HeyRuaHow to say “hair” in Irish
- Irish:
- folt
- English:
- hair, foliage
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, first declension
- Pronunciation:
- “fult” /fˠɔl̪ˠt̪ˠ/
- Plural:
- foilt (hairs)
- Genitive singular:
- foilt, an fhoilt (e.g. dath an fhoilt, the colour of the hair)
- Genitive plural:
- folt, na bhfolt (e.g. cíoradh na bhfolt, the combing of the tresses)
What does “folt” mean?
“Folt” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- hair
- The hair of the head, especially a full or fine head of hair; a literary or descriptive word.Also: head of hair, locks, tresses.
“Folt” with the article
The plural of hair in Irish is foilt. Here is folt after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Folt” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using folt, the Irish word for hair.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Hair in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for hair?
The Irish for hair is folt (pronounced “fult”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is foilt. Depending on context it can also mean foliage.
How do you pronounce folt in Irish?
Folt is said like “fult” (IPA /fˠɔl̪ˠt̪ˠ/).
What is the plural of hair in Irish?
The plural of folt is foilt; with the article, na foilt means “the hairs”. The genitive plural is folt, as in cíoradh na bhfolt (the combing of the tresses).
Does folt have more than one meaning?
Yes. Folt can mean hair or foliage, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does folt change to fholt or bhfolt?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) folt becomes m'fholt (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár bhfolt (eclipsis).
What is the difference between folt and gruaig?
Gruaig is the everyday word for hair, while folt is more literary and suggests a full, fine head of hair, as in folt fada óir.
