HeyRuaHow to say “stranger” in Irish
- Irish:
- coimhthíoch
- English:
- stranger, foreigner
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, first declension
- Pronunciation:
- “KEYE-hee-ukh” /ˈkɨ̃ĩhiəx/
- Plural:
- coimhthígh (strangers)
- Genitive singular:
- coimhthígh, an choimhthígh (e.g. teach an choimhthígh, the stranger's house)
- Genitive plural:
- coimhthíoch, na gcoimhthíoch (e.g. cearta na gcoimhthíoch, the rights of the foreigners)
What does “coimhthíoch” mean?
“Coimhthíoch” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- stranger
- A person you do not know, or someone who is not from your own place or community.Also: outsider, newcomer, unknown person.
1 other meaning: foreigner
- 2foreigner
- A person who comes from another country.Also: person from abroad, immigrant.
Other Irish words for stranger: strainséir (stranger), coigríochach (foreigner)
The same spelling has its own page as:
“Coimhthíoch” with the article
The plural of stranger in Irish is coimhthígh. Here is coimhthíoch after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Coimhthíoch” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using coimhthíoch, the Irish word for stranger.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Stranger in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for stranger?
The Irish for stranger is coimhthíoch (pronounced “KEYE-hee-ukh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is coimhthígh. Depending on context it can also mean foreigner.
How do you pronounce coimhthíoch in Irish?
Coimhthíoch is said like “KEYE-hee-ukh” (IPA /ˈkɨ̃ĩhiəx/).
What is the plural of stranger in Irish?
The plural of coimhthíoch is coimhthígh; with the article, na coimhthígh means “the strangers”. The genitive plural is coimhthíoch, as in cearta na gcoimhthíoch (the rights of the foreigners).
Does coimhthíoch have more than one meaning?
Yes. Coimhthíoch can mean stranger or foreigner, depending on context; the first is the most common. Coimhthíoch also has its own entry as an adjective meaning strange.
Why does coimhthíoch change to choimhthíoch or gcoimhthíoch?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) coimhthíoch becomes mo choimhthíoch (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár gcoimhthíoch (eclipsis).
What is the difference between 'coimhthíoch' and 'strainséir'?
Both mean stranger; 'strainséir' is the everyday word, while 'coimhthíoch' is more literary and also suggests an outsider or foreigner.
