HeyRuaHow to say “quarter” in Irish
- Irish:
- ceathrú
- English:
- quarter, thigh, quarters, stanza
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, fifth declension
- Pronunciation:
- “KYAR-hoo” /ˈcaɾˠhuː/
- Plural:
- ceathrúna (quarters)
- Genitive singular:
- ceathrún, na ceathrún (e.g. leath na ceathrún, half of the quarter)
- Genitive plural:
- ceathrúna, na gceathrúna (e.g. feoil na gceathrúna, the meat of the hindquarters)
What does “ceathrú” mean?
“Ceathrú” has four alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- quarter
- One of four equal parts of something, including a quarter of an hour.Also: fourth, fourth part, quarter of an hour.
3 other meanings: thigh or quarters or stanza
- 2thigh
- The upper part of the leg, or a leg joint of meat such as a ham or haunch.Also: haunch, hindquarter, leg of meat.
- 3quarters
- Lodgings or a place where someone is billeted, used mainly in the phrase 'ar ceathrúin'.Also: lodgings, billet.
- 4stanza
- A verse of a poem or song, especially a four-line stanza.Also: verse, quatrain.
Other Irish words for quarter: ráithe (quarter)
“Ceathrú” with the article
The plural of quarter in Irish is ceathrúna. Here is ceathrú after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Ceathrú” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using ceathrú, the Irish word for quarter.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Quarter in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for quarter?
The Irish for quarter is ceathrú (pronounced “KYAR-hoo”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is ceathrúna. Depending on context it can also mean thigh or quarters or stanza.
How do you pronounce ceathrú in Irish?
Ceathrú is said like “KYAR-hoo” (IPA /ˈcaɾˠhuː/).
What is the plural of quarter in Irish?
The plural of ceathrú is ceathrúna; with the article, na ceathrúna means “the quarters”. The genitive plural is ceathrúna, as in feoil na gceathrúna (the meat of the hindquarters).
Does ceathrú have more than one meaning?
Yes. Ceathrú can mean quarter, thigh, quarters or stanza, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does ceathrú change to cheathrú or gceathrú?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) ceathrú becomes mo cheathrú (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár gceathrú (eclipsis).
How do I say 'quarter past' and 'quarter to' in Irish?
Use 'ceathrú tar éis' (or 'i ndiaidh') for quarter past and 'ceathrú chun' (or 'go dtí') for quarter to, as in 'Tá sé ceathrú chun a hocht'.
Is 'ceathrú' the same as 'ceathrú' meaning fourth?
The ordinal 'fourth' is 'ceathrú' too, as in 'an ceathrú lá', but the noun means a quarter; context makes it clear.
