Cupboard in Irish (Cófra): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for cupboard?

The Irish for cupboard is cófra (pronounced “KOH-fruh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is cófraí. Depending on context it can also mean chest or boot (of car).

Q: What is the plural of cupboard in Irish?

The plural of cófra is cófraí; with the article, na cófraí means “the cupboards”. The genitive plural is cófraí, as in eochracha na gcófraí (the keys of the cupboards).

Q: Does cófra have more than one meaning?

Yes. Cófra can mean cupboard, chest or boot (of car), depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “cupboard” in Irish

Irish:: cófra
English:: cupboard, chest, boot (of car)
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, fourth declension
Pronunciation:: “KOH-fruh” /ˈkoːfˠɾˠə/

Various forms

Plural:: cófraí (cupboards)
Genitive singular:: cófra, an chófra (e.g. doras an chófra, the cupboard door)
Genitive plural:: cófraí, na gcófraí (e.g. eochracha na gcófraí, the keys of the cupboards)

What does “cófra” mean?

“Cófra” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

cupboard: A piece of furniture or a built-in space with shelves and a door, used for storing things.Also: press, cabinet, wardrobe.

2 other meanings: chest or boot (of car)

2chest: A large strong box with a lid, used for storing or keeping things safe.Also: coffer, strongbox, trunk.
3boot (of car): The enclosed storage space at the back of a car.Also: boot, car boot, trunk.

Other Irish words for cupboard: prios (cupboard), cupard (cupboard), caibinéad (cabinet)

“Cófra” with the article

The plural of cupboard in Irish is cófraí. Here is cófra after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an cófra

the cupboard

No change after an

na cófraí

the cupboards

Plural: no change after na

“Cófra” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using cófra, the Irish word for cupboard.

Tá na cupáin sa chófra.

The cups are in the cupboard.

Dún doras an chófra, le do thoil.

Close the cupboard door, please.

Chuir sé na málaí sa chófra.

He put the bags in the boot.

Cheannaíomar cófra nua don chistin.

We bought a new cupboard for the kitchen.

Tá mo chuid éadaigh i mo chófra.

My clothes are in my wardrobe.

Bhí na cófraí go léir folamh.

All the cupboards were empty.

Coinníonn sí a cuid seodra i gcófra beag.

She keeps her jewellery in a small chest.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

spórtsport éadanforehead intinnmind marbhdead person aerair tábhachtimportance

Cupboard in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for cupboard?

The Irish for cupboard is cófra (pronounced “KOH-fruh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is cófraí. Depending on context it can also mean chest or boot (of car).

How do you pronounce cófra in Irish?

Cófra is said like “KOH-fruh” (IPA /ˈkoːfˠɾˠə/).

What is the plural of cupboard in Irish?

The plural of cófra is cófraí; with the article, na cófraí means “the cupboards”. The genitive plural is cófraí, as in eochracha na gcófraí (the keys of the cupboards).

Does cófra have more than one meaning?

Yes. Cófra can mean cupboard, chest or boot (of car), depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does cófra change to chófra or gcófra?

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

Is 'cófra' or 'prios' the word for a cupboard?

Both are used: 'cófra' is standard everywhere, while 'prios' (press) is common in some areas, especially Ulster.

How do I say 'hot press' in Irish?

The airing cupboard is 'an cófra te'.

Cupboard in Irish (Cófra): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage