HeyRuaHow to say “wool” in Irish
- Irish:
- olann
- English:
- wool, woolly hair
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine
- Pronunciation:
- “UL-un” /ˈolˠən̪ˠ/
- Plural:
- olanna (wools)
- Genitive singular:
- olla, na holla (e.g. praghas na holla, the price of the wool)
- Genitive plural:
- olann, na n-olann (e.g. cineál na n-olann, the type of the wools)
What does “olann” mean?
“Olann” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- wool
- The soft hair of sheep and some other animals, used to make yarn and cloth.Also: fleece, woollen yarn, yarn.
1 other meaning: woolly hair
- 2woolly hair
- A thick, curly or tousled head of hair, compared to wool.Also: mop of hair, shock of hair.
Other Irish words for wool: olanda (woollen)
“Olann” with the article
The plural of wool in Irish is olanna. Here is olann after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Olann” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using olann, the Irish word for wool.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Wool in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for wool?
The Irish for wool is olann (pronounced “UL-un”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is olanna. Depending on context it can also mean woolly hair.
How do you pronounce olann in Irish?
Olann is said like “UL-un” (IPA /ˈolˠən̪ˠ/).
What is the plural of wool in Irish?
The plural of olann is olanna; with the article, na holanna means “the wools”. The genitive plural is olann, as in cineál na n-olann (the type of the wools).
Does olann have more than one meaning?
Yes. Olann can mean wool or woolly hair, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does olann sometimes have a t or h in front of it?
Irish nouns beginning with a vowel take a prefix after certain words: an olann (the wool), a holann (her wool), a n-olann (their wool), na holanna (the wools).
How do I say a woollen jumper in Irish?
Use the genitive olla after the noun: geansaí olla, a woollen jumper.
What is the difference between olann and lomra?
Olann is wool in general, while lomra is a whole fleece shorn from a sheep.
