Navel in Irish (Imleacán): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for navel?

The Irish for navel is imleacán (pronounced “IM-il-uh-kawn”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is imleacáin. Depending on context it can also mean hub, centre.

Q: What is the plural of navel in Irish?

The plural of imleacán is imleacáin; with the article, na himleacáin means “the navels”. The genitive plural is imleacán, as in cruth na n-imleacán (the shape of the navels).

Q: Does imleacán have more than one meaning?

Yes. Imleacán can mean navel or hub, centre, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “navel” in Irish

Irish:: imleacán
English:: navel, hub, centre
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, first declension
Pronunciation:: “IM-il-uh-kawn” /ˈimʲəlʲəkɑːn̪ˠ/

Various forms

Plural:: imleacáin (navels)
Genitive singular:: imleacáin, an imleacáin (e.g. timpeall an imleacáin, around the navel)
Genitive plural:: imleacán, na n-imleacán (e.g. cruth na n-imleacán, the shape of the navels)

What does “imleacán” mean?

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

navel: The small hollow in the middle of the belly where the umbilical cord was attached.Also: belly button, umbilicus, tummy button.

1 other meaning: hub, centre

2hub, centre: Figuratively, the central point of something, such as a place or activity.Also: hub, centre, navel, central point.

“Imleacán” with the article

The plural of navel in Irish is imleacáin. Here is imleacán after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an t-imleacán

the navel

Masculine nouns take t before a vowel after an

na himleacáin

the navels

Plural: na adds h before a vowel

“Imleacán” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using imleacán, the Irish word for navel.

Tá pian agam timpeall an imleacáin.

I have a pain around my belly button.

Bhí fáinne ina himleacán aici.

She had a ring in her navel.

Thaispeáin an leanbh a imleacán dúinn.

The child showed us his belly button.

Tá salachar i d'imleacán.

There's dirt in your belly button.

Ghlan sé an t-imleacán go cúramach.

He cleaned the navel carefully.

Bhí m'imleacán le feiceáil faoin léine ghearr.

My belly button was showing under the short shirt.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Navel in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for navel?

The Irish for navel is imleacán (pronounced “IM-il-uh-kawn”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is imleacáin. Depending on context it can also mean hub, centre.

How do you pronounce imleacán in Irish?

Imleacán is said like “IM-il-uh-kawn” (IPA /ˈimʲəlʲəkɑːn̪ˠ/).

What is the plural of navel in Irish?

The plural of imleacán is imleacáin; with the article, na himleacáin means “the navels”. The genitive plural is imleacán, as in cruth na n-imleacán (the shape of the navels).

Does imleacán have more than one meaning?

Yes. Imleacán can mean navel or hub, centre, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does imleacán sometimes have a t or h in front of it?

Irish nouns beginning with a vowel take a prefix after certain words: an t-imleacán (the navel), a himleacán (her navel), a n-imleacán (their navel), na himleacáin (the navels).

How do I say 'umbilical cord' in Irish?

It is 'corda an imleacáin', or sometimes 'sreang an imleacáin'.

Navel in Irish (Imleacán): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage