HeyRuaHow to say “clam” in Irish
- Irish:
- breallach
- English:
- clam
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, first declension
- Pronunciation:
- “BRAL-ukh” /bʲɾˠal̪ˠəx/
- Plural:
- breallaigh (clams)
- Genitive singular:
- breallaigh, an bhreallaigh (e.g. blaosc an bhreallaigh, the shell of the clam)
- Genitive plural:
- breallach, na mbreallach (e.g. praghas na mbreallach, the price of the clams)
What does “breallach” mean?
- clam
- A clam is a shellfish with two hinged shells that lives buried in sand or mud.Also: shellfish, bivalve.
“Breallach” with the article
The plural of clam in Irish is breallaigh. Here is breallach after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Breallach” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using breallach, the Irish word for clam.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Clam in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for clam?
The Irish for clam is breallach (pronounced “BRAL-ukh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is breallaigh.
How do you pronounce breallach in Irish?
Breallach is said like “BRAL-ukh” (IPA /bʲɾˠal̪ˠəx/).
What is the plural of clam in Irish?
The plural of breallach is breallaigh; with the article, na breallaigh means “the clams”. The genitive plural is breallach, as in praghas na mbreallach (the price of the clams).
Why does breallach change to bhreallach or mbreallach?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) breallach becomes mo bhreallach (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár mbreallach (eclipsis).
Is 'breallach' the only Irish word for a clam?
'Breallach' is the usual word, but 'ruacan' is also used for cockle-like shellfish; check the context.
