Boulder in Irish (Bollán): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for boulder?

The Irish for boulder is bollán (pronounced “BUL-awn”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is bolláin. Depending on context it can also mean rock in the sea.

Q: What is the plural of boulder in Irish?

The plural of bollán is bolláin; with the article, na bolláin means “the boulders”. The genitive plural is bollán, as in carn na mbollán (the heap of boulders).

Q: Does bollán have more than one meaning?

Yes. Bollán can mean boulder or rock in the sea, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “boulder” in Irish

Irish:: bollán
English:: boulder, rock in the sea
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, first declension
Pronunciation:: “BUL-awn” /ˈbˠɔl̪ˠɑːnˠ/

Various forms

Plural:: bolláin (boulders)
Genitive singular:: bolláin, an bholláin (e.g. barr an bholláin, the top of the boulder)
Genitive plural:: bollán, na mbollán (e.g. carn na mbollán, the heap of boulders)

What does “bollán” mean?

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

boulder: A large rounded stone or rock, often lying loose on the ground or on a shore.Also: large stone, rock.

1 other meaning: rock in the sea

2rock in the sea: A rock standing in the sea or a channel, sometimes covered at high tide.Also: sea rock, rock, reef rock.

“Bollán” with the article

The plural of boulder in Irish is bolláin. Here is bollán after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an bollán

the boulder

No change after an

na bolláin

the boulders

Plural: no change after na

“Bollán” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using bollán, the Irish word for boulder.

Shuigh sé ar bhollán mór cois na trá.

He sat on a big boulder by the beach.

Tá an bollán sin róthrom le bogadh.

That boulder is too heavy to move.

Bhí na páistí ag dreapadh ar na bolláin.

The children were climbing on the boulders.

Chuaigh an bád i bhfostú ar bhollán faoi uisce.

The boat got stuck on a submerged rock.

Chonaic mé portán faoi bhun an bholláin.

I saw a crab under the boulder.

Tá an pháirc lán de bholláin.

The field is full of boulders.

Fágadh bolláin ollmhóra ann tar éis na hoighearaoise.

Huge boulders were left there after the ice age.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Boulder in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for boulder?

The Irish for boulder is bollán (pronounced “BUL-awn”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is bolláin. Depending on context it can also mean rock in the sea.

How do you pronounce bollán in Irish?

Bollán is said like “BUL-awn” (IPA /ˈbˠɔl̪ˠɑːnˠ/).

What is the plural of boulder in Irish?

The plural of bollán is bolláin; with the article, na bolláin means “the boulders”. The genitive plural is bollán, as in carn na mbollán (the heap of boulders).

Does bollán have more than one meaning?

Yes. Bollán can mean boulder or rock in the sea, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does bollán change to bhollán or mbollán?

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

What is the difference between bollán and cloch?

Cloch is any stone, while bollán is a large rounded stone or boulder. For a big rock face or crag, carraig is used.

Boulder in Irish (Bollán): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage