HeyRuaHow to say “eel” in Irish
- Irish:
- eascann
- English:
- eel
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, second declension
- Pronunciation:
- “AS-kun” /ˈasˠkənˠ/
- Plural:
- eascanna (eels)
- Genitive singular:
- eascainne, na heascainne (e.g. craiceann na heascainne, the skin of the eel)
- Genitive plural:
- eascann, na n-eascann (e.g. iascaireacht eascann, eel fishing)
What does “eascann” mean?
- eel
- A long, thin, snake-like fish found in rivers, lakes and the sea.Also: conger, sea eel.
“Eascann” with the article
The plural of eel in Irish is eascanna. Here is eascann after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Eascann” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using eascann, the Irish word for eel.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Eel in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for eel?
The Irish for eel is eascann (pronounced “AS-kun”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is eascanna.
How do you pronounce eascann in Irish?
Eascann is said like “AS-kun” (IPA /ˈasˠkənˠ/).
What is the plural of eel in Irish?
The plural of eascann is eascanna; with the article, na heascanna means “the eels”. The genitive plural is eascann, as in iascaireacht eascann (eel fishing).
Why does eascann sometimes have a t or h in front of it?
Irish nouns beginning with a vowel take a prefix after certain words: an eascann (the eel), a heascann (her eel), a n-eascann (their eel), na heascanna (the eels).
What does 'chomh sleamhain le heascann' mean?
It means 'as slippery as an eel', used of a person who is hard to pin down or untrustworthy.
Is 'eascann' related to the word for cursing?
No, 'eascann' (eel) is unrelated to 'eascaine' (curse), although they look alike.
