HeyRuaHow to say “separation” in Irish
- Irish:
- dealú
- English:
- separation, subtraction, distinction
- Word type:
- noun (verbal noun)
- Verbal noun of:
- dealaigh, to separate (ag dealú, separating)
- Gender:
- masculine, fourth declension
- Pronunciation:
- “DYAL-oo” /ˈdʲal̪ˠuː/
- Plural:
- dealuithe (separations)
- Genitive singular:
- dealaithe, an dealaithe (e.g. pointe an dealaithe, the point of separation)
- Genitive plural:
- dealuithe, na ndealuithe (e.g. céim na ndealuithe, the stage of the separations)
What does “dealú” mean?
“Dealú” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- separation
- The act of separating or parting things or people; verbal noun of the verb 'dealaigh'.Also: parting, dividing, separating.
2 other meanings: subtraction or distinction
- 2subtraction
- In arithmetic, the operation of taking one number away from another.Also: subtracting, taking away, minus.
- 3distinction
- The act of telling things apart or making a distinction between them.Also: differentiation, distinguishing.
Other Irish words for separation: scaradh (separation)
“Dealú” as a verbal noun
After ag, dealú means separating: it is the verbal noun of the verb dealaigh (to separate). A noun that follows it goes into the genitive.
“Dealú” with the article
The plural of separation in Irish is dealuithe. Here is dealú after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Dealú” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using dealú, the Irish word for separation.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Separation in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for separation?
The Irish for separation is dealú (pronounced “DYAL-oo”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is dealuithe. Depending on context it can also mean subtraction or distinction.
How do you pronounce dealú in Irish?
Dealú is said like “DYAL-oo” (IPA /ˈdʲal̪ˠuː/).
What is the plural of separation in Irish?
The plural of dealú is dealuithe; with the article, na dealuithe means “the separations”. The genitive plural is dealuithe, as in céim na ndealuithe (the stage of the separations).
Does dealú have more than one meaning?
Yes. Dealú can mean separation, subtraction or distinction, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does dealú change to dhealú or ndealú?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) dealú becomes mo dhealú (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár ndealú (eclipsis).
What is the difference between 'dealú' and 'scaradh'?
Both can mean separation, but 'dealú' is the usual word for subtraction in maths, while 'scaradh' is more common for people parting, as in 'scaradh pósta'.
