HeyRuaHow to say “woe” in Irish
- Irish:
- mairg
- English:
- woe, lamentation
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, second declension
- Pronunciation:
- “MAR-ig” /ˈmˠaɾʲəgʲ/
- Plural:
- mairgí (woes)
- Genitive singular:
- mairge, na mairge (e.g. lá na mairge, the day of woe)
- Genitive plural:
- mairgí, na mairgí (e.g. scéal na mairgí, the tale of woes)
What does “mairg” mean?
“Mairg” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- woe
- A feeling of great sorrow or distress, often used in the phrase 'is mairg' meaning 'pity the one who' or 'woe to'.Also: sorrow, distress, pity.
1 other meaning: lamentation
- 2lamentation
- An expression of grief or a cry of sorrow.Also: wailing, grief.
“Mairg” with the article
The plural of woe in Irish is mairgí. Here is mairg after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Mairg” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using mairg, the Irish word for woe.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Woe in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for woe?
The Irish for woe is mairg (pronounced “MAR-ig”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is mairgí. Depending on context it can also mean lamentation.
How do you pronounce mairg in Irish?
Mairg is said like “MAR-ig” (IPA /ˈmˠaɾʲəgʲ/).
What is the plural of woe in Irish?
The plural of mairg is mairgí; with the article, na mairgí means “the woes”. The genitive plural is mairgí, as in scéal na mairgí (the tale of woes).
Does mairg have more than one meaning?
Yes. Mairg can mean woe or lamentation, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does mairg change to mhairg?
After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo mhairg. After ár (our) it stays ár mairg, because m does not take eclipsis.
How is 'is mairg' used?
'Is mairg' followed by a relative clause means 'pity the one who' or 'woe to the one who', as in 'Is mairg a bhíonn díomhaoin' (woe to the idle). It is common in proverbs.
