Harm in Irish (Díobháil): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for harm?

The Irish for harm is díobháil (pronounced “DEE-vawl”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is díobhálacha. Depending on context it can also mean loss or harming.

Q: What is the plural of harm in Irish?

The plural of díobháil is díobhálacha; with the article, na díobhálacha means “the harms”. The genitive plural is díobhálacha, as in cúiteamh na ndíobhálacha (compensation for the injuries).

Q: Does díobháil have more than one meaning?

Yes. Díobháil can mean harm, loss or harming, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “harm” in Irish

Irish:: díobháil
English:: harm, loss, harming
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine, third declension
Pronunciation:: “DEE-vawl” /ˈdʲiːwɑːlʲ/

Various forms

Plural:: díobhálacha (harms)
Genitive singular:: díobhála, na díobhála (e.g. méid na díobhála, the extent of the damage)
Genitive plural:: díobhálacha, na ndíobhálacha (e.g. cúiteamh na ndíobhálacha, compensation for the injuries)

What does “díobháil” mean?

“Díobháil” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

harm: Damage or injury done to a person or thing.Also: damage, injury, hurt.

2 other meanings: loss or harming

2loss: A loss or deprivation suffered, a lack of something.Also: deprivation, want.
3harming: The act of harming or injuring; verbal noun of the verb díobháil.Also: injuring, damaging.

Other Irish words for harm: dochar (harm), urchóid (harm), aimhleas (harm), cearr (wrong)

“Díobháil” with the article

The plural of harm in Irish is díobhálacha. Here is díobháil after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an díobháil

the harm

No change: d and t are not lenited after an

na díobhálacha

the harms

Plural: no change after na

“Díobháil” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using díobháil, the Irish word for harm.

Ní dhearna sé díobháil ar bith duit.

It did you no harm at all.

Rinne an stoirm a lán díobhála don teach.

The storm did a lot of damage to the house.

Bhí an díobháil déanta faoin am sin.

The damage was done by then.

Ní raibh aon díobháil mhór air.

He wasn't badly hurt.

Ní dhéanfadh sé díobháil do chuileog.

He wouldn't harm a fly.

Is mór an díobháil é sin don cheantar.

That does great harm to the area.

Rinne an t-ól díobháil mhór dá shláinte.

Drink did great harm to his health.

Other nouns in Irish

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Harm in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for harm?

The Irish for harm is díobháil (pronounced “DEE-vawl”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is díobhálacha. Depending on context it can also mean loss or harming.

How do you pronounce díobháil in Irish?

Díobháil is said like “DEE-vawl” (IPA /ˈdʲiːwɑːlʲ/).

What is the plural of harm in Irish?

The plural of díobháil is díobhálacha; with the article, na díobhálacha means “the harms”. The genitive plural is díobhálacha, as in cúiteamh na ndíobhálacha (compensation for the injuries).

Does díobháil have more than one meaning?

Yes. Díobháil can mean harm, loss or harming, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does díobháil change to dhíobháil or ndíobháil?

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

What is the difference between díobháil and dochar?

Both mean harm; dochar is more common in everyday speech (níl dochar ann, there's no harm in it), while díobháil often suggests actual damage or injury.

Harm in Irish (Díobháil): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage