HeyRuaHow to say “kiwi” in Irish
- Irish:
- cíobhaí
- English:
- kiwi, kiwi fruit
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, fourth declension
- Pronunciation:
- “KEE-vee” /ˈciːwiː/
- Plural:
- cíobhaíonna (kiwis)
- Genitive singular:
- cíobhaí, an chíobhaí (e.g. gob an chíobhaí, the kiwi's beak)
- Genitive plural:
- cíobhaíonna, na gcíobhaíonna (e.g. cleití na gcíobhaíonna, the kiwis' feathers)
What does “cíobhaí” mean?
“Cíobhaí” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- kiwi
- A flightless brown bird with a long beak, native to New Zealand.Also: kiwi bird.
1 other meaning: kiwi fruit
- 2kiwi fruit
- An oval fruit with hairy brown skin and green flesh with small black seeds.Also: kiwi, kiwifruit.
“Cíobhaí” with the article
The plural of kiwi in Irish is cíobhaíonna. Here is cíobhaí after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Cíobhaí” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using cíobhaí, the Irish word for kiwi.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Kiwi in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for kiwi?
The Irish for kiwi is cíobhaí (pronounced “KEE-vee”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is cíobhaíonna. Depending on context it can also mean kiwi fruit.
How do you pronounce cíobhaí in Irish?
Cíobhaí is said like “KEE-vee” (IPA /ˈciːwiː/).
What is the plural of kiwi in Irish?
The plural of cíobhaí is cíobhaíonna; with the article, na cíobhaíonna means “the kiwis”. The genitive plural is cíobhaíonna, as in cleití na gcíobhaíonna (the kiwis' feathers).
Does cíobhaí have more than one meaning?
Yes. Cíobhaí can mean kiwi or kiwi fruit, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does cíobhaí change to chíobhaí or gcíobhaí?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) cíobhaí becomes mo chíobhaí (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár gcíobhaí (eclipsis).
Does 'cíobhaí' mean both the bird and the fruit?
Yes, 'cíobhaí' is used for both the bird and the fruit, as 'kiwi' is in English.
