Caravan in Irish (Carbhán): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for caravan?

The Irish for caravan is carbhán (pronounced “KAR-uh-vawn”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is carbháin. Depending on context it can also mean caravan (of travellers).

Q: What is the plural of caravan in Irish?

The plural of carbhán is carbháin; with the article, na carbháin means “the caravans”. The genitive plural is carbhán, as in páirc na gcarbhán (the caravan park).

Q: Does carbhán have more than one meaning?

Yes. Carbhán can mean caravan or caravan (of travellers), depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “caravan” in Irish

Irish:: carbhán
English:: caravan, caravan (of travellers)
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, first declension
Pronunciation:: “KAR-uh-vawn” /ˈkaɾˠəwaːnˠ/

Various forms

Plural:: carbháin (caravans)
Genitive singular:: carbháin, an charbháin (e.g. doras an charbháin, the door of the caravan)
Genitive plural:: carbhán, na gcarbhán (e.g. páirc na gcarbhán, the caravan park)

What does “carbhán” mean?

“Carbhán” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

caravan: A vehicle with living space that is towed by a car and used for holidays or as a home.Also: trailer, mobile home, camper.

1 other meaning: caravan (of travellers)

2caravan (of travellers): A group of people, animals or vehicles travelling together, especially across a desert.Also: caravan, convoy, procession.

“Carbhán” with the article

The plural of caravan in Irish is carbháin. Here is carbhán after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an carbhán

the caravan

No change after an

na carbháin

the caravans

Plural: no change after na

“Carbhán” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using carbhán, the Irish word for caravan.

Beidh mé ag fanacht i gcarbhán.

I'll be staying in a caravan.

Cheannaigh m'uncail carbhán nua anuraidh.

My uncle bought a new caravan last year.

Tá an carbhán páirceáilte in aice na trá.

The caravan is parked beside the beach.

Bhí boladh bia ag teacht ón gcarbhán.

There was a smell of food coming from the caravan.

Chaitheamar an samhradh sa charbhán i gCiarraí.

We spent the summer in the caravan in Kerry.

Bhí na céadta carbhán ar an mbóthar inniu.

There were hundreds of caravans on the road today.

Tá díon mo charbháin ag ligean isteach báistí.

The roof of my caravan is letting in rain.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

tráebb measrespect scilskill inisisland MáireMary raonrange

Caravan in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for caravan?

The Irish for caravan is carbhán (pronounced “KAR-uh-vawn”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is carbháin. Depending on context it can also mean caravan (of travellers).

How do you pronounce carbhán in Irish?

Carbhán is said like “KAR-uh-vawn” (IPA /ˈkaɾˠəwaːnˠ/).

What is the plural of caravan in Irish?

The plural of carbhán is carbháin; with the article, na carbháin means “the caravans”. The genitive plural is carbhán, as in páirc na gcarbhán (the caravan park).

Does carbhán have more than one meaning?

Yes. Carbhán can mean caravan or caravan (of travellers), depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does carbhán change to charbhán or gcarbhán?

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

How do I say 'caravan park' in Irish?

Use 'páirc charbhán' or 'láthair charbhán', with the genitive plural carbhán lenited after the feminine noun.

What is the Irish for a tent, as opposed to a caravan?

A tent is 'puball', while a caravan is 'carbhán'; camping in general is 'campáil'.

Caravan in Irish (Carbhán): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage