grianstad an gheimhridh
masculine
The English phrase "winter solstice" is grianstad an gheimhridh in Irish.
This masculine noun refers to the astronomical moment when the hemisphere is most inclined away from the sun.
Meaning: the moment when the hemisphere is most inclined away from the sun (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of grianstad (solstice) and an gheimhridh (the winter).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Connemara region of County Galway, the form Grianstad Geimhridh is used.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the genitive case an gheimhridh to indicate of the winter.
Did you know?
- The word grianstad literally translates to 'sun stop', combining grian (sun) and stad (stop or standstill).
- The word stad in grianstad is a cognate of the English word 'stead', as both derive from a root meaning a fixed place or position.
- Irish uses a distinct word for the solstice, grianstad, whereas many other languages use a direct loan from the Latin 'solstitium'.
Examples in context
- An bhfuil grianstad an gheimhridh inniu?Is the winter solstice today?
Example conversation
Niamh and Oisín are discussing the shortest day of the year.
- NiamhAn bhfuil grianstad an gheimhridh inniu, a Oisín?Is the winter solstice today, Oisín?
- OisínTá, is é an lá is giorra an t-uair.Yes, it is the shortest day of the year.
- NiamhAn mbeidh an grianstad an gheimhridh fuar?Will the winter solstice be cold?
- OisínTá sé anois i bhfad ró-fhuar!It is already far too cold!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “winter solstice” translations and entries grianstad an gheimhridh, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries an, grianstad, CC BY-SA 4.0.
