HeyRuaHow to say “thought” in Irish
- Irish:
- smaoineamh
- English:
- thought, thinking
- Word type:
- noun (verbal noun)
- Verbal noun of:
- smaoinigh, to think (ag smaoineamh, thinking)
- Gender:
- masculine, first declension
- Pronunciation:
- “SMEE-nyuv” /ˈsˠmˠiːnʲəvˠ/
- Plural:
- smaointe (thoughts)
- Genitive singular:
- smaoinimh, an smaoinimh (e.g. cumhacht an smaoinimh, the power of thought)
- Genitive plural:
- smaointe, na smaointe (e.g. saol na smaointe, the world of ideas)
What does “smaoineamh” mean?
“Smaoineamh” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- thought
- An idea or notion that comes into your mind.Also: idea, notion.
1 other meaning: thinking
- 2thinking
- The verbal noun of smaoinigh: the act of thinking or reflecting.Also: reflecting, considering, pondering.
“Smaoineamh” as a verbal noun
After ag, smaoineamh means thinking: it is the verbal noun of the verb smaoinigh (to think). A noun that follows it goes into the genitive.
“Smaoineamh” with the article
The plural of thought in Irish is smaointe. Here is smaoineamh after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Smaoineamh” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using smaoineamh, the Irish word for thought.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Phrases with “smaoineamh”
Thought in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for thought?
The Irish for thought is smaoineamh (pronounced “SMEE-nyuv”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is smaointe. Depending on context it can also mean thinking.
How do you pronounce smaoineamh in Irish?
Smaoineamh is said like “SMEE-nyuv” (IPA /ˈsˠmˠiːnʲəvˠ/).
What is the plural of thought in Irish?
The plural of smaoineamh is smaointe; with the article, na smaointe means “the thoughts”. The genitive plural is smaointe, as in saol na smaointe (the world of ideas).
Does smaoineamh have more than one meaning?
Yes. Smaoineamh can mean thought or thinking, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between smaoineamh and machnamh?
Smaoineamh is a thought or the general act of thinking, while machnamh means deeper reflection or contemplation, as in ag déanamh machnaimh.
How do I say 'I'm thinking about it'?
Say 'Tá mé ag smaoineamh air', using smaoineamh as the verbal noun with ar.
