Tinkle in Irish (Cling): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for tinkle?

The Irish for tinkle is cling (pronounced “kling”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is clingeacha. Depending on context it can also mean chime.

Q: What is the plural of tinkle in Irish?

The plural of cling is clingeacha; with the article, na clingeacha means “the tinkles”. The genitive plural is clingeacha, as in macalla na gclingeacha (the echo of the chimes).

Q: Does cling have more than one meaning?

Yes. Cling can mean tinkle or chime, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “tinkle” in Irish

Irish:: cling
English:: tinkle, chime
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine, second declension
Pronunciation:: “kling” /kʲlʲɪŋʲ/

Various forms

Plural:: clingeacha (tinkles)
Genitive singular:: clinge, na clinge (e.g. fuaim na clinge, the sound of the tinkle)
Genitive plural:: clingeacha, na gclingeacha (e.g. macalla na gclingeacha, the echo of the chimes)

What does “cling” mean?

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

tinkle: A light ringing sound, such as that made by a small bell or glass.Also: clink, jingle, ring.

1 other meaning: chime

2chime: The ringing or tolling sound of a bell, as for a death or a church service.Also: knell, toll, peal.

“Cling” with the article

The plural of tinkle in Irish is clingeacha. Here is cling after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an chling

the tinkle

Lenition: c becomes ch after an (feminine noun)

na clingeacha

the tinkles

Plural: no change after na

“Cling” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using cling, the Irish word for tinkle.

Chuala mé cling ag an doras.

I heard a tinkle at the door.

Bhí cling an chloig le cloisteáil i bhfad uainn.

The chime of the bell could be heard far away.

Bhain sí cling as an ngloine.

She made the glass clink.

Thaitin fuaim na clinge leis an leanbh.

The child liked the sound of the tinkle.

Bhí clingeacha beaga le cloisteáil sa ghairdín.

Little tinkling sounds could be heard in the garden.

Dhúisigh cling an chloig mé ar maidin.

The ringing of the bell woke me in the morning.

Ní raibh cling ar bith ón bhfón.

There was no ring at all from the phone.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Tinkle in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for tinkle?

The Irish for tinkle is cling (pronounced “kling”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is clingeacha. Depending on context it can also mean chime.

How do you pronounce cling in Irish?

Cling is said like “kling” (IPA /kʲlʲɪŋʲ/).

What is the plural of tinkle in Irish?

The plural of cling is clingeacha; with the article, na clingeacha means “the tinkles”. The genitive plural is clingeacha, as in macalla na gclingeacha (the echo of the chimes).

Does cling have more than one meaning?

Yes. Cling can mean tinkle or chime, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does cling change to chling or gcling?

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

What is the difference between 'cling' and 'clog'?

'Clog' is the bell itself, while 'cling' is the ringing or tinkling sound it makes, as in 'cling an chloig'.

Tinkle in Irish (Cling): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage