HeyRua Get the app

Armful in Irish (Baclainn): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage

‘baclainn’ also means: crook of the arm

The Irish for armful is baclainn, a feminine noun (plural baclainneacha).
Updated October 2026Report a mistake

How to say “armful” in Irish

Irish:
baclainn
English:
armful, crook of the arm
Word type:
noun
Gender:
feminine, second declension
Pronunciation:
“BAWK-lin”  /ˈbˠakˠlˠəɲ/
Various forms
Plural:
baclainneacha (armfuls)
Genitive singular:
baclainne, na baclainne (e.g. meáchan na baclainne, the weight of the armful)
Genitive plural:
baclainneacha, na mbaclainneacha (e.g. meáchan na mbaclainneacha, the weight of the armfuls)

What does “baclainn” mean?

“Baclainn” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

armful
As much as you can carry in your bent arms.Also: arms full, bundle.
1 other meaning: crook of the arm
2crook of the arm
The bend of the arm, or the arms held together to carry or embrace something.Also: arms, embrace, bend of the arm.

Other Irish words for armful: ultach (armful)

“Baclainn” with the article

The plural of armful in Irish is baclainneacha. Here is baclainn after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an bhaclainn
the armful
Lenition: b becomes bh after an (feminine noun)
na baclainneacha
the armfuls
Plural: no change after na

“Baclainn” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using baclainn, the Irish word for armful.

Thug sé baclainn mhóna isteach chun na tine.
He brought an armful of turf in for the fire.
Bhí an leanbh ina codladh ina baclainn.
The child was asleep in her arms.
Leag sí an bhaclainn adhmaid ar an urlár.
She put the armful of wood down on the floor.
Thóg mé baclainneacha féir isteach sa scioból.
I carried armfuls of hay into the barn.
Choinnigh mé an coileán i mo bhaclainn.
I held the puppy in my arms.
Bhí baclainn mhór adhmaid aige.
He had a big armful of wood.
Tabhair baclainn mhóna isteach, le do thoil.
Bring in an armful of turf, please.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

Armful in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for armful?

The Irish for armful is baclainn (pronounced “BAWK-lin”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is baclainneacha. Depending on context it can also mean crook of the arm.

How do you pronounce baclainn in Irish?

Baclainn is said like “BAWK-lin” (IPA /ˈbˠakˠlˠəɲ/).

What is the plural of armful in Irish?

The plural of baclainn is baclainneacha; with the article, na baclainneacha means “the armfuls”. The genitive plural is baclainneacha, as in meáchan na mbaclainneacha (the weight of the armfuls).

Does baclainn have more than one meaning?

Yes. Baclainn can mean armful or crook of the arm, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does baclainn change to bhaclainn or mbaclainn?

Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) baclainn becomes mo bhaclainn (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár mbaclainn (eclipsis).

How do I say 'in her arms' using baclainn?

Use 'ina baclainn', for example 'Bhí an leanbh ina baclainn', meaning the child was in her arms.

Is baclainn the same as gabháil?

Both can mean an armful; 'gabháil' is also very common, as in 'gabháil mhóna', while 'baclainn' stresses the crook of the arms.

Learn Irish by
actually speaking it

Learn everyday Irish words like baclainn through guided conversation with Rua.

7-day free trial. Cancel anytime.

The HeyRua app home screen