madadh-allaidh
masculine
The English word "wolf" is translated into Gaelic as madadh-allaidh. Wiktionary also lists faol.
Meaning: animal (noun)
Ways to say it
| Gaelic | Note |
|---|---|
| madadh-allaidh | masculine |
| faol | masculine |
The word is used to refer to the animal, a wolf.
What does it mean word for word?
The term madadh-allaidh is a compound of madadh, meaning dog and allaidh, meaning wild.
Which one should you use?
faol and madadh-allaidh are both masculine forms used for the animal.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Irish Gaelic, the phrase mac tíre is used and means "son of the land".
Did you know?
- While madadh-allaidh is the literal term for the animal, the word faol is frequently used in Gaelic poetry and folklore to symbolize a predatory or menacing force.
- In Gaelic mythology, the wolf is often associated with the wilder, untamed aspects of the landscape, mirrored by the use of allaidh meaning 'wild'.
- The Gaelic root allaidh not only means 'wild' but can also imply 'fierce' or 'untamed' when paired with animals.
Examples in context
- Aon latha, thachair i le madadh-allaidh anns a' choille.One day she met a wolf in the woods.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use madadh-allaidh in a description of an encounter in the woods.Tatoeba #1516397 by Cainntear, translation #67150 by Zifre
- Tha an madadh-allaidh sònraichte anns an sgeulachd.The wolf is special in the story.
Example conversation
Hamish and Catriona are hiking in the highlands.
- HamishAn do chuala thu madadh-allaidh?Did you hear a wolf?
- CatrionaCha do chuala mi dad, a Hamish.I didn't hear anything, Hamish.
- HamishBha sàmhchair uaine aig an madadh-allaidh.The wolf was completely silent.
- CatrionaTha sinn sàbhailt a-nis.We are safe now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “wolf” translations and entries madadh-allaidh, faol, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries faol, madadh-allaidh, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
