HeyRuaHow to say “back” in Irish
- Irish:
- cúl
- English:
- back, goal, head of hair
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, first declension
- Pronunciation:
- “kool” /kuːlˠ/
- Plural:
- cúil (backs)
- Genitive singular:
- cúil, an chúil (e.g. doras an chúil, the back door)
- Genitive plural:
- cúl, na gcúl (e.g. líon na gcúl, the number of goals)
What does “cúl” mean?
“Cúl” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- back
- The rear part of something, such as a room, a building or the head.Also: rear, behind, back of the head.
2 other meanings: goal or head of hair
“Cúl” with the article
The plural of back in Irish is cúil. Here is cúl after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Cúl” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using cúl, the Irish word for back.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Back in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for back?
The Irish for back is cúl (pronounced “kool”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is cúil. Depending on context it can also mean goal or head of hair.
How do you pronounce cúl in Irish?
Cúl is said like “kool” (IPA /kuːlˠ/).
What is the plural of back in Irish?
The plural of cúl is cúil; with the article, na cúil means “the backs”. The genitive plural is cúl, as in líon na gcúl (the number of goals).
Does cúl have more than one meaning?
Yes. Cúl can mean back, goal or head of hair, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does cúl change to chúl or gcúl?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) cúl becomes mo chúl (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár gcúl (eclipsis).
How do I say 'behind' using cúl?
Use 'ar chúl' followed by the genitive, as in 'ar chúl an tí' (behind the house).
What is the difference between a cúl and a pointe?
In Gaelic games a 'cúl' (goal, into the net) is worth three points, while a 'pointe' goes over the bar.
