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Main road in Irish (Príomhbhóthar): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage

The Irish for main road is príomhbhóthar, a masculine noun (plural príomhbhóithre).
Updated October 2026Report a mistake

How to say “main road” in Irish

Irish:
príomhbhóthar
English:
main road
Word type:
noun
Gender:
masculine, first declension
Pronunciation:
“PREEV-voh-har”  /ˈpʲɾʲiːvˌwoːhəɾ/
Various forms
Plural:
príomhbhóithre (main roads)
Genitive singular:
príomhbhóthair, an phríomhbhóthair (e.g. taobh an phríomhbhóthair, the side of the main road)
Genitive plural:
príomhbhóithre, na bpríomhbhóithre (e.g. líonra na bpríomhbhóithre, the network of the main roads)

What does “príomhbhóthar” mean?

main road
A major road that carries most of the traffic between towns or through an area.Also: highway, arterial road, major road, trunk road.

Other Irish words for main road: mórbhealach (main road), mórbhóthar (main road), príomhbhealach (main road)

“Príomhbhóthar” with the article

The plural of main road in Irish is príomhbhóithre. Here is príomhbhóthar after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an príomhbhóthar
the main road
No change after an
na príomhbhóithre
the main roads
Plural: no change after na

“Príomhbhóthar” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using príomhbhóthar, the Irish word for main road.

Tá an teach cois an phríomhbhóthair.
The house is beside the main road.
Bhí trácht trom ar an bpríomhbhóthar ar maidin.
There was heavy traffic on the main road this morning.
Dúnadh an príomhbhóthar mar gheall ar thimpiste.
The main road was closed because of an accident.
Coinnigh ar an bpríomhbhóthar go dtí an sráidbhaile.
Stay on the main road as far as the village.
Tá na príomhbhóithre go maith anseo.
The main roads are good here.
Tá siopa beag ar thaobh an phríomhbhóthair.
There is a small shop at the side of the main road.
Ní raibh oiread sin carranna ar an bpríomhbhóthar aréir.
There weren't that many cars on the main road last night.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

Main road in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for main road?

The Irish for main road is príomhbhóthar (pronounced “PREEV-voh-har”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is príomhbhóithre.

How do you pronounce príomhbhóthar in Irish?

Príomhbhóthar is said like “PREEV-voh-har” (IPA /ˈpʲɾʲiːvˌwoːhəɾ/).

What is the plural of main road in Irish?

The plural of príomhbhóthar is príomhbhóithre; with the article, na príomhbhóithre means “the main roads”. The genitive plural is príomhbhóithre, as in líonra na bpríomhbhóithre (the network of the main roads).

Why does príomhbhóthar change to phríomhbhóthar or bpríomhbhóthar?

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

How is príomhbhóthar different from mótarbhealach?

Príomhbhóthar is any main road, while mótarbhealach is specifically a motorway.

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