Strait in Irish (Caolas): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for strait?

The Irish for strait is caolas (pronounced “KAY-lus”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is caolais. Depending on context it can also mean narrow place.

Q: What is the plural of strait in Irish?

The plural of caolas is caolais; with the article, na caolais means “the straits”. The genitive plural is caolas, as in léarscáil na gcaolas (the map of the straits).

Q: Does caolas have more than one meaning?

Yes. Caolas can mean strait or narrow place, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “strait” in Irish

Irish:: caolas
English:: strait, narrow place
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, first declension
Pronunciation:: “KAY-lus” /ˈkeːl̪ˠəsˠ/

Various forms

Plural:: caolais (straits)
Genitive singular:: caolais, an chaolais (e.g. taobh thall an chaolais, the far side of the strait)
Genitive plural:: caolas, na gcaolas (e.g. léarscáil na gcaolas, the map of the straits)

What does “caolas” mean?

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

strait: A narrow stretch of sea between two pieces of land.Also: narrows, sound, channel, kyle.

1 other meaning: narrow place

2narrow place: Any narrow passage or place where something becomes tight or constricted.Also: bottleneck, narrow passage.

“Caolas” with the article

The plural of strait in Irish is caolais. Here is caolas after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an caolas

the strait

No change after an

na caolais

the straits

Plural: no change after na

“Caolas” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using caolas, the Irish word for strait.

Tá caolas idir an t-oileán agus an mhórthír.

There is a strait between the island and the mainland.

Bhí an caolas garbh inné.

The strait was rough yesterday.

Shnámh sé trasna an chaolais.

He swam across the strait.

Tá sruth láidir sa chaolas.

There is a strong current in the strait.

Chuamar trí na caolais i mbád beag.

We went through the straits in a small boat.

Tá droichead nua ar an gcaolas anois.

There is a new bridge over the strait now.

Bíonn rónta le feiceáil i gcaolas an oileáin.

Seals can be seen in the island's strait.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Strait in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for strait?

The Irish for strait is caolas (pronounced “KAY-lus”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is caolais. Depending on context it can also mean narrow place.

How do you pronounce caolas in Irish?

Caolas is said like “KAY-lus” (IPA /ˈkeːl̪ˠəsˠ/).

What is the plural of strait in Irish?

The plural of caolas is caolais; with the article, na caolais means “the straits”. The genitive plural is caolas, as in léarscáil na gcaolas (the map of the straits).

Does caolas have more than one meaning?

Yes. Caolas can mean strait or narrow place, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does caolas change to chaolas or gcaolas?

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

Is 'caolas' related to the adjective 'caol'?

Yes, 'caolas' comes from 'caol' (narrow), so it literally means a narrow place, usually a narrow sea passage.

Strait in Irish (Caolas): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage