Bit in Irish (Mír): Meaning, Pronunciation & Examples

Q: What is the Irish for bit?

The Irish for bit is mír (pronounced “meer”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is míreanna. Depending on context it can also mean item or particle.

Q: What is the plural of bit in Irish?

The plural of mír is míreanna; with the article, na míreanna means “the bits”. The genitive plural is míreanna, as in ord na míreanna (the order of the items).

Q: Does mír have more than one meaning?

Yes. Mír can mean bit, item or particle, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “bit” in Irish

Irish:: mír
English:: bit, item, particle
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine, second declension
Pronunciation:: “meer” /mʲiːɾʲ/

Various forms

Plural:: míreanna (bits)
Genitive singular:: míre, na míre (e.g. teideal na míre, title of the item)
Genitive plural:: míreanna, na míreanna (e.g. ord na míreanna, the order of the items)

What does “mír” mean?

“Mír” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

bit: A small piece, portion or part of something.Also: portion, piece, part, morsel.

2 other meanings: item or particle

2item: A single item or section in a list, document, programme or agenda.Also: section, clause, segment.
3particle: In grammar, a small word or part of a word, such as a prefix or verbal particle.Also: affix, element.

Other Irish words for bit: píosa (piece), pioc (bit), blúire (fragment), giota (bit)

“Mír” with the article

The plural of bit in Irish is míreanna. Here is mír after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an mhír

the bit

Lenition: m becomes mh after an (feminine noun)

na míreanna

the bits

Plural: no change after na

“Mír” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using mír, the Irish word for bit.

Thug sí mír den cháca dom.

She gave me a bit of the cake.

Tá an mhír sin ar an gclár inniu.

That item is on the agenda today.

Léigh mé an chéad mhír den tuarascáil.

I read the first section of the report.

Tá cúig mhír ar an liosta.

There are five items on the list.

Ní raibh mír bia sa teach.

There wasn't a bit of food in the house.

Pléadh na míreanna go léir ag an gcruinniú.

All the items were discussed at the meeting.

Is mír bhriathartha í "ní".

"Ní" is a verbal particle.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

aireminister toilwill ordúorder gnáthcustom beartbundle cúnamhhelp

Bit in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for bit?

The Irish for bit is mír (pronounced “meer”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is míreanna. Depending on context it can also mean item or particle.

How do you pronounce mír in Irish?

Mír is said like “meer” (IPA /mʲiːɾʲ/).

What is the plural of bit in Irish?

The plural of mír is míreanna; with the article, na míreanna means “the bits”. The genitive plural is míreanna, as in ord na míreanna (the order of the items).

Does mír have more than one meaning?

Yes. Mír can mean bit, item or particle, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does mír change to mhír?

After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo mhír. After ár (our) it stays ár mír, because m does not take eclipsis.

How is 'mír' different from 'píosa'?

'Píosa' is the everyday word for a piece, while 'mír' is more formal and is used for items, sections and grammatical particles, as in 'mír nuachta' (news item).

What is a 'mír mhearaí'?

A 'mír mhearaí' is a jigsaw puzzle; the phrase literally means a bewildering piece.

Bit in Irish (Mír): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage