Trench in Irish (Clais): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for trench?

The Irish for trench is clais (pronounced “klash”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is claiseanna. Depending on context it can also mean furrow or groove.

Q: What is the plural of trench in Irish?

The plural of clais is claiseanna; with the article, na claiseanna means “the trenches”. The genitive plural is claiseanna, as in ag glanadh na gclaiseanna (cleaning the ditches).

Q: Does clais have more than one meaning?

Yes. Clais can mean trench, furrow or groove, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “trench” in Irish

Irish:: clais
English:: trench, furrow, groove
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine, second declension
Pronunciation:: “klash” /klˠaʃ/

Various forms

Plural:: claiseanna (trenches)
Genitive singular:: claise, na claise (e.g. bruach na claise, the edge of the ditch)
Genitive plural:: claiseanna, na gclaiseanna (e.g. ag glanadh na gclaiseanna, cleaning the ditches)

What does “clais” mean?

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

trench: A long narrow cut or ditch dug in the ground, for example for drainage.Also: ditch, drain, dyke.

2 other meanings: furrow or groove

2furrow: A long narrow groove made in the soil, as by a plough or spade.Also: rut, drill.
3groove: A narrow channel or hollow cut into a surface.Also: channel, slot, fluting.

Other Irish words for trench: díog (ditch), trinse (trench), clas (furrow)

“Clais” with the article

The plural of trench in Irish is claiseanna. Here is clais after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an chlais

the trench

Lenition: c becomes ch after an (feminine noun)

na claiseanna

the trenches

Plural: no change after na

“Clais” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using clais, the Irish word for trench.

Thit an madra isteach sa chlais.

The dog fell into the ditch.

Tá an chlais lán d'uisce inniu.

The trench is full of water today.

Bhí na fir ag tochailt claise sa pháirc.

The men were digging a trench in the field.

Caithfimid na claiseanna a ghlanadh roimh an ngeimhreadh.

We have to clean out the drains before winter.

Rinne sé clais dhíreach leis an spád.

He made a straight furrow with the spade.

Chuaigh roth an rothair i gclais sa bhóthar.

The bicycle wheel went into a rut in the road.

Tá uisce ina sheasamh sa chlais.

There is water standing in the ditch.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

foirmform spéisinterest taispeántasexhibition porttune cíosrent tagairtreference

Trench in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for trench?

The Irish for trench is clais (pronounced “klash”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is claiseanna. Depending on context it can also mean furrow or groove.

How do you pronounce clais in Irish?

Clais is said like “klash” (IPA /klˠaʃ/).

What is the plural of trench in Irish?

The plural of clais is claiseanna; with the article, na claiseanna means “the trenches”. The genitive plural is claiseanna, as in ag glanadh na gclaiseanna (cleaning the ditches).

Does clais have more than one meaning?

Yes. Clais can mean trench, furrow or groove, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does clais change to chlais or gclais?

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

What is the difference between clais and díog?

Both can mean a ditch: díog is the usual word for a drainage ditch, while clais is broader, covering a trench, furrow or groove.

Is clais related to iomaire?

Yes, in tillage the clais is the furrow and the iomaire is the ridge between furrows.

Trench in Irish (Clais): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage