HeyRuaHow to say “vein” in Irish
- Irish:
- féith
- English:
- vein, sinew, seam, soft strip in a bog
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, second declension
- Pronunciation:
- “fay” /fʲeː/
- Plural:
- féitheacha (veins)
- Genitive singular:
- féithe, na féithe (e.g. dath na féithe, the colour of the vein)
- Genitive plural:
- féitheacha, na bhféitheacha (e.g. córas na bhféitheacha, the system of the veins)
What does “féith” mean?
“Féith” has four alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- vein
- A blood vessel that carries blood back to the heart.Also: blood vessel.
3 other meanings: sinew or seam or soft strip in a bog
- 2sinew
- A tough cord or band of fibrous tissue joining muscle to bone.Also: muscle, tendon.
- 3seam
- A thin layer or streak of mineral running through rock, or a streak of something in a person's character.Also: lode, streak, vein of ore.
- 4soft strip in a bog
- A soft, swampy strip of ground running through bogland.Also: swampy strip, soft seam in bog, marshy channel.
“Féith” with the article
The plural of vein in Irish is féitheacha. Here is féith after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Féith” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using féith, the Irish word for vein.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Vein in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for vein?
The Irish for vein is féith (pronounced “fay”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is féitheacha. Depending on context it can also mean sinew or seam or soft strip in a bog.
How do you pronounce féith in Irish?
Féith is said like “fay” (IPA /fʲeː/).
What is the plural of vein in Irish?
The plural of féith is féitheacha; with the article, na féitheacha means “the veins”. The genitive plural is féitheacha, as in córas na bhféitheacha (the system of the veins).
Does féith have more than one meaning?
Yes. Féith can mean vein, sinew, seam or soft strip in a bog, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does féith change to fhéith or bhféith?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) féith becomes m'fhéith (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár bhféith (eclipsis).
What is the difference between 'féith' and 'cuisle'?
'Féith' is a vein or sinew, while 'cuisle' is a pulse or an artery, as in 'cuisle mo chroí'.
Can 'féith' mean a talent?
Yes, figuratively: 'tá féith na filíochta ann' means he has a gift for poetry.
