HeyRuaHow to say “blackbird” in Irish
- Irish:
- lon
- English:
- blackbird
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, first declension
- Pronunciation:
- “lun” /l̪ˠʊnˠ/
- Plural:
- lonta (blackbirds)
- Genitive singular:
- loin, an loin (e.g. ceol an loin, the song of the blackbird)
- Genitive plural:
- lonta, na lonta (e.g. nead na lonta, the nest of the blackbirds)
What does “lon” mean?
- blackbird
- A common bird of gardens and woods; the male is black with a yellow beak and sings sweetly.Also: merle.
“Lon” with the article
The plural of blackbird in Irish is lonta. Here is lon after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Lon” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using lon, the Irish word for blackbird.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Blackbird in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for blackbird?
The Irish for blackbird is lon (pronounced “lun”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is lonta.
How do you pronounce lon in Irish?
Lon is said like “lun” (IPA /l̪ˠʊnˠ/).
What is the plural of blackbird in Irish?
The plural of lon is lonta; with the article, na lonta means “the blackbirds”. The genitive plural is lonta, as in nead na lonta (the nest of the blackbirds).
Is the blackbird called 'lon' or 'lon dubh'?
Both are used, but 'lon dubh' is the usual everyday name for the blackbird; 'lon' alone is common in poetry and set phrases.
What is the famous old Irish poem about the blackbird?
The early Irish verse about the blackbird of Belfast Lough, known as 'Int én bec' or 'Lon Loch Laoigh', is often quoted in schools.
