Berry in Irish (Caor): Meaning, Pronunciation & Examples

Q: What is the Irish for berry?

The Irish for berry is caor (pronounced “keer”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is caora. Depending on context it can also mean ball or glowing mass.

Q: What is the plural of berry in Irish?

The plural of caor is caora; with the article, na caora means “the berries”. The genitive plural is caor, as in cumhracht na gcaor (the scent of the berries).

Q: Does caor have more than one meaning?

Yes. Caor can mean berry, ball or glowing mass, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “berry” in Irish

Irish:: caor
English:: berry, ball, glowing mass
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine, second declension
Pronunciation:: “keer” /kiːɾˠ/

Various forms

Plural:: caora (berries)
Genitive singular:: caoire, na caoire (e.g. dath na caoire, the colour of the berry)
Genitive plural:: caor, na gcaor (e.g. cumhracht na gcaor, the scent of the berries)

What does “caor” mean?

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

berry: A small round fleshy fruit, such as a rowan berry or a juniper berry.Also: small fruit, rowanberry.

2 other meanings: ball or glowing mass

2ball: A round object or ball, such as a cannon-ball or sling-ball.Also: round object, globule.
3glowing mass: A glowing or blazing object, such as a ball of fire, a thunderbolt or a red-hot mass.Also: fireball, thunderbolt, blaze.

“Caor” with the article

The plural of berry in Irish is caora. Here is caor after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an chaor

the berry

Lenition: c becomes ch after an (feminine noun)

na caora

the berries

Plural: no change after na

“Caor” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using caor, the Irish word for berry.

Tá caor dhearg ar an gcrann sin.

There is a red berry on that tree.

Phioc an páiste an chaor agus d'ith sí í.

The child picked the berry and ate it.

Tá na caora aibí anois.

The berries are ripe now.

Ná hith na caora sin, tá siad nimhiúil.

Don't eat those berries, they are poisonous.

Bhí blas searbh ar na caora sin.

Those berries had a bitter taste.

Bailímid caora sa choill gach fómhar.

We gather berries in the wood every autumn.

Bhí na héin ag ithe na gcaor.

The birds were eating the berries.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Berry in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for berry?

The Irish for berry is caor (pronounced “keer”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is caora. Depending on context it can also mean ball or glowing mass.

How do you pronounce caor in Irish?

Caor is said like “keer” (IPA /kiːɾˠ/).

What is the plural of berry in Irish?

The plural of caor is caora; with the article, na caora means “the berries”. The genitive plural is caor, as in cumhracht na gcaor (the scent of the berries).

Does caor have more than one meaning?

Yes. Caor can mean berry, ball or glowing mass, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does caor change to chaor or gcaor?

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

What is the difference between 'caor' and 'sméar'?

'Caor' is a general word for a berry, while 'sméar' usually means a blackberry. Grapes are 'caora fíniúna'.

What does 'ar na caora' mean?

'Ar na caora' is an idiom meaning wildly or violently drunk, or in a fury, literally like a glowing mass.

Berry in Irish (Caor): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage