Soul in Irish (Anam): Meaning, Pronunciation & Examples

Q: What is the Irish for soul?

The Irish for soul is anam (pronounced “AN-um”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is anamacha. Depending on context it can also mean life or liveliness.

Q: What is the plural of soul in Irish?

The plural of anam is anamacha; with the article, na hanamacha means “the souls”. The genitive plural is anamacha, as in slánú na n-anamacha (salvation of souls).

Q: Does anam have more than one meaning?

Yes. Anam can mean soul, life or liveliness, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “soul” in Irish

Irish:: anam
English:: soul, life, liveliness
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, third declension
Pronunciation:: “AN-um” /ˈanˠəmˠ/

Various forms

Plural:: anamacha (souls)
Genitive singular:: anama, an anama (e.g. slánú an anama, salvation of the soul)
Genitive plural:: anamacha, na n-anamacha (e.g. slánú na n-anamacha, salvation of souls)

What does “anam” mean?

“Anam” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

soul: The spiritual part of a person, believed to live on after death.Also: spirit, psyche.

2 other meanings: life or liveliness

2life: Life or the breath of life in a living being.Also: breath, lifeblood.
3liveliness: Spirit, energy or liveliness in a person or thing.Also: spirit, energy, vitality.

Other Irish words for soul: spiorad (spirit)

“Anam” with the article

The plural of soul in Irish is anamacha. Here is anam after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an t-anam

the soul

Masculine nouns take t before a vowel after an

na hanamacha

the souls

Plural: na adds h before a vowel

“Anam” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using anam, the Irish word for soul.

Tír gan teanga, tír gan anam.

A country without a language is a country without a soul.

Dhíolfadh sé a anam leis an diabhal.

He would sell his soul to the devil.

Níl anam ar bith sa cheol sin.

There is no life at all in that music.

Guímis ar son na n-anamacha sa phurgadóir.

Let us pray for the souls in purgatory.

Chuir an cupán tae anam ionam arís.

The cup of tea brought me back to life.

Creideann sí go maireann an t-anam tar éis an bháis.

She believes that the soul lives on after death.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

dúchasheritage sonsake cúlback aonace páirtpart solátharsupply

Phrases with “anam”

Suaimhneas síoraí dá anammay he rest in peace Suaimhneas síoraí dá hanammay she rest in peace Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anamar dheis Dé go raibh a anam

Soul in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for soul?

The Irish for soul is anam (pronounced “AN-um”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is anamacha. Depending on context it can also mean life or liveliness.

How do you pronounce anam in Irish?

Anam is said like “AN-um” (IPA /ˈanˠəmˠ/).

What is the plural of soul in Irish?

The plural of anam is anamacha; with the article, na hanamacha means “the souls”. The genitive plural is anamacha, as in slánú na n-anamacha (salvation of souls).

Does anam have more than one meaning?

Yes. Anam can mean soul, life or liveliness, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does anam sometimes have a t or h in front of it?

Irish nouns beginning with a vowel take a prefix after certain words: an t-anam (the soul), a hanam (her soul), a n-anam (their soul), na hanamacha (the souls).

What does 'm'anam' mean in conversation?

'M'anam' literally means 'my soul' but is used as an exclamation like 'indeed' or 'upon my soul', as in 'M'anam, is fíor duit'.

What is the difference between 'anam' and 'spiorad'?

'Anam' is the individual soul or life of a being, while 'spiorad' is spirit more generally, as in 'An Spiorad Naomh', the Holy Spirit.

Soul in Irish (Anam): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage