Fellowship in Irish (Comhaltas): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for fellowship?

The Irish for fellowship is comhaltas (pronounced “KOH-ul-tus”). It’s a masculine noun. Depending on context it can also mean fosterage or membership.

Q: Does comhaltas have more than one meaning?

Yes. Comhaltas can mean fellowship, fosterage or membership, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “fellowship” in Irish

Irish:: comhaltas
English:: fellowship, fosterage, membership
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, first declension
Pronunciation:: “KOH-ul-tus” /ˈkoːl̪ˠt̪ˠəsˠ/

Various forms

Genitive singular:: comhaltais, an chomhaltais (e.g. cruinniú an chomhaltais, meeting of the association)

What does “comhaltas” mean?

“Comhaltas” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

fellowship: A body of people joined together in an association or brotherhood.Also: association, brotherhood, body of members, society.

2 other meanings: fosterage or membership

2fosterage: The relationship of children brought up together as foster-brothers or foster-sisters.Also: joint fosterage, foster relationship.
3membership: The state of being a member of a group or organisation.Also: being a member.

“Comhaltas” with the article

Here is comhaltas after the article (an t-alt).

an comhaltas

the fellowship

No change after an

“Comhaltas” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using comhaltas, the Irish word for fellowship.

Is comhaltas mór ceoltóirí é seo.

This is a large fellowship of musicians.

Bhunaigh siad an comhaltas i 1951.

They founded the association in 1951.

Bhí sé ina dheartháir comhaltais agam.

He was my foster-brother.

Tá an comhaltas ag fás gach bliain.

The fellowship is growing every year.

D'fhreastail mé ar chruinniú an chomhaltais aréir.

I attended the association's meeting last night.

Bhí ceangal láidir comhaltais eatarthu.

There was a strong bond of fosterage between them.

Seinneann mo dheirfiúr ceol leis an gcomhaltas áitiúil.

My sister plays music with the local branch.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

dinnéardinner píosapiece gluaiseachtmovement téacstext glúingeneration glúinknee

Fellowship in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for fellowship?

The Irish for fellowship is comhaltas (pronounced “KOH-ul-tus”). It’s a masculine noun. Depending on context it can also mean fosterage or membership.

How do you pronounce comhaltas in Irish?

Comhaltas is said like “KOH-ul-tus” (IPA /ˈkoːl̪ˠt̪ˠəsˠ/).

Does comhaltas have a plural?

No plural form is given for comhaltas in the standard. Many abstract and mass nouns in Irish have no plural.

Does comhaltas have more than one meaning?

Yes. Comhaltas can mean fellowship, fosterage or membership, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does comhaltas change to chomhaltas or gcomhaltas?

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

What is the difference between comhaltas and comhalta?

A 'comhalta' is an individual member or fellow, while 'comhaltas' is the body of members or the fellowship as a whole.

Why is Comhaltas well known?

'Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann', often just 'Comhaltas', is the main organisation promoting Irish traditional music.

Fellowship in Irish (Comhaltas): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage