HeyRuaHow to say “wrasse” in Irish
- Irish:
- ballach
- English:
- wrasse
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, first declension
- Pronunciation:
- “BAL-ukh” /ˈbˠal̪ˠəx/
- Plural:
- ballaigh (wrasses)
- Genitive singular:
- ballaigh, an bhallaigh (e.g. dath an bhallaigh, the colour of the wrasse)
- Genitive plural:
- ballach, na mballach (e.g. ag iascach na mballach, fishing for the wrasses)
What does “ballach” mean?
- wrasse
- A brightly marked sea fish of rocky coasts, especially the ballan wrasse.Also: ballan wrasse, rock fish.
“Ballach” with the article
The plural of wrasse in Irish is ballaigh. Here is ballach after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Ballach” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using ballach, the Irish word for wrasse.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Wrasse in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for wrasse?
The Irish for wrasse is ballach (pronounced “BAL-ukh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is ballaigh.
How do you pronounce ballach in Irish?
Ballach is said like “BAL-ukh” (IPA /ˈbˠal̪ˠəx/).
What is the plural of wrasse in Irish?
The plural of ballach is ballaigh; with the article, na ballaigh means “the wrasses”. The genitive plural is ballach, as in ag iascach na mballach (fishing for the wrasses).
Why does ballach change to bhallach or mballach?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) ballach becomes mo bhallach (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár mballach (eclipsis).
Why is the fish called 'ballach'?
The name comes from the adjective 'ballach', meaning spotted, because the wrasse has a blotched, patterned skin.
