HeyRuaHow to say “murder” in Irish
- Irish:
- dúnmharú
- English:
- murder, assassination
- Word type:
- noun (verbal noun)
- Verbal noun of:
- dúnmharaigh, to murder (ag dúnmharú, murdering)
- Gender:
- masculine
- Pronunciation:
- “DOON-war-oo” /ˈd̪ˠuːnˠˌwaɾˠuː/
- Plural:
- dúnmharuithe (murders)
- Genitive singular:
- dúnmharaithe, an dúnmharaithe (e.g. lá an dúnmharaithe, the day of the murder)
- Genitive plural:
- dúnmharuithe, na ndúnmharuithe (e.g. líon na ndúnmharuithe, the number of murders)
What does “dúnmharú” mean?
“Dúnmharú” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- murder
- The crime of deliberately killing a person; it is also the verbal noun of the verb dúnmharaigh, 'to murder'.Also: murdering, killing, homicide.
1 other meaning: assassination
- 2assassination
- The murder of an important public figure, such as a president.Also: political murder.
Other Irish words for murder: dúnmharaigh (murder), murdar (murder)
“Dúnmharú” as a verbal noun
After ag, dúnmharú means murdering: it is the verbal noun of the verb dúnmharaigh (to murder). A noun that follows it goes into the genitive.
“Dúnmharú” with the article
The plural of murder in Irish is dúnmharuithe. Here is dúnmharú after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Dúnmharú” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using dúnmharú, the Irish word for murder.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Murder in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for murder?
The Irish for murder is dúnmharú (pronounced “DOON-war-oo”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is dúnmharuithe. Depending on context it can also mean assassination.
How do you pronounce dúnmharú in Irish?
Dúnmharú is said like “DOON-war-oo” (IPA /ˈd̪ˠuːnˠˌwaɾˠuː/).
What is the plural of murder in Irish?
The plural of dúnmharú is dúnmharuithe; with the article, na dúnmharuithe means “the murders”. The genitive plural is dúnmharuithe, as in líon na ndúnmharuithe (the number of murders).
Does dúnmharú have more than one meaning?
Yes. Dúnmharú can mean murder or assassination, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does dúnmharú change to dhúnmharú or ndúnmharú?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) dúnmharú becomes mo dhúnmharú (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár ndúnmharú (eclipsis).
What is the difference between dúnmharú and dúnorgain?
Dúnmharú is murder, a deliberate killing, while dúnorgain is manslaughter, an unlawful killing without intent to murder.
How is dúnmharú different from marú?
Marú is any killing, including of animals, while dúnmharú specifically means the murder of a person.
