HeyRuaHow to say “dance” in Irish
- Irish:
- damhsa
- English:
- dance
- Word type:
- noun (verbal noun)
- Verbal noun of:
- damhsaigh, to dance (ag damhsa, dancing)
- Gender:
- masculine
- Pronunciation:
- “DOW-suh” /ˈd̪ˠəusˠə/
- Plural:
- damhsaí (dances)
- Genitive singular:
- damhsa, an damhsa (e.g. halla an damhsa, the dance hall)
- Genitive plural:
- damhsaí, na ndamhsaí (e.g. ainmneacha na ndamhsaí, the names of the dances)
What does “damhsa” mean?
- dance
- A set of rhythmic steps and movements done to music, or an occasion where people dance.Also: dancing, ball.
Other Irish words for dance: damhsa (dance), rince (dance), damhsaigh (dance), rinc (dance)
“Damhsa” as a verbal noun
After ag, damhsa means dancing: it is the verbal noun of the verb damhsaigh (to dance). A noun that follows it goes into the genitive.
“Damhsa” with the article
The plural of dance in Irish is damhsaí. Here is damhsa after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Damhsa” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using damhsa, the Irish word for dance.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Dance in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for dance?
The Irish for dance is damhsa (pronounced “DOW-suh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is damhsaí.
How do you pronounce damhsa in Irish?
Damhsa is said like “DOW-suh” (IPA /ˈd̪ˠəusˠə/).
What is the plural of dance in Irish?
The plural of damhsa is damhsaí; with the article, na damhsaí means “the dances”. The genitive plural is damhsaí, as in ainmneacha na ndamhsaí (the names of the dances).
Why does damhsa change to dhamhsa or ndamhsa?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) damhsa becomes mo dhamhsa (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár ndamhsa (eclipsis).
What is the difference between damhsa and rince?
Both mean dance; damhsa is favoured in Connacht and Ulster, while rince is common in Munster and in terms like rince Gaelach.
How do I say someone is dancing?
Use ag damhsa with the verb bí: Tá sí ag damhsa, she is dancing.
