HeyRuaHow to say “bush” in Irish
- Irish:
- tor
- English:
- bush, clump, head
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, first declension
- Pronunciation:
- “tur” /t̪ˠɔɾˠ/
- Plural:
- toir (bushes)
- Genitive singular:
- toir, an toir (e.g. duilleoga an toir, the leaves of the bush)
- Genitive plural:
- tor, na dtor (e.g. ag bearradh na dtor, trimming the bushes)
What does “tor” mean?
“Tor” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- bush
- A low woody plant with many branches growing close to the ground.Also: shrub, thicket.
“Tor” with the article
The plural of bush in Irish is toir. Here is tor after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Tor” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using tor, the Irish word for bush.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Bush in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for bush?
The Irish for bush is tor (pronounced “tur”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is toir. Depending on context it can also mean clump or head.
How do you pronounce tor in Irish?
Tor is said like “tur” (IPA /t̪ˠɔɾˠ/).
What is the plural of bush in Irish?
The plural of tor is toir; with the article, na toir means “the bushes”. The genitive plural is tor, as in ag bearradh na dtor (trimming the bushes).
Does tor have more than one meaning?
Yes. Tor can mean bush, clump or head, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does tor change to thor or dtor?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) tor becomes mo thor (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár dtor (eclipsis).
What is the difference between 'tor' and 'tom'?
Both can mean a bush; 'tom' often suggests a thicket or tuft, while 'tor' is a bush or shrub. They appear together in the idiom 'ó thor go tom', from pillar to post.
