HeyRuaHow to say “narrows” in Irish
- Irish:
- caol
- English:
- narrows, narrow part, osier
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, first declension
- Pronunciation:
- “kweel” /kiːlˠ/
- Plural:
- caolta (narrows)
- Genitive singular:
- caoil, an chaoil (e.g. uisce an chaoil, the water of the narrows)
- Genitive plural:
- caolta, na gcaolta (e.g. cosán na gcaolta, the path of the narrows)
What does “caol” mean?
“Caol” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- narrows
- A narrow stretch of water, such as a strait or channel between two pieces of land.Also: strait, channel, sound, narrow passage.
2 other meanings: narrow part or osier
- 2narrow part
- The narrow or thin part of something, such as the small of the leg, the wrist or the narrow end of an object.Also: small of the leg, wrist, ankle, slender part.
- 3osier
- A thin, flexible rod or twig, especially a willow rod used in basket-making.Also: withe, wicker rod, willow rod, rod.
“Caol” with the article
The plural of narrows in Irish is caolta. Here is caol after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Caol” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using caol, the Irish word for narrows.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Narrows in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for narrows?
The Irish for narrows is caol (pronounced “kweel”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is caolta. Depending on context it can also mean narrow part or osier.
How do you pronounce caol in Irish?
Caol is said like “kweel” (IPA /kiːlˠ/).
What is the plural of narrows in Irish?
The plural of caol is caolta; with the article, na caolta means “the narrows”. The genitive plural is caolta, as in cosán na gcaolta (the path of the narrows).
Does caol have more than one meaning?
Yes. Caol can mean narrows, narrow part or osier, depending on context; the first is the most common. Caol also has its own entry as an adjective meaning thin.
Why does caol change to chaol or gcaol?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) caol becomes mo chaol (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár gcaol (eclipsis).
How do I say 'wrist' or 'ankle' with caol?
Use caol na láimhe for the wrist and caol na coise for the ankle; the word caol here means the narrow part of a limb.
Is caol used in place names?
Yes, it often means a strait or narrows, as in An Caol, the anglicised Keel on Achill Island.
