Mud in Irish (Clábar): Meaning, Pronunciation & Examples

Q: What is the Irish for mud?

The Irish for mud is clábar (pronounced “KLAW-bur”). It’s a masculine noun. Depending on context it can also mean filth.

Q: Does clábar have more than one meaning?

Yes. Clábar can mean mud or filth, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “mud” in Irish

Irish:: clábar
English:: mud, filth
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, first declension
Pronunciation:: “KLAW-bur” /ˈkl̪ˠaːbˠəɾˠ/

Various forms

Genitive singular:: clábair, an chlábair (e.g. boladh an chlábair, the smell of the mud)

What does “clábar” mean?

“Clábar” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

mud: Soft, wet, sticky earth, such as you find on a muddy road or field.Also: mire, muck, sludge.

1 other meaning: filth

2filth: Dirt or muck in a figurative sense, such as low or dirty talk or a degraded state.Also: dirt, muck.

Other Irish words for mud: slaba (mud), lathach (mud), puiteach (mud), láib (mud)

“Clábar” with the article

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

an clábar

the mud

No change after an

“Clábar” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using clábar, the Irish word for mud.

Bhí clábar ar fud an bhóthair.

There was mud all over the road.

Ná tabhair an clábar isteach sa teach!

Don't bring the mud into the house!

Bhí mo bhróga clúdaithe le clábar.

My shoes were covered in mud.

Chuaigh an carr i bhfostú sa chlábar.

The car got stuck in the mud.

Bhí na páistí ag súgradh sa chlábar.

The children were playing in the mud.

Ghlan sé an clábar dá chuid buataisí.

He cleaned the mud off his boots.

Bhí dath an chlábair ar a chuid éadaí.

His clothes were the colour of mud.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

coistecommittee tacaíochtsupport cuimhnememory ríking iníondaughter saoireholiday

Mud in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for mud?

The Irish for mud is clábar (pronounced “KLAW-bur”). It’s a masculine noun. Depending on context it can also mean filth.

How do you pronounce clábar in Irish?

Clábar is said like “KLAW-bur” (IPA /ˈkl̪ˠaːbˠəɾˠ/).

Does clábar have a plural?

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

Does clábar have more than one meaning?

Yes. Clábar can mean mud or filth, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does clábar change to chlábar or gclábar?

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

What is the difference between 'clábar', 'puiteach' and 'lathach'?

All three mean mud. 'Clábar' is a general word for wet mud or muck, 'puiteach' suggests boggy, squelchy mud, and 'lathach' is often used for slush or mire.

Mud in Irish (Clábar): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage