Race in Irish (Comhrás): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for race?

The Irish for race is comhrás (pronounced “KOH-raws”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is comhrásaí. Depending on context it can also mean competition.

Q: What is the plural of race in Irish?

The plural of comhrás is comhrásaí; with the article, na comhrásaí means “the races”. The genitive plural is comhrásaí, as in buaiteoirí na gcomhrásaí (the winners of the races).

Q: Does comhrás have more than one meaning?

Yes. Comhrás can mean race or competition, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “race” in Irish

Irish:: comhrás
English:: race, competition
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine
Pronunciation:: “KOH-raws” /ˈkoːɾˠaːsˠ/

Various forms

Plural:: comhrásaí (races)
Genitive singular:: comhrása, an chomhrása (e.g. tús an chomhrása, the start of the race)
Genitive plural:: comhrásaí, na gcomhrásaí (e.g. buaiteoirí na gcomhrásaí, the winners of the races)

What does “comhrás” mean?

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

race: A contest in which competitors try to be faster or get ahead of each other.Also: contest, speed contest, competition.

1 other meaning: competition

2competition: A competitive struggle between rivals, such as groups or countries, to outdo one another, as in an arms race.Also: rivalry, arms race.

Other Irish words for race: rith (run), cine (race), rás (race), rásáil (racing)

“Comhrás” with the article

The plural of race in Irish is comhrásaí. Here is comhrás after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an comhrás

the race

No change after an

na comhrásaí

the races

Plural: no change after na

“Comhrás” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using comhrás, the Irish word for race.

Bhí comhrás idir an bheirt chapall.

There was a race between the two horses.

Bhuaigh sí an comhrás go héasca.

She won the race easily.

Thosaigh an comhrás armála tar éis an chogaidh.

The arms race began after the war.

Ní raibh deireadh an chomhrása feicthe agam.

I hadn't seen the end of the race.

Bíonn comhrásaí bád ann gach samhradh.

There are boat races every summer.

Ghlac mo dheartháir páirt sa chomhrás.

My brother took part in the race.

Bhí an iomarca daoine i gcomhrás amháin.

There were too many people in one race.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Race in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for race?

The Irish for race is comhrás (pronounced “KOH-raws”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is comhrásaí. Depending on context it can also mean competition.

How do you pronounce comhrás in Irish?

Comhrás is said like “KOH-raws” (IPA /ˈkoːɾˠaːsˠ/).

What is the plural of race in Irish?

The plural of comhrás is comhrásaí; with the article, na comhrásaí means “the races”. The genitive plural is comhrásaí, as in buaiteoirí na gcomhrásaí (the winners of the races).

Does comhrás have more than one meaning?

Yes. Comhrás can mean race or competition, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does comhrás change to chomhrás or gcomhrás?

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

What is the difference between 'comhrás' and 'rás'?

'Rás' is the everyday word for a race, while 'comhrás' stresses competition between rivals and is used in set terms like 'comhrás armála' (arms race).

Race in Irish (Comhrás): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage