HeyRuaHow to say “lichen” in Irish
- Irish:
- léicean
- English:
- lichen
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine
- Pronunciation:
- “LAY-kyuhn” /ˈl̠ʲeːcən̪ˠ/
Various forms
- Plural:
- léicin (lichens)
- Genitive singular:
- léicin, an léicin (e.g. dath an léicin, the colour of the lichen)
- Genitive plural:
- léicean, na léicean (e.g. cineálacha na léicean, the kinds of lichens)
What does “léicean” mean?
- lichen
- A simple slow-growing organism, made of a fungus and an alga living together, that forms a crust or tufts on rocks, walls and trees.Also: rock moss, crust on rocks.
“Léicean” with the article
The plural of lichen in Irish is léicin. Here is léicean after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
an léicean
the lichen
No change after an
na léicin
the lichens
Plural: no change after na
“Léicean” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using léicean, the Irish word for lichen.
Tá léicean ag fás ar an mballa.
Lichen is growing on the wall.
Bhí an léicean buí ar na clocha.
The lichen on the stones was yellow.
Tá go leor léicin ar na crainn seo.
There are many lichens on these trees.
Is comhartha aeir ghlain é an léicean.
Lichen is a sign of clean air.
Rinne sí staidéar ar chineálacha léicean.
She studied types of lichen.
Bhí dath glas an léicin le feiceáil ar an díon.
The green colour of the lichen could be seen on the roof.
Úsáideadh léicin fadó chun olann a dhathú.
Lichens were used long ago to dye wool.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Lichen in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for lichen?
The Irish for lichen is léicean (pronounced “LAY-kyuhn”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is léicin.
How do you pronounce léicean in Irish?
Léicean is said like “LAY-kyuhn” (IPA /ˈl̠ʲeːcən̪ˠ/).
What is the plural of lichen in Irish?
The plural of léicean is léicin; with the article, na léicin means “the lichens”. The genitive plural is léicean, as in cineálacha na léicean (the kinds of lichens).
Is there a traditional Irish word for lichen besides 'léicean'?
Yes, 'crotal' is the traditional word for lichen, especially the kind used to dye wool; 'léicean' is the more technical, scientific term.
