trá
/t̪ˠɾˠɑː/feminine
The Irish word for "beach" is trá.
trá is a noun referring to a sandy shore.
Meaning: sandy shore (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some parts of Munster, such as the Dingle Peninsula, the informal diminutive Tráighín is used to refer to a small, charming beach.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Because trá is a feminine noun, the definite article an is used without any changes to the noun itself, forming an trá to mean "the beach".
How do you pronounce it?
/t̪ˠɾˠɑː/
Did you know?
- In Irish folklore and poetry, the trá is often portrayed as a liminal space, a magical threshold between the human world and the Otherworld.
- The word trá shares its form with an Old Irish term that functioned as a conjunction meaning 'then', 'therefore' or 'so'.
- While trá is the standard word, you will often see the word cladach used in place names, which refers more specifically to the shoreline or the edge of the land.
Examples in context
- Cén slí abhfuil an trá?Which way is the beach?This sentence is useful for asking for directions to the trá.Tatoeba #5154975 by kemushi69, translation #22175 by CK
- Is breá liom dul go dtí an trá.I love going to the beach.
- Bím ag siúl ar an tráigh gach Aoine.I walk on the beach every Friday.
- Tá an trá an-fhad.The beach is very long.
- Chonaic mé an trá ó thuaidh.I saw the beach from the north.
Example conversation
Oisín and Siobhán are planning a day trip.
- OisínAn bhfuil tú ag iarraidh dul go trá?Do you want to go to a beach?
- SiobhánBa mhaith liom, Oisín!I would love to, Oisín!
- OisínDéanaimid cuairt ar an trá eile.Let's visit the other beach.
- SiobhánCeart go leor, Siobhán anáith.All right, Siobhán is ready.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “beach” translations and entries trá, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries trá, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
