HeyRuaHow to say “bristle” in Irish
- Irish:
- colg
- English:
- bristle, awn, anger, sword
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, first declension
- Pronunciation:
- “KOL-ug” /ˈkɔl̪ˠəɡ/
- Plural:
- coilg (bristles)
- Genitive singular:
- coilg, an choilg (e.g. guaire an choilg, the bristle's hair)
- Genitive plural:
- colg, na gcolg (e.g. cruth na gcolg, the shape of the bristles)
What does “colg” mean?
“Colg” has four alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- bristle
- A short stiff hair, as on a pig's back, or a sharp prickle on a plant or animal.Also: prickle, spine, stiff hair.
3 other meanings: awn or anger or sword
- 2awn
- The stiff bristly beard on an ear of barley, oats or similar grain.Also: beard, beard of grain.
- 3anger
- A state of bristling anger or irritability, as when someone's hackles are up.Also: rage, fury, irritability, temper.
- 4sword
- A sword or the sharp point of a blade, used mainly in literary language.Also: point, blade.
“Colg” with the article
The plural of bristle in Irish is coilg. Here is colg after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Colg” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using colg, the Irish word for bristle.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Bristle in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for bristle?
The Irish for bristle is colg (pronounced “KOL-ug”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is coilg. Depending on context it can also mean awn or anger or sword.
How do you pronounce colg in Irish?
Colg is said like “KOL-ug” (IPA /ˈkɔl̪ˠəɡ/).
What is the plural of bristle in Irish?
The plural of colg is coilg; with the article, na coilg means “the bristles”. The genitive plural is colg, as in cruth na gcolg (the shape of the bristles).
Does colg have more than one meaning?
Yes. Colg can mean bristle, awn, anger or sword, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does colg change to cholg or gcolg?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) colg becomes mo cholg (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár gcolg (eclipsis).
What does 'tháinig colg air' mean?
It means he became angry or bristled, literally his bristles rose, like an animal raising its hackles.
Is 'colg' the same as 'calg'?
Yes, 'calg' is a variant form found in some dictionaries and dialects with the same meanings of bristle, sting and anger.
