Plague in Irish (Plá): Meaning, Pronunciation & Examples

Q: What is the Irish for plague?

The Irish for plague is plá (pronounced “plaw”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is plánna.

Q: What is the plural of plague in Irish?

The plural of plá is plánna; with the article, na plánna means “the plagues”. The genitive plural is plánna, as in stair na bplánna (the history of the plagues).

How to say “plague” in Irish

Irish:: plá
English:: plague
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine, fourth declension
Pronunciation:: “plaw” /pˠl̪ˠaː/

Various forms

Plural:: plánna (plagues)
Genitive singular:: plá, na plá (e.g. am na plá, the time of the plague)
Genitive plural:: plánna, na bplánna (e.g. stair na bplánna, the history of the plagues)

What does “plá” mean?

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

plague: A deadly infectious disease that spreads widely among people or animals.Also: pestilence, epidemic, pest.

1 other meaning:

2plague: Figuratively, a great nuisance or affliction, such as a swarm of pests or a troublesome person.Also: nuisance, pest, scourge.

“Plá” with the article

The plural of plague in Irish is plánna. Here is plá after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an phlá

the plague

Lenition: p becomes ph after an (feminine noun)

na plánna

the plagues

Plural: no change after na

“Plá” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using plá, the Irish word for plague.

Mharaigh an phlá na mílte duine.

The plague killed thousands of people.

Tháinig plá ar an tír sa bhliain sin.

A plague struck the country that year.

Fuair a lán daoine bás den phlá.

Many people died of the plague.

Bhí eagla ar gach duine roimh an bplá.

Everyone was afraid of the plague.

Scríobh sí leabhar faoi bhlianta na plá.

She wrote a book about the plague years.

Bhí plá francach sa bhaile mór.

There was a plague of rats in the town.

Luaitear deich bplá na hÉigipte sa Bhíobla.

The ten plagues of Egypt are mentioned in the Bible.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

glaochcall plédiscussion réera bialannrestaurant caisleáncastle irismagazine

Plague in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for plague?

The Irish for plague is plá (pronounced “plaw”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is plánna.

How do you pronounce plá in Irish?

Plá is said like “plaw” (IPA /pˠl̪ˠaː/).

What is the plural of plague in Irish?

The plural of plá is plánna; with the article, na plánna means “the plagues”. The genitive plural is plánna, as in stair na bplánna (the history of the plagues).

Why does plá change to phlá or bplá?

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

What is 'the Black Death' in Irish?

It is 'an Phlá Dhubh', with the adjective lenited because 'plá' is feminine.

Can 'plá' be used for a person who annoys you?

Yes, figuratively: 'Is plá cheart é' means 'He is a real pest'.

Plague in Irish (Plá): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage