Tonality in Irish (Tonúlacht): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for tonality?

The Irish for tonality is tonúlacht (pronounced “TUN-oo-lukht”). It’s a feminine noun.

How to say “tonality” in Irish

Irish:: tonúlacht
English:: tonality
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine
Pronunciation:: “TUN-oo-lukht” /ˈt̪ˠʊnˠuːl̪ˠəxt̪ˠ/

Various forms

Genitive singular:: tonúlachta, na tonúlachta (e.g. teoiric na tonúlachta, the theory of tonality)

What does “tonúlacht” mean?

tonality: In music, the organisation of a piece around a key or tonal centre.Also: key system, tonal system.

“Tonúlacht” with the article

Here is tonúlacht after the article (an t-alt).

an tonúlacht

the tonality

No change: d and t are not lenited after an

“Tonúlacht” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using tonúlacht, the Irish word for tonality.

Is coincheap tábhachtach sa cheol í an tonúlacht.

Tonality is an important concept in music.

Bhris an cumadóir rialacha na tonúlachta.

The composer broke the rules of tonality.

Tá tonúlacht láidir sa phíosa seo.

This piece has a strong tonality.

D'fhoghlaimíomar faoin tonúlacht sa rang ceoil.

We learned about tonality in music class.

Níl aon tonúlacht shoiléir sa saothar nua.

There is no clear tonality in the new work.

Athraíonn an tonúlacht i lár an amhráin.

The tonality changes in the middle of the song.

Thréig go leor cumadóirí an tonúlacht san fhichiú haois.

Many composers abandoned tonality in the twentieth century.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

comharcooperation trábeach tráebb measrespect scilskill inisisland

Tonality in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for tonality?

The Irish for tonality is tonúlacht (pronounced “TUN-oo-lukht”). It’s a feminine noun.

How do you pronounce tonúlacht in Irish?

Tonúlacht is said like “TUN-oo-lukht” (IPA /ˈt̪ˠʊnˠuːl̪ˠəxt̪ˠ/).

Does tonúlacht have a plural?

No plural form is given for tonúlacht in the standard. Many abstract and mass nouns in Irish have no plural.

Why does tonúlacht change to thonúlacht or dtonúlacht?

Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) tonúlacht becomes mo thonúlacht (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár dtonúlacht (eclipsis).

How does 'tonúlacht' relate to 'ton'?

'Tonúlacht' is the abstract noun formed from 'tonúil' (tonal), which comes from 'ton' (tone); it refers to the overall key system of music, not a single tone.

Tonality in Irish (Tonúlacht): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage