HeyRuaHow to say “cancer” in Irish
- Irish:
- ailse
- English:
- cancer
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, fourth declension
- Pronunciation:
- “AL-shuh” /ˈalʲʃə/
- Plural:
- ailsí (cancers)
- Genitive singular:
- ailse, na hailse (e.g. cóireáil ailse, cancer treatment)
- Genitive plural:
- ailsí, na n-ailsí (e.g. cóireáil na n-ailsí, the treatment of the cancers)
What does “ailse” mean?
- cancer
- A serious disease in which cells in the body grow out of control and form tumours.Also: malignant tumour, carcinoma, malignancy.
“Ailse” with the article
The plural of cancer in Irish is ailsí. Here is ailse after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Ailse” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using ailse, the Irish word for cancer.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Cancer in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for cancer?
The Irish for cancer is ailse (pronounced “AL-shuh”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is ailsí.
How do you pronounce ailse in Irish?
Ailse is said like “AL-shuh” (IPA /ˈalʲʃə/).
What is the plural of cancer in Irish?
The plural of ailse is ailsí; with the article, na hailsí means “the cancers”. The genitive plural is ailsí, as in cóireáil na n-ailsí (the treatment of the cancers).
Why does ailse sometimes have a t or h in front of it?
Irish nouns beginning with a vowel take a prefix after certain words: an ailse (the cancer), a hailse (her cancer), a n-ailse (their cancer), na hailsí (the cancers).
Is 'ailse' used for the star sign Cancer?
No, the zodiac sign Cancer is 'an Portán' in Irish; 'ailse' is only the disease.
How do you say someone has cancer?
Use 'ar': 'Tá ailse air' means 'He has cancer', and 'Tá ailse uirthi' means 'She has cancer'.
