Captor in Irish (Gabhálaí): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for captor?

The Irish for captor is gabhálaí (pronounced “GOW-aw-lee”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is gabhálaithe. Depending on context it can also mean conqueror or receiver.

Q: What is the plural of captor in Irish?

The plural of gabhálaí is gabhálaithe; with the article, na gabhálaithe means “the captors”. The genitive plural is gabhálaithe, as in teanga na ngabhálaithe (the language of the captors).

Q: Does gabhálaí have more than one meaning?

Yes. Gabhálaí can mean captor, conqueror or receiver, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “captor” in Irish

Irish:: gabhálaí
English:: captor, conqueror, receiver
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, fourth declension
Pronunciation:: “GOW-aw-lee” /ˈɡəuɑːlʲiː/

Various forms

Plural:: gabhálaithe (captors)
Genitive singular:: gabhálaí, an ghabhálaí (e.g. ainm an ghabhálaí, the name of the captor)
Genitive plural:: gabhálaithe, na ngabhálaithe (e.g. teanga na ngabhálaithe, the language of the captors)

What does “gabhálaí” mean?

“Gabhálaí” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

captor: A person who captures or seizes someone or something.Also: capturer, catcher.

2 other meanings: conqueror or receiver

2conqueror: A person who takes possession of a territory by conquest, an invader or occupier.Also: invader, occupier.
3receiver: A device or person that receives something, such as a radio receiver.Also: radio receiver.

“Gabhálaí” with the article

The plural of captor in Irish is gabhálaithe. Here is gabhálaí after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an gabhálaí

the captor

No change after an

na gabhálaithe

the captors

Plural: no change after na

“Gabhálaí” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using gabhálaí, the Irish word for captor.

Bhí an gabhálaí cruálach leis na príosúnaigh.

The captor was cruel to the prisoners.

Tháinig na gabhálaithe i dtír sa dara haois déag.

The conquerors landed in the twelfth century.

Labhair sé go cneasta lena ghabhálaí.

He spoke kindly to his captor.

D'éalaigh sí ón ngabhálaí i rith na hoíche.

She escaped from her captor during the night.

Ghlac na gabhálaithe seilbh ar an talamh.

The conquerors took possession of the land.

Níor aithin sí aghaidh an ghabhálaí.

She did not recognise the captor's face.

Ní raibh trócaire i gcroí an ghabhálaí.

There was no mercy in the captor's heart.

Other nouns in Irish

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Captor in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for captor?

The Irish for captor is gabhálaí (pronounced “GOW-aw-lee”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is gabhálaithe. Depending on context it can also mean conqueror or receiver.

How do you pronounce gabhálaí in Irish?

Gabhálaí is said like “GOW-aw-lee” (IPA /ˈɡəuɑːlʲiː/).

What is the plural of captor in Irish?

The plural of gabhálaí is gabhálaithe; with the article, na gabhálaithe means “the captors”. The genitive plural is gabhálaithe, as in teanga na ngabhálaithe (the language of the captors).

Does gabhálaí have more than one meaning?

Yes. Gabhálaí can mean captor, conqueror or receiver, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does gabhálaí change to ghabhálaí or ngabhálaí?

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

How is 'gabhálaí' related to 'gabháil'?

'Gabhálaí' is the agent noun formed from 'gabháil' (capture, seizing), so it means the one who captures or conquers.

Captor in Irish (Gabhálaí): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage