HeyRuaHow to say “loss” in Irish
- Irish:
- caill
- English:
- loss, something wrong
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, second declension
- Pronunciation:
- “kal” /kalʲ/
- Plural:
- cailleanna (losses)
- Genitive singular:
- caille, na caille (e.g. méid na caille, the extent of the loss)
- Genitive plural:
- cailleanna, na gcailleanna (e.g. méid na gcailleanna, the extent of the losses)
What does “caill” mean?
“Caill” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- loss
- A loss or detriment; something lost or harm suffered, used mainly in set phrases.Also: detriment, harm, damage.
1 other meaning: something wrong
- 2something wrong
- In the phrase 'níl caill ar', it means there is nothing wrong with someone or something, they are fine or not bad.Also: nothing wrong, not bad, fault.
Other Irish words for loss: cailliúint (loss), caillteanas (loss), cailleadh (loss)
“Caill” with the article
The plural of loss in Irish is cailleanna. Here is caill after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Caill” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using caill, the Irish word for loss.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Loss in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for loss?
The Irish for loss is caill (pronounced “kal”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is cailleanna. Depending on context it can also mean something wrong.
How do you pronounce caill in Irish?
Caill is said like “kal” (IPA /kalʲ/).
What is the plural of loss in Irish?
The plural of caill is cailleanna; with the article, na cailleanna means “the losses”. The genitive plural is cailleanna, as in méid na gcailleanna (the extent of the losses).
Does caill have more than one meaning?
Yes. Caill can mean loss or something wrong, depending on context; the first is the most common. Caill also has its own entry as a verb meaning to lose.
Why does caill change to chaill or gcaill?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) caill becomes mo chaill (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár gcaill (eclipsis).
How is 'caill' different from 'caillteanas'?
'Caillteanas' is the usual word for a loss, especially financial; 'caill' survives mainly in the idiom 'níl caill air', meaning there is nothing wrong with it.
Is 'caill' also a verb?
Yes, the verb 'caill' means to lose, as in 'Chaill mé an t-airgead', but this entry is the noun meaning loss or fault.
