Holding in Irish (Gabháltas): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for holding?

The Irish for holding is gabháltas (pronounced “GOWL-tus”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is gabháltais. Depending on context it can also mean conquest.

Q: What is the plural of holding in Irish?

The plural of gabháltas is gabháltais; with the article, it is na gabháltais. The genitive plural is gabháltas, as in méid na ngabháltas (the size of the holdings).

Q: Does gabháltas have more than one meaning?

Yes. Gabháltas can mean holding or conquest, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “holding” in Irish

Irish:: gabháltas
English:: holding, conquest
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, first declension
Pronunciation:: “GOWL-tus” /ˈɡaulˠt̪ˠəsˠ/

Various forms

Plural:: gabháltais
Genitive singular:: gabháltais, an ghabháltais (e.g. teorainn an ghabháltais, the boundary of the holding)
Genitive plural:: gabháltas, na ngabháltas (e.g. méid na ngabháltas, the size of the holdings)

What does “gabháltas” mean?

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

holding: A piece of land, usually a farm, that someone owns or rents.Also: landholding, farm, smallholding, lot.

1 other meaning: conquest

2conquest: Territory taken by force, or the act of conquering it.Also: possession, conquered territory.

Other Irish words for holding: coinneáil (keeping)

“Gabháltas” with the article

The plural of holding in Irish is gabháltais. Here is gabháltas after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an gabháltas

the holding

No change after an

na gabháltais

the holding (plural)

Plural: no change after na

“Gabháltas” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using gabháltas, the Irish word for holding.

Tá gabháltas beag talún ag m'uncail.

My uncle has a small holding of land.

Díoladh an gabháltas anuraidh.

The holding was sold last year.

Tá teach deas ar imeall an ghabháltais.

There is a nice house on the edge of the holding.

Bhí na gabháltais an-bheag san iarthar.

The holdings were very small in the west.

D'fhág m'athair a ghabháltas le mo dheartháir.

My father left his holding to my brother.

Tá caoirigh ag innilt ar mo ghabháltas.

There are sheep grazing on my holding.

Roinneadh an talamh ina ghabháltais bheaga.

The land was divided into small holdings.

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Holding in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for holding?

The Irish for holding is gabháltas (pronounced “GOWL-tus”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is gabháltais. Depending on context it can also mean conquest.

How do you pronounce gabháltas in Irish?

Gabháltas is said like “GOWL-tus” (IPA /ˈɡaulˠt̪ˠəsˠ/).

What is the plural of holding in Irish?

The plural of gabháltas is gabháltais; with the article, it is na gabháltais. The genitive plural is gabháltas, as in méid na ngabháltas (the size of the holdings).

Does gabháltas have more than one meaning?

Yes. Gabháltas can mean holding or conquest, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does gabháltas change to ghabháltas or ngabháltas?

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

Is 'gabháltas' the same as 'feirm'?

Not exactly: 'feirm' is a farm as a working unit, while 'gabháltas' stresses the land held by someone, often in legal or historical contexts.

Holding in Irish (Gabháltas): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage