Play in Irish (Imeartas): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for play?

The Irish for play is imeartas (pronounced “IM-ur-tus”). It’s a masculine noun. Depending on context it can also mean trickery.

Q: Does imeartas have more than one meaning?

Yes. Imeartas can mean play or trickery, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “play” in Irish

Irish:: imeartas
English:: play, trickery
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, first declension
Pronunciation:: “IM-ur-tus” /ˈɪmʲəɾˠt̪ˠəsˠ/

Various forms

Genitive singular:: imeartais, an imeartais (e.g. teoiric an imeartais, game theory)

What does “imeartas” mean?

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

play: Playing or playfulness, especially light or skilful play with something such as words.Also: playfulness, interplay, wordplay.

1 other meaning: trickery

2trickery: Scheming or underhand manoeuvring to gain an advantage.Also: machination, scheming, gamesmanship.

Other Irish words for play: cluiche (game), imir (play), dráma (play), imirt (playing)

“Imeartas” with the article

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

an t-imeartas

the play

Masculine nouns take t before a vowel after an

“Imeartas” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using imeartas, the Irish word for play.

Is breá liom imeartas focal sa dán sin.

I love the wordplay in that poem.

Bhí an t-imeartas le feiceáil ina súile.

The playfulness could be seen in her eyes.

Níl ann ach imeartas polaitíochta.

It is nothing but political scheming.

Tá a lán imeartais sa scríbhneoireacht aige.

There is a lot of play in his writing.

Thuig gach duine an t-imeartas focal ar an bpointe.

Everyone got the pun immediately.

Níor thaitin an t-imeartas sin leis an lucht féachana.

The audience did not like that trickery.

Tá spiorad an imeartais sa leabhar seo.

The spirit of playfulness is in this book.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

gearáncomplaint NollaigChristmas busbus fáthreason fiúworth taithíexperience

Play in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for play?

The Irish for play is imeartas (pronounced “IM-ur-tus”). It’s a masculine noun. Depending on context it can also mean trickery.

How do you pronounce imeartas in Irish?

Imeartas is said like “IM-ur-tus” (IPA /ˈɪmʲəɾˠt̪ˠəsˠ/).

Does imeartas have a plural?

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

Does imeartas have more than one meaning?

Yes. Imeartas can mean play or trickery, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does imeartas sometimes have a t or h in front of it?

Irish nouns beginning with a vowel take a prefix after certain words: an t-imeartas (the play), a himeartas (her play), a n-imeartas (their play).

How do I say 'pun' in Irish?

The usual term is 'imeartas focal', literally 'play of words'.

How is 'imeartas' different from 'imirt'?

'Imirt' is the verbal noun of 'imir', the act of playing a game, while 'imeartas' means playfulness, wordplay or trickery.

Play in Irish (Imeartas): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage