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Rag in Irish (Bratóg): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage

‘bratóg’ also means: small flag

The Irish for rag is bratóg, a feminine noun (plural bratóga).
Updated October 2026Report a mistake

How to say “rag” in Irish

Irish:
bratóg
English:
rag, small flag
Word type:
noun
Gender:
feminine, second declension
Pronunciation:
“BRAH-tohg”  /ˈbˠɾˠat̪ˠoːɡ/
Various forms
Plural:
bratóga (rags)
Genitive singular:
bratóige, na bratóige (e.g. salachar na bratóige, the dirt of the rag)
Genitive plural:
bratóg, na mbratóg (e.g. mála na mbratóg, the rag bag)

What does “bratóg” mean?

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

rag
A small piece of old or torn cloth, often used for cleaning.Also: cloth, tatter, scrap of cloth.
1 other meaning: small flag
2small flag
A small flag or pennant.Also: pennant, banner.

Other Irish words for rag: ceirt (rag), giobal (rag)

“Bratóg” with the article

The plural of rag in Irish is bratóga. Here is bratóg after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an bhratóg
the rag
Lenition: b becomes bh after an (feminine noun)
na bratóga
the rags
Plural: no change after na

“Bratóg” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using bratóg, the Irish word for rag.

Tabhair dom bratóg chun an bord a ghlanadh.
Give me a rag to clean the table.
Tá an bhratóg salach anois.
The rag is dirty now.
Chaith sé an bhratóg isteach sa bhosca bruscair.
He threw the rag into the bin.
Bhí a chuid éadaigh ina mbratóga.
His clothes were in rags.
Cá bhfuil mo bhratóg?
Where is my rag?
Nigh mé na bratóga go léir inné.
I washed all the rags yesterday.
Tá poll i lár na bratóige.
There is a hole in the middle of the rag.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

Rag in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for rag?

The Irish for rag is bratóg (pronounced “BRAH-tohg”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is bratóga. Depending on context it can also mean small flag.

How do you pronounce bratóg in Irish?

Bratóg is said like “BRAH-tohg” (IPA /ˈbˠɾˠat̪ˠoːɡ/).

What is the plural of rag in Irish?

The plural of bratóg is bratóga; with the article, na bratóga means “the rags”. The genitive plural is bratóg, as in mála na mbratóg (the rag bag).

Does bratóg have more than one meaning?

Yes. Bratóg can mean rag or small flag, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does bratóg change to bhratóg or mbratóg?

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

What is the difference between bratóg and bratach?

Bratach is a flag, while bratóg is a diminutive form usually meaning a rag or small cloth, though it can also mean a small flag.

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