HeyRuaHow to say “zoo” in Irish
- Irish:
- zú
- English:
- zoo
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, fourth declension
- Pronunciation:
- “zoo” /zuː/
Various forms
- Plural:
- zúnna (zoos)
- Genitive singular:
- zú, an zú (e.g. geata an zú, the gate of the zoo)
- Genitive plural:
- zúnna, na zúnna (e.g. liosta zúnna na hEorpa, a list of Europe's zoos)
What does “zú” mean?
- zoo
- A place where wild animals are kept so that people can visit and look at them.Also: zoological garden, wildlife park, animal park.
“Zú” with the article
The plural of zoo in Irish is zúnna. Here is zú after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
an zú
the zoo
No change after an
na zúnna
the zoos
Plural: no change after na
“Zú” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using zú, the Irish word for zoo.
Chuamar go dtí an zú Dé Sathairn.
We went to the zoo on Saturday.
Tá leon nua sa zú.
There's a new lion in the zoo.
Is maith le mo pháistí an zú.
My children love the zoo.
Oibríonn m'aintín i zú i mBaile Átha Cliath.
My aunt works in a zoo in Dublin.
Bhí na hainmhithe sa zú an-suimiúil.
The animals in the zoo were very interesting.
Cheannaigh mé ticéid don zú ar líne.
I bought tickets for the zoo online.
Níl zúnna ag gach cathair.
Not every city has zoos.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Zoo in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for zoo?
The Irish for zoo is zú (pronounced “zoo”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is zúnna.
How do you pronounce zú in Irish?
Zú is said like “zoo” (IPA /zuː/).
What is the plural of zoo in Irish?
The plural of zú is zúnna; with the article, na zúnna means “the zoos”. The genitive plural is zúnna, as in liosta zúnna na hEorpa (a list of Europe's zoos).
Is 'zú' a native Irish word?
No, 'zú' is a borrowing from English, one of the few Irish words beginning with z. Because z does not take lenition or eclipsis, you say 'an zú' and 'sa zú' with no change.
