HeyRuaHow to say “skull” in Irish
- Irish:
- blaoscán
- English:
- skull, shell
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine
- Pronunciation:
- “BLEES-kawn” /ˈbˠl̪ˠiːsˠkaːnˠ/
- Plural:
- blaoscáin (skulls)
- Genitive singular:
- blaoscáin, an bhlaoscáin (e.g. cnámha an bhlaoscáin, bones of the skull)
- Genitive plural:
- blaoscán, na mblaoscán (e.g. cnámha na mblaoscán, the bones of the skulls)
What does “blaoscán” mean?
“Blaoscán” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- skull
- The bony case of the head; a skull or cranium.Also: cranium, head.
“Blaoscán” with the article
The plural of skull in Irish is blaoscáin. Here is blaoscán after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Blaoscán” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using blaoscán, the Irish word for skull.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Skull in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for skull?
The Irish for skull is blaoscán (pronounced “BLEES-kawn”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is blaoscáin. Depending on context it can also mean shell.
How do you pronounce blaoscán in Irish?
Blaoscán is said like “BLEES-kawn” (IPA /ˈbˠl̪ˠiːsˠkaːnˠ/).
What is the plural of skull in Irish?
The plural of blaoscán is blaoscáin; with the article, na blaoscáin means “the skulls”. The genitive plural is blaoscán, as in cnámha na mblaoscán (the bones of the skulls).
Does blaoscán have more than one meaning?
Yes. Blaoscán can mean skull or shell, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does blaoscán change to bhlaoscán or mblaoscán?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) blaoscán becomes mo bhlaoscán (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár mblaoscán (eclipsis).
What is the difference between 'blaoscán' and 'cloigeann'?
'Blaoscán' refers specifically to the skull or a shell, while 'cloigeann' is more commonly used for the head or skull in everyday speech.
