Bush in Irish (Dos): Meaning, Pronunciation & Examples

Q: What is the Irish for bush?

The Irish for bush is dos (pronounced “duss”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is dosanna. Depending on context it can also mean tuft or drone.

Q: What is the plural of bush in Irish?

The plural of dos is dosanna; with the article, na dosanna means “the bushes”. The genitive plural is dosanna, as in duilleoga na ndosanna (the leaves of the bushes).

Q: Does dos have more than one meaning?

Yes. Dos can mean bush, tuft or drone, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “bush” in Irish

Irish:: dos
English:: bush, tuft, drone
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, first declension
Pronunciation:: “duss” /d̪ˠɔsˠ/

Various forms

Plural:: dosanna (bushes)
Genitive singular:: dois, an dois (e.g. barr an dois, the top of the bush)
Genitive plural:: dosanna, na ndosanna (e.g. duilleoga na ndosanna, the leaves of the bushes)

What does “dos” mean?

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

bush: A bush or thicket; a clump of shrubs or small trees.Also: thicket, shrub, clump.

2 other meanings: tuft or drone

2tuft: A tuft or bunch of something, such as hair, grass or feathers.Also: bunch, cluster, clump.
3drone: A drone pipe of the bagpipes, which sounds a single continuous note.Also: drone pipe, bagpipe drone.

Other Irish words for bush: tom (bush), tor (bush)

“Dos” with the article

The plural of bush in Irish is dosanna. Here is dos after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an dos

the bush

No change after an

na dosanna

the bushes

Plural: no change after na

“Dos” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using dos, the Irish word for bush.

Tá dos mór taobh thiar den teach.

There's a big bush behind the house.

Chuaigh an coinín isteach faoin dos.

The rabbit went in under the bush.

Bhí éan ag canadh i mbarr an dois.

A bird was singing at the top of the bush.

Gearr na dosanna sin sa ghairdín, le do thoil.

Please cut those bushes in the garden.

Tá dos gruaige ag gobadh amach ar a cheann.

A tuft of hair is sticking up on his head.

Chuaigh mo liathróid isteach sa dos.

My ball went into the bush.

Bhí dosanna fraoigh ar fud an tsléibhe.

There were clumps of heather all over the mountain.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Bush in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for bush?

The Irish for bush is dos (pronounced “duss”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is dosanna. Depending on context it can also mean tuft or drone.

How do you pronounce dos in Irish?

Dos is said like “duss” (IPA /d̪ˠɔsˠ/).

What is the plural of bush in Irish?

The plural of dos is dosanna; with the article, na dosanna means “the bushes”. The genitive plural is dosanna, as in duilleoga na ndosanna (the leaves of the bushes).

Does dos have more than one meaning?

Yes. Dos can mean bush, tuft or drone, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does dos change to dhos or ndos?

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

What is the difference between 'dos' and 'tor'?

Both can mean bush; 'tor' is the more usual everyday word for a bush or shrub, while 'dos' suggests a thick bush or a tuft, as in 'dos gruaige'.

Bush in Irish (Dos): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage