HeyRuaHow to say “cello” in Irish
- Irish:
- dordveidhil
- English:
- cello
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, second declension
- Pronunciation:
- “DOR-dvy-il” /ˈd̪ˠoːɾˠd̪ˠˌvʲəilʲ/
- Plural:
- dordveidhilí (cellos)
- Genitive singular:
- dordveidhle, na dordveidhle (e.g. téada na dordveidhle, the strings of the cello)
- Genitive plural:
- dordveidhilí, na ndordveidhilí (e.g. fuaim na ndordveidhilí, the sound of the cellos)
What does “dordveidhil” mean?
- cello
- A large stringed instrument of the violin family, played with a bow while the player sits holding it between the knees.Also: violoncello, bass violin.
“Dordveidhil” with the article
The plural of cello in Irish is dordveidhilí. Here is dordveidhil after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Dordveidhil” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using dordveidhil, the Irish word for cello.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Cello in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for cello?
The Irish for cello is dordveidhil (pronounced “DOR-dvy-il”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is dordveidhilí.
How do you pronounce dordveidhil in Irish?
Dordveidhil is said like “DOR-dvy-il” (IPA /ˈd̪ˠoːɾˠd̪ˠˌvʲəilʲ/).
What is the plural of cello in Irish?
The plural of dordveidhil is dordveidhilí; with the article, na dordveidhilí means “the cellos”. The genitive plural is dordveidhilí, as in fuaim na ndordveidhilí (the sound of the cellos).
Why does dordveidhil change to dhordveidhil or ndordveidhil?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) dordveidhil becomes mo dhordveidhil (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár ndordveidhil (eclipsis).
How is 'dordveidhil' formed?
It combines 'dord' (bass, low hum) with 'veidhil' (fiddle, violin), so it is literally a 'bass fiddle'. Do not confuse it with 'dordveidhlín', which some sources use for double bass.
