HeyRuaHow to say “tern” in Irish
- Irish:
- geabhróg
- English:
- tern
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, second declension
- Pronunciation:
- “GYOW-rohg” /ˈɟaurˠoːɡ/
- Plural:
- geabhróga (terns)
- Genitive singular:
- geabhróige, na geabhróige (e.g. nead na geabhróige, the tern's nest)
- Genitive plural:
- geabhróg, na ngeabhróg (e.g. scata na ngeabhróg, the flock of terns)
What does “geabhróg” mean?
- tern
- A slender grey and white seabird with a forked tail and pointed wings, especially the common tern.Also: common tern, sea swallow, Sterna hirundo.
“Geabhróg” with the article
The plural of tern in Irish is geabhróga. Here is geabhróg after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Geabhróg” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using geabhróg, the Irish word for tern.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Tern in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for tern?
The Irish for tern is geabhróg (pronounced “GYOW-rohg”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is geabhróga.
How do you pronounce geabhróg in Irish?
Geabhróg is said like “GYOW-rohg” (IPA /ˈɟaurˠoːɡ/).
What is the plural of tern in Irish?
The plural of geabhróg is geabhróga; with the article, na geabhróga means “the terns”. The genitive plural is geabhróg, as in scata na ngeabhróg (the flock of terns).
Why does geabhróg change to gheabhróg or ngeabhróg?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) geabhróg becomes mo gheabhróg (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár ngeabhróg (eclipsis).
Is a 'geabhróg' the same as a seagull?
No, a seagull is 'faoileán'; 'geabhróg' is the smaller, slimmer tern with a forked tail.
