HeyRuaHow to say “defence” in Irish
- Irish:
- cosaint
- English:
- defence, defence (legal), defence (sport), cost
- Word type:
- noun (verbal noun)
- Verbal noun of:
- cosain, to defend (ag cosaint, defending)
- Gender:
- feminine, third declension
- Pronunciation:
- “KUS-int” /ˈkɔsˠənʲtʲ/
- Plural:
- cosaintí (defences)
- Genitive singular:
- cosanta, na cosanta (e.g. Aire Cosanta, Minister for Defence)
- Genitive plural:
- cosaintí, na gcosaintí (e.g. láidreacht na gcosaintí, the strength of the defences)
What does “cosaint” mean?
“Cosaint” has four alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- defence
- The act of defending or protecting someone or something against attack or harm; verbal noun of the verb cosain.Also: defense, protection, defending, protecting.
3 other meanings: defence (legal) or defence (sport) or cost
- 2defence (legal)
- The case made on behalf of an accused person in court, or the side defending them.Also: defence, legal defence, the defence.
- 3defence (sport)
- The players or tactics in a team game whose job is to stop the other side scoring.Also: defence, defending, back line.
- 4cost
- What something costs, as in the price paid to keep or defend it; also the verbal noun of cosain meaning to cost.Also: costing.
“Cosaint” as a verbal noun
After ag, cosaint means defending: it is the verbal noun of the verb cosain (to defend). A noun that follows it goes into the genitive.
“Cosaint” with the article
The plural of defence in Irish is cosaintí. Here is cosaint after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Cosaint” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using cosaint, the Irish word for defence.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Defence in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for defence?
The Irish for defence is cosaint (pronounced “KUS-int”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is cosaintí. Depending on context it can also mean defence (legal) or defence (sport) or cost.
How do you pronounce cosaint in Irish?
Cosaint is said like “KUS-int” (IPA /ˈkɔsˠənʲtʲ/).
What is the plural of defence in Irish?
The plural of cosaint is cosaintí; with the article, na cosaintí means “the defences”. The genitive plural is cosaintí, as in láidreacht na gcosaintí (the strength of the defences).
Does cosaint have more than one meaning?
Yes. Cosaint can mean defence, defence (legal), defence (sport) or cost, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does cosaint change to chosaint or gcosaint?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) cosaint becomes mo chosaint (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár gcosaint (eclipsis).
How do I say 'in defence of' something?
Use the preposition i with the possessive: i do chosaint 'in your defence', or ar son with the genitive in some contexts.
Is cosaint linked to the word for 'cost'?
Yes, the verb cosain means both 'defend' and 'cost', so cosaint can relate to either, though 'defence, protection' is by far the commonest sense.
