HeyRuaHow to say “yew” in Irish
- Irish:
- iúr
- English:
- yew
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, first declension
- Pronunciation:
- “oor” /uːɾˠ/
Various forms
- Plural:
- iúir (yews)
- Genitive singular:
- iúir, an iúir (e.g. duilleoga an iúir, the leaves of the yew)
- Genitive plural:
- iúr, na n-iúr (e.g. scáth na n-iúr, the shade of the yews)
What does “iúr” mean?
- yew
- An evergreen tree with dark needle-like leaves and red berries, often found in churchyards.Also: yew tree, taxus.
“Iúr” with the article
The plural of yew in Irish is iúir. Here is iúr after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
an t-iúr
the yew
Masculine nouns take t before a vowel after an
na hiúir
the yews
Plural: na adds h before a vowel
“Iúr” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using iúr, the Irish word for yew.
Tá iúr mór sa reilig.
There is a big yew in the graveyard.
Is crann síorghlas é an t-iúr.
The yew is an evergreen tree.
Tá caora an iúir nimhiúil.
The berries of the yew are poisonous.
Cuireadh iúir timpeall an tséipéil.
Yews were planted around the church.
Rinneadh bogha as adhmad iúir.
A bow was made from yew wood.
Shuíomar faoin iúr sa ghairdín.
We sat under the yew in the garden.
Tá na hiúir sin na céadta bliain d'aois.
Those yews are hundreds of years old.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Yew in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for yew?
The Irish for yew is iúr (pronounced “oor”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is iúir.
How do you pronounce iúr in Irish?
Iúr is said like “oor” (IPA /uːɾˠ/).
What is the plural of yew in Irish?
The plural of iúr is iúir; with the article, na hiúir means “the yews”. The genitive plural is iúr, as in scáth na n-iúr (the shade of the yews).
Why does iúr sometimes have a t or h in front of it?
Irish nouns beginning with a vowel take a prefix after certain words: an t-iúr (the yew), a hiúr (her yew), a n-iúr (their yew), na hiúir (the yews).
Is the yew connected to any Irish place names?
Yes, iúr appears in names such as Iúr Cinn Trá (Newry) and Maigh Eo (Mayo, 'plain of the yews', from an older form).
