Colour in Irish (Dath): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for colour?

The Irish for colour is dath (pronounced “dah”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is dathanna. Depending on context it can also mean dye or anything.

Q: What is the plural of colour in Irish?

The plural of dath is dathanna; with the article, na dathanna means “the colours”. The genitive plural is dathanna, as in meascadh na ndathanna (the mixing of the colours).

Q: Does dath have more than one meaning?

Yes. Dath can mean colour, dye or anything, depending on context; the first is the most common. Dath also has its own entry as a verb meaning to colour.

How to say “colour” in Irish

Irish:: dath
English:: colour, dye, anything
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, third declension
Pronunciation:: “dah” /d̪ˠah/

Various forms

Plural:: dathanna (colours)
Genitive singular:: datha, an datha (e.g. ainm an datha, the name of the colour)
Genitive plural:: dathanna, na ndathanna (e.g. meascadh na ndathanna, the mixing of the colours)

What does “dath” mean?

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

colour: The quality of something, such as red, blue or green, that you see with your eyes.Also: color, hue, shade.

2 other meanings: dye or anything

2dye: A substance used to colour cloth, hair or other material.Also: pigment, tint, paint.
3anything: In the form 'a dhath' with a negative or question, it means anything or nothing at all.Also: nothing, a thing.

Other Irish words for colour: dath (colour), snua (complexion), dathaigh (colour)

Other entries for “dath”

The same spelling has its own page as:

dathto colour · verb

“Dath” with the article

The plural of colour in Irish is dathanna. Here is dath after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an dath

the colour

No change after an

na dathanna

the colours

Plural: no change after na

“Dath” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using dath, the Irish word for colour.

Cén dath atá ar do charr nua?

What colour is your new car?

Is maith liom an dath sin go mór.

I really like that colour.

Tá dathanna áille sa phictiúr seo.

There are lovely colours in this picture.

Is é gorm an dath is fearr liom.

Blue is my favourite colour.

Níl a dhath le déanamh agam inniu.

I have nothing at all to do today.

Chuir sí dath ar a cuid gruaige.

She dyed her hair.

Níor thaitin dath an tseomra liom.

I didn't like the colour of the room.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Colour in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for colour?

The Irish for colour is dath (pronounced “dah”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is dathanna. Depending on context it can also mean dye or anything.

How do you pronounce dath in Irish?

Dath is said like “dah” (IPA /d̪ˠah/).

What is the plural of colour in Irish?

The plural of dath is dathanna; with the article, na dathanna means “the colours”. The genitive plural is dathanna, as in meascadh na ndathanna (the mixing of the colours).

Does dath have more than one meaning?

Yes. Dath can mean colour, dye or anything, depending on context; the first is the most common. Dath also has its own entry as a verb meaning to colour.

Why does dath change to dhath or ndath?

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

How do I say 'What colour is it?' in Irish?

Say 'Cén dath atá air?' for a masculine noun or 'Cén dath atá uirthi?' for a feminine one: the colour is 'on' the thing.

What does 'a dhath' mean?

With a negative or question it means anything or nothing, as in 'Níl a dhath agam' (I have nothing).

Colour in Irish (Dath): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage