Urgency in Irish (Práinn): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for urgency?

The Irish for urgency is práinn (pronounced “prawn-ye”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is práinneacha. Depending on context it can also mean emergency or delight.

Q: What is the plural of urgency in Irish?

The plural of práinn is práinneacha; with the article, na práinneacha means “the urgencies”. The genitive plural is práinneacha, as in líon na bpráinneacha (the number of emergencies).

Q: Does práinn have more than one meaning?

Yes. Práinn can mean urgency, emergency or delight, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “urgency” in Irish

Irish:: práinn
English:: urgency, emergency, delight
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine, second declension
Pronunciation:: “prawn-ye” /pˠɾˠaːn̠ʲ/

Various forms

Plural:: práinneacha (urgencies)
Genitive singular:: práinne, na práinne (e.g. am na práinne, the time of urgency)
Genitive plural:: práinneacha, na bpráinneacha (e.g. líon na bpráinneacha, the number of emergencies)

What does “práinn” mean?

“Práinn” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

urgency: The quality of needing to be dealt with immediately; haste or pressure.Also: haste, hurry, pressure.

2 other meanings: emergency or delight

2emergency: A sudden, serious situation that needs immediate action.Also: urgent case, crisis.
3delight: Pleasure or satisfaction taken in something, as in the phrase 'tá práinn agam as'.Also: pleasure, fondness.

“Práinn” with the article

The plural of urgency in Irish is práinneacha. Here is práinn after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an phráinn

the urgency

Lenition: p becomes ph after an (feminine noun)

na práinneacha

the urgencies

Plural: no change after na

“Práinn” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using práinn, the Irish word for urgency.

I gcás práinne, bris an ghloine.

In case of emergency, break the glass.

Níl aon phráinn leis an obair sin.

There's no urgency about that work.

Tá práinn leis an scéal seo.

This matter is urgent.

Cuir glao orm má bhíonn práinn ann.

Call me if there's an emergency.

Thuig sé práinn na faidhbe láithreach.

He understood the urgency of the problem immediately.

Bhí práinn orthu an cinneadh a dhéanamh.

They were in a hurry to make the decision.

Tháinig an dochtúir láithreach mar bhí práinn leis.

The doctor came immediately because it was urgent.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Urgency in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for urgency?

The Irish for urgency is práinn (pronounced “prawn-ye”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is práinneacha. Depending on context it can also mean emergency or delight.

How do you pronounce práinn in Irish?

Práinn is said like “prawn-ye” (IPA /pˠɾˠaːn̠ʲ/).

What is the plural of urgency in Irish?

The plural of práinn is práinneacha; with the article, na práinneacha means “the urgencies”. The genitive plural is práinneacha, as in líon na bpráinneacha (the number of emergencies).

Does práinn have more than one meaning?

Yes. Práinn can mean urgency, emergency or delight, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does práinn change to phráinn or bpráinn?

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

What is the difference between práinn and éigeandáil?

Éigeandáil is the usual official word for an emergency (seirbhísí éigeandála), while práinn stresses urgency, as in 'tá práinn leis' (it is urgent).

Urgency in Irish (Práinn): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage