Marl in Irish (Marla): Meaning, Pronunciation & Examples

Q: What is the Irish for marl?

The Irish for marl is marla (pronounced “MAWR-luh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is marlaí. Depending on context it can also mean modelling clay.

Q: What is the plural of marl in Irish?

The plural of marla is marlaí; with the article, na marlaí means “the marls”. The genitive plural is marlaí, as in sraitheanna na marlaí (the layers of marl).

Q: Does marla have more than one meaning?

Yes. Marla can mean marl or modelling clay, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “marl” in Irish

Irish:: marla
English:: marl, modelling clay
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, fourth declension
Pronunciation:: “MAWR-luh” /ˈmˠɑːɾˠl̪ˠə/

Various forms

Plural:: marlaí (marls)
Genitive singular:: marla, an mharla (e.g. dath an mharla, the colour of the marl)
Genitive plural:: marlaí, na marlaí (e.g. sraitheanna na marlaí, the layers of marl)

What does “marla” mean?

“Marla” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

marl: A crumbly earthy mixture of clay and lime, used in the past to improve soil.Also: clay soil, subsoil.

1 other meaning: modelling clay

2modelling clay: A soft coloured material that children shape into figures and objects.Also: plasticine, play dough, clay.

“Marla” with the article

The plural of marl in Irish is marlaí. Here is marla after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an marla

the marl

No change after an

na marlaí

the marls

Plural: no change after na

“Marla” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using marla, the Irish word for marl.

Rinne na páistí ainmhithe as marla.

The children made animals out of plasticine.

Tá an marla ar fud an bhoird.

The modelling clay is all over the table.

Cheannaigh mé píosa marla don leanbh.

I bought a piece of plasticine for the child.

Tá marla de gach dath sa bhosca.

There is plasticine of every colour in the box.

Tá mo mharla gorm imithe crua.

My blue plasticine has gone hard.

Bhí lámha an bhuachalla clúdaithe i marla.

The boy's hands were covered in plasticine.

Scaip na feirmeoirí marla ar na páirceanna fadó.

Long ago the farmers spread marl on the fields.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Marl in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for marl?

The Irish for marl is marla (pronounced “MAWR-luh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is marlaí. Depending on context it can also mean modelling clay.

How do you pronounce marla in Irish?

Marla is said like “MAWR-luh” (IPA /ˈmˠɑːɾˠl̪ˠə/).

What is the plural of marl in Irish?

The plural of marla is marlaí; with the article, na marlaí means “the marls”. The genitive plural is marlaí, as in sraitheanna na marlaí (the layers of marl).

Does marla have more than one meaning?

Yes. Marla can mean marl or modelling clay, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does marla change to mharla?

After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo mharla. After ár (our) it stays ár marla, because m does not take eclipsis.

What is the difference between 'marla' and 'cré'?

'Cré' is clay or earth in general, while 'marla' is marl or the soft modelling clay children play with, such as plasticine.

Marl in Irish (Marla): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage