Cave in Irish (Pluais): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for cave?

The Irish for cave is pluais (pronounced “plush”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is pluaiseanna. Depending on context it can also mean den.

Q: What is the plural of cave in Irish?

The plural of pluais is pluaiseanna; with the article, na pluaiseanna means “the caves”. The genitive plural is pluaiseanna, as in iniúchadh na bpluaiseanna (the exploration of the caves).

Q: Does pluais have more than one meaning?

Yes. Pluais can mean cave or den, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “cave” in Irish

Irish:: pluais
English:: cave, den
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine, second declension
Pronunciation:: “plush” /pˠlˠuəʃ/

Various forms

Plural:: pluaiseanna (caves)
Genitive singular:: pluaise, na pluaise (e.g. béal na pluaise, the mouth of the cave)
Genitive plural:: pluaiseanna, na bpluaiseanna (e.g. iniúchadh na bpluaiseanna, the exploration of the caves)

What does “pluais” mean?

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

cave: A large natural hollow in rock or under the ground.Also: cavern, grotto.

1 other meaning: den

2den: The lair or hiding place of a wild animal, or figuratively a hideout.Also: lair, burrow, hideout.

Other Irish words for cave: uaimh (cave)

“Pluais” with the article

The plural of cave in Irish is pluaiseanna. Here is pluais after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an phluais

the cave

Lenition: p becomes ph after an (feminine noun)

na pluaiseanna

the caves

Plural: no change after na

“Pluais” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using pluais, the Irish word for cave.

Tháinig sí amach as an bpluais go mall.

She came out of the cave slowly.

Tá pluais mhór faoin aill sin.

There is a big cave under that cliff.

Bhí sé an-dorcha istigh sa phluais.

It was very dark inside the cave.

Chuamar isteach i bpluais in aice na trá.

We went into a cave near the beach.

Tá go leor pluaiseanna i gContae an Chláir.

There are lots of caves in County Clare.

Chonaic mé ialtóga ag eitilt as béal na pluaise.

I saw bats flying out of the mouth of the cave.

Bhí an madra rua ina phluais.

The fox was in its den.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Cave in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for cave?

The Irish for cave is pluais (pronounced “plush”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is pluaiseanna. Depending on context it can also mean den.

How do you pronounce pluais in Irish?

Pluais is said like “plush” (IPA /pˠlˠuəʃ/).

What is the plural of cave in Irish?

The plural of pluais is pluaiseanna; with the article, na pluaiseanna means “the caves”. The genitive plural is pluaiseanna, as in iniúchadh na bpluaiseanna (the exploration of the caves).

Does pluais have more than one meaning?

Yes. Pluais can mean cave or den, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does pluais change to phluais or bpluais?

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

What is the difference between 'pluais' and 'uaimh'?

Both mean cave; 'uaimh' is often used for caves and souterrains, while 'pluais' also covers an animal's den or a hideout.

Cave in Irish (Pluais): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage