HeyRuaHow to say “smell” in Irish
- Irish:
- boltanas
- English:
- smell, sense of smell
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, first declension
- Pronunciation:
- “BOL-tuh-nus” /ˈbˠɔl̪ˠt̪ˠən̪ˠəsˠ/
- Plural:
- boltanais (smells)
- Genitive singular:
- boltanais, an bholtanais (e.g. neart an bholtanais, the strength of the smell)
- Genitive plural:
- boltanas, na mboltanas (e.g. meascán na mboltanas, the mixture of the smells)
What does “boltanas” mean?
“Boltanas” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- smell
- A smell or odour, the quality something has that you notice with your nose.Also: odour, scent, aroma.
1 other meaning: sense of smell
- 2sense of smell
- The ability to perceive smells with the nose.Also: smelling, olfaction.
Other Irish words for smell: boladh (smell)
“Boltanas” with the article
The plural of smell in Irish is boltanais. Here is boltanas after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Boltanas” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using boltanas, the Irish word for smell.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Smell in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for smell?
The Irish for smell is boltanas (pronounced “BOL-tuh-nus”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is boltanais. Depending on context it can also mean sense of smell.
How do you pronounce boltanas in Irish?
Boltanas is said like “BOL-tuh-nus” (IPA /ˈbˠɔl̪ˠt̪ˠən̪ˠəsˠ/).
What is the plural of smell in Irish?
The plural of boltanas is boltanais; with the article, na boltanais means “the smells”. The genitive plural is boltanas, as in meascán na mboltanas (the mixture of the smells).
Does boltanas have more than one meaning?
Yes. Boltanas can mean smell or sense of smell, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does boltanas change to bholtanas or mboltanas?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) boltanas becomes mo bholtanas (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár mboltanas (eclipsis).
How do I say 'I smell something' in Irish?
You say 'Tá boltanas rud éigin agam' or 'Faighim boltanas', literally getting the smell. You can also use the verb 'bolaigh'.
What is the difference between boltanas and boladh?
Both mean smell; 'boladh' is the more common everyday word, while 'boltanas' also strongly carries the sense of smell as a faculty.
