HeyRuaHow to say “policeman” in Irish
- Irish:
- pílear
- English:
- policeman
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, first declension
- Pronunciation:
- “PEE-lyer” /ˈpʲiːlʲəɾ/
- Plural:
- pílir (policemen)
- Genitive singular:
- pílir, an phílir (e.g. hata an phílir, the policeman's hat)
- Genitive plural:
- pílear, na bpílear (e.g. beairic na bpílear, the police barracks)
What does “pílear” mean?
- policeman
- A police officer, especially a member of the old Royal Irish Constabulary; an informal word for a policeman.Also: peeler, constable, police officer, cop.
Other Irish words for policeman: garda (police officer), póilín (policeman), péas (policeman)
“Pílear” with the article
The plural of policeman in Irish is pílir. Here is pílear after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Pílear” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using pílear, the Irish word for policeman.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Policeman in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for policeman?
The Irish for policeman is pílear (pronounced “PEE-lyer”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is pílir.
How do you pronounce pílear in Irish?
Pílear is said like “PEE-lyer” (IPA /ˈpʲiːlʲəɾ/).
What is the plural of policeman in Irish?
The plural of pílear is pílir; with the article, na pílir means “the policemen”. The genitive plural is pílear, as in beairic na bpílear (the police barracks).
Why does pílear change to phílear or bpílear?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) pílear becomes mo phílear (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár bpílear (eclipsis).
What is the difference between 'pílear' and 'garda'?
'Pílear' (from English 'peeler') historically referred to RIC constables and is now informal, while 'garda' is the standard word for a member of An Garda Síochána. 'Póilín' is used for police officers generally, e.g. in Northern Ireland.
