Bat in Irish (Ialtóg): Meaning, Pronunciation & Examples

Q: What is the Irish for bat?

The Irish for bat is ialtóg (pronounced “EEL-tohg”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is ialtóga.

Q: What is the plural of bat in Irish?

The plural of ialtóg is ialtóga; with the article, na hialtóga means “the bats”. The genitive plural is ialtóg, as in cosaint na n-ialtóg (the protection of the bats).

How to say “bat” in Irish

Irish:: ialtóg
English:: bat
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine, second declension
Pronunciation:: “EEL-tohg” /iəl̪ˠt̪ˠoːɡ/

Various forms

Plural:: ialtóga (bats)
Genitive singular:: ialtóige, na hialtóige (e.g. sciatháin na hialtóige, the bat's wings)
Genitive plural:: ialtóg, na n-ialtóg (e.g. cosaint na n-ialtóg, the protection of the bats)

What does “ialtóg” mean?

bat: A small flying mammal with leathery wings that comes out at night.Also: flying mammal, pipistrelle.

Other Irish words for bat: slacán (bat)

“Ialtóg” with the article

The plural of bat in Irish is ialtóga. Here is ialtóg after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an ialtóg

the bat

No change: feminine nouns starting with a vowel keep their form after an

na hialtóga

the bats

Plural: na adds h before a vowel

“Ialtóg” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using ialtóg, the Irish word for bat.

Chonaic mé ialtóg ag eitilt thar an teach aréir.

I saw a bat flying over the house last night.

Tagann na hialtóga amach nuair a thiteann an oíche.

The bats come out when night falls.

Tá ialtóga ina gcónaí sa scioból.

Bats live in the barn.

Bhí eagla ar mo dheirfiúr roimh an ialtóg.

My sister was afraid of the bat.

Itheann ialtóga a lán feithidí gach oíche.

Bats eat a lot of insects every night.

Is mamach í an ialtóg, ní éan.

The bat is a mammal, not a bird.

Bhí ialtóga ag eitilt timpeall na pluaise.

Bats were flying around the cave.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Bat in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for bat?

The Irish for bat is ialtóg (pronounced “EEL-tohg”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is ialtóga.

How do you pronounce ialtóg in Irish?

Ialtóg is said like “EEL-tohg” (IPA /iəl̪ˠt̪ˠoːɡ/).

What is the plural of bat in Irish?

The plural of ialtóg is ialtóga; with the article, na hialtóga means “the bats”. The genitive plural is ialtóg, as in cosaint na n-ialtóg (the protection of the bats).

Why does ialtóg sometimes have a t or h in front of it?

Irish nouns beginning with a vowel take a prefix after certain words: an ialtóg (the bat), a hialtóg (her bat), a n-ialtóg (their bat), na hialtóga (the bats).

Is 'ialtóg' used for a cricket or hurling bat?

No, 'ialtóg' is only the animal. A sports bat is 'slacán' (or 'camán' for hurling).

Bat in Irish (Ialtóg): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage