HeyRuaHow to say “volunteer” in Irish
- Irish:
- óglach
- English:
- volunteer, young warrior, servant
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, first declension
- Pronunciation:
- “OH-gluhkh” /ˈoːɡləx/
- Plural:
- óglaigh (volunteers)
- Genitive singular:
- óglaigh, an óglaigh (e.g. éide an óglaigh, the volunteer's uniform)
- Genitive plural:
- óglach, na n-óglach (e.g. cuimhneachán na n-óglach, memorial to the volunteers)
What does “óglach” mean?
“Óglach” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- volunteer
- A member of a volunteer military force, especially of Óglaigh na hÉireann, the Irish Volunteers or Defence Forces.Also: soldier, Irish volunteer, member of the defence forces.
2 other meanings: young warrior or servant
- 2young warrior
- In older literature, a young man, especially a young fighting man or warrior.Also: young man, youth, warrior.
- 3servant
- In older usage, an attendant, servant or vassal in the service of a lord.Also: attendant, vassal, retainer.
Other Irish words for volunteer: saorálaí (volunteer)
“Óglach” with the article
The plural of volunteer in Irish is óglaigh. Here is óglach after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Óglach” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using óglach, the Irish word for volunteer.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Volunteer in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for volunteer?
The Irish for volunteer is óglach (pronounced “OH-gluhkh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is óglaigh. Depending on context it can also mean young warrior or servant.
How do you pronounce óglach in Irish?
Óglach is said like “OH-gluhkh” (IPA /ˈoːɡləx/).
What is the plural of volunteer in Irish?
The plural of óglach is óglaigh; with the article, na hóglaigh means “the volunteers”. The genitive plural is óglach, as in cuimhneachán na n-óglach (memorial to the volunteers).
Does óglach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Óglach can mean volunteer, young warrior or servant, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does óglach sometimes have a t or h in front of it?
Irish nouns beginning with a vowel take a prefix after certain words: an t-óglach (the volunteer), a hóglach (her volunteer), a n-óglach (their volunteer), na hóglaigh (the volunteers).
Does 'óglach' mean volunteer in the general charity sense?
No, a general volunteer is 'oibrí deonach'; 'óglach' is used for a military volunteer, as in Óglaigh na hÉireann.
