Leadership in Irish (Taoiseacht): Meaning

Q: What is the Irish for leadership?

The Irish for leadership is taoiseacht (pronounced “TEE-shukht”). It’s a feminine noun. Depending on context it can also mean premiership.

Q: Does taoiseacht have more than one meaning?

Yes. Taoiseacht can mean leadership or premiership, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “leadership” in Irish

Irish:: taoiseacht
English:: leadership, premiership
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine
Pronunciation:: “TEE-shukht” /ˈt̪ˠiːʃəxt̪ˠ/

Various forms

Genitive singular:: taoiseachta, na taoiseachta (e.g. téarma na taoiseachta, the term of the premiership)

What does “taoiseacht” mean?

“Taoiseacht” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

leadership: The position, office or authority of a chief or leader; chieftainship.Also: chieftainship, headship, command, rule.

1 other meaning: premiership

2premiership: The office or term of the Taoiseach, the head of the Irish government.Also: office of taoiseach, prime ministership.

Other Irish words for leadership: ceannas (leadership), ceannaireacht (leadership), cinnireacht (leadership), ceannasaíocht (leadership)

“Taoiseacht” with the article

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

an taoiseacht

the leadership

No change: d and t are not lenited after an

“Taoiseacht” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using taoiseacht, the Irish word for leadership.

Ghlac sé an taoiseacht i ndiaidh an toghcháin.

He took over the premiership after the election.

Tá taoiseacht láidir de dhíth ar an tír.

The country needs strong leadership.

Bhí sí ag súil leis an taoiseacht le fada.

She had long hoped for the leadership.

Le linn a thaoiseachta tháinig athrú mór.

During his leadership great change came.

Cailleadh an taoiseacht nuair a thit an rialtas.

The premiership was lost when the government fell.

Thug an treibh an taoiseacht dá mac.

The tribe gave the chieftainship to his son.

Ní raibh suim aige i gcúrsaí taoiseachta.

He had no interest in matters of leadership.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Leadership in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for leadership?

The Irish for leadership is taoiseacht (pronounced “TEE-shukht”). It’s a feminine noun. Depending on context it can also mean premiership.

How do you pronounce taoiseacht in Irish?

Taoiseacht is said like “TEE-shukht” (IPA /ˈt̪ˠiːʃəxt̪ˠ/).

Does taoiseacht have a plural?

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

Does taoiseacht have more than one meaning?

Yes. Taoiseacht can mean leadership or premiership, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does taoiseacht change to thaoiseacht or dtaoiseacht?

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

How is 'taoiseacht' different from 'ceannaireacht'?

'Taoiseacht' is the office of a chief or of the Taoiseach, while 'ceannaireacht' is the more general everyday word for leadership.

Leadership in Irish (Taoiseacht): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage