HeyRuaHow to say “swan” in Irish
- Irish:
- eala
- English:
- swan
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, fourth declension
- Pronunciation:
- “AL-uh” /ˈalˠə/
- Plural:
- ealaí (swans)
- Genitive singular:
- eala, na heala (e.g. cleití na heala, the swan's feathers)
- Genitive plural:
- ealaí, na n-ealaí (e.g. Clann Lir agus scéal na n-ealaí, the Children of Lir and the story of the swans)
What does “eala” mean?
- swan
- A large white water bird with a long neck.Also: mute swan, whooper swan, cob, pen.
“Eala” with the article
The plural of swan in Irish is ealaí. Here is eala after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Eala” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using eala, the Irish word for swan.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Swan in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for swan?
The Irish for swan is eala (pronounced “AL-uh”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is ealaí.
How do you pronounce eala in Irish?
Eala is said like “AL-uh” (IPA /ˈalˠə/).
What is the plural of swan in Irish?
The plural of eala is ealaí; with the article, na healaí means “the swans”. The genitive plural is ealaí, as in Clann Lir agus scéal na n-ealaí (the Children of Lir and the story of the swans).
Why does eala sometimes have a t or h in front of it?
Irish nouns beginning with a vowel take a prefix after certain words: an eala (the swan), a heala (her swan), a n-eala (their swan), na healaí (the swans).
Why are swans important in Irish folklore?
In the legend Oidhe Chlainne Lir, the four children of Lir are turned into ealaí for nine hundred years, so harming an eala was traditionally considered unlucky.
