Skin in Irish (Cneas): Meaning, Pronunciation & Examples

Q: What is the Irish for skin?

The Irish for skin is cneas (pronounced “knass”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is cneasa. Depending on context it can also mean bark or waist.

Q: What is the plural of skin in Irish?

The plural of cneas is cneasa; with the article, na cneasa means “the skins”. The genitive plural is cneas, as in dathanna cneas (skin colours).

Q: Does cneas have more than one meaning?

Yes. Cneas can mean skin, bark or waist, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “skin” in Irish

Irish:: cneas
English:: skin, bark, waist
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, first declension
Pronunciation:: “knass” /kɲasˠ/

Various forms

Plural:: cneasa (skins)
Genitive singular:: cnis, an chnis (e.g. dath an chnis, the colour of the skin)
Genitive plural:: cneas, na gcneas (e.g. dathanna cneas, skin colours)

What does “cneas” mean?

“Cneas” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

skin: The skin, especially the surface of the human body; also used of complexion.Also: complexion, flesh, surface of the body.

2 other meanings: bark or waist

2bark: The outer covering of something, such as bark on a tree or rind on fruit.Also: rind, outer layer, peel.
3waist: The body or the waist, as in the area next to the skin.Also: body, middle.

Other Irish words for skin: craiceann (skin), scamh (peel)

“Cneas” with the article

The plural of skin in Irish is cneasa. Here is cneas after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an cneas

the skin

No change after an

na cneasa

the skins

Plural: no change after na

“Cneas” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using cneas, the Irish word for skin.

Bhí cneas mín bán uirthi.

She had smooth fair skin.

Chuir sí léine chnis uirthi féin.

She put on an undershirt.

Ghortaigh an ghrian an cneas ar a ghuaillí.

The sun hurt the skin on his shoulders.

Is cara cnis liom é le fada.

He has long been a bosom friend of mine.

Tá an t-éadach seo garbh le mo chneas.

This cloth is rough against my skin.

Tá cneasa éagsúla ag daoine ar fud an domhain.

People around the world have different skins.

Bhí an crann gan chneas tar éis na stoirme.

The tree was stripped of bark after the storm.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Skin in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for skin?

The Irish for skin is cneas (pronounced “knass”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is cneasa. Depending on context it can also mean bark or waist.

How do you pronounce cneas in Irish?

Cneas is said like “knass” (IPA /kɲasˠ/).

What is the plural of skin in Irish?

The plural of cneas is cneasa; with the article, na cneasa means “the skins”. The genitive plural is cneas, as in dathanna cneas (skin colours).

Does cneas have more than one meaning?

Yes. Cneas can mean skin, bark or waist, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does cneas change to chneas or gcneas?

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

What is the difference between 'cneas' and 'craiceann'?

'Craiceann' is the everyday word for skin, including animal skin, while 'cneas' is more literary and refers mainly to human skin or complexion. 'Cneas' survives in set phrases like 'cara cnis' and 'léine chnis'.

What does 'cara cnis' mean?

'Cara cnis' means a bosom friend, literally a friend of the skin, someone very close to you.

Skin in Irish (Cneas): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage