HeyRuaHow to say “wave” in Irish
- Irish:
- tonn
- English:
- wave, wave (physics), surge
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, second declension
- Pronunciation:
- “towne” /t̪ˠɑun̪ˠ/
- Plural:
- tonnta (waves)
- Genitive singular:
- toinne, na toinne (e.g. barr na toinne, the crest of the wave)
- Genitive plural:
- tonnta, na dtonnta (e.g. fuaim na dtonnta, the sound of the waves)
What does “tonn” mean?
“Tonn” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- wave
- A ridge of water moving across the surface of the sea or a lake.Also: billow, breaker, sea wave.
2 other meanings: wave (physics) or surge
- 2wave (physics)
- A wave of energy such as sound, light or radio, as in physics.Also: wave, sound wave, radio wave.
- 3surge
- A sudden wave or surge of something, such as a feeling or a crowd.Also: wave, flood.
“Tonn” with the article
The plural of wave in Irish is tonnta. Here is tonn after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Tonn” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using tonn, the Irish word for wave.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Wave in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for wave?
The Irish for wave is tonn (pronounced “towne”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is tonnta. Depending on context it can also mean wave (physics) or surge.
How do you pronounce tonn in Irish?
Tonn is said like “towne” (IPA /t̪ˠɑun̪ˠ/).
What is the plural of wave in Irish?
The plural of tonn is tonnta; with the article, na tonnta means “the waves”. The genitive plural is tonnta, as in fuaim na dtonnta (the sound of the waves).
Does tonn have more than one meaning?
Yes. Tonn can mean wave, wave (physics) or surge, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does tonn change to thonn or dtonn?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) tonn becomes mo thonn (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár dtonn (eclipsis).
How do I say 'heatwave' in Irish?
A heatwave is 'tonn teaspaigh', literally a wave of heat.
Is 'tonn' used for waving your hand?
No, 'tonn' is a wave of water or energy; for waving a hand you use the verb 'croith', as in 'chroith sé a lámh'.
