HeyRuaHow to say “animal” in Irish
- Irish:
- míol
- English:
- animal, louse
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, first declension
- Pronunciation:
- “meel” /mʲiːlˠ/
- Plural:
- míolta (animals)
- Genitive singular:
- míl, an mhíl (e.g. greim an mhíl, the bite of the animal)
- Genitive plural:
- míolta, na míolta (e.g. plá na míolta, the plague of lice)
What does “míol” mean?
“Míol” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- animal
- A living creature, especially a small animal or one named in compounds such as míol mór (whale).Also: creature, beast.
“Míol” with the article
The plural of animal in Irish is míolta. Here is míol after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Míol” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using míol, the Irish word for animal.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Animal in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for animal?
The Irish for animal is míol (pronounced “meel”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is míolta. Depending on context it can also mean louse.
How do you pronounce míol in Irish?
Míol is said like “meel” (IPA /mʲiːlˠ/).
What is the plural of animal in Irish?
The plural of míol is míolta; with the article, na míolta means “the animals”. The genitive plural is míolta, as in plá na míolta (the plague of lice).
Does míol have more than one meaning?
Yes. Míol can mean animal or louse, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does míol change to mhíol?
After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo mhíol. After ár (our) it stays ár míol, because m does not take eclipsis.
How do you say 'whale' in Irish?
A whale is 'míol mór', literally 'big creature'; the plural is 'míolta móra'.
What is the difference between 'míol' and 'míoltóg'?
'Míol' is a general word for a small creature or louse, while 'míoltóg' means a midge or gnat.
