Irish Words for Stalagmites and Stalactites Posted by róislín on Jul 18, 2018
(le Róislín) Since we recently looked at Irish words for caves (uaimheanna) and caving (uaimheadóireacht), in honor of the rescue of the Thai soccer team (nasc thíos), I thought this might be a good time to introduce the Irish words for “stalagmite” and “stalactite.” They’re really more straightforward and less technical-seeming than the English terms “stalagmite”…
Uaimheanna agus Uaimheadóireacht: Words for Caves and Caving in Irish Posted by róislín on Jul 15, 2018
(le Róislín) Given the recent amazing rescue of the Thai soccer team and their coach in Chiang Rai Province, Thailand, this seems like a good time to go over some Irish words for caves and caving. The most basic word, in my experience, for cave, is “uaimh,” pronounced roughly “OO-iv.” Additional forms of the word…
Orduimhreacha i nGaeilge: Ordinal Numbers in Irish Posted by róislín on Jul 12, 2018
(le Róislín) One, two, three vs. first, second, third. A haon, a dó, a trí vs. an chéad, an dara / an dóú, an tríú. Ever notice how in both English and Irish, the word for “first” is totally different from the word for “one” (one/first, aon or haon but céad or chéad)? Learners of English…
Irish Words for ‘Potato’: Práta, Fata, Préata Posted by róislín on Jul 8, 2018
(le Róislín) You may have heard the tune, “The Garden Where The Praties Grow”. Ever wonder why it’s not, “The Garden Where The Spuds Grow,” since “spuds” is another popular nickname for potatoes in Ireland? We may not have the answer to the “spuds” aspect of the question, but we can at least discuss the…
Rothar vs. Rothair agus Badhsacal vs. Badhsacail (Irish words for ‘bicycle’) Posted by róislín on May 31, 2018
(le Róislín) There are a few final points about bicycles that I’d like to mention before we wrap up this discussion, at least for the time being. So we’ll briefly discuss: rothar vs. rothair rothar vs. badhsacal badhsacal vs. badhsacail First, rothar vs. rothair: Many of you probably recognize that “rothar” (an rothar) is singular…
Oiriúintí Rothair – Irish Terms for Some Bicycle Accessories Posted by róislín on May 29, 2018
(le Róislín) From the decorative (tassels or streamers) to the practical (puncture repair kit), let’s look at some Irish words for bicycle accessories, continuing the téama rothaíochta we’ve been working on for the last few posts (naisc thíos). As you can see, the words are presented as a little matching game. Seo na téarmaí, le…
Cén sórt rothair é seo? Irish words for types of bicycles Posted by róislín on May 27, 2018
(le Róislín) In keeping with our recent thread on bicycles, including a brief discussion of the globe-trotting bicycle “Rozinante” (owned by _____? freagra thíos), here’s a matching game for types of bicycles. An aithníonn iad go léir? Freagraí thíos, mar is gnáth. Note that in at least one case there are two different Irish phrases…