Shell in Irish (Blaosc): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for shell?

The Irish for shell is blaosc (pronounced “blaysk”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is blaoscanna. Depending on context it can also mean skull.

Q: What is the plural of shell in Irish?

The plural of blaosc is blaoscanna; with the article, na blaoscanna means “the shells”. The genitive plural is blaoscanna, as in bailiú na mblaoscanna (collecting the shells).

Q: Does blaosc have more than one meaning?

Yes. Blaosc can mean shell or skull, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “shell” in Irish

Irish:: blaosc
English:: shell, skull
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine, second declension
Pronunciation:: “blaysk” /bˠl̪ˠeːsˠk/

Various forms

Plural:: blaoscanna (shells)
Genitive singular:: blaoisce, na blaoisce (e.g. dath na blaoisce, the colour of the shell)
Genitive plural:: blaoscanna, na mblaoscanna (e.g. bailiú na mblaoscanna, collecting the shells)

What does “blaosc” mean?

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

shell: The hard outer covering of an egg, nut or shellfish.Also: eggshell, nutshell, husk.

1 other meaning: skull

2skull: The bony case of the head; the cranium.Also: cranium, head.

Other Irish words for shell: sliogán (shell)

“Blaosc” with the article

The plural of shell in Irish is blaoscanna. Here is blaosc after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an bhlaosc

the shell

Lenition: b becomes bh after an (feminine noun)

na blaoscanna

the shells

Plural: no change after na

“Blaosc” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using blaosc, the Irish word for shell.

Bhris mé blaosc na huibhe go cúramach.

I carefully broke the eggshell.

Tá an bhlaosc an-chrua ar an gcnó seo.

The shell on this nut is very hard.

Fuair sé buille sa bhlaosc.

He got a blow to the skull.

Bhí blaoscanna portán ar fud na trá.

There were crab shells all over the beach.

Bhain sí píosa beag den bhlaosc.

She removed a small bit of the shell.

Chaith na páistí na blaoscanna sa bhosca bruscair.

The children threw the shells in the bin.

Tá dath donn ar bhlaosc na huibhe seo.

This egg's shell is brown.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Shell in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for shell?

The Irish for shell is blaosc (pronounced “blaysk”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is blaoscanna. Depending on context it can also mean skull.

How do you pronounce blaosc in Irish?

Blaosc is said like “blaysk” (IPA /bˠl̪ˠeːsˠk/).

What is the plural of shell in Irish?

The plural of blaosc is blaoscanna; with the article, na blaoscanna means “the shells”. The genitive plural is blaoscanna, as in bailiú na mblaoscanna (collecting the shells).

Does blaosc have more than one meaning?

Yes. Blaosc can mean shell or skull, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does blaosc change to bhlaosc or mblaosc?

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

What is the difference between blaosc and sliogán?

Blaosc is the shell of an egg or nut (or the skull), while sliogán is usually a seashell, such as one found on the beach.

Shell in Irish (Blaosc): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage