teachín
/tʲaˈxiːnʲ/masculine
The English phrase "cottage" is translated into Irish as teachín. Wiktionary also lists teach beag.
Meaning: a small house, a cot, a hut (noun)
Ways to say it
| Irish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| teachín | /tʲaˈxiːnʲ/ (Munster) /ˈtʲaxiːnʲ/ (Connacht) |
masculine |
| teach beag | /tʲax bʲeɡ/ (word by word) | masculine |
The term refers to a small house, a cot or a hut.
What does it mean word for word?
The word teachín is formed by adding the diminutive suffix -ín to the word teach (house), literally meaning "little house".
Which one should you use?
While teach beag literally means "small house", teachín is the specific diminutive noun used for "cottage".
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of teachín is teacháin.
How do you pronounce it?
/tʲaˈxiːnʲ/
Did you know?
- The word teach shares the same ancient root as the English word 'thatch'. Both words traces back to an Indo-European concept of a 'covering' or 'roof'.
- While teachín means 'cottage', the suffix -ín is used across the Irish language to create diminutives that can imply affection or modesty rather than just small size.
- Traditional Irish dwellings often included 'booley' huts, which were distinct from a permanent teachín because they were used only for seasonal grazing.
Examples in context
- Tá teachín beag ag an fear.The man has a small cottage.
Example conversation
Niamh and Cathal are looking at a holiday rental online.
- NiamhBreathnaigh ar an teachín seo, a Chathail!Look at this cottage, Cathal!
- CathalTá sé go hálainn, a Niamh.It is beautiful, Niamh.
- NiamhAn bhfuil teachín cosúil leis seo agat?Do you have a cottage like this one?
- CathalNíl, ach ba mhaith liom ceann.No, but I would like one.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cottage” translations and entries teachín, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (teach, beag) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries beag, teach, teachín, CC BY-SA 4.0.
