HeyRuaHow to say “pair” in Irish
- Irish:
- dís
- English:
- pair, two people
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, second declension
- Pronunciation:
- “deesh” /dʲiːʃ/
- Plural:
- díseanna (pairs)
- Genitive singular:
- díse, na díse (e.g. ainmneacha na díse, the names of the pair)
- Genitive plural:
- díseanna, na ndíseanna (e.g. ainmneacha na ndíseanna, the names of the pairs)
What does “dís” mean?
“Dís” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- pair
- Two people or things considered together, especially a couple of people.Also: couple, two, twosome, duo.
1 other meaning: two people
- 2two people
- Used as a personal number for two people, like 'beirt'.Also: two persons, couple.
Other Irish words for pair: péire (pair), meaitseáil (match)
“Dís” with the article
The plural of pair in Irish is díseanna. Here is dís after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Dís” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using dís, the Irish word for pair.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Pair in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for pair?
The Irish for pair is dís (pronounced “deesh”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is díseanna. Depending on context it can also mean two people.
How do you pronounce dís in Irish?
Dís is said like “deesh” (IPA /dʲiːʃ/).
What is the plural of pair in Irish?
The plural of dís is díseanna; with the article, na díseanna means “the pairs”. The genitive plural is díseanna, as in ainmneacha na ndíseanna (the names of the pairs).
Does dís have more than one meaning?
Yes. Dís can mean pair or two people, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does dís change to dhís or ndís?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) dís becomes mo dhís (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár ndís (eclipsis).
What is the difference between 'dís' and 'beirt'?
Both mean two people, but 'beirt' is the everyday word, while 'dís' is more literary or regional and can also mean a pair or couple.
