HeyRuaHow to say “flood” in Irish
- Irish:
- díle
- English:
- flood, downpour
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine
- Pronunciation:
- “JEE-luh” /ˈdʲiːlʲə/
- Plural:
- dílí (floods)
- Genitive singular:
- díleann, na díleann (e.g. aimsir na díleann, the time of the Flood)
- Genitive plural:
- dílí, na ndílí (e.g. tuairiscí na ndílí, reports of the floods)
What does “díle” mean?
“Díle” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- flood
- A great overflowing of water over land, especially the biblical Flood.Also: deluge, the flood.
1 other meaning: downpour
- 2downpour
- A very heavy fall of rain, a torrent of water.Also: torrent, heavy rain, deluge.
Other Irish words for flood: tuile (flood)
“Díle” with the article
The plural of flood in Irish is dílí. Here is díle after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Díle” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using díle, the Irish word for flood.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Flood in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for flood?
The Irish for flood is díle (pronounced “JEE-luh”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is dílí. Depending on context it can also mean downpour.
How do you pronounce díle in Irish?
Díle is said like “JEE-luh” (IPA /ˈdʲiːlʲə/).
What is the plural of flood in Irish?
The plural of díle is dílí; with the article, na dílí means “the floods”. The genitive plural is dílí, as in tuairiscí na ndílí (reports of the floods).
Does díle have more than one meaning?
Yes. Díle can mean flood or downpour, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does díle change to dhíle or ndíle?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) díle becomes mo dhíle (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár ndíle (eclipsis).
What is the difference between díle and tuile?
Tuile is the everyday word for a flood, as when a river overflows, while díle suggests a deluge or torrent and is the word for the biblical Flood, an Díle.
What does 'ó aimsir na díleann' mean?
It means 'since the time of the Flood', that is, since time immemorial.
