HeyRuaHow to say “coward” in Irish
- Irish:
- cladhaire
- English:
- coward, rogue, ditcher
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, fourth declension
- Pronunciation:
- “KLY-ruh” /ˈklˠaiɾʲə/
- Plural:
- cladhairí (cowards)
- Genitive singular:
- cladhaire, an chladhaire (e.g. iompar an chladhaire, the coward's behaviour)
- Genitive plural:
- cladhairí, na gcladhairí (e.g. scéal na gcladhairí, the story of the cowards)
What does “cladhaire” mean?
“Cladhaire” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- coward
- A person who lacks courage and runs away from danger or difficulty.Also: spineless person, craven, poltroon.
2 other meanings: rogue or ditcher
- 2rogue
- A dishonest or villainous person, a scoundrel or trickster.Also: villain, scoundrel, knave, trickster.
- 3ditcher
- A person who digs or makes ditches.Also: ditch digger.
Other Irish words for coward: meatachán (coward)
“Cladhaire” with the article
The plural of coward in Irish is cladhairí. Here is cladhaire after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Cladhaire” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using cladhaire, the Irish word for coward.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Coward in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for coward?
The Irish for coward is cladhaire (pronounced “KLY-ruh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is cladhairí. Depending on context it can also mean rogue or ditcher.
How do you pronounce cladhaire in Irish?
Cladhaire is said like “KLY-ruh” (IPA /ˈklˠaiɾʲə/).
What is the plural of coward in Irish?
The plural of cladhaire is cladhairí; with the article, na cladhairí means “the cowards”. The genitive plural is cladhairí, as in scéal na gcladhairí (the story of the cowards).
Does cladhaire have more than one meaning?
Yes. Cladhaire can mean coward, rogue or ditcher, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does cladhaire change to chladhaire or gcladhaire?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) cladhaire becomes mo chladhaire (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár gcladhaire (eclipsis).
How do I say someone is a coward in Irish?
Say 'Is cladhaire é', or use the idiom with 'i': 'Tá sé ina chladhaire', and 'Ná bí i do chladhaire' means 'Don't be a coward'.
What is the abstract noun for cowardice?
The related noun is 'cladhaireacht', meaning cowardice or roguery.
