HeyRuaHow to say “lay” in Irish
- Irish:
- laoi
- English:
- lay
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, fourth declension
- Pronunciation:
- “lee” /l̪ˠiː/
Various forms
- Plural:
- laoithe (lays)
- Genitive singular:
- laoi, na laoi (e.g. teideal na laoi, the title of the lay)
- Genitive plural:
- laoithe, na laoithe (e.g. cnuasach na laoithe, the collection of the lays)
What does “laoi” mean?
- lay
- A narrative poem or song, especially an old heroic poem of the Fenian or Ossianic tradition.Also: poem, ballad, narrative poem, song.
“Laoi” with the article
The plural of lay in Irish is laoithe. Here is laoi after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
an laoi
the lay
No change after an
na laoithe
the lays
Plural: no change after na
“Laoi” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using laoi, the Irish word for lay.
Chum an file laoi faoi Fhionn Mac Cumhaill.
The poet composed a lay about Fionn Mac Cumhaill.
Is laoi fhada í seo faoi Oisín.
This is a long lay about Oisín.
D'aithris sé an laoi go hiomlán ó chuimhne.
He recited the whole lay from memory.
Tá véarsaí na laoi an-álainn.
The verses of the lay are very beautiful.
Bhailigh siad laoithe na Féinne sa Ghaeltacht.
They collected the Fenian lays in the Gaeltacht.
Tá cur síos ar an gcath sa laoi.
The battle is described in the lay.
Léigh mé cuid de na laoithe sin ar scoil.
I read some of those lays at school.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Lay in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for lay?
The Irish for lay is laoi (pronounced “lee”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is laoithe.
How do you pronounce laoi in Irish?
Laoi is said like “lee” (IPA /l̪ˠiː/).
What is the plural of lay in Irish?
The plural of laoi is laoithe; with the article, na laoithe means “the lays”. The genitive plural is laoithe, as in cnuasach na laoithe (the collection of the lays).
How is 'laoi' different from 'dán' or 'amhrán'?
'Laoi' usually means an old narrative or heroic poem, such as the Fenian lays, while 'dán' is a poem in general and 'amhrán' is an ordinary song.
Is 'laoi' the same word as 'lao' (calf)?
No, 'laoi' is a lay or poem; 'lao' (calf, also 'gamhain') is unrelated.
