HeyRuaHow to say “harp” in Irish
- Irish:
- cruit
- English:
- harp, hump
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, second declension
- Pronunciation:
- “krit” /kɾˠɪtʲ/
- Plural:
- cruiteanna (harps)
- Genitive singular:
- cruite, na cruite (e.g. téada na cruite, the strings of the harp)
- Genitive plural:
- cruiteanna, na gcruiteanna (e.g. fuaim na gcruiteanna, the sound of the harps)
What does “cruit” mean?
“Cruit” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- harp
- A small harp, a stringed musical instrument plucked with the fingers; used especially in literary or historical contexts.Also: small harp, lyre.
1 other meaning: hump
- 2hump
- A hump or hunch on the back of a person or animal.Also: hunch, humpback, hunchback.
Other Irish words for harp: cláirseach (harp)
“Cruit” with the article
The plural of harp in Irish is cruiteanna. Here is cruit after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Cruit” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using cruit, the Irish word for harp.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Harp in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for harp?
The Irish for harp is cruit (pronounced “krit”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is cruiteanna. Depending on context it can also mean hump.
How do you pronounce cruit in Irish?
Cruit is said like “krit” (IPA /kɾˠɪtʲ/).
What is the plural of harp in Irish?
The plural of cruit is cruiteanna; with the article, na cruiteanna means “the harps”. The genitive plural is cruiteanna, as in fuaim na gcruiteanna (the sound of the harps).
Does cruit have more than one meaning?
Yes. Cruit can mean harp or hump, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does cruit change to chruit or gcruit?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) cruit becomes mo chruit (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár gcruit (eclipsis).
Is 'cruit' the normal word for a harp?
The usual modern word for a harp is 'cláirseach'; 'cruit' is older and literary, though still used, and 'cruitire' means harper.
How do I say someone has a hump?
Say 'Tá cruit air', and a hunchback is 'cruiteachán'.
