HeyRuaHow to say “silence” in Irish
- Irish:
- tost
- English:
- silence, falling silent
- Word type:
- noun (verbal noun)
- Verbal noun of:
- tost, to fall silent (ag tost, falling silent)
- Gender:
- masculine, third declension
- Pronunciation:
- “tust” /t̪ˠɔsˠt̪ˠ/
- Plural:
- tostanna (silences)
- Genitive singular:
- tosta, an tosta (e.g. briseadh an tosta, the breaking of the silence)
- Genitive plural:
- tostanna, na dtostanna (e.g. fad na dtostanna, the length of the silences)
What does “tost” mean?
“Tost” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- silence
- A state of not speaking or making any sound.Also: quiet, hush, stillness.
1 other meaning: falling silent
- 2falling silent
- The verbal noun of the verb 'tost', the act of becoming silent or stopping speaking.Also: pausing, becoming quiet.
Other Irish words for silence: ciúnas (silence)
“Tost” as a verbal noun
After ag, tost means falling silent: it is the verbal noun of the verb tost (to fall silent). A noun that follows it goes into the genitive.
“Tost” with the article
The plural of silence in Irish is tostanna. Here is tost after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Tost” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using tost, the Irish word for silence.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Silence in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for silence?
The Irish for silence is tost (pronounced “tust”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is tostanna. Depending on context it can also mean falling silent.
How do you pronounce tost in Irish?
Tost is said like “tust” (IPA /t̪ˠɔsˠt̪ˠ/).
What is the plural of silence in Irish?
The plural of tost is tostanna; with the article, na tostanna means “the silences”. The genitive plural is tostanna, as in fad na dtostanna (the length of the silences).
Does tost have more than one meaning?
Yes. Tost can mean silence or falling silent, depending on context; the first is the most common. Tost also has its own entry as a verb meaning to fall silent.
Why does tost change to thost or dtost?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) tost becomes mo thost (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár dtost (eclipsis).
What is the difference between 'tost' and 'ciúnas'?
'Tost' is silence in the sense of not speaking, as in 'Bí i do thost!' (Be quiet!), while 'ciúnas' is general quietness or calm, as in 'ciúnas na hoíche'.
How do I say someone is silent?
Use the possessive pattern: 'tá sé ina thost' (he is silent), 'tá mé i mo thost' (I am silent).
