Place in Irish (Plás): Meaning, Pronunciation & Examples

Q: What is the Irish for place?

The Irish for place is plás (pronounced “plaws”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is pláis. Depending on context it can also mean level space.

Q: What is the plural of place in Irish?

The plural of plás is pláis; with the article, na pláis means “the places”. The genitive plural is plás, as in ainmneacha na bplás (the names of the squares).

Q: Does plás have more than one meaning?

Yes. Plás can mean place or level space, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “place” in Irish

Irish:: plás
English:: place, level space
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, first declension
Pronunciation:: “plaws” /pˠl̪ˠɑːsˠ/

Various forms

Plural:: pláis (places)
Genitive singular:: pláis, an phláis (e.g. lár an phláis, the middle of the square)
Genitive plural:: plás, na bplás (e.g. ainmneacha na bplás, the names of the squares)

What does “plás” mean?

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

place: An open space in a town, or a short street or group of houses built around a small square.Also: square, plaza, close, terrace.

1 other meaning: level space

2level space: A flat or level piece of ground, such as a clearing or platform.Also: clearing, flat ground, platform.

Other Irish words for place: cuir (put), áit (place), láthair (site), ionad (place)

“Plás” with the article

The plural of place in Irish is pláis. Here is plás after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an plás

the place

No change after an

na pláis

the places

Plural: no change after na

“Plás” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using plás, the Irish word for place.

Tá margadh ar an bplás gach Satharn.

There is a market on the square every Saturday.

Cónaíonn m'aintín i bPlás Mhuirfean.

My aunt lives in Merrion Place.

Bhí na páistí ag súgradh ar an bplás.

The children were playing in the square.

Tá dealbh mhór i lár an phláis.

There is a big statue in the middle of the square.

Tá dhá phlás nua sa bhaile anois.

There are two new squares in the town now.

Is plás ciúin é le crainn timpeall air.

It's a quiet square with trees around it.

Bhuaileamar le chéile ag cúinne an phláis.

We met at the corner of the square.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

caoiway contaecounty líneline páirtíparty dlílaw ealaínart

Place in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for place?

The Irish for place is plás (pronounced “plaws”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is pláis. Depending on context it can also mean level space.

How do you pronounce plás in Irish?

Plás is said like “plaws” (IPA /pˠl̪ˠɑːsˠ/).

What is the plural of place in Irish?

The plural of plás is pláis; with the article, na pláis means “the places”. The genitive plural is plás, as in ainmneacha na bplás (the names of the squares).

Does plás have more than one meaning?

Yes. Plás can mean place or level space, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does plás change to phlás or bplás?

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

What is the difference between 'plás' and 'cearnóg'?

'Cearnóg' is the usual word for a town square, as in 'Cearnóg Pharnell', while 'plás' is common in street names for a 'Place' or small close, as in 'Plás Mhuirfean'.

Does 'plás' mean 'place' in the general sense?

No, for a place in general use 'áit'; 'plás' means a square, close or level open space.

Place in Irish (Plás): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage