Conference in Irish (Comhdháil): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for conference?

The Irish for conference is comhdháil (pronounced “KOH-ghawl”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is comhdhálacha. Depending on context it can also mean meeting.

Q: What is the plural of conference in Irish?

The plural of comhdháil is comhdhálacha; with the article, na comhdhálacha means “the conferences”. The genitive plural is comhdhálacha, as in eagrú na gcomhdhálacha (organising the conferences).

Q: Does comhdháil have more than one meaning?

Yes. Comhdháil can mean conference or meeting, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “conference” in Irish

Irish:: comhdháil
English:: conference, meeting
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine, third declension
Pronunciation:: “KOH-ghawl” /ˈkoːɣɑːlʲ/

Various forms

Plural:: comhdhálacha (conferences)
Genitive singular:: comhdhála, na comhdhála (e.g. cathaoirleach na comhdhála, chairperson of the conference)
Genitive plural:: comhdhálacha, na gcomhdhálacha (e.g. eagrú na gcomhdhálacha, organising the conferences)

What does “comhdháil” mean?

“Comhdháil” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

conference: A formal meeting of many people to discuss a subject, often over several days.Also: convention, congress, assembly.

1 other meaning: meeting

2meeting: A coming together of people; in older or literary use, an arranged meeting or tryst.Also: tryst, rendezvous.

“Comhdháil” with the article

The plural of conference in Irish is comhdhálacha. Here is comhdháil after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an chomhdháil

the conference

Lenition: c becomes ch after an (feminine noun)

na comhdhálacha

the conferences

Plural: no change after na

“Comhdháil” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using comhdháil, the Irish word for conference.

Chuir mé páipéar i láthair ag an gcomhdháil.

I presented a paper at the conference.

Beidh comhdháil mhór i nGaillimh i mbliana.

There will be a big conference in Galway this year.

Cá bhfuil ionad na comhdhála?

Where is the conference venue?

Freastalaíonn sí ar a lán comhdhálacha thar lear.

She attends a lot of conferences abroad.

D'éirigh go han-mhaith le mo chéad chomhdháil.

My first conference went really well.

Labhair an tAire sa chomhdháil inné.

The Minister spoke at the conference yesterday.

Tá an chomhdháil ar siúl go ceann trí lá.

The conference runs for three days.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

cuidpart bliainyear obairwork céilespouse cathaircity GaeilgeIrish

Conference in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for conference?

The Irish for conference is comhdháil (pronounced “KOH-ghawl”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is comhdhálacha. Depending on context it can also mean meeting.

How do you pronounce comhdháil in Irish?

Comhdháil is said like “KOH-ghawl” (IPA /ˈkoːɣɑːlʲ/).

What is the plural of conference in Irish?

The plural of comhdháil is comhdhálacha; with the article, na comhdhálacha means “the conferences”. The genitive plural is comhdhálacha, as in eagrú na gcomhdhálacha (organising the conferences).

Does comhdháil have more than one meaning?

Yes. Comhdháil can mean conference or meeting, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does comhdháil change to chomhdháil or gcomhdháil?

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

What is the difference between comhdháil and cruinniú?

A cruinniú is any meeting, even a small one, while a comhdháil is a larger formal conference or convention.

Conference in Irish (Comhdháil): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage