HeyRuaHow to say “weeping” in Irish
- Irish:
- gol
- English:
- weeping
- Word type:
- noun (verbal noun)
- Verbal noun of:
- goil, to weep (ag gol, weeping)
- Gender:
- masculine, first declension
- Pronunciation:
- “gul” /ɡɔlˠ/
- Genitive singular:
- goil, an ghoil (e.g. racht an ghoil, the fit of weeping)
What does “gol” mean?
- weeping
- Gol is the verbal noun of the verb goil, the act of crying or shedding tears.Also: crying, tears, sobbing, wailing.
Other Irish words for weeping: caoineadh (crying)
“Gol” as a verbal noun
After ag, gol means weeping: it is the verbal noun of the verb goil (to weep). A noun that follows it goes into the genitive.
“Gol” with the article
Here is gol after the article (an t-alt).
“Gol” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using gol, the Irish word for weeping.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Weeping in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for weeping?
The Irish for weeping is gol (pronounced “gul”). It’s a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce gol in Irish?
Gol is said like “gul” (IPA /ɡɔlˠ/).
Does gol have a plural?
No plural form is given for gol in the standard. Many abstract and mass nouns in Irish have no plural.
Why does gol change to ghol or ngol?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) gol becomes mo ghol (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár ngol (eclipsis).
What is the difference between gol and caoineadh?
Gol is the ordinary word for crying or weeping, while caoineadh is crying too but also means keening or lamenting the dead. In Munster caoineadh is often the everyday word for crying.
How do I say someone is crying?
Use bí with ag gol: Tá sí ag gol, she is crying.
