HeyRuaHow to say “meadow” in Irish
- Irish:
- cluain
- English:
- meadow, aftergrass
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, third declension
- Pronunciation:
- “kloo-in” /kl̪ˠuənʲ/
- Plural:
- cluainte (meadows)
- Genitive singular:
- cluana, na cluana (e.g. féar na cluana, the grass of the meadow)
- Genitive plural:
- cluainte, na gcluainte (e.g. áilleacht na gcluainte, the beauty of the meadows)
What does “cluain” mean?
“Cluain” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- meadow
- A piece of grassy, often low-lying, land used for grazing or hay.Also: pasture, grassland, lea.
1 other meaning: aftergrass
- 2aftergrass
- The fresh growth of grass that comes up in a field after it has been mown.Also: aftermath, second growth.
Other Irish words for meadow: móinéar (meadow)
“Cluain” with the article
The plural of meadow in Irish is cluainte. Here is cluain after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Cluain” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using cluain, the Irish word for meadow.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Meadow in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for meadow?
The Irish for meadow is cluain (pronounced “kloo-in”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is cluainte. Depending on context it can also mean aftergrass.
How do you pronounce cluain in Irish?
Cluain is said like “kloo-in” (IPA /kl̪ˠuənʲ/).
What is the plural of meadow in Irish?
The plural of cluain is cluainte; with the article, na cluainte means “the meadows”. The genitive plural is cluainte, as in áilleacht na gcluainte (the beauty of the meadows).
Does cluain have more than one meaning?
Yes. Cluain can mean meadow or aftergrass, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does cluain change to chluain or gcluain?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) cluain becomes mo chluain (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár gcluain (eclipsis).
What is the everyday word for a meadow?
In everyday speech 'móinéar' is the usual word for a hay meadow; 'cluain' is more literary and is best known from place names.
Why do so many Irish place names start with Clon?
'Clon' in names like Clonmel (Cluain Meala) and Clontarf (Cluain Tarbh) comes from 'cluain', meaning meadow.
