HeyRuaHow to say “tunnel” in Irish
- Irish:
- tollán
- English:
- tunnel
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, first declension
- Pronunciation:
- “TUL-awn” /t̪ˠʊl̪ˠɑːnˠ/
- Plural:
- tolláin (tunnels)
- Genitive singular:
- tolláin, an tolláin (e.g. béal an tolláin, mouth of the tunnel)
- Genitive plural:
- tollán, na dtollán (e.g. tógáil na dtollán, the building of the tunnels)
What does “tollán” mean?
- tunnel
- An underground or underwater passage, especially one built for a road or railway.Also: underground passage, railway tunnel, road tunnel.
“Tollán” with the article
The plural of tunnel in Irish is tolláin. Here is tollán after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Tollán” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using tollán, the Irish word for tunnel.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Tunnel in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for tunnel?
The Irish for tunnel is tollán (pronounced “TUL-awn”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is tolláin.
How do you pronounce tollán in Irish?
Tollán is said like “TUL-awn” (IPA /t̪ˠʊl̪ˠɑːnˠ/).
What is the plural of tunnel in Irish?
The plural of tollán is tolláin; with the article, na tolláin means “the tunnels”. The genitive plural is tollán, as in tógáil na dtollán (the building of the tunnels).
Why does tollán change to thollán or dtollán?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) tollán becomes mo thollán (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár dtollán (eclipsis).
Is 'tollán' related to 'poll'?
It comes from the verb 'toll' (to bore, pierce), which also gives 'toll' (hole); 'poll' is a general word for a hole, while 'tollán' is a passage through or under something.
