Cause in Irish (Caingean): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for cause?

The Irish for cause is caingean (pronounced “KANG-gyan”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is caingne. Depending on context it can also mean action or business.

Q: What is the plural of cause in Irish?

The plural of caingean is caingne; with the article, na caingne means “the causes”. The genitive plural is caingne, as in líon na gcaingne (the number of actions).

Q: Does caingean have more than one meaning?

Yes. Caingean can mean cause, action or business, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “cause” in Irish

Irish:: caingean
English:: cause, action, business
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine, second declension
Pronunciation:: “KANG-gyan” /ˈkaɲɟən̠ˠ/

Various forms

Plural:: caingne (causes)
Genitive singular:: caingne, na caingne (e.g. cúinsí na caingne, the circumstances of the case)
Genitive plural:: caingne, na gcaingne (e.g. líon na gcaingne, the number of actions)

What does “caingean” mean?

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

cause: A matter or cause that is being argued or pleaded, especially a case in dispute.Also: case, dispute, matter.

2 other meanings: action or business

2action: A legal action or lawsuit brought before a court.Also: lawsuit, legal action, suit.
3business: A piece of business or a matter to be dealt with.Also: affair, matter.

Other Irish words for cause: cúis (cause), fáth (reason)

“Caingean” with the article

The plural of cause in Irish is caingne. Here is caingean after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an chaingean

the cause

Lenition: c becomes ch after an (feminine noun)

na caingne

the causes

Plural: no change after na

“Caingean” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using caingean, the Irish word for cause.

Thug sé caingean dlí in aghaidh na comhairle.

He brought a legal action against the council.

Éistfidh an chúirt an chaingean amárach.

The court will hear the case tomorrow.

Is fada a mhair an chaingean sin.

That case went on for a long time.

Bhí costais na caingne an-ard.

The costs of the action were very high.

Tá roinnt caingne os comhair na hArdchúirte.

There are several actions before the High Court.

Phléigh an t-abhcóide mo chaingean go maith.

The barrister argued my case well.

Ní raibh aon bhunús leis an gcaingean.

There was no basis for the action.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

líonnet athairfather diagod altarticle clannchildren deisright

Cause in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for cause?

The Irish for cause is caingean (pronounced “KANG-gyan”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is caingne. Depending on context it can also mean action or business.

How do you pronounce caingean in Irish?

Caingean is said like “KANG-gyan” (IPA /ˈkaɲɟən̠ˠ/).

What is the plural of cause in Irish?

The plural of caingean is caingne; with the article, na caingne means “the causes”. The genitive plural is caingne, as in líon na gcaingne (the number of actions).

Does caingean have more than one meaning?

Yes. Caingean can mean cause, action or business, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does caingean change to chaingean or gcaingean?

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

How does 'caingean' differ from 'cás'?

'Cás' is the everyday word for a case, while 'caingean' is a formal legal term for an action or suit, as in 'caingean dlí'.

Cause in Irish (Caingean): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage