HeyRuaHow to say “cattle” in Irish
- Irish:
- bólacht
- English:
- cattle
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, third declension
- Pronunciation:
- “BOH-lukht” /ˈbˠoːlˠəxt̪ˠ/
- Genitive singular:
- bólachta, na bólachta (e.g. aire na bólachta, the care of the cattle)
What does “bólacht” mean?
- cattle
- Cows and bullocks considered together as a herd or as farm stock.Also: kine, herd of cows, livestock, cows.
Other Irish words for cattle: eallach (cattle)
“Bólacht” with the article
Here is bólacht after the article (an t-alt).
“Bólacht” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using bólacht, the Irish word for cattle.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Cattle in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for cattle?
The Irish for cattle is bólacht (pronounced “BOH-lukht”). It’s a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce bólacht in Irish?
Bólacht is said like “BOH-lukht” (IPA /ˈbˠoːlˠəxt̪ˠ/).
Does bólacht have a plural?
No plural form is given for bólacht in the standard. Many abstract and mass nouns in Irish have no plural.
Why does bólacht change to bhólacht or mbólacht?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) bólacht becomes mo bhólacht (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár mbólacht (eclipsis).
What is the difference between 'bólacht' and 'eallach'?
Both mean cattle; 'eallach' is the more general and common word for cattle or livestock, while 'bólacht' is built on 'bó' (cow) and refers specifically to cows as a herd.
