HeyRuaHow to say “standard” in Irish
- Irish:
- caighdeán
- English:
- standard, official standard (of Irish)
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, first declension
- Pronunciation:
- “kye-DAWN” /kəiˈdʲaːn̪ˠ/
- Plural:
- caighdeáin (standards)
- Genitive singular:
- caighdeáin, an chaighdeáin (e.g. ardú an chaighdeáin, raising of the standard)
- Genitive plural:
- caighdeán, na gcaighdeán (e.g. ardú na gcaighdeán, the raising of standards)
What does “caighdeán” mean?
“Caighdeán” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- standard
- A level of quality or a norm against which things are measured or judged.Also: norm, level, benchmark.
1 other meaning: official standard (of Irish)
- 2official standard (of Irish)
- An Caighdeán Oifigiúil, the official standard for Irish spelling and grammar.Also: official standard, standard Irish, written standard.
Other Irish words for standard: leibhéal (level), caighdeánach (standard)
“Caighdeán” with the article
The plural of standard in Irish is caighdeáin. Here is caighdeán after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Caighdeán” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using caighdeán, the Irish word for standard.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Standard in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for standard?
The Irish for standard is caighdeán (pronounced “kye-DAWN”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is caighdeáin. Depending on context it can also mean official standard (of Irish).
How do you pronounce caighdeán in Irish?
Caighdeán is said like “kye-DAWN” (IPA /kəiˈdʲaːn̪ˠ/).
What is the plural of standard in Irish?
The plural of caighdeán is caighdeáin; with the article, na caighdeáin means “the standards”. The genitive plural is caighdeán, as in ardú na gcaighdeán (the raising of standards).
Does caighdeán have more than one meaning?
Yes. Caighdeán can mean standard or official standard (of Irish), depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does caighdeán change to chaighdeán or gcaighdeán?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) caighdeán becomes mo chaighdeán (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár gcaighdeán (eclipsis).
What is 'An Caighdeán'?
In Irish usage 'an Caighdeán' usually means An Caighdeán Oifigiúil, the official standard for written Irish, first published in 1958 and revised in 2017.
How do I say 'standard of living'?
Use 'caighdeán maireachtála', for example 'Tá caighdeán maireachtála ard acu'.
