Lock in Irish (Glas): Meaning, Pronunciation & Examples

Q: What is the Irish for lock?

The Irish for lock is glas (pronounced “glass”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is glais. Depending on context it can also mean green colour or handcuff.

Q: What is the plural of lock in Irish?

The plural of glas is glais; with the article, na glais means “the locks”. The genitive plural is glas, as in eochracha na nglas (the keys of the locks).

Q: Does glas have more than one meaning?

Yes. Glas can mean lock, green colour or handcuff, depending on context; the first is the most common. Glas also has its own entry as an adjective meaning green.

How to say “lock” in Irish

Irish:: glas
English:: lock, green colour, handcuff
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, first declension
Pronunciation:: “glass” /ɡl̪ˠasˠ/

Various forms

Plural:: glais (locks)
Genitive singular:: glais, an ghlais (e.g. eochair an ghlais, the key of the lock)
Genitive plural:: glas, na nglas (e.g. eochracha na nglas, the keys of the locks)

What does “glas” mean?

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

lock: A device that fastens a door, box or gate so it cannot be opened without a key.Also: padlock, fastening.

2 other meanings: green colour or handcuff

2green colour: The colour green or grey-green considered as a thing, as in a shade of green.Also: shade of green, greenness.
3handcuff: In the phrase 'glais lámh', the metal rings locked on a prisoner's wrists.Also: manacle, shackle.

Other Irish words for lock: dual (lock), glasáil (lock)

Other entries for “glas”

The same spelling has its own page as:

glasgreen · adjective

“Glas” with the article

The plural of lock in Irish is glais. Here is glas after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an glas

the lock

No change after an

na glais

the locks

Plural: no change after na

“Glas” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using glas, the Irish word for lock.

Cuir an doras faoi ghlas anocht.

Lock the door tonight.

Tá an glas briste ar an ngeata.

The lock on the gate is broken.

Chaill mé eochair an ghlais.

I lost the key to the lock.

Cuireadh glais lámh air.

They put him in handcuffs.

Níl mo ghlas ag obair i gceart.

My lock isn't working properly.

Bhí an rothar ceangailte le glas.

The bike was fastened with a lock.

Coimeádann sí na cáipéisí i dtarraiceán faoi ghlas.

She keeps the documents in a locked drawer.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Lock in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for lock?

The Irish for lock is glas (pronounced “glass”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is glais. Depending on context it can also mean green colour or handcuff.

How do you pronounce glas in Irish?

Glas is said like “glass” (IPA /ɡl̪ˠasˠ/).

What is the plural of lock in Irish?

The plural of glas is glais; with the article, na glais means “the locks”. The genitive plural is glas, as in eochracha na nglas (the keys of the locks).

Does glas have more than one meaning?

Yes. Glas can mean lock, green colour or handcuff, depending on context; the first is the most common. Glas also has its own entry as an adjective meaning green.

Why does glas change to ghlas or nglas?

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

How do I say 'locked' in Irish?

Use 'faoi ghlas': 'Tá an doras faoi ghlas' means the door is locked.

Is 'glas' the lock the same word as 'glas' green?

They share a spelling, but the noun 'glas' meaning lock is a separate word from the adjective 'glas' meaning green.

Lock in Irish (Glas): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage