Harm in Irish (Dochar): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for harm?

The Irish for harm is dochar (pronounced “DUKH-ur”). It’s a masculine noun. Depending on context it can also mean debit or prejudice.

Q: Does dochar have more than one meaning?

Yes. Dochar can mean harm, debit or prejudice, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “harm” in Irish

Irish:: dochar
English:: harm, debit, prejudice
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, first declension
Pronunciation:: “DUKH-ur” /ˈd̪ˠɔxəɾˠ/

Various forms

Genitive singular:: dochair, an dochair (e.g. méid an dochair, the extent of the harm)

What does “dochar” mean?

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

harm: Damage, hurt or injury done to someone or something.Also: damage, hurt, injury, mischief.

2 other meanings: debit or prejudice

2debit: In accounting, an entry recording money owed or paid out, the opposite of 'sochar' (credit).Also: debit side.
3prejudice: Detriment to someone's rights or interests, especially in the legal phrase 'gan dochar do' (without prejudice to).Also: detriment.

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

“Dochar” with the article

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

an dochar

the harm

No change after an

“Dochar” in a sentence: Irish examples

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

Ní raibh aon dochar ann.

There was no harm in it.

Rinne an stoirm dochar mór don díon.

The storm did a lot of damage to the roof.

Níl dochar ar bith sa mhadra sin.

There's no harm at all in that dog.

Déanann an tobac dochar don tsláinte.

Tobacco harms your health.

Ní dhéanfaidh sé dochar duit siúl abhaile.

It won't do you any harm to walk home.

Bhí an dochar déanta faoin am sin.

The damage was done by then.

Rinne siad iarracht méid an dochair a laghdú.

They tried to reduce the extent of the damage.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Harm in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for harm?

The Irish for harm is dochar (pronounced “DUKH-ur”). It’s a masculine noun. Depending on context it can also mean debit or prejudice.

How do you pronounce dochar in Irish?

Dochar is said like “DUKH-ur” (IPA /ˈd̪ˠɔxəɾˠ/).

Does dochar have a plural?

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

Does dochar have more than one meaning?

Yes. Dochar can mean harm, debit or prejudice, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does dochar change to dhochar or ndochar?

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

How do I say 'it does no harm' in Irish?

Use 'ní dhéanann sé aon dochar', and to say who is harmed use 'do': 'dochar a dhéanamh do dhuine'.

What is the difference between 'dochar' and 'damáiste'?

'Damáiste' is mostly physical damage to things, while 'dochar' covers harm in general, including to health, people or interests.

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