HeyRuaHow to say “blackthorn” in Irish
- Irish:
- draighean
- English:
- blackthorn, thorns
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, first declension
- Pronunciation:
- “DRY-un” /ˈd̪ˠɾˠaiən̪ˠ/
- Plural:
- draighin (blackthorns)
- Genitive singular:
- draighin, an draighin (e.g. bláth an draighin, blackthorn blossom)
- Genitive plural:
- draighean, na ndraighean (e.g. fál na ndraighean, the blackthorn hedge)
What does “draighean” mean?
“Draighean” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- blackthorn
- A thorny shrub with white blossom in spring and small bitter dark fruit called sloes.Also: sloe bush, sloe tree, thornbush.
1 other meaning: thorns
- 2thorns
- Thorny bushes or brambles in general, often used figuratively for something prickly or troublesome.Also: thornbush, blackthorn, briar.
“Draighean” with the article
The plural of blackthorn in Irish is draighin. Here is draighean after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Draighean” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using draighean, the Irish word for blackthorn.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Blackthorn in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for blackthorn?
The Irish for blackthorn is draighean (pronounced “DRY-un”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is draighin. Depending on context it can also mean thorns.
How do you pronounce draighean in Irish?
Draighean is said like “DRY-un” (IPA /ˈd̪ˠɾˠaiən̪ˠ/).
What is the plural of blackthorn in Irish?
The plural of draighean is draighin; with the article, na draighin means “the blackthorns”. The genitive plural is draighean, as in fál na ndraighean (the blackthorn hedge).
Does draighean have more than one meaning?
Yes. Draighean can mean blackthorn or thorns, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does draighean change to dhraighean or ndraighean?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) draighean becomes mo dhraighean (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár ndraighean (eclipsis).
What is the difference between 'draighean' and 'airne'?
'Draighean' is the blackthorn bush itself, while 'airne' is its fruit, the sloe.
What is a 'bata draighin'?
A 'bata draighin' is a walking stick made of blackthorn wood, the traditional Irish shillelagh.
