HeyRuaHow to say “foreign country” in Irish
- Irish:
- coigríoch
- English:
- foreign country, neighbouring place
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, second declension
- Pronunciation:
- “KIG-ree-ukh” /ˈkɪɟɾʲiəx/
- Plural:
- coigríocha (foreign countries)
- Genitive singular:
- coigríche, na coigríche (e.g. muintir na coigríche, the people of the foreign land)
- Genitive plural:
- coigríoch, na gcoigríoch (e.g. bóithre na gcoigríoch, the roads of foreign lands)
What does “coigríoch” mean?
“Coigríoch” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- foreign country
- A country or place that is not your own, a strange or foreign land.Also: foreign land, strange place, abroad.
1 other meaning: neighbouring place
- 2neighbouring place
- A border region or neighbouring territory (older sense).Also: border region, neighbouring territory.
“Coigríoch” with the article
The plural of foreign country in Irish is coigríocha. Here is coigríoch after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Coigríoch” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using coigríoch, the Irish word for foreign country.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Foreign country in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for foreign country?
The Irish for foreign country is coigríoch (pronounced “KIG-ree-ukh”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is coigríocha. Depending on context it can also mean neighbouring place.
How do you pronounce coigríoch in Irish?
Coigríoch is said like “KIG-ree-ukh” (IPA /ˈkɪɟɾʲiəx/).
What is the plural of foreign country in Irish?
The plural of coigríoch is coigríocha; with the article, na coigríocha means “the foreign countries”. The genitive plural is coigríoch, as in bóithre na gcoigríoch (the roads of foreign lands).
Does coigríoch have more than one meaning?
Yes. Coigríoch can mean foreign country or neighbouring place, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does coigríoch change to choigríoch or gcoigríoch?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) coigríoch becomes mo choigríoch (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár gcoigríoch (eclipsis).
How do I say 'abroad' using coigríoch?
Say 'ar an gcoigríoch' (Ulster 'ar an choigrích'), e.g. 'Tá sé ina chónaí ar an gcoigríoch'. The everyday alternative is 'thar lear'.
Is coigríoch the same as 'thar lear'?
Both can mean abroad, but 'ar an gcoigríoch' is more literary and suggests being in a strange land far from home, while 'thar lear' is the neutral everyday phrase.
