cleachtadh
/ˈclʲaxt̪ˠə/
The Irish word for practice is cleachtadh.
cleachtadh refers to the act of doing something repeatedly to improve a skill.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun cleachtadh (practice) is identical in form to the verbal noun used to mean 'practicing' or 'to practice'. In many contexts, Irish speakers use the phrase cleachtadh a dhéanamh to express the act of practicing a skill.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈclʲaxt̪ˠə/
Did you know?
- Irish distinguishes between the active process of practicing a skill cleachtadh and the general state or habit of a professional practice cleachtas.
- While cleachtadh is the formal term for practice, modern Irish speakers frequently use traenáil in sports, which is a direct loanword from the English 'training'.
- The noun cleachtadh is built from the root cleacht, which relates to the concept of being 'adept' or 'skilled' at something.
Examples in context
- Bíonn siad ag déanamh óráidí chun a gcuid Gaeilge a chleachtadh ar bhonn rialta.They make speeches to practice their Irish regularly.
- B'fhearr liom cleachtadh leat chun mo Ghaeilge a fheabhsú.I'd prefer to practice with you to improve my Irish.
- Ní mór duit cleachtadh a dhéanamh gach lá.You must do practice every day.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing their music lesson.
- OisínAn bhfuil tú réidh don cleachtadh, a Saoirse?Are you ready for the practice, Saoirse?
- SaoirseTá mé, ach tá mé tuirseach.I am, but I am tired.
- OisínBeidh an cleachtadh go gasta.The practice will be quick.
- SaoirseTá sin go maith, a Oisín.That is good, Oisín.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry cleachtadh, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
