HeyRuaHow to say “garden” in Irish
- Irish:
- garraí
- English:
- garden, small field, halo
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, fourth declension
- Pronunciation:
- “GAR-ee” /ˈɡaɾˠiː/
- Plural:
- garraithe (gardens)
- Genitive singular:
- garraí, an gharraí (e.g. geata an gharraí, the garden gate)
- Genitive plural:
- garraithe, na ngarraithe (e.g. comórtas na ngarraithe, the gardens competition)
What does “garraí” mean?
“Garraí” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- garden
- A piece of ground beside a house where flowers, vegetables or fruit are grown.Also: vegetable garden, kitchen garden, back garden.
2 other meanings: small field or halo
- 2small field
- A small enclosed field or plot of land, often used for crops such as potatoes.Also: plot, patch, enclosure.
- 3halo
- A ring of light seen around the sun or moon.Also: ring.
Other Irish words for garden: gairdín (garden)
“Garraí” with the article
The plural of garden in Irish is garraithe. Here is garraí after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Garraí” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using garraí, the Irish word for garden.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Garden in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for garden?
The Irish for garden is garraí (pronounced “GAR-ee”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is garraithe. Depending on context it can also mean small field or halo.
How do you pronounce garraí in Irish?
Garraí is said like “GAR-ee” (IPA /ˈɡaɾˠiː/).
What is the plural of garden in Irish?
The plural of garraí is garraithe; with the article, na garraithe means “the gardens”. The genitive plural is garraithe, as in comórtas na ngarraithe (the gardens competition).
Does garraí have more than one meaning?
Yes. Garraí can mean garden, small field or halo, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does garraí change to gharraí or ngarraí?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) garraí becomes mo gharraí (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár ngarraí (eclipsis).
What is the difference between garraí and gairdín?
Both mean garden; garraí is the traditional word and is often used for a vegetable plot or small field, while gairdín is more for an ornamental or public garden, as in gairdín na n-ainmhithe.
Does garraí only mean a garden?
No, in rural speech garraí can also be a small field, for example garraí prátaí, a potato field.
