Background in Irish (Cúlra): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for background?

The Irish for background is cúlra (pronounced “KOOL-ruh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is cúlraí.

Q: What is the plural of background in Irish?

The plural of cúlra is cúlraí; with the article, na cúlraí means “the backgrounds”. The genitive plural is cúlraí, as in eolas na gcúlraí (information on the backgrounds).

How to say “background” in Irish

Irish:: cúlra
English:: background
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, fourth declension
Pronunciation:: “KOOL-ruh” /ˈkuːlˠɾˠə/

Various forms

Plural:: cúlraí (backgrounds)
Genitive singular:: cúlra, an chúlra (e.g. íomhá an chúlra, the background image)
Genitive plural:: cúlraí, na gcúlraí (e.g. eolas na gcúlraí, information on the backgrounds)

What does “cúlra” mean?

“Cúlra” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

background: The part of a scene, picture or sound that is behind or less prominent than the main subject.Also: backdrop, rear.

1 other meaning:

2background: A person's past experience, education, family origins or circumstances.Also: origins, upbringing, experience.

“Cúlra” with the article

The plural of background in Irish is cúlraí. Here is cúlra after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an cúlra

the background

No change after an

na cúlraí

the backgrounds

Plural: no change after na

“Cúlra” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using cúlra, the Irish word for background.

Tá cúlra láidir ríomhaireachta aige.

He has a strong background in computing.

Bhí an teilifís ar siúl sa chúlra.

The television was on in the background.

Is maith liom an cúlra gorm sa phictiúr sin.

I like the blue background in that picture.

Tagann na daltaí ó chúlraí an-éagsúla.

The pupils come from very different backgrounds.

Ní raibh eolas againn ar a cúlra.

We knew nothing about her background.

Tá sléibhte le feiceáil i gcúlra an ghrianghraif.

Mountains can be seen in the background of the photograph.

Is ó chúlra feirmeoireachta mé féin.

I come from a farming background myself.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

comórtascompetition suísitting suísitting laghadsmallness deartháirbrother gníomhaíochtactivity

Background in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for background?

The Irish for background is cúlra (pronounced “KOOL-ruh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is cúlraí.

How do you pronounce cúlra in Irish?

Cúlra is said like “KOOL-ruh” (IPA /ˈkuːlˠɾˠə/).

What is the plural of background in Irish?

The plural of cúlra is cúlraí; with the article, na cúlraí means “the backgrounds”. The genitive plural is cúlraí, as in eolas na gcúlraí (information on the backgrounds).

Why does cúlra change to chúlra or gcúlra?

Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) cúlra becomes mo chúlra (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár gcúlra (eclipsis).

What is the opposite of 'cúlra'?

The foreground is 'tulra', so you might say 'sa tulra' (in the foreground) as against 'sa chúlra' (in the background).

Can 'cúlra' describe a person's history?

Yes, 'cúlra' covers someone's origins or experience too, as in 'Tá cúlra sa dlí aici', she has a background in law.

Background in Irish (Cúlra): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage