HeyRuaHow to say “excrement” in Irish
- Irish:
- cac
- English:
- excrement, rubbish, defecating
- Word type:
- noun (verbal noun)
- Verbal noun of:
- cac, to defecate (ag cac, defecating)
- Gender:
- masculine, third declension
- Pronunciation:
- “kok” /kak/
- Plural:
- cacanna (excrements)
- Genitive singular:
- caca, an chaca (e.g. boladh an chaca, the smell of the excrement)
- Genitive plural:
- cacanna, na gcacanna (e.g. ag glanadh cacanna madraí, cleaning up dog dirt)
What does “cac” mean?
“Cac” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- excrement
- Solid waste matter passed from the body; a vulgar or childish word for faeces.Also: faeces, shit, poo, dung.
2 other meanings: rubbish or defecating
- 2rubbish
- Something worthless or nonsense, or a mess, used figuratively and informally.Also: nonsense, crap, mess.
- 3defecating
- The verbal noun of the verb cac, the act of defecating.Also: defecation, shitting.
“Cac” as a verbal noun
After ag, cac means defecating: it is the verbal noun of the verb cac (to defecate). A noun that follows it goes into the genitive.
“Cac” with the article
The plural of excrement in Irish is cacanna. Here is cac after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Cac” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using cac, the Irish word for excrement.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Excrement in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for excrement?
The Irish for excrement is cac (pronounced “kok”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is cacanna. Depending on context it can also mean rubbish or defecating.
How do you pronounce cac in Irish?
Cac is said like “kok” (IPA /kak/).
What is the plural of excrement in Irish?
The plural of cac is cacanna; with the article, na cacanna means “the excrements”. The genitive plural is cacanna, as in ag glanadh cacanna madraí (cleaning up dog dirt).
Does cac have more than one meaning?
Yes. Cac can mean excrement, rubbish or defecating, depending on context; the first is the most common. Cac also has its own entry as a verb meaning to defecate.
Why does cac change to chac or gcac?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) cac becomes mo chac (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár gcac (eclipsis).
Is 'cac' rude?
Yes, 'cac' is vulgar or childish, much like 'poo' or 'shit'; in polite or medical contexts use 'feicí' or 'fual' for urine.
What does 'ina chac' mean?
'Bhí an áit ina chac' means the place was in a mess, a common informal expression.
