muid féin
/mˠidʲ heːnʲ/word by word
The English word "ourselves" is translated into Irish as muid féin.
Meaning: reflexive: us (pron)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the first-person plural pronoun muid (we) and the intensive particle féin (self/own), literally translating to "we ourselves".
How does it change in a sentence?
In Irish, the reflexive pronoun is formed by adding the particle féin after the standard personal pronoun.
How do you pronounce it?
/mˠidʲ heːnʲ/
When do people say it?
The phrase Sinn Féin is the name of a major political party in Ireland and translates to "Ourselves Alone".
Did you know?
- The word muid is a linguistic 'accident', having evolved from a verb ending that was eventually mistaken for a standalone pronoun.
- While muid féin translates to 'ourselves', choosing to use the variation sinn féin can sound much more political or exclusionary, implying 'we alone' against the rest of the world.
- The particle féin acts as an intensifier, meaning you can use it to show surprise, such as saying 'we ourselves' to imply that the group's action was unexpected.
Examples in context
- Ach bhí sé deacair dúinn féin a chur ina cheart.But it was difficult for us to put ourselves right.
- Is maith linn féin.We like ourselves.
- Táimid sinn féin anseo.We ourselves are here.
- Cén fáth a ndéanaimis dochar dúinn sinn féin?Why do we harm ourselves?
Example conversation
Conor and Niamh are discussing a painting project for their room.
- ConorAn bhfuil an paintálaí ag teacht?Is the painter coming?
- NiamhNí bheidh, déanaimid é muid féin.No, we will do it ourselves.
- ConorAn bhfuil an paint alright?Is the paint alright?
- NiamhTá, tá gach rud réidh.Yes, everything is ready.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (muid, féin) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries féin, muid, CC BY-SA 4.0.
