HeyRuaHow to say “tear” in Irish
- Irish:
- deoir
- English:
- tear, drop
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, second declension
- Pronunciation:
- “jor” /dʲoːɾʲ/
- Plural:
- deora (tears)
- Genitive singular:
- deoire, na deoire (e.g. blas na deoire, the taste of the tear)
- Genitive plural:
- deor, na ndeor (e.g. ábhar na ndeor, cause for tears)
What does “deoir” mean?
“Deoir” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- tear
- A drop of clear salty liquid that comes from the eye when you cry.Also: teardrop, crying.
“Deoir” with the article
The plural of tear in Irish is deora. Here is deoir after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Deoir” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using deoir, the Irish word for tear.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Tear in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for tear?
The Irish for tear is deoir (pronounced “jor”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is deora. Depending on context it can also mean drop.
How do you pronounce deoir in Irish?
Deoir is said like “jor” (IPA /dʲoːɾʲ/).
What is the plural of tear in Irish?
The plural of deoir is deora; with the article, na deora means “the tears”. The genitive plural is deor, as in ábhar na ndeor (cause for tears).
Does deoir have more than one meaning?
Yes. Deoir can mean tear or drop, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does deoir change to dheoir or ndeoir?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) deoir becomes mo dheoir (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár ndeoir (eclipsis).
What is the difference between 'deoir' and 'braon'?
Both can mean a drop, but 'deoir' is also the word for a tear, while 'braon' is the ordinary word for a drop of liquid such as rain.
How do I say 'he burst into tears'?
A common way is 'Tháinig na deora leis', literally 'the tears came with him'.
