HeyRuaHow to say “to play” in Irish
- Irish:
- imir
- English:
- to play, inflict, cheat
- Word type:
- verb, second-conjugation
- Verbal noun:
- imirt (ag imirt, playing)
- Verbal adjective:
- imeartha
- Pronunciation:
- “IM-ir” /ˈɪmʲəɾʲ/
What does “imir” mean?
“Imir” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- to play
- To take part in a game or sport, or to play a card or piece in a game.Also: play a game, play a sport, play a card.
2 other meanings: inflict or cheat
- 2to inflict
- To carry out or inflict something such as revenge, cruelty or a trick on someone, usually with 'ar'.Also: wreak, play a trick on.
- 3to cheat
- To cheat or play unfairly in a game, as in 'imir cam'.Also: play foul, cheat at games.
Other Irish verbs for to play: seinn (play)
“Imir” in the different tenses
Every form follows An Caighdeán Oifigiúil.
Aimsir Chaite (Past)
| Person | Positive | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| mé (I) | D'imir méI played | Níor imir méI did not play | Ar imir mé?Did I play? |
| tú (you) | D'imir túYou played | Níor imir túYou did not play | Ar imir tú?Did you play? |
| sé / sí (he / she) | D'imir sé / síHe played | Níor imir sé / síHe did not play | Ar imir sé / sí?Did he play? |
| sinn (we) | D'imríomarWe played | Níor imríomarWe did not play | Ar imríomar?Did we play? |
| sibh (you, plural) | D'imir sibhYou played | Níor imir sibhYou did not play | Ar imir sibh?Did you play? |
| siad (they) | D'imir siadThey played | Níor imir siadThey did not play | Ar imir siad?Did they play? |
| saorbhriathar (autonomous) | Imríodh | Níor imríodh | Ar imríodh? |
Aimsir Láithreach (Present)
| Person | Positive | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| mé (I) | ImrímI play | Ní imrímI do not play | An imrím?Do I play? |
| tú (you) | Imríonn túYou play | Ní imríonn túYou do not play | An imríonn tú?Do you play? |
| sé / sí (he / she) | Imríonn sé / síHe plays | Ní imríonn sé / síHe does not play | An imríonn sé / sí?Does he play? |
| sinn (we) | ImrímidWe play | Ní imrímidWe do not play | An imrímid?Do we play? |
| sibh (you, plural) | Imríonn sibhYou play | Ní imríonn sibhYou do not play | An imríonn sibh?Do you play? |
| siad (they) | Imríonn siadThey play | Ní imríonn siadThey do not play | An imríonn siad?Do they play? |
| saorbhriathar (autonomous) | Imrítear | Ní imrítear | An imrítear? |
Aimsir Fháistineach (Future)
| Person | Positive | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| mé (I) | Imreoidh méI will play | Ní imreoidh méI will not play | An imreoidh mé?Will I play? |
| tú (you) | Imreoidh túYou will play | Ní imreoidh túYou will not play | An imreoidh tú?Will you play? |
| sé / sí (he / she) | Imreoidh sé / síHe will play | Ní imreoidh sé / síHe will not play | An imreoidh sé / sí?Will he play? |
| sinn (we) | ImreoimidWe will play | Ní imreoimidWe will not play | An imreoimid?Will we play? |
| sibh (you, plural) | Imreoidh sibhYou will play | Ní imreoidh sibhYou will not play | An imreoidh sibh?Will you play? |
| siad (they) | Imreoidh siadThey will play | Ní imreoidh siadThey will not play | An imreoidh siad?Will they play? |
| saorbhriathar (autonomous) | Imreofar | Ní imreofar | An imreofar? |
Modh Coinníollach (Conditional)
| Person | Positive | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| mé (I) | D'imreoinnI would play | Ní imreoinnI would not play | An imreoinn?Would I play? |
| tú (you) | D'imreofáYou would play | Ní imreofáYou would not play | An imreofá?Would you play? |
| sé / sí (he / she) | D'imreodh sé / síHe would play | Ní imreodh sé / síHe would not play | An imreodh sé / sí?Would he play? |
| sinn (we) | D'imreoimisWe would play | Ní imreoimisWe would not play | An imreoimis?Would we play? |
| sibh (you, plural) | D'imreodh sibhYou would play | Ní imreodh sibhYou would not play | An imreodh sibh?Would you play? |
| siad (they) | D'imreoidísThey would play | Ní imreoidísThey would not play | An imreoidís?Would they play? |
| saorbhriathar (autonomous) | D'imreofaí | Ní imreofaí | An imreofaí? |
“Imir” in a sentence: Irish examples
Past, present, future and conditional, with a negative and a question.
Other verbs in Irish
More everyday Irish verbs to learn next.
To play in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for to play?
The Irish for to play is imir (pronounced “IM-ir”). It is a second-conjugation verb; the verbal noun is imirt.
What is the verbal noun of imir?
The verbal noun of imir is imirt, used after ag for the continuous: ag imirt (playing). The verbal adjective is imeartha.
How do you say imir in the past and the future?
Past: D'imir mé; negative Níor imir mé; question Ar imir mé?. Future: Imreoidh mé; negative Ní imreoidh mé; question An imreoidh mé?.
What is the modh coinníollach of imir?
The conditional (modh coinníollach) first person is D'imreoinn (I would play); negative Ní imreoinn; question An imreoinn?.
Does imir have more than one meaning?
Yes. Imir can mean to play, to inflict or to cheat, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Do I use 'imir' or 'seinn' for playing music?
Use 'imir' for games and sports, as in 'imrím peil', but 'seinn' for musical instruments, as in 'seinnim an giotár'.
How do I say I play a particular sport?
Put the sport directly after the verb with no preposition: 'Imrím iománaíocht' means 'I play hurling'.
