Difference in Irish (Difear): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for difference?

The Irish for difference is difear (pronounced “DJIF-er”). It’s a masculine noun.

How to say “difference” in Irish

Irish:: difear
English:: difference
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, first declension
Pronunciation:: “DJIF-er” /ˈdʲɪfʲəɾ/

Various forms

Genitive singular:: difir, an difir (e.g. méid an difir, the size of the difference)

What does “difear” mean?

difference: The way in which two or more things are not the same, or the amount by which they differ.Also: dissimilarity, distinction.

Other Irish words for difference: malairt (change), difríocht (difference), codarsnacht (contrast)

“Difear” with the article

Here is difear after the article (an t-alt).

an difear

the difference

No change after an

“Difear” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using difear, the Irish word for difference.

Níl aon difear idir an dá leabhar.

There's no difference between the two books.

Cén difear atá eatarthu?

What's the difference between them?

Ní dhéanann sé difear ar bith dom.

It makes no difference to me.

Bhí an difear le feiceáil go soiléir.

The difference was clearly visible.

Thug mé faoi deara difear mór ina chuid oibre.

I noticed a big difference in his work.

Is beag an difear idir na praghsanna.

There's little difference between the prices.

Ní thuigim cúis an difir sin.

I don't understand the reason for that difference.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Difference in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for difference?

The Irish for difference is difear (pronounced “DJIF-er”). It’s a masculine noun.

How do you pronounce difear in Irish?

Difear is said like “DJIF-er” (IPA /ˈdʲɪfʲəɾ/).

Does difear have a plural?

No plural form is given for difear in the standard. Many abstract and mass nouns in Irish have no plural.

Why does difear change to dhifear or ndifear?

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

What is the difference between 'difear' and 'difríocht'?

Both mean 'difference' and are largely interchangeable; 'difríocht' is very common and has a plural 'difríochtaí', while 'difear' is usually used in the singular, as in 'Ní dhéanann sé difear'.

How do I say 'it makes no difference'?

Say 'Ní dhéanann sé aon difear' or 'Is cuma'.

Difference in Irish (Difear): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage