liath
/lʲiəh/
The Irish word for gray is liath. Wiktionary also lists glas.
Meaning: of a color somewhere between white and black, like cinders (adj)
Ways to say it
| Irish | IPA |
|---|---|
| liath | /lʲiəh/ (Munster) /l̠ʲiə/ (Connacht, Ulster) |
| glas | /ɡl̪ˠɑsˠ/ (Munster) /ɡlˠɑsˠ/ (Connacht, Ulster) |
The word is used to describe a color that is between white and black, such as the color of cinders. It can function as an adjective to describe something as gray, a verb meaning to become gray or a noun meaning the color gray.
Which one should you use?
In modern Irish, liath is the standard word for a neutral gray. In traditional Irish, the word glas can mean both gray and green, often used to describe a grayish-green or a dull green color. While glas can imply a greenish tint, liath is the standard word used for a neutral gray color.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, liath is indeclinable, meaning it does not change its form to match gender or number.
How do you pronounce it?
/lʲiəh/
Did you know?
- In old Irish poetry, glas was frequently used to describe the 'gray' or 'green' pallor of a dead person's skin.
- The English word 'fallow', used to describe pale or yellowish-brown soil, shares an ancient root with the Irish word liath.
- Because glas can describe both gray and green, it has historically been used to describe the sea, which often shifts between these two colors.
Examples in context
- Tá dath liath ar a stocaí.Her socks are gray.This sentence is useful for showing how to use liath to describe the color of socks.Tatoeba #625703 by niq, translation #435088 by lukaszpp
- Bhí an scáth dubh agus liath ar an sliabh.The mountain was covered in black and gray shadow.
- D'athraigh an spéir ó ghlas go liath.The sky changed from blue to gray.
- Rinne sé cóta liatha breá dó féin.He made himself a nice gray coat.
- Tá an spéire liath inniu.The sky is gray today.
- Is maith liom an carr liath sin.I like that gray car.
Example conversation
Niamh and Conor are talking about a new sweater.
- NiamhIs maith an dath é, a Chonaire.It is a nice color, Conor.
- ConorGo raibh go leor, tá sé liath.Thanks, it is gray.
- NiamhAn bhfuil sé liath donnas?Is it a dark gray?
- ConorTá, tá sé an-donn.Yes, it is very dark.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “gray” translations and entries liath, glas, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries glas, liath, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
