HeyRuaHow to say “thinning” in Irish
- Irish:
- caolú
- English:
- thinning, dilution, attenuation
- Word type:
- noun (verbal noun)
- Verbal noun of:
- caolaigh, to make thin (ag caolú, making thin)
- Gender:
- masculine, fourth declension
- Pronunciation:
- “kway-LOO” /keːˈl̪ˠuː/
- Plural:
- caoluithe
- Genitive singular:
- caolaithe, an chaolaithe (e.g. riail an chaolaithe, the rule of attenuation)
- Genitive plural:
- caoluithe, na gcaoluithe (e.g. rialacha na gcaoluithe, the rules of attenuations)
What does “caolú” mean?
“Caolú” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- thinning
- The verbal noun of caolaigh: the act of making something thinner, narrower or more slender.Also: narrowing, making thin, tapering.
2 other meanings: dilution or attenuation
- 2dilution
- The act of making a liquid weaker or thinner by adding water or another liquid.Also: diluting, watering down, weakening.
- 3attenuation
- In Irish grammar, the change of a broad consonant to a slender one, as in the genitive of many nouns (bád, báid).Also: palatalization, slenderization, slendering.
“Caolú” as a verbal noun
After ag, caolú means making thin: it is the verbal noun of the verb caolaigh (to make thin). A noun that follows it goes into the genitive.
“Caolú” with the article
The plural of thinning in Irish is caoluithe. Here is caolú after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Caolú” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using caolú, the Irish word for thinning.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Thinning in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for thinning?
The Irish for thinning is caolú (pronounced “kway-LOO”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is caoluithe. Depending on context it can also mean dilution or attenuation.
How do you pronounce caolú in Irish?
Caolú is said like “kway-LOO” (IPA /keːˈl̪ˠuː/).
What is the plural of thinning in Irish?
The plural of caolú is caoluithe; with the article, it is na caoluithe. The genitive plural is caoluithe, as in rialacha na gcaoluithe (the rules of attenuations).
Does caolú have more than one meaning?
Yes. Caolú can mean thinning, dilution or attenuation, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does caolú change to chaolú or gcaolú?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) caolú becomes mo chaolú (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár gcaolú (eclipsis).
What is the opposite of caolú in grammar?
The opposite is leathnú, broadening, where a slender consonant becomes broad, as in fuil, fola.
Does caolú mean the same as tanú?
Both can mean thinning, but caolú is the grammatical term for attenuation, while tanú is used more for physical thinning or thinning out.
