HeyRuaWhat does “idir” mean?
- 1between
- Used to show that something is in the space or time separating two things or people.Also: in between, in the middle of.
- 2among
- Used when something is shared or spread out in a group of people or things.Also: amongst, shared between.
- 3both ... and
- In the pattern 'idir ... agus ...' it means both one thing and the other, and the nouns are lenited.Also: both and, both, including.
Pronounced “ij-er” /ˈɪdʲəɾʲ/.
“Idir” with pronouns
In Irish you never say “idir mé”. The preposition and the pronoun fuse into one word. Learn these 3 forms and you can use idir with anyone. Click a form for its own page.
| Pronoun | Irish | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| sinn (us) | eadrainn | between us | Roinnfimid an cáca eadrainn.We'll share the cake between us. |
| sibh (you (plural)) | eadraibh | between you (plural) | Roinnigí an t-airgead eadraibh.Share the money among yourselves. |
| siad (them) | eatarthu | between them | Níl mórán difríochta eatarthu.There isn't much difference between them. |
“Idir” before a noun
Idir lenites the next word (séimhiú): the first letter takes an h, idir chathaoir.
Only has plural pronoun forms. Lenites in idir … agus (idir fhir agus mhná, both men and women); no lenition when it means between two things.
Everyday phrases with “idir”
The other prepositions
Every simple preposition has its own set of pronoun forms.
“Idir” in Irish: frequently asked questions
What does idir mean in Irish?
idir means between, among. With a pronoun it becomes one word: eadrainn (between, among us), eadraibh (between, among you (plural)), eatarthu (between, among them).
What is the Irish for between me?
eadrainn. The preposition idir and the pronoun mé fuse into one word; this is a prepositional pronoun (forainm réamhfhoclach).
Does idir change the next word?
Idir lenites the next word (séimhiú): the first letter takes an h, idir chathaoir. Only has plural pronoun forms. Lenites in idir … agus (idir fhir agus mhná, both men and women); no lenition when it means between two things.
How do I say 'between you and me' in Irish?
You can say 'eadrainn féin', which means 'between ourselves'. It is used when sharing a secret.
Why is the word after 'idir' sometimes lenited and sometimes not?
When 'idir ... agus ...' means 'both ... and', the nouns are lenited, as in 'idir fhir agus mhná' (both men and women). When it simply means 'between' two things, there is no lenition, as in 'idir Gaillimh agus Corcaigh'.
