HeyRuaHow to say “small intestine” in Irish
- Irish:
- caolán
- English:
- small intestine, catgut, thin person
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, first declension
- Pronunciation:
- “KWEE-lawn” /ˈkiːlˠɑːnˠ/
- Plural:
- caoláin (small intestines)
- Genitive singular:
- caoláin, an chaoláin (e.g. galar an chaoláin, disease of the small intestine)
- Genitive plural:
- caolán, na gcaolán (e.g. fad na gcaolán, the length of the small intestines)
What does “caolán” mean?
“Caolán” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- small intestine
- The long narrow part of the gut between the stomach and the large intestine; also used of a gut or intestine in general.Also: intestine, gut, bowel.
2 other meanings: catgut or thin person
- 2catgut
- Strong cord made from animal intestines, used for strings and stitching.Also: gut string.
- 3thin person
- A thin or slender person or thing; a variant of caoladán.Also: skinny person, slender thing.
“Caolán” with the article
The plural of small intestine in Irish is caoláin. Here is caolán after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Caolán” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using caolán, the Irish word for small intestine.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Small intestine in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for small intestine?
The Irish for small intestine is caolán (pronounced “KWEE-lawn”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is caoláin. Depending on context it can also mean catgut or thin person.
How do you pronounce caolán in Irish?
Caolán is said like “KWEE-lawn” (IPA /ˈkiːlˠɑːnˠ/).
What is the plural of small intestine in Irish?
The plural of caolán is caoláin; with the article, na caoláin means “the small intestines”. The genitive plural is caolán, as in fad na gcaolán (the length of the small intestines).
Does caolán have more than one meaning?
Yes. Caolán can mean small intestine, catgut or thin person, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does caolán change to chaolán or gcaolán?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) caolán becomes mo chaolán (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár gcaolán (eclipsis).
What is the difference between caolán and stéig?
Caolán usually means the small intestine, while stéig is a general word for gut or intestine; the large intestine is an stéig mhór or an drólann.
