Heap in Irish (Carn): Meaning, Pronunciation & Examples

Q: What is the Irish for heap?

The Irish for heap is carn (pronounced “kaarn”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is cairn. Depending on context it can also mean cairn or great amount.

Q: What is the plural of heap in Irish?

The plural of carn is cairn; with the article, na cairn means “the heaps”. The genitive plural is carn, as in tógáil na gcarn (the building of the cairns).

Q: Does carn have more than one meaning?

Yes. Carn can mean heap, cairn or great amount, depending on context; the first is the most common. Carn also has its own entry as a verb meaning to heap.

How to say “heap” in Irish

Irish:: carn
English:: heap, cairn, great amount
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, first declension
Pronunciation:: “kaarn” /kɑːɾˠn̪ˠ/

Various forms

Plural:: cairn (heaps)
Genitive singular:: cairn, an chairn (e.g. barr an chairn, the top of the heap)
Genitive plural:: carn, na gcarn (e.g. tógáil na gcarn, the building of the cairns)

What does “carn” mean?

“Carn” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

heap: A pile of things placed one on top of another.Also: pile, mound, stack.

2 other meanings: cairn or great amount

2cairn: A mound of stones built as a landmark or over a grave.Also: stone mound, burial mound.
3great amount: A large quantity or accumulation of something, such as money.Also: lot, accumulation, hoard.

Other Irish words for heap: carn (heap), carnán (heap), moll (heap)

Other entries for “carn”

The same spelling has its own page as:

carnto heap · verb

“Carn” with the article

The plural of heap in Irish is cairn. Here is carn after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an carn

the heap

No change after an

na cairn

the heaps

Plural: no change after na

“Carn” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using carn, the Irish word for heap.

Bhí carn éadaí ar an urlár.

There was a heap of clothes on the floor.

Chuir sé an carn adhmaid sa scioból.

He put the pile of wood in the barn.

Shuíomar ar bharr an chairn.

We sat on top of the cairn.

Tá cairn ársa ar na sléibhte sin.

There are ancient cairns on those mountains.

Chaith mé cloch ar an gcarn.

I threw a stone on the cairn.

Bhí carn mór litreacha ar an mbord.

There was a big pile of letters on the table.

Tá carn oibre le déanamh agam inniu.

I have a heap of work to do today.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

aimsirweather tuairimopinion faisnéisinformation muintirfamily stairhistory leanbhchild

Heap in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for heap?

The Irish for heap is carn (pronounced “kaarn”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is cairn. Depending on context it can also mean cairn or great amount.

How do you pronounce carn in Irish?

Carn is said like “kaarn” (IPA /kɑːɾˠn̪ˠ/).

What is the plural of heap in Irish?

The plural of carn is cairn; with the article, na cairn means “the heaps”. The genitive plural is carn, as in tógáil na gcarn (the building of the cairns).

Does carn have more than one meaning?

Yes. Carn can mean heap, cairn or great amount, depending on context; the first is the most common. Carn also has its own entry as a verb meaning to heap.

Why does carn change to charn or gcarn?

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

What is the difference between carn and carnán?

Carnán is the diminutive, a small heap or mound, while carn is a heap in general or a stone cairn.

Is there a related verb?

Yes, carnaigh means to heap up or accumulate, as in 'Tá an brabús á charnadh' (the profit is accumulating).

Heap in Irish (Carn): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage