Slope in Irish (Fána): Meaning, Pronunciation & Examples

Q: What is the Irish for slope?

The Irish for slope is fána (pronounced “FAW-nuh”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is fánaí. Depending on context it can also mean downward direction.

Q: What is the plural of slope in Irish?

The plural of fána is fánaí; with the article, na fánaí means “the slopes”. The genitive plural is fánaí, as in sciáil ar fhánaí (skiing on slopes).

Q: Does fána have more than one meaning?

Yes. Fána can mean slope or downward direction, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “slope” in Irish

Irish:: fána
English:: slope, downward direction
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine, fourth declension
Pronunciation:: “FAW-nuh” /ˈfˠaːnˠə/

Various forms

Plural:: fánaí (slopes)
Genitive singular:: fána, na fána (e.g. bun na fána, the bottom of the slope)
Genitive plural:: fánaí, na bhfánaí (e.g. sciáil ar fhánaí, skiing on slopes)

What does “fána” mean?

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

slope: A piece of ground or a surface that goes downwards at an angle.Also: incline, declivity, descent, downward slope.

1 other meaning: downward direction

2downward direction: Used in phrases such as 'le fána' to mean going down, downhill or away, often figuratively of decline.Also: downhill, descent, decline.

Other Irish words for slope: fána (slope), claon (incline), rampa (ramp), fánán (slope)

“Fána” with the article

The plural of slope in Irish is fánaí. Here is fána after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an fhána

the slope

Lenition: f becomes fh after an (feminine noun)

na fánaí

the slopes

Plural: no change after na

“Fána” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using fána, the Irish word for slope.

Tá fána ghéar ar an mbóthar seo.

This road has a steep slope.

Rith na páistí síos an fhána.

The children ran down the slope.

Shiúlamar go bun na fána.

We walked to the bottom of the slope.

Tá na fánaí sneachta go hálainn inniu.

The snowy slopes are lovely today.

Chuaigh an liathróid le fána.

The ball rolled away downhill.

Tá an teach suite ar fhána an chnoic.

The house is on the slope of the hill.

Tá an gnó ag dul le fána le tamall.

The business has been going downhill for a while.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Slope in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for slope?

The Irish for slope is fána (pronounced “FAW-nuh”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is fánaí. Depending on context it can also mean downward direction.

How do you pronounce fána in Irish?

Fána is said like “FAW-nuh” (IPA /ˈfˠaːnˠə/).

What is the plural of slope in Irish?

The plural of fána is fánaí; with the article, na fánaí means “the slopes”. The genitive plural is fánaí, as in sciáil ar fhánaí (skiing on slopes).

Does fána have more than one meaning?

Yes. Fána can mean slope or downward direction, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does fána change to fhána or bhfána?

Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) fána becomes m'fhána (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár bhfána (eclipsis).

What does 'dul le fána' mean?

Literally 'go down the slope', it is used for things declining or going to ruin: 'Tá an áit ag dul le fána.' means the place is going downhill.

Is 'fána' related to 'fánach'?

'Fánach' means wandering or aimless, and 'ar fán' means astray; they are a different word from 'fána', though 'ar fána' is sometimes heard similarly.

Slope in Irish (Fána): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage