HeyRuaHow to say “clay” in Irish
- Irish:
- cré
- English:
- clay, earth
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, fourth declension
- Pronunciation:
- “kray” /cɾʲeː/
- Plural:
- créanna (clays)
- Genitive singular:
- cré, na cré (e.g. dath na cré, the colour of the clay)
- Genitive plural:
- créanna, na gcréanna (e.g. meascán na gcréanna, the mixture of clays)
What does “cré” mean?
“Cré” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- clay
- Soft sticky earth that can be shaped and baked to make pots and bricks.Also: potter's clay, earth.
1 other meaning: earth
- 2earth
- Soil or earth, especially the earth of the grave or the ground in which the dead are buried.Also: soil, dust, ground.
Other Irish words for clay: créafóg (clay)
“Cré” with the article
The plural of clay in Irish is créanna. Here is cré after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Cré” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using cré, the Irish word for clay.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Clay in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for clay?
The Irish for clay is cré (pronounced “kray”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is créanna. Depending on context it can also mean earth.
How do you pronounce cré in Irish?
Cré is said like “kray” (IPA /cɾʲeː/).
What is the plural of clay in Irish?
The plural of cré is créanna; with the article, na créanna means “the clays”. The genitive plural is créanna, as in meascán na gcréanna (the mixture of clays).
Does cré have more than one meaning?
Yes. Cré can mean clay or earth, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does cré change to chré or gcré?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) cré becomes mo chré (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár gcré (eclipsis).
What is the difference between 'cré' and 'ithir'?
'Cré' is clay or earth as a substance, while 'ithir' is the arable soil used for growing crops.
What does 'Cré na Cille' mean?
It means 'churchyard clay', the earth of the graveyard, and is the title of Máirtín Ó Cadhain's famous novel set among the dead.
