Echo in Irish (Macalla): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for echo?

The Irish for echo is macalla (pronounced “MOK-ol-uh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is macallaí. Depending on context it can also mean echo, repercussion.

Q: What is the plural of echo in Irish?

The plural of macalla is macallaí; with the article, na macallaí means “the echoes”. The genitive plural is macallaí, as in gleann na macallaí (the valley of the echoes).

Q: Does macalla have more than one meaning?

Yes. Macalla can mean echo or echo, repercussion, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “echo” in Irish

Irish:: macalla
English:: echo, echo, repercussion
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, fourth declension
Pronunciation:: “MOK-ol-uh” /ˈmˠakəl̪ˠə/

Various forms

Plural:: macallaí (echoes)
Genitive singular:: macalla, an mhacalla (e.g. glór an mhacalla, the voice of the echo)
Genitive plural:: macallaí, na macallaí (e.g. gleann na macallaí, the valley of the echoes)

What does “macalla” mean?

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

echo: A sound that is reflected back so that it is heard again.Also: reverberation, resounding.

1 other meaning: echo, repercussion

2echo, repercussion: Something that repeats, recalls or responds to an earlier event, idea or statement.Also: echo, reflection, repercussion, response.

“Macalla” with the article

The plural of echo in Irish is macallaí. Here is macalla after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an macalla

the echo

No change after an

na macallaí

the echoes

Plural: no change after na

“Macalla” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using macalla, the Irish word for echo.

Chualamar macalla ár nglórtha sa phluais.

We heard the echo of our voices in the cave.

Bhí an macalla le cloisteáil ar fud an ghleanna.

The echo could be heard all over the valley.

Lig sé béic agus d'fhreagair an macalla é.

He gave a shout and the echo answered him.

Tá macallaí aisteacha san fhoirgneamh folamh seo.

There are strange echoes in this empty building.

Bíonn macalla láidir sa seomra mór seo.

There's a strong echo in this big room.

Bhí macalla ard sa halla folamh.

There was a loud echo in the empty hall.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Echo in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for echo?

The Irish for echo is macalla (pronounced “MOK-ol-uh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is macallaí. Depending on context it can also mean echo, repercussion.

How do you pronounce macalla in Irish?

Macalla is said like “MOK-ol-uh” (IPA /ˈmˠakəl̪ˠə/).

What is the plural of echo in Irish?

The plural of macalla is macallaí; with the article, na macallaí means “the echoes”. The genitive plural is macallaí, as in gleann na macallaí (the valley of the echoes).

Does macalla have more than one meaning?

Yes. Macalla can mean echo or echo, repercussion, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does macalla change to mhacalla?

After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo mhacalla. After ár (our) it stays ár macalla, because m does not take eclipsis.

How do I say something echoed in Irish?

A common way is with 'baint macalla as', for example 'Bhain sé macalla as an ngleann', meaning it made the valley echo.

Echo in Irish (Macalla): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage