HeyRuaHow to say “hand” in Irish
- Irish:
- lámh
- English:
- hand, arm, handle, handwriting
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, second declension
- Pronunciation:
- “lawv” /l̪ˠɑːvˠ/
- Plural:
- lámha (hands)
- Genitive singular:
- láimhe, na láimhe (e.g. cúl na láimhe, the back of the hand)
- Genitive plural:
- lámh, na lámh (e.g. glais lámh, handcuffs)
What does “lámh” mean?
“Lámh” has four alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- hand
- The part of the body at the end of the arm, used for holding and touching things.Also: palm, fist.
3 other meanings: arm or handle or handwriting
“Lámh” with the article
The plural of hand in Irish is lámha. Here is lámh after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Lámh” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using lámh, the Irish word for hand.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Hand in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for hand?
The Irish for hand is lámh (pronounced “lawv”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is lámha. Depending on context it can also mean arm or handle or handwriting.
How do you pronounce lámh in Irish?
Lámh is said like “lawv” (IPA /l̪ˠɑːvˠ/).
What is the plural of hand in Irish?
The plural of lámh is lámha; with the article, na lámha means “the hands”. The genitive plural is lámh, as in glais lámh (handcuffs).
Does lámh have more than one meaning?
Yes. Lámh can mean hand, arm, handle or handwriting, depending on context; the first is the most common.
How do I say 'give me a hand' in Irish?
Say 'Tabhair lámh chúnta dom', literally 'give me a helping hand'.
Why do I see 'láimh' after prepositions?
'Láimh' is an old dative form kept in set phrases like 'as láimh' (immediately) and 'láimh le' (beside).
