HeyRuaHow to say “glass” in Irish
- Irish:
- gloine
- English:
- glass, glasses
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, fourth declension
- Pronunciation:
- “GLIN-yuh” /ˈɡlˠɪnʲə/
- Plural:
- gloiní (glasses)
- Genitive singular:
- gloine, na gloine (e.g. briseadh na gloine, the breaking of the glass)
- Genitive plural:
- gloiní, na ngloiní (e.g. líonadh na ngloiní, the filling of the glasses)
What does “gloine” mean?
“Gloine” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- glass
- A hard, transparent material used for windows, bottles and similar things.Also: pane, glass material.
2 other meanings: glasses
- 2glass
- A drinking vessel made of glass, or the amount it holds.Also: drinking glass, tumbler, glassful.
- 3glasses
- In the plural, gloiní can mean a pair of spectacles worn to help you see.Also: spectacles, eyeglasses.
“Gloine” with the article
The plural of glass in Irish is gloiní. Here is gloine after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Gloine” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using gloine, the Irish word for glass.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Phrases with “gloine”
Glass in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for glass?
The Irish for glass is gloine (pronounced “GLIN-yuh”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is gloiní. Depending on context it can also mean glasses.
How do you pronounce gloine in Irish?
Gloine is said like “GLIN-yuh” (IPA /ˈɡlˠɪnʲə/).
What is the plural of glass in Irish?
The plural of gloine is gloiní; with the article, na gloiní means “the glasses”. The genitive plural is gloiní, as in líonadh na ngloiní (the filling of the glasses).
Does gloine have more than one meaning?
Yes. Gloine can mean glass or glasses, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does gloine change to ghloine or ngloine?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) gloine becomes mo ghloine (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár ngloine (eclipsis).
How do I say 'glasses' meaning spectacles?
You can say gloiní, but spéaclaí is also very common for spectacles, e.g. Caitheann sé spéaclaí.
Is 'gloine' used for both the material and the cup?
Yes: fuinneog ghloine is a glass window, while gloine uisce is a glass of water.
