HeyRuaHow to say “horse” in Irish
- Irish:
- capall
- English:
- horse, large, coarse kind
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, first declension
- Pronunciation:
- “KOP-ul” /ˈkapˠəl̪ˠ/
- Plural:
- capaill (horses)
- Genitive singular:
- capaill, an chapaill (e.g. cos an chapaill, the horse's leg)
- Genitive plural:
- capall, na gcapall (e.g. úinéirí na gcapall, the owners of the horses)
What does “capall” mean?
“Capall” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- horse
- A large four-legged animal with hooves and a mane, used for riding, racing and pulling loads.Also: mare, steed, nag.
1 other meaning: large, coarse kind
- 2large, coarse kind
- Used before another noun to mean a large or coarse kind of something, as in 'capall coille' (capercaillie).Also: large kind, coarse kind, horse-.
“Capall” with the article
The plural of horse in Irish is capaill. Here is capall after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Capall” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using capall, the Irish word for horse.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Horse in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for horse?
The Irish for horse is capall (pronounced “KOP-ul”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is capaill. Depending on context it can also mean large, coarse kind.
How do you pronounce capall in Irish?
Capall is said like “KOP-ul” (IPA /ˈkapˠəl̪ˠ/).
What is the plural of horse in Irish?
The plural of capall is capaill; with the article, na capaill means “the horses”. The genitive plural is capall, as in úinéirí na gcapall (the owners of the horses).
Does capall have more than one meaning?
Yes. Capall can mean horse or large, coarse kind, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does capall change to chapall or gcapall?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) capall becomes mo chapall (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár gcapall (eclipsis).
What is the difference between 'capall' and 'each'?
'Capall' is the everyday word for a horse; 'each' is an older, literary word for a horse or steed, found mainly in poetry and set phrases.
How do I say a mare or a foal?
A mare is 'láir' and a foal is 'searrach'; a pony is 'capaillín'.
