Hardship in Irish (Cruatan): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for hardship?

The Irish for hardship is cruatan (pronounced “KROO-uh-tun”). It’s a masculine noun. Depending on context it can also mean hardness.

Q: Does cruatan have more than one meaning?

Yes. Cruatan can mean hardship or hardness, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “hardship” in Irish

Irish:: cruatan
English:: hardship, hardness
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, first declension
Pronunciation:: “KROO-uh-tun” /ˈkɾuət̪ˠən̪ˠ/

Various forms

Genitive singular:: cruatain, an chruatain (e.g. saol an chruatain, the life of hardship)

What does “cruatan” mean?

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

hardship: Difficult living conditions involving suffering, poverty or harsh toil.Also: privation, adversity, hard times, austerity.

1 other meaning: hardness

2hardness: The quality of being hard, harsh or severe.Also: harshness, severity.

Other Irish words for hardship: drochshaol (hard times), crua-aimsir (hard times)

“Cruatan” with the article

Here is cruatan after the article (an t-alt).

an cruatan

the hardship

No change after an

“Cruatan” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using cruatan, the Irish word for hardship.

Bhí cruatan mór ar na hoileánaigh fadó.

The islanders suffered great hardship long ago.

Bhí cruatan mór ann le linn an Ghorta.

There was great hardship during the Famine.

Chaith siad blianta fada i gcruatan.

They spent long years in hardship.

Níor ghearán sé riamh faoin gcruatan.

He never complained about the hardship.

Fulaingíonn go leor teaghlach cruatan sa gheimhreadh.

Many families suffer hardship in winter.

D'fhoghlaim sí neart ó bhlianta an chruatain.

She learned strength from the years of hardship.

Is beag cruatan a chonaic mo ghlúin féin.

My own generation saw little hardship.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

feadhextent dúnfort aontasunion ballmember breisincrease móránmuch

Hardship in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for hardship?

The Irish for hardship is cruatan (pronounced “KROO-uh-tun”). It’s a masculine noun. Depending on context it can also mean hardness.

How do you pronounce cruatan in Irish?

Cruatan is said like “KROO-uh-tun” (IPA /ˈkɾuət̪ˠən̪ˠ/).

Does cruatan have a plural?

No plural form is given for cruatan in the standard. Many abstract and mass nouns in Irish have no plural.

Does cruatan have more than one meaning?

Yes. Cruatan can mean hardship or hardness, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does cruatan change to chruatan or gcruatan?

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

What is the difference between 'cruatan' and 'anró'?

Both mean hardship; 'cruatan' stresses harsh conditions and toil, while 'anró' often suggests misery and distress, as in 'saol anróiteach'.

Hardship in Irish (Cruatan): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage