HeyRuaHow to say “inch” in Irish
- Irish:
- orlach
- English:
- inch, bit
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, first declension
- Pronunciation:
- “OR-lukh” /ˈoːɾˠl̪ˠəx/
- Plural:
- orlaí (inches)
- Genitive singular:
- orlaigh, an orlaigh (e.g. leath orlaigh, half an inch)
- Genitive plural:
- orlaí, na n-orlaí (e.g. fad na n-orlaí, the length of the inches)
What does “orlach” mean?
“Orlach” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- inch
- A unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot, about 2.54 centimetres.Also: inch measurement.
1 other meaning: bit
- 2bit
- A small amount or piece of something, often used with a negative to mean not even a little.Also: fragment, small amount, little piece.
“Orlach” with the article
The plural of inch in Irish is orlaí. Here is orlach after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Orlach” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using orlach, the Irish word for inch.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Inch in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for inch?
The Irish for inch is orlach (pronounced “OR-lukh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is orlaí. Depending on context it can also mean bit.
How do you pronounce orlach in Irish?
Orlach is said like “OR-lukh” (IPA /ˈoːɾˠl̪ˠəx/).
What is the plural of inch in Irish?
The plural of orlach is orlaí; with the article, na horlaí means “the inches”. The genitive plural is orlaí, as in fad na n-orlaí (the length of the inches).
Does orlach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Orlach can mean inch or bit, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does orlach sometimes have a t or h in front of it?
Irish nouns beginning with a vowel take a prefix after certain words: an t-orlach (the inch), a horlach (her inch), a n-orlach (their inch), na horlaí (the inches).
How do I say 'not an inch' or 'not a bit' in Irish?
Use orlach with a negative: 'Níor bhog sé orlach' means 'He didn't budge an inch', and it can also mean not a bit at all.
What form of orlach follows numbers?
The singular, as with most nouns: 'trí orlach' (three inches), 'seacht n-orlach' (seven inches). Unlike troigh (trí troithe), orlach has no special form after numbers.
