HeyRuaHow to say “deputy prime minister” in Irish
- Irish:
- tánaiste
- English:
- deputy prime minister, tanist, second-in-command
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, fourth declension
- Pronunciation:
- “TAW-nish-tyuh” /ˈt̪ˠɑːn̪ˠəʃtʲə/
- Plural:
- tánaistí (deputy prime ministers)
- Genitive singular:
- tánaiste, an tánaiste (e.g. oifig an Tánaiste, the Tánaiste's office)
- Genitive plural:
- tánaistí, na dtánaistí (e.g. liosta na dtánaistí, the list of Tánaistí)
What does “tánaiste” mean?
“Tánaiste” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- deputy prime minister
- The Tánaiste is the deputy head of the Irish government, second to the Taoiseach.Also: tanaiste, deputy head of government.
2 other meanings: tanist or second-in-command
- 2tanist
- In the old Gaelic system, the tanist was the chosen heir and successor of a chief or king.Also: heir presumptive, successor.
- 3second-in-command
- A person or thing that is second in rank or next in order.Also: second in rank, deputy.
“Tánaiste” with the article
The plural of deputy prime minister in Irish is tánaistí. Here is tánaiste after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Tánaiste” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using tánaiste, the Irish word for deputy prime minister.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Deputy prime minister in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for deputy prime minister?
The Irish for deputy prime minister is tánaiste (pronounced “TAW-nish-tyuh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is tánaistí. Depending on context it can also mean tanist or second-in-command.
How do you pronounce tánaiste in Irish?
Tánaiste is said like “TAW-nish-tyuh” (IPA /ˈt̪ˠɑːn̪ˠəʃtʲə/).
What is the plural of deputy prime minister in Irish?
The plural of tánaiste is tánaistí; with the article, na tánaistí means “the deputy prime ministers”. The genitive plural is tánaistí, as in liosta na dtánaistí (the list of Tánaistí).
Does tánaiste have more than one meaning?
Yes. Tánaiste can mean deputy prime minister, tanist or second-in-command, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does tánaiste change to thánaiste or dtánaiste?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) tánaiste becomes mo thánaiste (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár dtánaiste (eclipsis).
What is the difference between Taoiseach and Tánaiste?
An Taoiseach is the head of the Irish government, while an Tánaiste is the deputy, second in rank to the Taoiseach.
Is Tánaiste written with a capital letter?
Yes, when it refers to the government office, as in an Tánaiste, it is capitalised; the historical sense tánaiste (tanist) is usually lowercase.
