cógaslann
feminine
The Irish word for pharmacy is cógaslann. Wiktionary also lists siopa poitigéara.
Meaning: a place where prescription drugs are dispensed (noun)
Ways to say it
| Irish | Note |
|---|---|
| cógaslann | feminine |
| siopa poitigéara | masculine |
The term refers to a place where prescription drugs are dispensed.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase siopa poitigéara is composed of siopa (shop) and poitigéara (chemist/pharmacist).
Which one should you use?
Cógaslann is the standard, more formal term for a pharmacy, whereas siopa poitigéara is a more descriptive, colloquial way to say 'chemist's shop'.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because cógaslann is a feminine noun, it takes the form an chógaslann in the nominative singular when the definite article is used.
Did you know?
- The suffix -lann can also mean 'blade' or 'edge' in other Irish words. In the context of cógaslann, however, it functions specifically as a suffix to denote a specialized place or building.
- The word cógaslann is built from cógas meaning 'medicine' and lann, a suffix used for places of storage or specialized buildings. This same suffix is found in leabharlann for 'library', which literally means a 'book-place'.
- The word siopa in siopa poitigéara is a direct loan from the English word 'shop'. Despite this, it is a fully integrated part of the Irish language and is not seen as a foreign word.
Examples in context
- Tá an cógaslann gar anseo.The pharmacy is near here.
- An bhfuil cógaslann ar an mbóthar?Is there a pharmacy on the road?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pharmacy” translations and entries cógaslann, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cógaslann, siopa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
