Colony in Irish (Coilíneacht): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for colony?

The Irish for colony is coilíneacht (pronounced “KIL-ee-nyukht”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is coilíneachtaí.

Q: What is the plural of colony in Irish?

The plural of coilíneacht is coilíneachtaí; with the article, na coilíneachtaí means “the colonies”. The genitive plural is coilíneachtaí, as in stair na gcoilíneachtaí (the history of the colonies).

How to say “colony” in Irish

Irish:: coilíneacht
English:: colony
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine, third declension
Pronunciation:: “KIL-ee-nyukht” /ˈkɪlʲiːnʲəxt̪/

Various forms

Plural:: coilíneachtaí (colonies)
Genitive singular:: coilíneachta, na coilíneachta (e.g. muintir na coilíneachta, the people of the colony)
Genitive plural:: coilíneachtaí, na gcoilíneachtaí (e.g. stair na gcoilíneachtaí, the history of the colonies)

What does “coilíneacht” mean?

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

colony: A country or area that is controlled and settled by another country.Also: settlement, colonial territory.

1 other meaning:

2colony: A group of animals, birds or insects of one kind living together.Also: animal colony, bird colony.

“Coilíneacht” with the article

The plural of colony in Irish is coilíneachtaí. Here is coilíneacht after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an choilíneacht

the colony

Lenition: c becomes ch after an (feminine noun)

na coilíneachtaí

the colonies

Plural: no change after na

“Coilíneacht” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using coilíneacht, the Irish word for colony.

Bhí Éire ina coilíneacht ag Sasana ar feadh i bhfad.

Ireland was a colony of England for a long time.

Bhain an choilíneacht a neamhspleáchas amach sa bhliain 1960.

The colony gained its independence in 1960.

Ba é an gobharnóir ceannaire na coilíneachta.

The governor was the leader of the colony.

Bhí coilíneachtaí ag an bhFrainc san Afraic.

France had colonies in Africa.

Tá coilíneacht mhór éan mara ar an oileán.

There is a large colony of seabirds on the island.

Rugadh a sin-seanathair i gcoilíneacht sa Mhuir Chairib.

His great-grandfather was born in a colony in the Caribbean.

Bhí saol crua ag na lonnaitheoirí sa choilíneacht nua.

The settlers had a hard life in the new colony.

Other nouns in Irish

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Colony in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for colony?

The Irish for colony is coilíneacht (pronounced “KIL-ee-nyukht”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is coilíneachtaí.

How do you pronounce coilíneacht in Irish?

Coilíneacht is said like “KIL-ee-nyukht” (IPA /ˈkɪlʲiːnʲəxt̪/).

What is the plural of colony in Irish?

The plural of coilíneacht is coilíneachtaí; with the article, na coilíneachtaí means “the colonies”. The genitive plural is coilíneachtaí, as in stair na gcoilíneachtaí (the history of the colonies).

Why does coilíneacht change to choilíneacht or gcoilíneacht?

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

What is the difference between coilíneacht and coilíneachas?

Coilíneacht is a colony itself, while coilíneachas means colonialism, the system or policy of holding colonies.

Colony in Irish (Coilíneacht): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage