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Crow in Irish (Préachán): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage

‘préachán’ also means: croaker

The Irish for crow is préachán, a masculine noun (plural préacháin).
Updated October 2026Report a mistake

How to say “crow” in Irish

Irish:
préachán
English:
crow, croaker
Word type:
noun
Gender:
masculine, first declension
Pronunciation:
“pray-uh-KHAWN”  /pʲɾʲiəˈxaːn̪ˠ/
Various forms
Plural:
préacháin (crows)
Genitive singular:
préacháin, an phréacháin (e.g. nead an phréacháin, the crow's nest)
Genitive plural:
préachán, na bpréachán (e.g. glór na bpréachán, the cawing of the crows)

What does “préachán” mean?

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

crow
A large black bird of the crow family, such as a rook or hooded crow.Also: rook, raven, black bird.
1 other meaning: croaker
2croaker
Figuratively, a person with a harsh, croaking voice or one who speaks gloomily.Also: harsh-voiced person.

Other Irish words for crow: caróg (crow), feannóg (hooded crow)

“Préachán” with the article

The plural of crow in Irish is préacháin. Here is préachán after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an préachán
the crow
No change after an
na préacháin
the crows
Plural: no change after na

“Préachán” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using préachán, the Irish word for crow.

Chonaic mé préachán ar an gclaí ar maidin.
I saw a crow on the wall this morning.
Tá an préachán ag ithe an arbhair.
The crow is eating the corn.
Tá glór préacháin aici.
She sounds like a crow.
Bhí na préacháin ag grágaíl sna crainn.
The crows were cawing in the trees.
Chuir an fear bréige eagla ar na préacháin.
The scarecrow frightened the crows.
Tá nead préacháin i mbarr an chrainn.
There is a crow's nest at the top of the tree.
Tá sé chomh dubh le préachán.
It is as black as a crow.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

Crow in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for crow?

The Irish for crow is préachán (pronounced “pray-uh-KHAWN”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is préacháin. Depending on context it can also mean croaker.

How do you pronounce préachán in Irish?

Préachán is said like “pray-uh-KHAWN” (IPA /pʲɾʲiəˈxaːn̪ˠ/).

What is the plural of crow in Irish?

The plural of préachán is préacháin; with the article, na préacháin means “the crows”. The genitive plural is préachán, as in glór na bpréachán (the cawing of the crows).

Does préachán have more than one meaning?

Yes. Préachán can mean crow or croaker, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does préachán change to phréachán or bpréachán?

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

What is the difference between 'préachán' and 'fiach'?

'Préachán' is a general word for a crow or rook, while 'fiach' usually means a raven.

Is 'feannóg' the same as 'préachán'?

'Feannóg' is specifically the hooded crow, also called 'préachán liath'.

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