Fly in Irish (Cuileog): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for fly?

The Irish for fly is cuileog (pronounced “kil-YOHG”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is cuileoga. Depending on context it can also mean fishing fly.

Q: What is the plural of fly in Irish?

The plural of cuileog is cuileoga; with the article, na cuileoga means “the flies”. The genitive plural is cuileog, as in plá na gcuileog (the plague of flies).

Q: Does cuileog have more than one meaning?

Yes. Cuileog can mean fly or fishing fly, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “fly” in Irish

Irish:: cuileog
English:: fly, fishing fly
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine, second declension
Pronunciation:: “kil-YOHG” /kɪˈlʲoːɡ/

Various forms

Plural:: cuileoga (flies)
Genitive singular:: cuileoige, na cuileoige (e.g. eití na cuileoige, the wings of the fly)
Genitive plural:: cuileog, na gcuileog (e.g. plá na gcuileog, the plague of flies)

What does “cuileog” mean?

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

fly: A small flying insect with two wings, such as the common housefly.Also: housefly, insect.

1 other meaning: fishing fly

2fishing fly: An artificial fly made of feathers and thread, used as bait in angling.Also: fly, lure.

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

“Cuileog” with the article

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

an chuileog

the fly

Lenition: c becomes ch after an (feminine noun)

na cuileoga

the flies

Plural: no change after na

“Cuileog” in a sentence: Irish examples

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

Tá cuileog ag eitilt timpeall na cistine.

There's a fly buzzing around the kitchen.

Mharaigh mé an chuileog leis an nuachtán.

I killed the fly with the newspaper.

Bhí na cuileoga ag cur isteach ar na ba.

The flies were bothering the cows.

Chuala mé dordán na cuileoige ag an bhfuinneog.

I heard the fly buzzing at the window.

Tá cuileog i mo thae!

There's a fly in my tea!

Bíonn go leor cuileog ann sa samhradh.

There are lots of flies in summer.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Fly in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for fly?

The Irish for fly is cuileog (pronounced “kil-YOHG”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is cuileoga. Depending on context it can also mean fishing fly.

How do you pronounce cuileog in Irish?

Cuileog is said like “kil-YOHG” (IPA /kɪˈlʲoːɡ/).

What is the plural of fly in Irish?

The plural of cuileog is cuileoga; with the article, na cuileoga means “the flies”. The genitive plural is cuileog, as in plá na gcuileog (the plague of flies).

Does cuileog have more than one meaning?

Yes. Cuileog can mean fly or fishing fly, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does cuileog change to chuileog or gcuileog?

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

Is there a set phrase with 'cuileog' meaning a nuisance?

Yes, a persistent annoying person can be likened to a fly, but the commonest fixed usage is literal, e.g. 'cuileog thí' for housefly. For a gadfly or horsefly Irish uses 'cleabhar'.

Does 'cuileog' also mean a flake?

In some dialects 'cuileog' is a variant of 'calóg', a flake (of snow), but the standard meaning is fly.

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