Hand in Irish (Glac): Meaning, Pronunciation & Examples

Q: What is the Irish for hand?

The Irish for hand is glac (pronounced “glak”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is glaca. Depending on context it can also mean handful.

Q: What is the plural of hand in Irish?

The plural of glac is glaca; with the article, na glaca means “the hands”. The genitive plural is glac, as in lán na nglac (the fill of the hands).

Q: Does glac have more than one meaning?

Yes. Glac can mean hand or handful, depending on context; the first is the most common. Glac also has its own entry as a verb meaning to take.

How to say “hand” in Irish

Irish:: glac
English:: hand, handful
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine, second declension
Pronunciation:: “glak” /ɡlˠak/

Various forms

Plural:: glaca (hands)
Genitive singular:: glaice, na glaice (e.g. lán na glaice, a handful)
Genitive plural:: glac, na nglac (e.g. lán na nglac, the fill of the hands)

What does “glac” mean?

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

hand: The hand, especially when it is held open or used for grasping.Also: palm, grasp, clutch.

1 other meaning: handful

2handful: As much as can be held in the hand; also a small number of people or things.Also: fistful, small number.

Other Irish words for hand: tabhair (give), lámh (hand)

Other entries for “glac”

The same spelling has its own page as:

glacto take · verb

“Glac” with the article

The plural of hand in Irish is glaca. Here is glac after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an ghlac

the hand

Lenition: g becomes gh after an (feminine noun)

na glaca

the hands

Plural: no change after na

“Glac” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using glac, the Irish word for hand.

Thug sí glac mhine do na cearca.

She gave the hens a handful of meal.

Ní raibh ann ach glac bheag daoine.

There was only a small handful of people there.

Bhí glac mhilseán ag an bpáiste.

The child had a handful of sweets.

Chuir sé glaca féir sa mhála.

He put handfuls of grass in the bag.

Thóg sí an ghlac cnónna ón mbord.

She took the handful of nuts from the table.

Bhí lán a ghlaice de shiúcra aige.

He had a handful of sugar.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Hand in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for hand?

The Irish for hand is glac (pronounced “glak”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is glaca. Depending on context it can also mean handful.

How do you pronounce glac in Irish?

Glac is said like “glak” (IPA /ɡlˠak/).

What is the plural of hand in Irish?

The plural of glac is glaca; with the article, na glaca means “the hands”. The genitive plural is glac, as in lán na nglac (the fill of the hands).

Does glac have more than one meaning?

Yes. Glac can mean hand or handful, depending on context; the first is the most common. Glac also has its own entry as a verb meaning to take.

Why does glac change to ghlac or nglac?

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

Is 'glac' the noun the same word as the verb 'glac' meaning take?

They look the same, but the noun 'glac' means a hand or handful, while the verb 'glac' means take or accept, as in 'Glacaim leis sin'.

How is 'glac' different from 'dorn'?

'Dorn' is a fist or a fistful, while 'glac' is the hand used for holding, or a handful, as in 'glac mhine'.

Hand in Irish (Glac): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage