Palate in Irish (Carball): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for palate?

The Irish for palate is carball (pronounced “KAR-uh-bul”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is carbaill. Depending on context it can also mean gum.

Q: What is the plural of palate in Irish?

The plural of carball is carbaill; with the article, na carbaill means “the palates”. The genitive plural is carball, as in galar carball (gum disease).

Q: Does carball have more than one meaning?

Yes. Carball can mean palate or gum, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “palate” in Irish

Irish:: carball
English:: palate, gum
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, first declension
Pronunciation:: “KAR-uh-bul” /ˈkaɾˠəbˠəl̪ˠ/

Various forms

Plural:: carbaill (palates)
Genitive singular:: carbaill, an charbaill (e.g. cúl an charbaill, the back of the palate)
Genitive plural:: carball, na gcarball (e.g. galar carball, gum disease)

What does “carball” mean?

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

palate: The roof of the mouth, especially the hard front part.Also: roof of the mouth, hard palate.

1 other meaning: gum

2gum: The firm flesh in the mouth around the teeth; also used loosely of the jaw.Also: gums, jaw.

“Carball” with the article

The plural of palate in Irish is carbaill. Here is carball after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an carball

the palate

No change after an

na carbaill

the palates

Plural: no change after na

“Carball” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using carball, the Irish word for palate.

Dhóigh mé mo charball leis an tae te.

I burned the roof of my mouth with the hot tea.

Tá an carball ag cur as dom inniu.

My palate is bothering me today.

Bhí blas milis ar mo charball fós.

There was still a sweet taste on my palate.

Greamaíonn an t-arán do charball an bhéil.

The bread sticks to the roof of the mouth.

Tá cneá bheag i mo charball.

There is a small sore on my palate.

Bhí na carbaill ata tar éis an fhiaclóra.

The gums were swollen after the dentist.

Scrúdaigh an dochtúir dath an charbaill.

The doctor examined the colour of the palate.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Palate in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for palate?

The Irish for palate is carball (pronounced “KAR-uh-bul”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is carbaill. Depending on context it can also mean gum.

How do you pronounce carball in Irish?

Carball is said like “KAR-uh-bul” (IPA /ˈkaɾˠəbˠəl̪ˠ/).

What is the plural of palate in Irish?

The plural of carball is carbaill; with the article, na carbaill means “the palates”. The genitive plural is carball, as in galar carball (gum disease).

Does carball have more than one meaning?

Yes. Carball can mean palate or gum, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does carball change to charball or gcarball?

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

What is the difference between 'carball' and 'drandal'?

'Carball' mainly means the palate or roof of the mouth, while 'drandal' is the usual word for the gum around the teeth.

Palate in Irish (Carball): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage