Fly in Irish (Cuil): Meaning, Pronunciation & Examples

Q: What is the Irish for fly?

The Irish for fly is cuil (pronounced “kil”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is cuileanna.

Q: What is the plural of fly in Irish?

The plural of cuil is cuileanna; with the article, na cuileanna means “the flies”. The genitive plural is cuileanna, as in scuaine na gcuileanna (the swarm of flies).

How to say “fly” in Irish

Irish:: cuil
English:: fly
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine, second declension
Pronunciation:: “kil” /kɪlʲ/

Various forms

Plural:: cuileanna (flies)
Genitive singular:: cuile, na cuile (e.g. eití na cuile, the wings of the fly)
Genitive plural:: cuileanna, na gcuileanna (e.g. scuaine na gcuileanna, the swarm of flies)

What does “cuil” mean?

fly: A small winged insect, such as a housefly.Also: housefly, insect, bug.

Other Irish words for fly: eitil (fly), cuileog (fly)

“Cuil” with the article

The plural of fly in Irish is cuileanna. Here is cuil after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an chuil

the fly

Lenition: c becomes ch after an (feminine noun)

na cuileanna

the flies

Plural: no change after na

“Cuil” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using cuil, the Irish word for fly.

Tá cuil ag eitilt timpeall na cistine.

There's a fly buzzing around the kitchen.

Tháinig an chuil isteach tríd an bhfuinneog.

The fly came in through the window.

Tá na cuileanna go dona i rith an tsamhraidh.

The flies are bad during the summer.

Mharaigh sé an chuil le nuachtán.

He killed the fly with a newspaper.

Clúdaigh an bia ar eagla na gcuileanna.

Cover the food in case of flies.

Bhí cuil i mo chupán tae.

There was a fly in my cup of tea.

Chuala mé dordán na cuile sa seomra.

I heard the buzzing of the fly in the room.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

tábhairnepub fostaíochtemployment lánfill eastátestate fómharautumn cumhachtpower

Fly in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for fly?

The Irish for fly is cuil (pronounced “kil”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is cuileanna.

How do you pronounce cuil in Irish?

Cuil is said like “kil” (IPA /kɪlʲ/).

What is the plural of fly in Irish?

The plural of cuil is cuileanna; with the article, na cuileanna means “the flies”. The genitive plural is cuileanna, as in scuaine na gcuileanna (the swarm of flies).

Why does cuil change to chuil or gcuil?

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

Is 'cuil' the same as 'cuileog'?

Yes, 'cuileog' is a diminutive form also meaning fly and is common in many areas; 'cuil' is the standard headword.

What is a mosquito or midge in Irish?

A midge is 'míoltóg', and a mosquito is usually 'muiscít'; 'cuil' is the ordinary fly.

Fly in Irish (Cuil): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage