Prison in Irish (Príosún): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for prison?

The Irish for prison is príosún (pronounced “PREE-soon”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is príosúin. Depending on context it can also mean imprisonment.

Q: What is the plural of prison in Irish?

The plural of príosún is príosúin; with the article, na príosúin means “the prisons”. The genitive plural is príosún, as in córas na bpríosún (the prison system).

Q: Does príosún have more than one meaning?

Yes. Príosún can mean prison or imprisonment, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “prison” in Irish

Irish:: príosún
English:: prison, imprisonment
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, first declension
Pronunciation:: “PREE-soon” /pʲɾʲiːsˠuːnˠ/

Various forms

Plural:: príosúin (prisons)
Genitive singular:: príosúin, an phríosúin (e.g. geata an phríosúin, the prison gate)
Genitive plural:: príosún, na bpríosún (e.g. córas na bpríosún, the prison system)

What does “príosún” mean?

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

prison: A building where people are locked up as punishment for a crime.Also: jail, gaol, penitentiary.

1 other meaning: imprisonment

2imprisonment: The punishment of being kept in prison for a period of time.Also: prison sentence, custody.

“Príosún” with the article

The plural of prison in Irish is príosúin. Here is príosún after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an príosún

the prison

No change after an

na príosúin

the prisons

Plural: no change after na

“Príosún” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using príosún, the Irish word for prison.

D'éalaigh sé as príosún anuraidh.

He escaped from prison last year.

Gearradh príosún saoil air.

He was sentenced to life imprisonment.

Scaoileadh saor é tar éis cúig bliana sa phríosún.

He was released after five years in prison.

Cuireadh beirt fhear i bpríosún inné.

Two men were sent to prison yesterday.

Tá an príosún sin plódaithe.

That prison is overcrowded.

Bhí sé ag obair mar oifigeach príosúin.

He worked as a prison officer.

Tá na príosúin ar fad lán go doras.

All the prisons are full to capacity.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

comhaontúagreement amhránsong imirtplaying foinsesource iomarcaexcess tosachbeginning

Prison in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for prison?

The Irish for prison is príosún (pronounced “PREE-soon”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is príosúin. Depending on context it can also mean imprisonment.

How do you pronounce príosún in Irish?

Príosún is said like “PREE-soon” (IPA /pʲɾʲiːsˠuːnˠ/).

What is the plural of prison in Irish?

The plural of príosún is príosúin; with the article, na príosúin means “the prisons”. The genitive plural is príosún, as in córas na bpríosún (the prison system).

Does príosún have more than one meaning?

Yes. Príosún can mean prison or imprisonment, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does príosún change to phríosún or bpríosún?

Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) príosún becomes mo phríosún (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár bpríosún (eclipsis).

What is the Irish for a prisoner?

A prisoner is príosúnach; the building itself is príosún.

How do you say 'in prison' in Irish?

Say i bpríosún for 'in prison' generally, or sa phríosún for 'in the prison'.

Prison in Irish (Príosún): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage