Also: cover, protection, refuge.
2 other meanings: lee or covert
“Fothain” with the article
The plural of shelter in Irish is fothanacha. Here is fothain after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Fothain” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using fothain, the Irish word for shelter.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Shelter in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for shelter?
The Irish for shelter is fothain (pronounced “FO-hin”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is fothanacha. Depending on context it can also mean lee or covert.
How do you pronounce fothain in Irish?
Fothain is said like “FO-hin” (IPA /ˈfˠɔhənʲ/).
What is the plural of shelter in Irish?
The plural of fothain is fothanacha; with the article, na fothanacha means “the shelters”. The genitive plural is fothanacha, as in tógáil na bhfothanacha (the building of shelters).
Does fothain have more than one meaning?
Yes. Fothain can mean shelter, lee or covert, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does fothain change to fhothain or bhfothain?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) fothain becomes m'fhothain (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár bhfothain (eclipsis).
What is the difference between 'fothain' and 'foscadh'?
Both mean shelter from the weather; 'foscadh' is more common in Munster and Connacht speech, while 'fothain' is widely used too, as in 'i bhfothain an tí'.
How do I say 'in the shelter of' something?
Use 'i bhfothain' followed by the genitive, for example 'i bhfothain an chnoic', in the shelter of the hill.
