HeyRuaHow to say “twenty” in Irish
- Irish:
- fiche
- English:
- twenty, score
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine
- Pronunciation:
- “FIH-uh” /ˈfʲɪhə/
- Plural:
- fichidí (twenties)
- Genitive singular:
- fichead, an fhichead (e.g. fear fichead bliain, a man of twenty years)
- Genitive plural:
- fichidí, na bhfichidí (e.g. sna fichidí, in the twenties)
What does “fiche” mean?
“Fiche” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- twenty
- The number 20, used before a noun in the singular, as in 'fiche bliain' (twenty years).Also: 20, twenty years.
1 other meaning: score
- 2score
- A group or set of twenty things or people.Also: group of twenty, set of twenty.
Other Irish words for twenty: scór (score)
“Fiche” with the article
The plural of twenty in Irish is fichidí. Here is fiche after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Fiche” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using fiche, the Irish word for twenty.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Twenty in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for twenty?
The Irish for twenty is fiche (pronounced “FIH-uh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is fichidí. Depending on context it can also mean score.
How do you pronounce fiche in Irish?
Fiche is said like “FIH-uh” (IPA /ˈfʲɪhə/).
What is the plural of twenty in Irish?
The plural of fiche is fichidí; with the article, na fichidí means “the twenties”. The genitive plural is fichidí, as in sna fichidí (in the twenties).
Does fiche have more than one meaning?
Yes. Fiche can mean twenty or score, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does fiche change to fhiche or bhfiche?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) fiche becomes m'fhiche (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár bhfiche (eclipsis).
Does the noun after 'fiche' go in the plural?
No, the noun stays singular after 'fiche': 'fiche bliain', 'fiche duine'. With higher numbers you say 'duine is fiche' or 'fiche a haon duine' for twenty-one.
Where do the forms 'fichead' and 'fichid' appear?
In the traditional system, 'dhá fhichead' means forty, and 'trí fichid' and 'ceithre fichid' mean sixty and eighty. The decimal words 'daichead', 'seasca' and 'ochtó' are also used.
