Heather in Irish (Fraoch): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for heather?

The Irish for heather is fraoch (pronounced “freekh”). It’s a masculine noun. Depending on context it can also mean heath.

Q: Does fraoch have more than one meaning?

Yes. Fraoch can mean heather or heath, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “heather” in Irish

Irish:: fraoch
English:: heather, heath
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, first declension
Pronunciation:: “freekh” /fˠɾˠiːx/

Various forms

Genitive singular:: fraoigh, an fhraoigh (e.g. bláth an fhraoigh, the heather blossom)

What does “fraoch” mean?

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

heather: A low evergreen shrub with small purple or white flowers that grows on moors and mountains.Also: ling, heath.

1 other meaning: heath

2heath: Land covered with heather; moorland.Also: moor, moorland, heathland.

“Fraoch” with the article

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

an fraoch

the heather

No change after an

“Fraoch” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using fraoch, the Irish word for heather.

Tá an fraoch faoi bhláth ar an sliabh.

The heather is in bloom on the mountain.

Bhí fraoch corcra ar fud an phortaigh.

There was purple heather all over the bog.

Shiúlamar tríd an bhfraoch go barr an chnoic.

We walked through the heather to the top of the hill.

Is breá liom boladh an fhraoigh sa samhradh.

I love the smell of heather in summer.

Chonaic mé cearc fhraoigh ar an gcnoc inné.

I saw a grouse on the hill yesterday.

Thug sí craobh fhraoigh bháin dom mar ádh.

She gave me a sprig of white heather for luck.

Bhí na caoirigh ag innilt i measc an fhraoigh.

The sheep were grazing among the heather.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Heather in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for heather?

The Irish for heather is fraoch (pronounced “freekh”). It’s a masculine noun. Depending on context it can also mean heath.

How do you pronounce fraoch in Irish?

Fraoch is said like “freekh” (IPA /fˠɾˠiːx/).

Does fraoch have a plural?

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

Does fraoch have more than one meaning?

Yes. Fraoch can mean heather or heath, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does fraoch change to fhraoch or bhfraoch?

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

What does 'ar fraoch' mean?

'Ar fraoch' or 'fraoch feirge' refers to fury or rage, as in 'bhí sé ar fraoch', he was furious; this comes from an older word fraoch meaning wrath.

Heather in Irish (Fraoch): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage