HeyRuaHow to say “pup” in Irish
- Irish:
- coileán
- English:
- pup, youth
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, first declension
- Pronunciation:
- “kil-AWN” /kəˈlʲɑːn̪ˠ/
- Plural:
- coileáin (pups)
- Genitive singular:
- coileáin, an choileáin (e.g. eireaball an choileáin, the pup's tail)
- Genitive plural:
- coileán, na gcoileán (e.g. tafann na gcoileán, the barking of the pups)
What does “coileán” mean?
“Coileán” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- pup
- A young dog, or the young of some other animals such as a fox, wolf or seal.Also: puppy, cub, whelp.
1 other meaning: youth
- 2youth
- A young lad or young man, sometimes said of a cheeky or troublesome young person.Also: young lad, whelp, pup.
“Coileán” with the article
The plural of pup in Irish is coileáin. Here is coileán after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Coileán” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using coileán, the Irish word for pup.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Pup in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for pup?
The Irish for pup is coileán (pronounced “kil-AWN”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is coileáin. Depending on context it can also mean youth.
How do you pronounce coileán in Irish?
Coileán is said like “kil-AWN” (IPA /kəˈlʲɑːn̪ˠ/).
What is the plural of pup in Irish?
The plural of coileán is coileáin; with the article, na coileáin means “the pups”. The genitive plural is coileán, as in tafann na gcoileán (the barking of the pups).
Does coileán have more than one meaning?
Yes. Coileán can mean pup or youth, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does coileán change to choileán or gcoileán?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) coileán becomes mo choileán (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár gcoileán (eclipsis).
What is the difference between 'coileán' and 'madra'?
'Madra' is a dog in general, while 'coileán' is a young dog or puppy. A small puppy can also be called 'coileáinín'.
