HeyRuaHow to say “winter” in Irish
- Irish:
- geimhreadh
- English:
- winter
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, first declension
- Pronunciation:
- “GYEV-ruh” /ˈɟevʲɾʲə/
- Plural:
- geimhrí (winters)
- Genitive singular:
- geimhridh, an gheimhridh (e.g. lár an gheimhridh, the middle of winter)
- Genitive plural:
- geimhrí, na ngeimhrí (e.g. cuimhní geimhrí fada, memories of long winters)
What does “geimhreadh” mean?
- winter
- The coldest season of the year, between autumn and spring.Also: wintertime, winter season.
“Geimhreadh” with the article
The plural of winter in Irish is geimhrí. Here is geimhreadh after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Geimhreadh” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using geimhreadh, the Irish word for winter.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Winter in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for winter?
The Irish for winter is geimhreadh (pronounced “GYEV-ruh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is geimhrí.
How do you pronounce geimhreadh in Irish?
Geimhreadh is said like “GYEV-ruh” (IPA /ˈɟevʲɾʲə/).
What is the plural of winter in Irish?
The plural of geimhreadh is geimhrí; with the article, na geimhrí means “the winters”. The genitive plural is geimhrí, as in cuimhní geimhrí fada (memories of long winters).
Why does geimhreadh change to gheimhreadh or ngeimhreadh?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) geimhreadh becomes mo gheimhreadh (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár ngeimhreadh (eclipsis).
Why is it 'sa gheimhreadh' but 'sa ngeimhreadh' in some texts?
The Caighdeán lenites after 'sa' (sa gheimhreadh), while Connacht speakers often eclipse instead (sa ngeimhreadh); both mean 'in winter'.
How do I say 'last winter'?
Say 'an geimhreadh seo caite'; 'next winter' is 'an geimhreadh seo chugainn'.
