Canal in Irish (Canáil): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for canal?

The Irish for canal is canáil (pronounced “KAN-awl”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is canálacha. Depending on context it can also mean channel.

Q: What is the plural of canal in Irish?

The plural of canáil is canálacha; with the article, na canálacha means “the canals”. The genitive plural is canálacha, as in líonra na gcanálacha (the network of the canals).

Q: Does canáil have more than one meaning?

Yes. Canáil can mean canal or channel, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “canal” in Irish

Irish:: canáil
English:: canal, channel
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine, third declension
Pronunciation:: “KAN-awl” /ˈkanˠɑːlʲ/

Various forms

Plural:: canálacha (canals)
Genitive singular:: canála, na canála (e.g. bruach na canála, the bank of the canal)
Genitive plural:: canálacha, na gcanálacha (e.g. líonra na gcanálacha, the network of the canals)

What does “canáil” mean?

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

canal: An artificial waterway built for boats or for carrying water.Also: waterway, navigation channel.

1 other meaning: channel

2channel: A tube or duct in the body or in a plant through which fluid passes.Also: duct, canal.

“Canáil” with the article

The plural of canal in Irish is canálacha. Here is canáil after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an chanáil

the canal

Lenition: c becomes ch after an (feminine noun)

na canálacha

the canals

Plural: no change after na

“Canáil” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using canáil, the Irish word for canal.

Shiúlamar cois na canála inné.

We walked along the canal yesterday.

Tá an chanáil an-chiúin ar maidin.

The canal is very quiet in the morning.

Tógadh canáil nua idir an dá bhaile.

A new canal was built between the two towns.

Thit a rothar isteach sa chanáil.

His bike fell into the canal.

Tá go leor canálacha in Amstardam.

There are lots of canals in Amsterdam.

Is maith liom dul ag bádóireacht ar an gcanáil.

I like going boating on the canal.

Tá ealaí ag snámh i gcanáil an bhaile.

Swans are swimming in the town canal.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Canal in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for canal?

The Irish for canal is canáil (pronounced “KAN-awl”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is canálacha. Depending on context it can also mean channel.

How do you pronounce canáil in Irish?

Canáil is said like “KAN-awl” (IPA /ˈkanˠɑːlʲ/).

What is the plural of canal in Irish?

The plural of canáil is canálacha; with the article, na canálacha means “the canals”. The genitive plural is canálacha, as in líonra na gcanálacha (the network of the canals).

Does canáil have more than one meaning?

Yes. Canáil can mean canal or channel, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does canáil change to chanáil or gcanáil?

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

What is the difference between canáil and cainéal?

Canáil is a man-made waterway like An Chanáil Mhór, while cainéal is a natural sea channel or a television channel.

Canal in Irish (Canáil): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage