HeyRuaHow to say “duty” in Irish
- Irish:
- dleacht
- English:
- duty, royalty, due
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, third declension
- Pronunciation:
- “dlyakht” /dʲlʲaxt̪/
- Plural:
- dleachtanna (duties)
- Genitive singular:
- dleachta, na dleachta (e.g. ráta na dleachta, the rate of the duty)
- Genitive plural:
- dleachtanna, na ndleachtanna (e.g. íoc na ndleachtanna, the payment of the duties)
What does “dleacht” mean?
“Dleacht” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- duty
- A tax or charge that must be paid to the state, especially on goods or transactions.Also: tax, levy, customs duty, excise duty.
2 other meanings: royalty or due
- 2royalty
- A payment made to an author, composer or rights holder for the use of their work.Also: royalties, fee.
- 3due
- Something that is owed or due to a person by right or law.Also: entitlement, right.
Other Irish words for duty: dualgas (duty), freagracht (responsibility), oibleagáid (obligation)
“Dleacht” with the article
The plural of duty in Irish is dleachtanna. Here is dleacht after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Dleacht” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using dleacht, the Irish word for duty.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Duty in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for duty?
The Irish for duty is dleacht (pronounced “dlyakht”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is dleachtanna. Depending on context it can also mean royalty or due.
How do you pronounce dleacht in Irish?
Dleacht is said like “dlyakht” (IPA /dʲlʲaxt̪/).
What is the plural of duty in Irish?
The plural of dleacht is dleachtanna; with the article, na dleachtanna means “the duties”. The genitive plural is dleachtanna, as in íoc na ndleachtanna (the payment of the duties).
Does dleacht have more than one meaning?
Yes. Dleacht can mean duty, royalty or due, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does dleacht change to dhleacht or ndleacht?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) dleacht becomes mo dhleacht (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár ndleacht (eclipsis).
Is 'dleacht' the same as 'dualgas' for duty?
No. 'Dleacht' is a duty in the sense of a tax or payment, while 'dualgas' is a duty in the sense of an obligation or responsibility.
