HeyRuaHow to say “spirit” in Irish
- Irish:
- meanma
- English:
- spirit, mind, presentiment
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, fifth declension
- Pronunciation:
- “MAN-uh-muh” /ˈmʲanˠəmˠə/
- Genitive singular:
- meanman, na meanman (e.g. ardú meanman, a lift in spirits)
What does “meanma” mean?
“Meanma” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- spirit
- A person's state of mind, especially their courage, cheerfulness or morale.Also: morale, spirits, courage, cheer.
2 other meanings: mind or presentiment
- 2mind
- The mind or thought, a person's attention or inclination towards something.Also: thought, inclination, disposition.
- 3presentiment
- A feeling in the mind that something is going to happen.Also: foreboding, premonition.
Other Irish words for spirit: anam (soul), spiorad (spirit), aingeal (angel), sprid (spirit)
“Meanma” with the article
Here is meanma after the article (an t-alt).
“Meanma” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using meanma, the Irish word for spirit.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Spirit in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for spirit?
The Irish for spirit is meanma (pronounced “MAN-uh-muh”). It’s a feminine noun. Depending on context it can also mean mind or presentiment.
How do you pronounce meanma in Irish?
Meanma is said like “MAN-uh-muh” (IPA /ˈmʲanˠəmˠə/).
Does meanma have a plural?
No plural form is given for meanma in the standard. Many abstract and mass nouns in Irish have no plural.
Does meanma have more than one meaning?
Yes. Meanma can mean spirit, mind or presentiment, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does meanma change to mheanma?
After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo mheanma. After ár (our) it stays ár meanma, because m does not take eclipsis.
How do I say someone is in high or low spirits?
Use 'ardmheanma' for high spirits and 'lagmheanma' for low spirits, e.g. 'Bhí ardmheanma orthu' (They were in high spirits).
What is the difference between 'meanma' and 'misneach'?
'Misneach' is courage, while 'meanma' is broader, meaning spirits or morale, as in 'meanma na foirne' (the team's morale).
