HeyRuaHow to say “lake” in Irish
- Irish:
- loch
- English:
- lake, sea inlet
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, third declension
- Pronunciation:
- “lokh” /l̪ˠɔx/
- Plural:
- lochanna (lakes)
- Genitive singular:
- locha, an locha (e.g. bruach an locha, the shore of the lake)
- Genitive plural:
- lochanna, na lochanna (e.g. tír na lochanna, the land of lakes)
What does “loch” mean?
“Loch” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- lake
- A large body of fresh water surrounded by land.Also: lough, loch, pond.
1 other meaning: sea inlet
- 2sea inlet
- An arm of the sea reaching into the land, as in many Irish place names.Also: lough, fjord, arm of the sea.
“Loch” with the article
The plural of lake in Irish is lochanna. Here is loch after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Loch” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using loch, the Irish word for lake.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Lake in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for lake?
The Irish for lake is loch (pronounced “lokh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is lochanna. Depending on context it can also mean sea inlet.
How do you pronounce loch in Irish?
Loch is said like “lokh” (IPA /l̪ˠɔx/).
What is the plural of lake in Irish?
The plural of loch is lochanna; with the article, na lochanna means “the lakes”. The genitive plural is lochanna, as in tír na lochanna (the land of lakes).
Does loch have more than one meaning?
Yes. Loch can mean lake or sea inlet, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Is 'loch' the same as English 'lough'?
Yes, the English word 'lough' in Irish place names comes from 'loch', e.g. Loch Dearg became Lough Derg.
What is the difference between 'loch' and 'lochán'?
A 'loch' is a lake, while a 'lochán' is a small lake or pond.
