an bhean
Lenition After the Feminine Article
In the singular common case, an lenites many feminine nouns: an bhean, an chathair. Dental and s-initial patterns need their own rules.
How It Works
In the singular common case, an lenites many feminine nouns: an bhean, an chathair. Dental and s-initial patterns need their own rules.
The feminine singular article pattern lenites eligible consonants in the common case. Bean becomes an bhean and cathair becomes an chathair. Do not extend that change to every initial: dental consonants and certain s clusters follow their own article rules.
Examples (3)
- Feicim an bhean.
I see the woman.
- Tá an chathair mór.
The city is big.
- Tá an fhuinneog dúnta.
The window is closed.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Start with the singular definite article before learning its feminine mutation. Recognize lenition as a change before applying its article trigger.
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.