HeyRuaHow to say “waist” in Irish
- Irish:
- coim
- English:
- waist, cover
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, second declension
- Pronunciation:
- “kim” /kɪmʲ/
- Plural:
- coimeanna (waists)
- Genitive singular:
- coime, na coime (e.g. timpeall na coime, around the waist)
- Genitive plural:
- coimeanna, na gcoimeanna (e.g. tomhas na gcoimeanna, the waist measurements)
What does “coim” mean?
“Coim” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- waist
- The middle part of the body between the ribs and the hips.Also: middle, midriff.
1 other meaning: cover
- 2cover
- Shelter or concealment, used mainly in phrases such as 'faoi choim', meaning secretly or under cover.Also: covering, shelter, concealment.
Other Irish words for waist: básta (waist)
“Coim” with the article
The plural of waist in Irish is coimeanna. Here is coim after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Coim” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using coim, the Irish word for waist.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Waist in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for waist?
The Irish for waist is coim (pronounced “kim”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is coimeanna. Depending on context it can also mean cover.
How do you pronounce coim in Irish?
Coim is said like “kim” (IPA /kɪmʲ/).
What is the plural of waist in Irish?
The plural of coim is coimeanna; with the article, na coimeanna means “the waists”. The genitive plural is coimeanna, as in tomhas na gcoimeanna (the waist measurements).
Does coim have more than one meaning?
Yes. Coim can mean waist or cover, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does coim change to choim or gcoim?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) coim becomes mo choim (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár gcoim (eclipsis).
What does 'faoi choim' mean?
'Faoi choim' means secretly or under cover, as in 'faoi choim na hoíche', under cover of night.
Is 'coim' the usual word for a waist of clothing?
In everyday speech 'com' or 'básta' is often used for a waist; 'coim' is more literary but still common in set phrases.
