cara
/ˈkɑɾˠə/
The Irish word for pal is cara.
cara is a colloquial noun used to refer to a friend.
Meaning: (colloquial) a friend (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkɑɾˠə/
When do people say it?
In addition to terms for friendship, the phrase A chuisle (meaning 'pulse') can be used to express deep affection between friends or romantic partners.
Did you know?
- The root of cara is so old that it connects to the English word 'whore' via a shared Proto-Indo-European ancestor, though the meanings have diverged wildly over millennia.
- In traditional Irish culture, the concept of a cara often extended to kinship and relations, not just social peers.
- Irish often uses different forms of cara depending on whether the speaker is talking about a friend or addressing that friend directly.
Examples in context
- Is cara ansa liom é.He is a dear pal of mine.
- An bhfuil cara agat?Do you have a pal?
Example conversation
Cathal and Niamh are meeting a new person.
- CathalSeo mo chara, an tSeanóir.This is my friend, the Senior.
- NiamhDia duit! Is mise Niamh.Hello! I am Niamh.
- CathalIs cara iontach é.He is a great friend.
- NiamhTá mé sáor go bhfuil tú anseo.I am glad you are here.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry cara, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cara, CC BY-SA 4.0.
