Hearse in Irish (Marbhchóiste): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for hearse?

The Irish for hearse is marbhchóiste (pronounced “MAR-uv-khoash-tchuh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is marbhchóistí. Depending on context it can also mean death coach.

Q: What is the plural of hearse in Irish?

The plural of marbhchóiste is marbhchóistí; with the article, na marbhchóistí means “the hearses”. The genitive plural is marbhchóistí, as in tiománaithe na marbhchóistí (the drivers of the hearses).

Q: Does marbhchóiste have more than one meaning?

Yes. Marbhchóiste can mean hearse or death coach, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “hearse” in Irish

Irish:: marbhchóiste
English:: hearse, death coach
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine
Pronunciation:: “MAR-uv-khoash-tchuh” /ˈmˠaɾˠəvˌxoːʃtʲə/

Various forms

Plural:: marbhchóistí (hearses)
Genitive singular:: marbhchóiste, an mharbhchóiste (e.g. tiománaí an mharbhchóiste, the driver of the hearse)
Genitive plural:: marbhchóistí, na marbhchóistí (e.g. tiománaithe na marbhchóistí, the drivers of the hearses)

What does “marbhchóiste” mean?

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

hearse: A vehicle used to carry a coffin with a dead person to a church or graveyard.Also: funeral car, death coach, funeral coach.

1 other meaning: death coach

2death coach: In folklore, a phantom coach believed to come for someone who is about to die.Also: phantom coach, ghost coach.

“Marbhchóiste” with the article

The plural of hearse in Irish is marbhchóistí. Here is marbhchóiste after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an marbhchóiste

the hearse

No change after an

na marbhchóistí

the hearses

Plural: no change after na

“Marbhchóiste” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using marbhchóiste, the Irish word for hearse.

Tháinig an marbhchóiste go dtí an teach ar a deich.

The hearse came to the house at ten.

Shiúil na daoine taobh thiar den mharbhchóiste.

The people walked behind the hearse.

Bhí bláthanna ar dhíon an mharbhchóiste.

There were flowers on the roof of the hearse.

Cuireadh an chónra isteach sa mharbhchóiste go cúramach.

The coffin was placed carefully in the hearse.

Chonaic mé marbhchóiste dubh ag dul thar an séipéal.

I saw a black hearse passing the church.

Tá dhá mharbhchóiste ag an adhlacóir sin.

That undertaker has two hearses.

Deirtear go bhfeictear an marbhchóiste roimh bhás.

They say the death coach is seen before a death.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

glúingeneration glúinknee earnáilsector maithegood gruaighair tarraingtpulling

Hearse in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for hearse?

The Irish for hearse is marbhchóiste (pronounced “MAR-uv-khoash-tchuh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is marbhchóistí. Depending on context it can also mean death coach.

How do you pronounce marbhchóiste in Irish?

Marbhchóiste is said like “MAR-uv-khoash-tchuh” (IPA /ˈmˠaɾˠəvˌxoːʃtʲə/).

What is the plural of hearse in Irish?

The plural of marbhchóiste is marbhchóistí; with the article, na marbhchóistí means “the hearses”. The genitive plural is marbhchóistí, as in tiománaithe na marbhchóistí (the drivers of the hearses).

Does marbhchóiste have more than one meaning?

Yes. Marbhchóiste can mean hearse or death coach, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does marbhchóiste change to mharbhchóiste?

After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo mharbhchóiste. After ár (our) it stays ár marbhchóiste, because m does not take eclipsis.

Is 'marbhchóiste' made of two words?

Yes, it combines 'marbh' (dead) and 'cóiste' (coach), so it literally means 'dead coach'; the c is lenited in the compound.

Hearse in Irish (Marbhchóiste): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage