Loyalty in Irish (Dílse): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for loyalty?

The Irish for loyalty is dílse (pronounced “JEEL-shuh”). It’s a feminine noun. Depending on context it can also mean ownership or forfeiture.

Q: Does dílse have more than one meaning?

Yes. Dílse can mean loyalty, ownership or forfeiture, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “loyalty” in Irish

Irish:: dílse
English:: loyalty, ownership, forfeiture
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine, fourth declension
Pronunciation:: “JEEL-shuh” /ˈdʲiːlʲʃə/

Various forms

Genitive singular:: dílse, na dílse (e.g. mionn dílse, oath of allegiance)

What does “dílse” mean?

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

loyalty: Faithfulness and devotion to a person, cause or country.Also: fidelity, allegiance, faithfulness, devotion.

2 other meanings: ownership or forfeiture

2ownership: The right to own or possess something, or the state of something being one's own.Also: proprietorship, right of possession, title.
3forfeiture: The loss of property or a right as a penalty, so that it passes to another.Also: forfeit, confiscation.

Other Irish words for loyalty: dílseacht (loyalty)

“Dílse” with the article

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

an dílse

the loyalty

No change: d and t are not lenited after an

“Dílse” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using dílse, the Irish word for loyalty.

Bhí dílse mhór aige dá chairde i gcónaí.

He was always very loyal to his friends.

Is iontach an dílse atá ag an madra sin.

That dog's loyalty is amazing.

Ghlac sé mionn dílse don Stát.

He took an oath of allegiance to the State.

Ní raibh amhras ar bith faoina dílse.

There was no doubt at all about her loyalty.

Tá dílse na talún ag an teaghlach le céad bliain.

The family has owned the land for a hundred years.

Léirigh an lucht leanúna a ndílse don fhoireann.

The fans showed their loyalty to the team.

Is fiú níos mó dílse ná saibhreas.

Loyalty is worth more than wealth.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Loyalty in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for loyalty?

The Irish for loyalty is dílse (pronounced “JEEL-shuh”). It’s a feminine noun. Depending on context it can also mean ownership or forfeiture.

How do you pronounce dílse in Irish?

Dílse is said like “JEEL-shuh” (IPA /ˈdʲiːlʲʃə/).

Does dílse have a plural?

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

Does dílse have more than one meaning?

Yes. Dílse can mean loyalty, ownership or forfeiture, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does dílse change to dhílse or ndílse?

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

What is the difference between dílse and dílseacht?

Both mean loyalty; dílseacht is the more common everyday word for faithfulness, while dílse also covers legal senses such as ownership and forfeiture.

How is dílse related to the adjective dílis?

Dílse is the abstract noun from dílis, 'loyal, faithful, own', so 'a chara dhílis' (dear friend) and 'dílse' (loyalty) share the same root.

Loyalty in Irish (Dílse): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage