Martin in Irish (Gabhlán): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for martin?

The Irish for martin is gabhlán (pronounced “GOW-lawn”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is gabhláin. Depending on context it can also mean fork.

Q: What is the plural of martin in Irish?

The plural of gabhlán is gabhláin; with the article, na gabhláin means “the martins”. The genitive plural is gabhlán, as in eitilt na ngabhlán (the flight of the martins).

Q: Does gabhlán have more than one meaning?

Yes. Gabhlán can mean martin or fork, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “martin” in Irish

Irish:: gabhlán
English:: martin, fork
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, first declension
Pronunciation:: “GOW-lawn” /ˈɡəulˠɑːnˠ/

Various forms

Plural:: gabhláin (martins)
Genitive singular:: gabhláin, an ghabhláin (e.g. nead an ghabhláin, the martin's nest)
Genitive plural:: gabhlán, na ngabhlán (e.g. eitilt na ngabhlán, the flight of the martins)

What does “gabhlán” mean?

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

martin: A small bird of the swallow family, especially the house martin, which builds mud nests under the eaves of buildings.Also: house martin, sand martin, swift.

1 other meaning: fork

2fork: A small fork or forked thing, such as a forked branch or a fork in a road or stream.Also: forked branch, small fork, bifurcation.

“Gabhlán” with the article

The plural of martin in Irish is gabhláin. Here is gabhlán after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an gabhlán

the martin

No change after an

na gabhláin

the martins

Plural: no change after na

“Gabhlán” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using gabhlán, the Irish word for martin.

Chonaic mé gabhlán ag eitilt os cionn na habhann.

I saw a martin flying above the river.

Tá an gabhlán ag tógáil neide faoin díon.

The martin is building a nest under the roof.

Tagann na gabhláin ar ais gach samhradh.

The martins come back every summer.

Bhí nead an ghabhláin déanta de láib.

The martin's nest was made of mud.

Is iomaí gabhlán a bhí sa scioból inné.

There were many martins in the barn yesterday.

D'imigh na gabhláin ó dheas san fhómhar.

The martins went south in the autumn.

Bhí gabhláin ag seilg cuileog thar an loch.

Martins were hunting flies over the lake.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

glúingeneration glúinknee earnáilsector maithegood gruaighair tarraingtpulling

Martin in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for martin?

The Irish for martin is gabhlán (pronounced “GOW-lawn”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is gabhláin. Depending on context it can also mean fork.

How do you pronounce gabhlán in Irish?

Gabhlán is said like “GOW-lawn” (IPA /ˈɡəulˠɑːnˠ/).

What is the plural of martin in Irish?

The plural of gabhlán is gabhláin; with the article, na gabhláin means “the martins”. The genitive plural is gabhlán, as in eitilt na ngabhlán (the flight of the martins).

Does gabhlán have more than one meaning?

Yes. Gabhlán can mean martin or fork, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does gabhlán change to ghabhlán or ngabhlán?

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

What is the difference between gabhlán and fáinleog?

Fáinleog is the swallow, while gabhlán is a martin; gabhlán gaoithe is the swift.

Martin in Irish (Gabhlán): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage