Small bag in Irish (Máilín): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for small bag?

The Irish for small bag is máilín (pronounced “MAW-leen”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is máilíní. Depending on context it can also mean sac.

Q: What is the plural of small bag in Irish?

The plural of máilín is máilíní; with the article, na máilíní means “the small bags”. The genitive plural is máilíní, as in béal na máilíní (the mouths of the small bags).

Q: Does máilín have more than one meaning?

Yes. Máilín can mean small bag or sac, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “small bag” in Irish

Irish:: máilín
English:: small bag, sac
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, fourth declension
Pronunciation:: “MAW-leen” /ˈmˠɑːlʲiːnʲ/

Various forms

Plural:: máilíní (small bags)
Genitive singular:: máilín, an mháilín (e.g. béal an mháilín, the mouth of the little bag)
Genitive plural:: máilíní, na máilíní (e.g. béal na máilíní, the mouths of the small bags)

What does “máilín” mean?

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

small bag: A little bag or pouch, the diminutive of 'mála'.Also: little bag, pouch, sachet, satchel.

1 other meaning: sac

2sac: A small bag-like part of a body, plant or animal, such as a cyst or sac.Also: bladder, cyst, pod.

“Máilín” with the article

The plural of small bag in Irish is máilíní. Here is máilín after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an máilín

the small bag

No change after an

na máilíní

the small bags

Plural: no change after na

“Máilín” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using máilín, the Irish word for small bag.

Thug sí máilín milseán don pháiste.

She gave the child a little bag of sweets.

Cá bhfuil an máilín a bhí ar an mbord?

Where is the small bag that was on the table?

Chuir mé na boinn i mo mháilín.

I put the coins in my little bag.

Tá cúpla máilín tae fágtha sa bhosca.

There are a few tea bags left in the box.

Bhí an t-airgead istigh sa mháilín.

The money was inside the pouch.

Dhún sé béal an mháilín go daingean.

He closed the mouth of the little bag tightly.

Cheannaíomar máilíní plaisteacha don chóisir.

We bought little plastic bags for the party.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Small bag in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for small bag?

The Irish for small bag is máilín (pronounced “MAW-leen”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is máilíní. Depending on context it can also mean sac.

How do you pronounce máilín in Irish?

Máilín is said like “MAW-leen” (IPA /ˈmˠɑːlʲiːnʲ/).

What is the plural of small bag in Irish?

The plural of máilín is máilíní; with the article, na máilíní means “the small bags”. The genitive plural is máilíní, as in béal na máilíní (the mouths of the small bags).

Does máilín have more than one meaning?

Yes. Máilín can mean small bag or sac, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does máilín change to mháilín?

After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo mháilín. After ár (our) it stays ár máilín, because m does not take eclipsis.

What is the difference between 'máilín' and 'mála'?

'Mála' is the ordinary word for a bag, while 'máilín' is its diminutive, meaning a small bag or pouch, as in 'máilín tae'.

Small bag in Irish (Máilín): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage