Breast in Irish (Brollach): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for breast?

The Irish for breast is brollach (pronounced “BROL-ukh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is brollaigh. Depending on context it can also mean preface.

Q: What is the plural of breast in Irish?

The plural of brollach is brollaigh; with the article, na brollaigh means “the breasts”. The genitive plural is brollach, as in méid na mbrollach (the size of the breasts).

Q: Does brollach have more than one meaning?

Yes. Brollach can mean breast or preface, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “breast” in Irish

Irish:: brollach
English:: breast, preface
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, first declension
Pronunciation:: “BROL-ukh” /ˈbˠɾˠɔl̪ˠəx/

Various forms

Plural:: brollaigh (breasts)
Genitive singular:: brollaigh, an bhrollaigh (e.g. clúdach an bhrollaigh, the covering of the breast)
Genitive plural:: brollach, na mbrollach (e.g. méid na mbrollach, the size of the breasts)

What does “brollach” mean?

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

breast: The front of the chest of a person or animal; the bosom.Also: bosom, chest, front.

1 other meaning: preface

2preface: An introductory section at the start of a book or piece of writing.Also: foreword, introduction, prologue.

Other Irish words for breast: ucht (chest), cíoch (breast)

“Brollach” with the article

The plural of breast in Irish is brollaigh. Here is brollach after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an brollach

the breast

No change after an

na brollaigh

the breasts

Plural: no change after na

“Brollach” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using brollach, the Irish word for breast.

Scríobh an t-ollamh brollach don leabhar nua.

The professor wrote a preface for the new book.

Léigh mé an brollach ar dtús.

I read the preface first.

Tá an brollach rófhada, i mo thuairimse.

The preface is too long, in my opinion.

Míníonn sé a chuspóir i mbrollach an leabhair.

He explains his aim in the preface of the book.

Is iomaí scéal atá luaite sa bhrollach.

Many stories are mentioned in the preface.

Bhrúigh sí an leanbh lena brollach.

She pressed the child to her breast.

Tá brollaigh an dá eagrán difriúil.

The prefaces of the two editions are different.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Breast in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for breast?

The Irish for breast is brollach (pronounced “BROL-ukh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is brollaigh. Depending on context it can also mean preface.

How do you pronounce brollach in Irish?

Brollach is said like “BROL-ukh” (IPA /ˈbˠɾˠɔl̪ˠəx/).

What is the plural of breast in Irish?

The plural of brollach is brollaigh; with the article, na brollaigh means “the breasts”. The genitive plural is brollach, as in méid na mbrollach (the size of the breasts).

Does brollach have more than one meaning?

Yes. Brollach can mean breast or preface, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does brollach change to bhrollach or mbrollach?

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

What is the difference between brollach and réamhrá?

Both can mean preface or introduction; réamhrá is the more common everyday word, while brollach is more literary.

Is brollach the usual word for chest?

Not in everyday speech: people usually say ucht or cliabh for the chest, and brollach for breast is mainly literary.

Breast in Irish (Brollach): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage