Knee in Irish (Glúin): Meaning, Pronunciation & Examples

Q: What is the Irish for knee?

The Irish for knee is glúin (pronounced “gloon”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is glúine. Depending on context it can also mean node.

Q: What is the plural of knee in Irish?

The plural of glúin is glúine; with the article, na glúine means “the knees”. The genitive plural is glún, as in cosaint na nglún (protection of the knees).

Q: Does glúin have more than one meaning?

Yes. Glúin can mean knee or node, depending on context; the first is the most common. Glúin also has its own entry as a noun, feminine meaning generation.

How to say “knee” in Irish

Irish:: glúin
English:: knee, node
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine, second declension
Pronunciation:: “gloon” /ɡlˠuːnʲ/

Various forms

Plural:: glúine (knees)
Genitive singular:: glúine, na glúine (e.g. gortú glúine, knee injury)
Genitive plural:: glún, na nglún (e.g. cosaint na nglún, protection of the knees)

What does “glúin” mean?

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

knee: The joint in the middle of the leg where it bends.Also: lap, knee joint.

1 other meaning: node

2node: A joint or knot on the stem of a plant, from which leaves grow.Also: joint, knot.

Other entries for “glúin”

The same spelling has its own page as:

glúingeneration · noun, feminine

“Glúin” with the article

The plural of knee in Irish is glúine. Here is glúin after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an ghlúin

the knee

Lenition: g becomes gh after an (feminine noun)

na glúine

the knees

Plural: no change after na

“Glúin” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using glúin, the Irish word for knee.

Ghortaigh mé mo ghlúin ag imirt peile.

I hurt my knee playing football.

Tá pian i mo ghlúin ó mhaidin.

My knee has been hurting since morning.

Chuaigh sé ar a ghlúine os a comhair.

He went down on his knees in front of her.

Bhí an leanbh ina shuí ar ghlúin a mháthar.

The child was sitting on his mother's knee.

Tá an ghlúin dheas ataithe go dona.

The right knee is badly swollen.

Bhí poll i nglúin a bhríste.

There was a hole in the knee of his trousers.

Bíonn na glúine lag agam tar éis rith.

My knees are weak after running.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Knee in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for knee?

The Irish for knee is glúin (pronounced “gloon”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is glúine. Depending on context it can also mean node.

How do you pronounce glúin in Irish?

Glúin is said like “gloon” (IPA /ɡlˠuːnʲ/).

What is the plural of knee in Irish?

The plural of glúin is glúine; with the article, na glúine means “the knees”. The genitive plural is glún, as in cosaint na nglún (protection of the knees).

Does glúin have more than one meaning?

Yes. Glúin can mean knee or node, depending on context; the first is the most common. Glúin also has its own entry as a noun, feminine meaning generation.

Why does glúin change to ghlúin or nglúin?

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

How do I say 'on my knees' in Irish?

Say 'ar mo ghlúine', for example 'Bhí mé ar mo ghlúine ag guí'.

Is 'glúin' meaning 'generation' the same word?

It is spelled the same, but 'glúin' meaning generation is a separate entry with the plural 'glúnta'; the knee has the plural 'glúine'.

Knee in Irish (Glúin): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage