Bark in Irish (Coirt): Meaning, Pronunciation & Examples

Q: What is the Irish for bark?

The Irish for bark is coirt (pronounced “kurtch”). It’s a feminine noun. Depending on context it can also mean tan or coating.

Q: Does coirt have more than one meaning?

Yes. Coirt can mean bark, tan or coating, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “bark” in Irish

Irish:: coirt
English:: bark, tan, coating
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine, second declension
Pronunciation:: “kurtch” /koɾʲtʲ/

Various forms

Genitive singular:: coirte, na coirte (e.g. dath na coirte, the colour of the bark)

What does “coirt” mean?

“Coirt” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

bark: The rough outer covering of a tree trunk or branch.Also: tree bark, rind.

2 other meanings: tan or coating

2tan: Tanner's bark, or the dye made from bark used to tan leather.Also: tanner's bark, bark dye.
3coating: A layer that forms on a surface, such as fur on the tongue, scale in a kettle or scum on liquid.Also: fur, scale, scum, crust.

Other Irish words for bark: amhastrach (barking), tafann (barking), amhastraigh (bark)

“Coirt” with the article

Here is coirt after the article (an t-alt).

an choirt

the bark

Lenition: c becomes ch after an (feminine noun)

“Coirt” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using coirt, the Irish word for bark.

Tá coirt gharbh ar an seanchrann darach.

The old oak tree has rough bark.

Bhain an fia an choirt den chrann.

The deer stripped the bark off the tree.

Is maith liom boladh na coirte tar éis báistí.

I like the smell of the bark after rain.

Tá feithidí beaga ina gcónaí sa choirt.

Small insects live in the bark.

Bhí coirt bhán ar a theanga.

His tongue was furred white.

Tá coirt ar thóin an chitil.

There is scale on the bottom of the kettle.

D'úsáidtí coirt chun leathar a leasú fadó.

Bark was used to tan leather long ago.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Bark in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for bark?

The Irish for bark is coirt (pronounced “kurtch”). It’s a feminine noun. Depending on context it can also mean tan or coating.

How do you pronounce coirt in Irish?

Coirt is said like “kurtch” (IPA /koɾʲtʲ/).

Does coirt have a plural?

No plural form is given for coirt in the standard. Many abstract and mass nouns in Irish have no plural.

Does coirt have more than one meaning?

Yes. Coirt can mean bark, tan or coating, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does coirt change to choirt or gcoirt?

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

Is 'coirt' the word for a dog's bark?

No. 'Coirt' is the bark of a tree; a dog's bark is 'tafann'.

Is 'coirt' related to 'cúirt'?

No. 'Cúirt' means a court, while 'coirt' means bark or a coating.

Bark in Irish (Coirt): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage