Narrowing in Irish (Cúngú): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for narrowing?

The Irish for narrowing is cúngú (pronounced “KOON-goo”). It’s a masculine noun. Depending on context it can also mean restriction.

Q: Does cúngú have more than one meaning?

Yes. Cúngú can mean narrowing or restriction, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “narrowing” in Irish

Irish:: cúngú
English:: narrowing, restriction
Word type:: noun (verbal noun)
Verbal noun of:: cúngaigh, to narrow (ag cúngú, narrowing)
Gender:: masculine, fourth declension
Pronunciation:: “KOON-goo” /ˈkuːŋɡuː/

Various forms

Genitive singular:: cúngaithe, an chúngaithe (e.g. tréimhse an chúngaithe, the period of narrowing)

What does “cúngú” mean?

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

narrowing: The act of making something narrower or becoming narrower; it is the verbal noun of the verb cúngaigh.Also: constriction, contraction, tapering.

1 other meaning: restriction

2restriction: The act of limiting or confining something, such as a choice or a scope.Also: limiting, confining.

“Cúngú” as a verbal noun

After ag, cúngú means narrowing: it is the verbal noun of the verb cúngaigh (to narrow). A noun that follows it goes into the genitive.

agat

cúngúverbal noun

ag cúngúnarrowing

“Cúngú” with the article

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

an cúngú

the narrowing

No change after an

“Cúngú” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using cúngú, the Irish word for narrowing.

Tá cúngú ag teacht ar an mbóthar anseo.

The road is narrowing here.

Chuir an cúngú moill mhór ar an trácht.

The narrowing caused a big delay to the traffic.

Thug an dochtúir faoi deara cúngú san artaire.

The doctor noticed a narrowing in the artery.

Ní maith liom cúngú na roghanna atá againn.

I don't like the narrowing of the options we have.

Beidh cúngú ar an droichead go ceann míosa.

There will be a narrowing on the bridge for a month.

Is léir cúngú na habhann i rith an tsamhraidh.

The narrowing of the river is clear during the summer.

Bhí siad ag gearán faoi chúngú na sráide.

They were complaining about the narrowing of the street.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

cainttalk gáneed ionadplace lármiddle cearta right íocpayment

Narrowing in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for narrowing?

The Irish for narrowing is cúngú (pronounced “KOON-goo”). It’s a masculine noun. Depending on context it can also mean restriction.

How do you pronounce cúngú in Irish?

Cúngú is said like “KOON-goo” (IPA /ˈkuːŋɡuː/).

Does cúngú have a plural?

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

Does cúngú have more than one meaning?

Yes. Cúngú can mean narrowing or restriction, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does cúngú change to chúngú or gcúngú?

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

What is the opposite of cúngú?

The opposite is leathnú, widening, from the verb leathnaigh, e.g. leathnú an bhóthair, the widening of the road.

Narrowing in Irish (Cúngú): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage