Palm in Irish (Bos): Meaning, Pronunciation & Examples

Q: What is the Irish for palm?

The Irish for palm is bos (pronounced “bus”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is bosa. Depending on context it can also mean boss of a hurley or slap.

Q: What is the plural of palm in Irish?

The plural of bos is bosa; with the article, na bosa means “the palms”. The genitive plural is bos, as in bualadh bos (clapping of hands, applause).

Q: Does bos have more than one meaning?

Yes. Bos can mean palm, boss of a hurley or slap, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “palm” in Irish

Irish:: bos
English:: palm, boss of a hurley, slap
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine, second declension
Pronunciation:: “bus” /bˠɔsˠ/

Various forms

Plural:: bosa (palms)
Genitive singular:: boise, na boise (e.g. lár na boise, the middle of the palm)
Genitive plural:: bos, na mbos (e.g. bualadh bos, clapping of hands, applause)

What does “bos” mean?

“Bos” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

palm: The flat inside part of the hand between the wrist and the fingers.Also: palm of the hand, flat of the hand, hand.

2 other meanings: boss of a hurley or slap

2boss of a hurley: The flattened, curved striking end of a hurley.Also: hurley blade, bas, hurley head.
3slap: A blow or clap given with the flat of the hand.Also: clap, smack.

Other Irish words for palm: lámh (hand), glac (hand), bas (palm), dearna (palm)

“Bos” with the article

The plural of palm in Irish is bosa. Here is bos after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an bhos

the palm

Lenition: b becomes bh after an (feminine noun)

na bosa

the palms

Plural: no change after na

“Bos” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using bos, the Irish word for palm.

Thosaigh an slua ag liú agus ag bualadh bos.

The crowd started yelling and clapping.

Tá gearradh beag ar mo bhos.

There's a small cut on my palm.

Léigh sí an bhos dom ag an aonach.

She read my palm at the fair.

Bhuail sé bos ar an mbord.

He slapped his palm on the table.

Bhí a bhosa fuar tar éis na hoibre.

His palms were cold after the work.

Choinnigh sí an t-éan beag i lár a boise.

She held the little bird in the middle of her palm.

Thug siad bualadh bos mór don cheoltóir.

They gave the musician a big round of applause.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Palm in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for palm?

The Irish for palm is bos (pronounced “bus”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is bosa. Depending on context it can also mean boss of a hurley or slap.

How do you pronounce bos in Irish?

Bos is said like “bus” (IPA /bˠɔsˠ/).

What is the plural of palm in Irish?

The plural of bos is bosa; with the article, na bosa means “the palms”. The genitive plural is bos, as in bualadh bos (clapping of hands, applause).

Does bos have more than one meaning?

Yes. Bos can mean palm, boss of a hurley or slap, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does bos change to bhos or mbos?

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

How do you say 'applause' or 'a round of applause' in Irish?

Use 'bualadh bos', literally 'striking of palms', for example 'Thug siad bualadh bos dó' (They applauded him).

Does 'bos' mean the whole hand?

No, 'lámh' is the hand; 'bos' is specifically the palm or flat of the hand, as in 'ar iompar boise' (carried in the palm, i.e. with great care).

Palm in Irish (Bos): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage