Shoulder in Irish (Gualainn): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for shoulder?

The Irish for shoulder is gualainn (pronounced “GOO-uh-lin”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is guaillí. Depending on context it can also mean shoulder (of hill, road).

Q: What is the plural of shoulder in Irish?

The plural of gualainn is guaillí; with the article, na guaillí means “the shoulders”. The genitive plural is guaillí, as in leithead na nguaillí (the width of the shoulders).

Q: Does gualainn have more than one meaning?

Yes. Gualainn can mean shoulder or shoulder (of hill, road), depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “shoulder” in Irish

Irish:: gualainn
English:: shoulder, shoulder (of hill, road)
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine, second declension
Pronunciation:: “GOO-uh-lin” /ˈɡuəlˠənʲ/

Various forms

Plural:: guaillí (shoulders)
Genitive singular:: gualainne, na gualainne (e.g. cnámh na gualainne, the shoulder bone)
Genitive plural:: guaillí, na nguaillí (e.g. leithead na nguaillí, the width of the shoulders)

What does “gualainn” mean?

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

shoulder: The part of the body where the arm joins the trunk.Also: shoulders.

1 other meaning: shoulder (of hill, road)

2shoulder (of hill, road): A rounded or sloping part of something resembling a shoulder, such as the side of a hill.Also: shoulder, shoulder of a hill, side.

“Gualainn” with the article

The plural of shoulder in Irish is guaillí. Here is gualainn after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an ghualainn

the shoulder

Lenition: g becomes gh after an (feminine noun)

na guaillí

the shoulders

Plural: no change after na

“Gualainn” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using gualainn, the Irish word for shoulder.

Tá pian i mo ghualainn ó inné.

My shoulder has been sore since yesterday.

Chuir mé mo ghualainn as alt.

I dislocated my shoulder.

Leag sí a lámh ar a ghualainn.

She put her hand on his shoulder.

Tá guaillí leathana air.

He has broad shoulders.

Bhí an mála trom ar an ngualainn aige.

He had the heavy bag on his shoulder.

Gortaíodh cnámh na gualainne sa chluiche.

The shoulder bone was injured in the match.

Chroith sé a ghuaillí agus d'imigh sé.

He shrugged his shoulders and left.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Shoulder in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for shoulder?

The Irish for shoulder is gualainn (pronounced “GOO-uh-lin”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is guaillí. Depending on context it can also mean shoulder (of hill, road).

How do you pronounce gualainn in Irish?

Gualainn is said like “GOO-uh-lin” (IPA /ˈɡuəlˠənʲ/).

What is the plural of shoulder in Irish?

The plural of gualainn is guaillí; with the article, na guaillí means “the shoulders”. The genitive plural is guaillí, as in leithead na nguaillí (the width of the shoulders).

Does gualainn have more than one meaning?

Yes. Gualainn can mean shoulder or shoulder (of hill, road), depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does gualainn change to ghualainn or ngualainn?

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

How do I say 'shoulder to shoulder' in Irish?

Use gualainn ar ghualainn, e.g. Sheas siad gualainn ar ghualainn, 'They stood shoulder to shoulder'.

Is there an older genitive form?

Yes, gualann is found in older texts and set phrases like greim gualann, but the standard genitive is gualainne.

Shoulder in Irish (Gualainn): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage