HeyRuaHow to say “corner” in Irish
- Irish:
- cearn
- English:
- corner, region
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, third declension
- Pronunciation:
- “kyarn” /cɑːɾˠn̪ˠ/
- Plural:
- cearnaí (corners)
- Genitive singular:
- cearna, na cearna (e.g. i gcúinne na cearna, in the nook of the corner)
- Genitive plural:
- cearnaí, na gcearnaí (e.g. líon na gcearnaí, the number of corners)
What does “cearn” mean?
“Cearn” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- corner
- A corner or angle, especially a corner of a place or thing.Also: angle, nook.
“Cearn” with the article
The plural of corner in Irish is cearnaí. Here is cearn after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Cearn” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using cearn, the Irish word for corner.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Corner in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for corner?
The Irish for corner is cearn (pronounced “kyarn”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is cearnaí. Depending on context it can also mean region.
How do you pronounce cearn in Irish?
Cearn is said like “kyarn” (IPA /cɑːɾˠn̪ˠ/).
What is the plural of corner in Irish?
The plural of cearn is cearnaí; with the article, na cearnaí means “the corners”. The genitive plural is cearnaí, as in líon na gcearnaí (the number of corners).
Does cearn have more than one meaning?
Yes. Cearn can mean corner or region, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does cearn change to chearn or gcearn?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) cearn becomes mo chearn (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár gcearn (eclipsis).
How is 'cearn' different from 'cúinne'?
'Cúinne' is the everyday word for a corner; 'cearn' is more literary and often means a region, as in 'gach cearn den tír', every part of the country.
