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Crumb in Irish (Grabhróg): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage

‘grabhróg’ also means: particle

The Irish for crumb is grabhróg, a feminine noun (plural grabhróga).
Updated October 2026Report a mistake

How to say “crumb” in Irish

Irish:
grabhróg
English:
crumb, particle
Word type:
noun
Gender:
feminine
Pronunciation:
“GROW-roag”  /ˈɡɾˠəuɾˠoːɡ/
Various forms
Plural:
grabhróga (crumbs)
Genitive singular:
grabhróige, na grabhróige (e.g. titim na grabhróige, the fall of the crumb)
Genitive plural:
grabhróg, na ngrabhróg (e.g. mála na ngrabhróg, the bag of crumbs)

What does “grabhróg” mean?

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

crumb
A small fragment of bread, cake or similar food.Also: breadcrumb, morsel, fragment.
1 other meaning: particle
2particle
A tiny scrap or bit of anything.Also: scrap, bit, speck.

Other Irish words for crumb: sprúilleog (crumb), sprúille (crumb)

“Grabhróg” with the article

The plural of crumb in Irish is grabhróga. Here is grabhróg after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an ghrabhróg
the crumb
Lenition: g becomes gh after an (feminine noun)
na grabhróga
the crumbs
Plural: no change after na

“Grabhróg” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using grabhróg, the Irish word for crumb.

Tá grabhróg ar do smig.
There's a crumb on your chin.
Thit an ghrabhróg ar an urlár.
The crumb fell on the floor.
Bhí grabhróga ar fud an bhoird.
There were crumbs all over the table.
Thug sí na grabhróga do na héin.
She gave the crumbs to the birds.
Ní raibh grabhróg aráin fágtha sa teach.
There wasn't a crumb of bread left in the house.
Scuab na grabhróga den tolg, le do thoil.
Brush the crumbs off the sofa, please.
Tá grabhróga i mo leaba.
There are crumbs in my bed.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

Crumb in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for crumb?

The Irish for crumb is grabhróg (pronounced “GROW-roag”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is grabhróga. Depending on context it can also mean particle.

How do you pronounce grabhróg in Irish?

Grabhróg is said like “GROW-roag” (IPA /ˈɡɾˠəuɾˠoːɡ/).

What is the plural of crumb in Irish?

The plural of grabhróg is grabhróga; with the article, na grabhróga means “the crumbs”. The genitive plural is grabhróg, as in mála na ngrabhróg (the bag of crumbs).

Does grabhróg have more than one meaning?

Yes. Grabhróg can mean crumb or particle, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does grabhróg change to ghrabhróg or ngrabhróg?

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

What is the difference between 'grabhróg' and 'bruscar'?

'Grabhróg' is a single crumb, while 'bruscar' refers collectively to crumbs, scraps or rubbish.

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