HeyRuaHow to say “brother” in Irish
- Irish:
- deartháir
- English:
- brother, brother (religious)
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, fifth declension
- Pronunciation:
- “drur-HAWR” /dʲɾʲəˈhaːɾʲ/
- Plural:
- deartháireacha (brothers)
- Genitive singular:
- dearthár, an dearthár (e.g. teach an dearthár, the brother's house)
- Genitive plural:
- deartháireacha, na ndeartháireacha (e.g. ainmneacha na ndeartháireacha, the brothers' names)
What does “deartháir” mean?
“Deartháir” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- brother
- A boy or man who has the same parents as another person.Also: sibling, male sibling.
1 other meaning: brother (religious)
- 2brother (religious)
- A member of a religious order of men who is not a priest, such as a Christian Brother.Also: brother, monk, friar, religious brother.
“Deartháir” with the article
The plural of brother in Irish is deartháireacha. Here is deartháir after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Deartháir” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using deartháir, the Irish word for brother.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Brother in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for brother?
The Irish for brother is deartháir (pronounced “drur-HAWR”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is deartháireacha. Depending on context it can also mean brother (religious).
How do you pronounce deartháir in Irish?
Deartháir is said like “drur-HAWR” (IPA /dʲɾʲəˈhaːɾʲ/).
What is the plural of brother in Irish?
The plural of deartháir is deartháireacha; with the article, na deartháireacha means “the brothers”. The genitive plural is deartháireacha, as in ainmneacha na ndeartháireacha (the brothers' names).
Does deartháir have more than one meaning?
Yes. Deartháir can mean brother or brother (religious), depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does deartháir change to dheartháir or ndeartháir?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) deartháir becomes mo dheartháir (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár ndeartháir (eclipsis).
What is the difference between deartháir and bráthair?
Deartháir is a brother in a family, while bráthair is usually a religious brother or friar, as in na Bráithre Críostaí.
How do I count brothers?
For people use the personal numbers: beirt deartháireacha, triúr deartháireacha, though deartháir is used after cé mhéad.
