cailc
/kalʲc/feminine
The Irish word for chalk is cailc.
cailc refers to a piece of chalk used for drawing and on a blackboard.
Meaning: a piece of chalk used for drawing and on a blackboard (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
/kalʲc/
Did you know?
- The term cailc is used in Irish construction contexts to refer to lime mortar, linking the classroom tool to building architecture.
- Ancient Greek used the word χάλιξ to refer to a 'pebble' before it became associated with the specific material used in cailc.
- Because cailc is a feminine noun, any adjective describing the chalk must also take a feminine form.
Examples in context
- Tá cailc ar an mbord.There is chalk on the blackboard.
- Níl aon cailc againn.We have no chalk.
Example conversation
Cathal and Aoife are in a classroom.
- CathalAoife, an bhfuil cailc agat?Aoife, do you have some chalk?
- AoifeTá, tá cailc anseo.Yes, there is chalk here.
- CathalAn féidir liom í a fháil?Can I have it?
- AoifeSeachtain, seachnaigh an cailc.Sure, take the chalk.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “chalk” translations and entries cailc, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cailc, CC BY-SA 4.0.
