Load in Irish (Ualach): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for load?

The Irish for load is ualach (pronounced “OO-uh-lukh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is ualaí. Depending on context it can also mean burden or charge.

Q: What is the plural of load in Irish?

The plural of ualach is ualaí; with the article, na hualaí means “the loads”. The genitive plural is ualaí, as in iompar na n-ualaí (the carrying of the loads).

Q: Does ualach have more than one meaning?

Yes. Ualach can mean load, burden or charge, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “load” in Irish

Irish:: ualach
English:: load, burden, charge
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, first declension
Pronunciation:: “OO-uh-lukh” /ˈuəl̪ˠəx/

Various forms

Plural:: ualaí (loads)
Genitive singular:: ualaigh, an ualaigh (e.g. meáchan an ualaigh, the weight of the load)
Genitive plural:: ualaí, na n-ualaí (e.g. iompar na n-ualaí, the carrying of the loads)

What does “ualach” mean?

“Ualach” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

load: A quantity of something that is carried, especially a heavy one.Also: burden, weight, cargo.

2 other meanings: burden or charge

2burden: A responsibility, duty or worry that weighs heavily on someone.Also: responsibility, onus, encumbrance.
3charge: In electricity, the load or charge carried by a circuit or device.Also: electrical load.

Other Irish words for load: lód (load), lódáil (loading), luchtaigh (load), lódáil (load)

“Ualach” with the article

The plural of load in Irish is ualaí. Here is ualach after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an t-ualach

the load

Masculine nouns take t before a vowel after an

na hualaí

the loads

Plural: na adds h before a vowel

“Ualach” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using ualach, the Irish word for load.

Ní féidir liom an t-ualach a iompar.

I can't carry the load.

Bhí ualach mór móna ar an asal.

The donkey had a big load of turf.

Roinneadh an t-ualach idir dhá leoraí.

The load was divided between two lorries.

Thit cuid den ualach den trucail.

Part of the load fell off the truck.

Is mór an t-ualach orm na fiacha sin.

Those debts are a great burden on me.

Tógadh ualach de mo chroí nuair a chuala mé an scéal.

A weight was lifted from my heart when I heard the news.

Iompraíonn na báid ualaí troma trasna an chuain.

The boats carry heavy loads across the harbour.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Load in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for load?

The Irish for load is ualach (pronounced “OO-uh-lukh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is ualaí. Depending on context it can also mean burden or charge.

How do you pronounce ualach in Irish?

Ualach is said like “OO-uh-lukh” (IPA /ˈuəl̪ˠəx/).

What is the plural of load in Irish?

The plural of ualach is ualaí; with the article, na hualaí means “the loads”. The genitive plural is ualaí, as in iompar na n-ualaí (the carrying of the loads).

Does ualach have more than one meaning?

Yes. Ualach can mean load, burden or charge, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does ualach sometimes have a t or h in front of it?

Irish nouns beginning with a vowel take a prefix after certain words: an t-ualach (the load), a hualach (her load), a n-ualach (their load), na hualaí (the loads).

What is the difference between 'ualach' and 'lasta'?

'Ualach' is any load or burden, physical or figurative, while 'lasta' is specifically cargo carried by a ship or vehicle.

How do I say 'workload' in Irish?

Use 'ualach oibre', for example 'Tá ualach oibre trom orm', I have a heavy workload.

Load in Irish (Ualach): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage