HeyRuaHow to say “poem” in Irish
- Irish:
- duan
- English:
- poem, song
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, first declension
- Pronunciation:
- “doo-un” /d̪ˠuən̪ˠ/
- Plural:
- duanta (poems)
- Genitive singular:
- duain, an duain (e.g. teideal an duain, the title of the poem)
- Genitive plural:
- duanta, na nduanta (e.g. leabhar na nduanta, the book of poems)
What does “duan” mean?
“Duan” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- poem
- A poem or verse composition, especially a longer or traditional one.Also: verse, lay, ode.
1 other meaning: song
- 2song
- A song or chant, especially a traditional or lyrical one.Also: chant, ballad.
Other Irish words for poem: dán (poem)
“Duan” with the article
The plural of poem in Irish is duanta. Here is duan after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Duan” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using duan, the Irish word for poem.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Poem in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for poem?
The Irish for poem is duan (pronounced “doo-un”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is duanta. Depending on context it can also mean song.
How do you pronounce duan in Irish?
Duan is said like “doo-un” (IPA /d̪ˠuən̪ˠ/).
What is the plural of poem in Irish?
The plural of duan is duanta; with the article, na duanta means “the poems”. The genitive plural is duanta, as in leabhar na nduanta (the book of poems).
Does duan have more than one meaning?
Yes. Duan can mean poem or song, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does duan change to dhuan or nduan?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) duan becomes mo dhuan (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár nduan (eclipsis).
What is the difference between duan and dán?
Dán is the ordinary word for a poem, while duan is more literary and often used for traditional poems or lays, as in duanta Fiannaíochta.
