Tune in Irish (Tiúin): Meaning, Pronunciation & Examples

Q: What is the Irish for tune?

The Irish for tune is tiúin (pronounced “tyoon”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is tiúineanna. Depending on context it can also mean tune (pitch).

Q: What is the plural of tune in Irish?

The plural of tiúin is tiúineanna; with the article, na tiúineanna means “the tunes”. The genitive plural is tiúineanna, as in leabhar na dtiúineanna (the tune book).

Q: Does tiúin have more than one meaning?

Yes. Tiúin can mean tune or tune (pitch), depending on context; the first is the most common. Tiúin also has its own entry as a verb meaning to tune.

How to say “tune” in Irish

Irish:: tiúin
English:: tune, tune (pitch)
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine, second declension
Pronunciation:: “tyoon” /tʲuːnʲ/

Various forms

Plural:: tiúineanna (tunes)
Genitive singular:: tiúine, na tiúine (e.g. ainm na tiúine, the name of the tune)
Genitive plural:: tiúineanna, na dtiúineanna (e.g. leabhar na dtiúineanna, the tune book)

What does “tiúin” mean?

“Tiúin” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

tune: A melody or air, especially a piece of music played or sung.Also: melody, air, song.

1 other meaning: tune (pitch)

2tune (pitch): The state of being correctly pitched, as in an instrument being in tune.Also: tune, pitch, in tune, tuning.

Other Irish words for tune: ceol (music), port (tune)

Other entries for “tiúin”

The same spelling has its own page as:

tiúinto tune · verb

“Tiúin” with the article

The plural of tune in Irish is tiúineanna. Here is tiúin after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an tiúin

the tune

No change: d and t are not lenited after an

na tiúineanna

the tunes

Plural: no change after na

“Tiúin” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using tiúin, the Irish word for tune.

Sheinn sé tiúin dheas ar an bhfidil.

He played a nice tune on the fiddle.

Ní cuimhin liom ainm na tiúine sin.

I can't remember the name of that tune.

Tá an tiúin sin i mo cheann ó mhaidin.

That tune has been in my head since morning.

Tá go leor tiúineanna ar eolas aici.

She knows lots of tunes.

Seo í mo thiúin is fearr liom.

This is my favourite tune.

Níl an giotár i dtiúin.

The guitar isn't in tune.

Chuala mé tiúin nua sa seisiún aréir.

I heard a new tune at the session last night.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

tionscadalproject sésix tuathcountryside athrúchange tuilleadhmore caitheamhspending

Tune in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for tune?

The Irish for tune is tiúin (pronounced “tyoon”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is tiúineanna. Depending on context it can also mean tune (pitch).

How do you pronounce tiúin in Irish?

Tiúin is said like “tyoon” (IPA /tʲuːnʲ/).

What is the plural of tune in Irish?

The plural of tiúin is tiúineanna; with the article, na tiúineanna means “the tunes”. The genitive plural is tiúineanna, as in leabhar na dtiúineanna (the tune book).

Does tiúin have more than one meaning?

Yes. Tiúin can mean tune or tune (pitch), depending on context; the first is the most common. Tiúin also has its own entry as a verb meaning to tune.

Why does tiúin change to thiúin or dtiúin?

Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) tiúin becomes mo thiúin (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár dtiúin (eclipsis).

What is the difference between 'tiúin' and 'fonn'?

'Tiúin' is the everyday word for a tune, while 'fonn' means an air or melody, often of a song, and also means desire. 'Port' is specifically a jig, though also used loosely for a tune.

Tune in Irish (Tiúin): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage