Hurdle in Irish (Cliath): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for hurdle?

The Irish for hurdle is cliath (pronounced “klee-uh”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is cliatha. Depending on context it can also mean hurdle (in racing) or darning.

Q: What is the plural of hurdle in Irish?

The plural of cliath is cliatha; with the article, na cliatha means “the hurdles”. The genitive plural is cliath, as in rás na gcliath (the hurdle race).

Q: Does cliath have more than one meaning?

Yes. Cliath can mean hurdle, hurdle (in racing) or darning, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “hurdle” in Irish

Irish:: cliath
English:: hurdle, hurdle (in racing), darning
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine, second declension
Pronunciation:: “klee-uh” /cˈlʲiə/

Various forms

Plural:: cliatha (hurdles)
Genitive singular:: cléithe, na cléithe (e.g. lár na cléithe, the middle of the hurdle)
Genitive plural:: cliath, na gcliath (e.g. rás na gcliath, the hurdle race)

What does “cliath” mean?

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

hurdle: A movable frame of woven rods or wattles, used as a gate, fence or barrier.Also: wattle frame, wattled gate, hurdle fence.

2 other meanings: hurdle (in racing) or darning

2hurdle (in racing): A barrier that runners or horses jump over in a race.Also: hurdle, jump, fence.
3darning: A patch of interwoven stitches used to mend a hole, especially in a sock.Also: darn, mend.

“Cliath” with the article

The plural of hurdle in Irish is cliatha. Here is cliath after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an chliath

the hurdle

Lenition: c becomes ch after an (feminine noun)

na cliatha

the hurdles

Plural: no change after na

“Cliath” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using cliath, the Irish word for hurdle.

Is as Baile Átha Cliath mé.

I am from Dublin.

Rugadh i mBaile Átha Cliath mé.

I was born in Dublin.

Chuir an feirmeoir cliath sa bhearna.

The farmer put a hurdle in the gap.

Léim an capall thar an gcliath go héasca.

The horse jumped the hurdle easily.

Rinne sí cliatha as slata sailí.

She made hurdles from willow rods.

Tá poll i mo stoca, teastaíonn cliath uaidh.

There's a hole in my sock, it needs darning.

Cá bhfuil an tsnáthaid chléithe?

Where is the darning needle?

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

ríking iníondaughter saoireholiday capallhorse buíochasthanks eagraíochtorganization

Hurdle in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for hurdle?

The Irish for hurdle is cliath (pronounced “klee-uh”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is cliatha. Depending on context it can also mean hurdle (in racing) or darning.

How do you pronounce cliath in Irish?

Cliath is said like “klee-uh” (IPA /cˈlʲiə/).

What is the plural of hurdle in Irish?

The plural of cliath is cliatha; with the article, na cliatha means “the hurdles”. The genitive plural is cliath, as in rás na gcliath (the hurdle race).

Does cliath have more than one meaning?

Yes. Cliath can mean hurdle, hurdle (in racing) or darning, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does cliath change to chliath or gcliath?

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

Why is Dublin called Baile Átha Cliath?

Baile Átha Cliath means 'town of the ford of hurdles', from áth (ford) and cliath (hurdle), referring to a hurdle causeway across the Liffey.

Is cliath related to cliathán?

Yes, cliathán (side, flank) derives from cliath, likening the ribcage to a wattled frame.

Hurdle in Irish (Cliath): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage