HeyRuaHow to say “breast” in Irish
- Irish:
- cíoch
- English:
- breast, rounded hill
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, second declension
- Pronunciation:
- “kee-ukh” /ciəx/
- Plural:
- cíocha (breasts)
- Genitive singular:
- cíche, na cíche (e.g. ailse na cíche, breast cancer)
- Genitive plural:
- cíoch, na gcíoch (e.g. ailse na gcíoch, cancer of the breasts)
What does “cíoch” mean?
“Cíoch” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- breast
- A breast, especially a woman's breast that produces milk.Also: bosom, teat, pap.
1 other meaning: rounded hill
- 2rounded hill
- A rounded, breast-shaped hill or peak, found in place names such as Dhá Chíoch Anann.Also: paps, breast-shaped hill.
Other Irish words for breast: ucht (chest)
“Cíoch” with the article
The plural of breast in Irish is cíocha. Here is cíoch after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Cíoch” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using cíoch, the Irish word for breast.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Breast in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for breast?
The Irish for breast is cíoch (pronounced “kee-ukh”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is cíocha. Depending on context it can also mean rounded hill.
How do you pronounce cíoch in Irish?
Cíoch is said like “kee-ukh” (IPA /ciəx/).
What is the plural of breast in Irish?
The plural of cíoch is cíocha; with the article, na cíocha means “the breasts”. The genitive plural is cíoch, as in ailse na gcíoch (cancer of the breasts).
Does cíoch have more than one meaning?
Yes. Cíoch can mean breast or rounded hill, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does cíoch change to chíoch or gcíoch?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) cíoch becomes mo chíoch (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár gcíoch (eclipsis).
What is the difference between cíoch and ucht?
Cíoch is a single breast as an organ, while ucht or brollach means the chest or bosom in general, as in 'ina ucht'.
How do you say a baby is breastfeeding?
You say the baby is 'ar an gcíoch', and weaning is 'baint den chíoch'.
