Trunk in Irish (Cabhail): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for trunk?

The Irish for trunk is cabhail (pronounced “kowl”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is cabhlacha. Depending on context it can also mean hull or frame or bodice.

Q: What is the plural of trunk in Irish?

The plural of cabhail is cabhlacha; with the article, na cabhlacha means “the trunks”. The genitive plural is cabhlacha, as in dathanna na gcabhlacha (the colours of the trunks).

Q: Does cabhail have more than one meaning?

Yes. Cabhail can mean trunk, hull, frame or bodice, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “trunk” in Irish

Irish:: cabhail
English:: trunk, hull, frame, bodice
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine, fifth declension
Pronunciation:: “kowl” /kəulʲ/

Various forms

Plural:: cabhlacha (trunks)
Genitive singular:: cabhlach, na cabhlach (e.g. fad na cabhlach, the length of the trunk)
Genitive plural:: cabhlacha, na gcabhlacha (e.g. dathanna na gcabhlacha, the colours of the trunks)

What does “cabhail” mean?

“Cabhail” has four alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

trunk: The main part of the human or animal body, without the head and limbs.Also: torso, body.

3 other meanings: hull or frame or bodice

2hull: The main body or frame of a ship or boat.Also: ship's hull, frame.
3frame: The main body or framework of a structure or vehicle, such as a car or building.Also: framework, chassis, shell.
4bodice: The upper body part of a dress or garment.Also: body of a garment.

Other Irish words for trunk: crann (tree), trunc (trunk)

“Cabhail” with the article

The plural of trunk in Irish is cabhlacha. Here is cabhail after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an chabhail

the trunk

Lenition: c becomes ch after an (feminine noun)

na cabhlacha

the trunks

Plural: no change after na

“Cabhail” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using cabhail, the Irish word for trunk.

Chuimil sé uachtar dá chabhail.

He rubbed cream onto his body.

Bhí an chabhail ina seasamh fós tar éis na tine.

The shell was still standing after the fire.

Péinteáladh cabhail an bháid dearg.

The hull of the boat was painted red.

Tá pian i mo chabhail ó mhaidin.

I've had a pain in my trunk since morning.

Fuarthas poll sa chabhail tar éis na stoirme.

A hole was found in the hull after the storm.

Bhí cabhlacha na seanbhád ag lobhadh ar an trá.

The hulls of the old boats were rotting on the beach.

Tá an chabhail ródhaingean ar an ngúna seo.

The bodice of this dress is too tight.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Trunk in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for trunk?

The Irish for trunk is cabhail (pronounced “kowl”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is cabhlacha. Depending on context it can also mean hull or frame or bodice.

How do you pronounce cabhail in Irish?

Cabhail is said like “kowl” (IPA /kəulʲ/).

What is the plural of trunk in Irish?

The plural of cabhail is cabhlacha; with the article, na cabhlacha means “the trunks”. The genitive plural is cabhlacha, as in dathanna na gcabhlacha (the colours of the trunks).

Does cabhail have more than one meaning?

Yes. Cabhail can mean trunk, hull, frame or bodice, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does cabhail change to chabhail or gcabhail?

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

How is 'cabhail' different from 'corp' and 'colainn'?

'Corp' and 'colainn' mean the whole body, while 'cabhail' is the trunk or main part without head and limbs; it is also used for a ship's hull or a house's shell, as in 'cabhail tí'.

Trunk in Irish (Cabhail): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage