HeyRuaHow to say “sister” in Irish
- Irish:
- deirfiúr
- English:
- sister, sister (religious)
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, fifth declension
- Pronunciation:
- “dref-OOR” /dʲɾʲəˈfˠuːɾˠ/
- Plural:
- deirfiúracha (sisters)
- Genitive singular:
- deirféar, na deirféar (e.g. teach mo dheirféar, my sister's house)
- Genitive plural:
- deirfiúracha, na ndeirfiúracha (e.g. ainmneacha na ndeirfiúracha, the names of the sisters)
What does “deirfiúr” mean?
“Deirfiúr” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- sister
- A girl or woman who has the same parents as another person.Also: sibling, female sibling.
1 other meaning: sister (religious)
- 2sister (religious)
- A nun or woman member of a religious order.Also: nun, sister, religious sister.
Other Irish words for sister: siúr (sister)
“Deirfiúr” with the article
The plural of sister in Irish is deirfiúracha. Here is deirfiúr after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Deirfiúr” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using deirfiúr, the Irish word for sister.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Sister in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for sister?
The Irish for sister is deirfiúr (pronounced “dref-OOR”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is deirfiúracha. Depending on context it can also mean sister (religious).
How do you pronounce deirfiúr in Irish?
Deirfiúr is said like “dref-OOR” (IPA /dʲɾʲəˈfˠuːɾˠ/).
What is the plural of sister in Irish?
The plural of deirfiúr is deirfiúracha; with the article, na deirfiúracha means “the sisters”. The genitive plural is deirfiúracha, as in ainmneacha na ndeirfiúracha (the names of the sisters).
Does deirfiúr have more than one meaning?
Yes. Deirfiúr can mean sister or sister (religious), depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does deirfiúr change to dheirfiúr or ndeirfiúr?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) deirfiúr becomes mo dheirfiúr (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár ndeirfiúr (eclipsis).
What is the difference between 'deirfiúr' and 'siúr'?
'Deirfiúr' is the standard word for a sister, while 'siúr' is a dialect form for sister and is also used for a nun, as in 'an tSiúr Máire'.
How do I say 'sister-in-law'?
Use 'deirfiúr chéile', for example 'Is í mo dheirfiúr chéile í'.
