Loneliness in Irish (Cumha): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for loneliness?

The Irish for loneliness is cumha (pronounced “koo”). It’s a masculine noun. Depending on context it can also mean homesickness or grief.

Q: Does cumha have more than one meaning?

Yes. Cumha can mean loneliness, homesickness or grief, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “loneliness” in Irish

Irish:: cumha
English:: loneliness, homesickness, grief
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, fourth declension
Pronunciation:: “koo” /kuː/

Various forms

Genitive singular:: cumha, an chumha (e.g. brón an chumha, the sorrow of loneliness)

What does “cumha” mean?

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

loneliness: A sad feeling of loneliness or longing for someone or something absent.Also: longing, nostalgia, yearning.

2 other meanings: homesickness or grief

2homesickness: The sadness felt when you are away from home and miss it.Also: missing home, pining.
3grief: Sorrow felt after a loss or parting.Also: sorrow, sadness.

Other Irish words for loneliness: uaigneas (loneliness)

“Cumha” with the article

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

an cumha

the loneliness

No change after an

“Cumha” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using cumha, the Irish word for loneliness.

Bhí cumha orm i ndiaidh an bhaile.

I was homesick.

Tá cumha uirthi i ndiaidh a máthar.

She misses her mother terribly.

Bhuail cumha mé nuair a d'imigh siad.

Loneliness hit me when they left.

Ní raibh aon chumha air i Meiriceá.

He wasn't homesick at all in America.

Tá an cumha ag dul i laghad anois.

The longing is fading now.

Scríobh sé amhrán lán de chumha.

He wrote a song full of longing.

Bíonn cumha ar mhic léinn nua uaireanta.

New students are sometimes homesick.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Loneliness in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for loneliness?

The Irish for loneliness is cumha (pronounced “koo”). It’s a masculine noun. Depending on context it can also mean homesickness or grief.

How do you pronounce cumha in Irish?

Cumha is said like “koo” (IPA /kuː/).

Does cumha have a plural?

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

Does cumha have more than one meaning?

Yes. Cumha can mean loneliness, homesickness or grief, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does cumha change to chumha or gcumha?

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

How do you say someone is homesick in Irish?

Use 'tá cumha ar' with 'i ndiaidh': 'Tá cumha air i ndiaidh an bhaile', he is homesick.

What is the difference between cumha and uaigneas?

'Uaigneas' is general loneliness, while 'cumha' stresses longing for someone or somewhere absent.

Loneliness in Irish (Cumha): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage