Bad news in Irish (Drochscéal): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for bad news?

The Irish for bad news is drochscéal (pronounced “drokh-SHKAYL”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is drochscéalta. Depending on context it can also mean downside.

Q: What is the plural of bad news in Irish?

The plural of drochscéal is drochscéalta; with the article, na drochscéalta means “the bad news”. The genitive plural is drochscéalta, as in tuile na ndrochscéalta (the flood of bad news).

Q: Does drochscéal have more than one meaning?

Yes. Drochscéal can mean bad news or downside, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “bad news” in Irish

Irish:: drochscéal
English:: bad news, downside
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, first declension
Pronunciation:: “drokh-SHKAYL” /ˈd̪ˠɾɔxˌʃcʲeːlˠ/

Various forms

Plural:: drochscéalta (bad news)
Genitive singular:: drochscéil, an drochscéil (e.g. teacht an drochscéil, the arrival of the bad news)
Genitive plural:: drochscéalta, na ndrochscéalta (e.g. tuile na ndrochscéalta, the flood of bad news)

What does “drochscéal” mean?

“Drochscéal” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

bad news: News or a report about something unfortunate or unwelcome.Also: sad news, unwelcome news, ill tidings.

1 other meaning: downside

2downside: The negative or unpleasant side of a matter.Also: dark side, negative aspect, drawback.

Other Irish words for bad news: drochscéala (bad news)

“Drochscéal” with the article

The plural of bad news in Irish is drochscéalta. Here is drochscéal after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an drochscéal

the bad news

No change after an

na drochscéalta

the bad news

Plural: no change after na

“Drochscéal” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using drochscéal, the Irish word for bad news.

Tá drochscéal agam duit, faraor.

I have bad news for you, I'm afraid.

Chualamar an drochscéal ar an raidió.

We heard the bad news on the radio.

Bhí sí trína chéile nuair a chuala sí an drochscéal.

She was upset when she heard the bad news.

Níl ach drochscéalta sa nuacht inniu.

There's nothing but bad news on the news today.

Ní maith liom a bheith ag tabhairt drochscéil.

I don't like to be the bearer of bad news.

Tháinig an drochscéal sin aniar aduaidh orainn.

That bad news took us by surprise.

Is é an drochscéal go bhfuil an post caillte agam.

The bad news is that I've lost the job.

Other nouns in Irish

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Bad news in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for bad news?

The Irish for bad news is drochscéal (pronounced “drokh-SHKAYL”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is drochscéalta. Depending on context it can also mean downside.

How do you pronounce drochscéal in Irish?

Drochscéal is said like “drokh-SHKAYL” (IPA /ˈd̪ˠɾɔxˌʃcʲeːlˠ/).

What is the plural of bad news in Irish?

The plural of drochscéal is drochscéalta; with the article, na drochscéalta means “the bad news”. The genitive plural is drochscéalta, as in tuile na ndrochscéalta (the flood of bad news).

Does drochscéal have more than one meaning?

Yes. Drochscéal can mean bad news or downside, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does drochscéal change to dhrochscéal or ndrochscéal?

Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) drochscéal becomes mo dhrochscéal (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár ndrochscéal (eclipsis).

How do I say 'good news' as opposed to 'drochscéal'?

Use 'dea-scéal' or 'scéal maith' for good news, while 'drochscéal' means bad news.

Is 'drochscéal' different from 'drochscéala'?

'Drochscéala' also means bad news, from 'scéala' (tidings), whereas 'drochscéal' is built on 'scéal' (story, news); both are used.

Bad news in Irish (Drochscéal): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage