gualainn
/ˈɡuəl̪ˠənʲ/feminine
The English word shoulder is gualainn in Irish.
gualainn refers to the joint between the arm and the torso.
Meaning: joint between arm and torso (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The word gualainn is used for both the singular and the plural forms of shoulder. When you want to use the singular form with a definite article, it becomes an gualainn. To express the genitive plural meaning 'of the shoulders', use the phrase na gualainn.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈɡuəl̪ˠənʲ/
Did you know?
- In Irish, the concept of 'shrugging your shoulders' is expressed through the phrase tógáil gualainn, which literally means 'lifting shoulders'.
- The word gualainn is a cognate with the Scottish Gaelic gualann and the Manx geaylin.
- The definite article an before gualainn does not trigger any consonant mutation, such as lenition, which often happens in Irish nouns.
Example sentences for Irish are not verified yet.
Example conversation
Saoirse is helping Cian with his coat.
- SaoirseAn bhfuil an cóta seo ró-mhór ar do gualainn?Is this coat too big on your shoulder?
- CianTá, tá sé beagán mór demais.Yes, it is a bit too big.
- SaoirseDéan an gualainn seo a tharraingt anall.Pull this shoulder out.
- CianGo maith, tá sé níos fearr anois.Good, it is better now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shoulder” translations and entries gualainn, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gualainn, CC BY-SA 4.0.
