HeyRuaHow to say “drum” in Irish
- Irish:
- tiompán
- English:
- drum, eardrum, tympan, hump
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, first declension
- Pronunciation:
- “TYUM-pawn” /ˈtʲʊmˠpˠɑːnˠ/
- Plural:
- tiompáin (drums)
- Genitive singular:
- tiompáin, an tiompáin (e.g. fuaim an tiompáin, the sound of the drum)
- Genitive plural:
- tiompán, na dtiompán (e.g. ceol na dtiompán, the music of the drums)
What does “tiompán” mean?
“Tiompán” has four alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- drum
- A drum or similar percussion instrument, such as a timbrel or kettledrum.Also: timbrel, tambourine, kettledrum, tympanum.
3 other meanings: eardrum or tympan or hump
- 2eardrum
- The thin membrane inside the ear that vibrates with sound, usually called 'tiompán na cluaise'.Also: tympanum, tympanic membrane.
- 3tympan
- An old stringed instrument of the harp or dulcimer kind, played in early Ireland.Also: dulcimer, stringed instrument.
- 4hump
- A small rounded hump or mound, or a sheltered hollow in the land.Also: mound, hollow.
“Tiompán” with the article
The plural of drum in Irish is tiompáin. Here is tiompán after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Tiompán” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using tiompán, the Irish word for drum.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Drum in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for drum?
The Irish for drum is tiompán (pronounced “TYUM-pawn”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is tiompáin. Depending on context it can also mean eardrum or tympan or hump.
How do you pronounce tiompán in Irish?
Tiompán is said like “TYUM-pawn” (IPA /ˈtʲʊmˠpˠɑːnˠ/).
What is the plural of drum in Irish?
The plural of tiompán is tiompáin; with the article, na tiompáin means “the drums”. The genitive plural is tiompán, as in ceol na dtiompán (the music of the drums).
Does tiompán have more than one meaning?
Yes. Tiompán can mean drum, eardrum, tympan or hump, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does tiompán change to thiompán or dtiompán?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) tiompán becomes mo thiompán (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár dtiompán (eclipsis).
Is 'tiompán' the normal word for a drum?
Not in everyday speech: a modern drum is usually 'druma', and the frame drum is 'bodhrán'. 'Tiompán' is more literary or historical, though 'tiompán na cluaise' (eardrum) is common.
