HeyRuaHow to say “queue” in Irish
- Irish:
- ciú
- English:
- queue, cue
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, fourth declension
- Pronunciation:
- “kyoo” /cuː/
- Plural:
- ciúnna (queues)
- Genitive singular:
- ciú, an chiú (e.g. tosach an chiú, the front of the queue)
- Genitive plural:
- ciúnna, na gciúnna (e.g. fad na gciúnna, the length of the queues)
What does “ciú” mean?
“Ciú” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- queue
- A line of people or vehicles waiting their turn for something.Also: line, waiting line, row of people.
1 other meaning: cue
- 2cue
- A signal, especially in theatre or broadcasting, telling someone when to speak or act.Also: signal, prompt.
Other Irish words for queue: scuaine (queue)
“Ciú” with the article
The plural of queue in Irish is ciúnna. Here is ciú after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Ciú” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using ciú, the Irish word for queue.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Queue in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for queue?
The Irish for queue is ciú (pronounced “kyoo”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is ciúnna. Depending on context it can also mean cue.
How do you pronounce ciú in Irish?
Ciú is said like “kyoo” (IPA /cuː/).
What is the plural of queue in Irish?
The plural of ciú is ciúnna; with the article, na ciúnna means “the queues”. The genitive plural is ciúnna, as in fad na gciúnna (the length of the queues).
Does ciú have more than one meaning?
Yes. Ciú can mean queue or cue, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does ciú change to chiú or gciú?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) ciú becomes mo chiú (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár gciú (eclipsis).
Is there another Irish word for a queue?
Yes, 'scuaine' is a long-established native word for a queue or line, and 'líne' is also used; 'ciú' is a borrowing from English.
