HeyRuaHow to say “yawn” in Irish
- Irish:
- méanfach
- English:
- yawn
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, second declension
- Pronunciation:
- “MAYN-fukh” /ˈmʲeːnˠfˠəx/
Various forms
- Genitive singular:
- méanfaí, na méanfaí (e.g. le linn na méanfaí, during the yawn)
What does “méanfach” mean?
- yawn
- The act of opening your mouth wide and breathing in deeply because you are tired or bored.Also: yawning, gape.
“Méanfach” with the article
Here is méanfach after the article (an t-alt).
an mhéanfach
the yawn
Lenition: m becomes mh after an (feminine noun)
“Méanfach” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using méanfach, the Irish word for yawn.
Lig sé méanfach mhór as.
He let out a big yawn.
Bhí an mhéanfach ag teacht orm sa rang.
I kept yawning in class.
Ní raibh mé in ann an mhéanfach a stopadh.
I couldn't stop yawning.
Rinne an páiste méanfach mhór sa charr.
The child gave a big yawn in the car.
Tá méanfach tógálach, a deirtear.
Yawning is contagious, they say.
Chlúdaigh sí a béal nuair a rinne sí méanfach.
She covered her mouth when she yawned.
Rinne an madra méanfach fhada cois tine.
The dog gave a long yawn by the fire.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Yawn in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for yawn?
The Irish for yawn is méanfach (pronounced “MAYN-fukh”). It’s a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce méanfach in Irish?
Méanfach is said like “MAYN-fukh” (IPA /ˈmʲeːnˠfˠəx/).
Does méanfach have a plural?
No plural form is given for méanfach in the standard. Many abstract and mass nouns in Irish have no plural.
Why does méanfach change to mhéanfach?
After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo mhéanfach. After ár (our) it stays ár méanfach, because m does not take eclipsis.
How do I say 'to yawn' in Irish?
Use a phrase with the noun: 'méanfach a dhéanamh' or 'méanfach a ligean'. There is also the verb 'méanfaigh'.
