HeyRuaHow to say “back road” in Irish
- Irish:
- cúlbhealach
- English:
- back road, devious way
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine
- Pronunciation:
- “KOOL-val-akh” /ˈkuːlˌvʲalˠəx/
- Plural:
- cúlbhealaí (back roads)
- Genitive singular:
- cúlbhealaigh, an chúlbhealaigh (e.g. ar thaobh an chúlbhealaigh, on the side of the back road)
- Genitive plural:
- cúlbhealaí, na gcúlbhealaí (e.g. léarscáil na gcúlbhealaí, the map of the back roads)
What does “cúlbhealach” mean?
“Cúlbhealach” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- back road
- A minor road or lane away from the main roads, often used to avoid traffic.Also: byroad, side road, back way, bypath.
1 other meaning: devious way
- 2devious way
- An indirect or underhand means of getting something done.Also: back door, underhand means, roundabout way.
Other Irish words for back road: cúlbhóthar (back road)
“Cúlbhealach” with the article
The plural of back road in Irish is cúlbhealaí. Here is cúlbhealach after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Cúlbhealach” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using cúlbhealach, the Irish word for back road.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Back road in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for back road?
The Irish for back road is cúlbhealach (pronounced “KOOL-val-akh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is cúlbhealaí. Depending on context it can also mean devious way.
How do you pronounce cúlbhealach in Irish?
Cúlbhealach is said like “KOOL-val-akh” (IPA /ˈkuːlˌvʲalˠəx/).
What is the plural of back road in Irish?
The plural of cúlbhealach is cúlbhealaí; with the article, na cúlbhealaí means “the back roads”. The genitive plural is cúlbhealaí, as in léarscáil na gcúlbhealaí (the map of the back roads).
Does cúlbhealach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Cúlbhealach can mean back road or devious way, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does cúlbhealach change to chúlbhealach or gcúlbhealach?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) cúlbhealach becomes mo chúlbhealach (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár gcúlbhealach (eclipsis).
What is the difference between cúlbhealach and bóithrín?
A bóithrín is a small country lane or boreen, while cúlbhealach stresses a minor or back route away from main roads, and can also mean an underhand way of doing something.
