Explanation at your level:
A lass is a girl. If you are in Scotland, people might call a young woman a lass. It is a friendly word.
You use the word lass to talk about a young woman. It is common in Northern England. People often say 'lads and lasses' to describe a group of boys and girls.
The word lass is an informal noun for a girl. It is not standard English everywhere, but it is very popular in Scottish and Northern English dialects. It is often used in a warm or affectionate way.
While lass is a simple noun, its usage is highly dependent on register. Using it outside of its regional context can sound like you are mimicking a dialect. It is often used in literature to establish a character's background.
Beyond its literal meaning, lass is frequently employed in folkloric and literary contexts. It carries a specific cultural weight, often evoking imagery of rural life or traditional communities. Understanding its nuance requires recognizing that it is not merely a synonym for 'girl', but a marker of regional identity.
The etymological trajectory of lass from Old Norse origins to a staple of Northern British vernacular provides a fascinating study in linguistic preservation. In contemporary usage, it serves as a shibboleth of sorts, identifying the speaker's connection to specific cultural traditions. Its appearance in high-register literature is almost always a deliberate stylistic choice to invoke nostalgia or regional authenticity.
30秒でわかる単語
- Lass means a girl or young woman.
- It is informal and regional.
- Common in Scotland and Northern England.
- Often paired with 'lad'.
When you hear the word lass, you are likely listening to someone from Scotland or the North of England. It is a charming, informal way to refer to a girl or a young woman.
Think of it as the feminine counterpart to the word lad. While you might not hear it used in a business meeting in London or New York, it is very common in folk songs, literature, and everyday conversation in specific parts of the United Kingdom.
The word lass has deep roots in Middle English, appearing around the 14th century. It likely evolved from the Old Norse word laskr, which meant a girl or a servant.
It has stayed a staple of Northern English and Scottish dialects for centuries. Because it is tied to these specific regions, it often appears in traditional ballads and poetry, helping to give those works a distinct sense of place and history.
You should use lass when you want to sound friendly, informal, or perhaps a bit nostalgic. It is not a word for a formal report or a legal document.
Common phrases include 'a bonnie lass', which is a classic Scottish way to call a girl beautiful. It is almost exclusively used in casual settings or when telling a story, so keep it out of your formal emails!
1. A bonnie lass: A beautiful young girl. Example: 'She was the bonniest lass in the village.'
2. Lads and lasses: A group of young people. Example: 'The pub was full of local lads and lasses.'
3. A canny lass: A smart or clever girl. Example: 'She is a canny lass who knows her way around a map.'
4. Lass o' parts: A talented or capable girl. Example: 'That lass o' parts will go far in her career.'
5. Young lass: A common way to emphasize youth. Example: 'I remember her as a young lass playing in the park.'
The plural form is lasses, which follows the standard rule of adding -es to words ending in 's'. It is a countable noun, so you can say 'a lass' or 'many lasses'.
Pronounced as /læs/ in the UK and /læs/ or /læs/ in the US, it rhymes with pass, grass, and glass. The stress is always on the single syllable.
Fun Fact
It is a classic example of a word that survived in regional dialects while disappearing from standard English.
Pronunciation Guide
Short 'a' sound like in 'cat'.
Similar to the UK sound.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing it like 'lace'.
- Adding an extra syllable.
- Using a long 'a' sound.
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Very easy to read
Easy to use in creative writing
Easy to say
Easy to hear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
上級
Grammar to Know
Pluralization of nouns ending in s
lass -> lasses
Indefinite articles
a lass
Subject-verb agreement
The lass walks
Examples by Level
The little lass is happy.
lass = girl
Subject noun
She is a nice lass.
nice = kind
Predicate nominative
The lass plays.
plays = having fun
Simple sentence
Look at that lass.
look at = see
Imperative
Is she a lass?
question format
Interrogative
The lass runs.
runs = fast movement
Subject-verb
A lass sings.
sings = music
Indefinite article
That lass smiles.
smiles = happy face
Demonstrative
The lass walked to school.
Many lasses were at the party.
She is a very kind lass.
The young lass loves to read.
I saw a lass in the garden.
The lass has a red hat.
My sister is a clever lass.
The lass danced all night.
The local lasses organized the event.
She grew up as a spirited lass in the highlands.
The pub was filled with lads and lasses.
He was charmed by the bonnie lass.
The lass showed great courage.
It is a story about a poor lass.
The lass spoke with a thick accent.
Every lass in the village knew him.
The author depicts the protagonist as a resilient lass from the moors.
It is a term often used by older generations to describe a young lass.
She was a lass of great ambition and wit.
The song tells the tale of a lass who left her home.
Using the word 'lass' adds a touch of regional flair to the dialogue.
The lass stood her ground against the critics.
He referred to her as a 'bonnie lass' with a twinkle in his eye.
The cultural significance of the term 'lass' is deeply rooted in Northern history.
The character's identity is inextricably linked to her upbringing as a lass in the rural north.
He employed the term 'lass' to evoke a sense of pastoral simplicity.
The narrative structure relies heavily on the archetype of the innocent lass.
Her speech was peppered with regionalisms, including the frequent use of 'lass'.
The poem celebrates the beauty of the Highland lass.
It is a linguistic marker that distinguishes the local speech from the standard dialect.
The playwright uses 'lass' to establish a clear contrast between the urban and rural settings.
She navigated the complexities of her role as a lass in a traditional society.
The etymological evolution of 'lass' reflects the historical intersection of Norse and British linguistic currents.
In the context of the ballad, the word 'lass' functions as a metonym for the idealized rural feminine.
The usage of 'lass' in this specific literary canon serves to reinforce the regionalist agenda of the movement.
One must consider the sociolinguistic implications of using 'lass' in a modern, globalized environment.
The term 'lass' possesses a specific semantic resonance that is lost in standard English translations.
It functions as a cultural signifier within the broader framework of Northern British identity.
The transition from 'lass' to 'young woman' in the text marks the character's journey toward maturity.
The nuanced application of 'lass' requires a sophisticated understanding of regional dialectal variations.
よく使う組み合わせ
Idioms & Expressions
"A bonnie lass"
A beautiful girl
He married a bonnie lass.
casual"Lads and lasses"
Young people
The party was for all the lads and lasses.
casual"A lass o' parts"
A talented girl
She is a true lass o' parts.
literary"Wee lass"
A small girl
The wee lass is sleeping.
casual"Canny lass"
Clever girl
Ask the canny lass for help.
casualEasily Confused
Similar spelling
Lace is a fabric, lass is a girl.
She wore lace; she is a nice lass.
Similar sound
Last means final, lass is a girl.
The last lass left.
Similar sound
Less is a quantity, lass is a girl.
Less water for the lass.
Similar sound
Loss is a defeat, lass is a girl.
The lass felt the loss.
Sentence Patterns
The [adj] lass [verb]
The happy lass sang.
She is a [adj] lass
She is a clever lass.
[Noun] and lasses
The lads and lasses played.
A lass of [noun]
A lass of spirit.
That [adj] lass [verb]
That bonnie lass smiled.
語族
Nouns
関連
How to Use It
3/10
Formality Scale
よくある間違い
Lass is informal and regional.
It is not used in many parts of the world.
It needs the double 's'.
Lass specifically implies youth.
Context matters.
Tips
Regional Context
Only use it if you want to sound like you are from the North.
Short 'a'
Keep the 'a' short like in 'cat'.
Don't use in formal settings
Avoid in professional emails.
Lads and Lasses
Always remember the pair!
Read Poetry
Read Robert Burns to see it in action.
Rhyme it
Lass-glass-grass.
Scottish Roots
It is a key part of Scottish culture.
Pluralization
Add -es for lasses.
Affectionate tone
It is meant to be warm.
Flashcards
Pair 'lass' with 'lad'.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Lass rhymes with glass; imagine a girl holding a glass.
Visual Association
A young girl skipping in a Scottish field.
Word Web
チャレンジ
Try using 'lass' in a sentence when talking about a character in a book.
語源
Middle English / Old Norse
Original meaning: Girl or servant
文化的な背景
Can be perceived as patronizing if used by a stranger in a professional setting.
Common in Scotland and Northern England, particularly in rural areas.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
In a story
- The young lass
- A bonnie lass
In a song
- My true lass
- Oh, the lass
In conversation
- How are you, lass?
- The local lasses
In a poem
- The lovely lass
Conversation Starters
"Do you know any words like 'lass' from your region?"
"Why do you think some words are only used in certain areas?"
"Have you ever read a book with Scottish dialect?"
"What is the difference between 'girl' and 'lass'?"
"Do you like using regional words?"
Journal Prompts
Write a short story about a lass in a village.
Describe the difference between 'lad' and 'lass'.
Why is 'lass' considered informal?
How would you describe a 'bonnie lass'?
よくある質問
8 問No, it is a friendly, informal word.
Only if you are writing about regional dialects or literature.
It is common there, but used in Northern England too.
Lasses.
Yes, 'lad'.
No, that would be unprofessional.
It means a young woman or girl.
To show affection or regional identity.
自分をテスト
The ___ is playing in the park.
Lass refers to a girl.
What is a 'lass'?
Lass means a girl.
Is 'lass' a formal word?
It is informal and regional.
Word
意味
These are gendered pairs.
Standard adjective-noun order.
スコア： /5
Summary
A lass is a friendly, regional term for a girl, best used in casual or literary settings.
- Lass means a girl or young woman.
- It is informal and regional.
- Common in Scotland and Northern England.
- Often paired with 'lad'.
Regional Context
Only use it if you want to sound like you are from the North.
Short 'a'
Keep the 'a' short like in 'cat'.
Don't use in formal settings
Avoid in professional emails.
Lads and Lasses
Always remember the pair!
例文
She's a bonny lass from Scotland.
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