HeyRuaHow to say “world” in Irish
- Irish:
- cruinne
- English:
- world, globe, roundness
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, fourth declension
- Pronunciation:
- “KRIN-yuh” /ˈkɾˠɪnʲə/
- Plural:
- cruinní (worlds)
- Genitive singular:
- cruinne, na cruinne (e.g. timpeall na cruinne, around the world)
- Genitive plural:
- cruinní, na gcruinní (e.g. cruinneas na gcruinní, the accuracy of the globes)
What does “cruinne” mean?
“Cruinne” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- world
- The whole world or the universe, everything that exists.Also: universe, earth, cosmos.
“Cruinne” with the article
The plural of world in Irish is cruinní. Here is cruinne after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Cruinne” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using cruinne, the Irish word for world.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
World in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for world?
The Irish for world is cruinne (pronounced “KRIN-yuh”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is cruinní. Depending on context it can also mean globe or roundness.
How do you pronounce cruinne in Irish?
Cruinne is said like “KRIN-yuh” (IPA /ˈkɾˠɪnʲə/).
What is the plural of world in Irish?
The plural of cruinne is cruinní; with the article, na cruinní means “the worlds”. The genitive plural is cruinní, as in cruinneas na gcruinní (the accuracy of the globes).
Does cruinne have more than one meaning?
Yes. Cruinne can mean world, globe or roundness, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does cruinne change to chruinne or gcruinne?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) cruinne becomes mo chruinne (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár gcruinne (eclipsis).
What is the difference between 'cruinne' and 'domhan'?
'Domhan' is the usual word for the world or earth, while 'cruinne' is more literary and often means the whole universe, as in 'déantús na cruinne' (the make-up of the universe).
Is 'cruinne' related to 'cruinn'?
Yes, it comes from 'cruinn' (round; exact), so its basic idea is roundness, but note that 'cruinneas' is the noun for accuracy.
