pioc
/pʲik/
The English word pickaxe is pioc in Irish.
pioc refers to a heavy iron tool.
Meaning: heavy iron tool (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /pʲik/.
Did you know?
- The word pioc is borrowed from the Middle English word 'picken', which originally comes from a Proto-Germanic root.
- The Irish word pioc functions as a phonetic twin to the English word 'pick', making it much easier for an English speaker to memorize than most native Gaelic nouns.
- The pronunciation of pioc is /pʲik/, where the 'p' carries a subtle 'palatalized' sound that is not present in the English 'pick'.
Examples in context
- Tá pioc ag an saothair.The worker has a pickaxe.
Example conversation
Cian and Niamh are working in the garden.
- CianNiamh, cá bhfuil an pioc?Niamh, where is the pickaxe?
- NiamhTá sé taobh thall sa ghairdín.It is over there in the garden.
- CianGo raibh maith agat, a Niamh.Thank you, Niamh.
- NiamhTá fáilte agat, a Chian.You are welcome, Cian.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry pioc, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pioc, CC BY-SA 4.0.
