HeyRuaHow to say “strength” in Irish
- Irish:
- teann
- English:
- strength, stress, oppression
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine
- Pronunciation:
- “tyown” /tʲaun̪ˠ/
- Plural:
- teanna (strengths)
- Genitive singular:
- teanna, an teanna (e.g. neart an teanna, the power of the force)
- Genitive plural:
- teann, na dteann (e.g. cuimhne na dteann, the memory of the hardships)
What does “teann” mean?
“Teann” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- strength
- Force or power, especially strength one relies on or draws from, as in 'le teann' (by dint of).Also: force, power, dint, support.
2 other meanings: stress or oppression
- 2stress
- A state of strain or pressure, or the height or peak of something, as in 'i dteann' (at the height of).Also: strain, pressure, height, peak.
- 3oppression
- Violence or force used against someone, a state of being hard pressed.Also: violence, duress, distress.
Other Irish words for strength: neart (strength), treise (strength), láidreacht (strength)
The same spelling has its own page as:
“Teann” with the article
The plural of strength in Irish is teanna. Here is teann after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Teann” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using teann, the Irish word for strength.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Strength in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for strength?
The Irish for strength is teann (pronounced “tyown”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is teanna. Depending on context it can also mean stress or oppression.
How do you pronounce teann in Irish?
Teann is said like “tyown” (IPA /tʲaun̪ˠ/).
What is the plural of strength in Irish?
The plural of teann is teanna; with the article, na teanna means “the strengths”. The genitive plural is teann, as in cuimhne na dteann (the memory of the hardships).
Does teann have more than one meaning?
Yes. Teann can mean strength, stress or oppression, depending on context; the first is the most common. Teann also has its own entry as a verb meaning to tighten. Teann also has its own entry as an adjective meaning tight.
Why does teann change to theann or dteann?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) teann becomes mo theann (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár dteann (eclipsis).
What does 'le teann' mean?
'Le teann' means by dint of or out of sheer, as in 'le teann feirge', out of sheer anger.
