an dá
/ənˠ d̪ˠɑː/word by word
The Irish phrase for "both" is an dá.
an dá is used as a determiner to refer to each of two items or people, typically placed before a noun to mean "the two" or "both".
Meaning: each of two, one and the other (det)
Which one should you use?
an dá functions as a determiner to modify a noun (for example, "both books"), whereas the related construction idir… agus… is used as a conjunction to link two distinct parts of a sentence (for example, "both X and Y").
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase an dá is used as a determiner immediately before a noun to mean "the two" or "both".
How do you pronounce it?
/ənˠ d̪ˠɑː/
Did you know?
- While an dá means 'the two', the word dá on its own can change its form depending on whether the noun it precedes is masculine or feminine.
- The word dá shares a common ancestor with the Old Irish word dïa, which meant 'if' or 'when' rather than 'two'.
- When using an dá with a noun, the noun itself does not take a plural ending because the word 'two' already implies plurality.
Examples in context
- an dá leabharBoth books
- An dá leabhar sin.Both of those books.
Example conversation
Cian and Niamh are looking at two cakes in a bakery.
- CianAn bhfuil an dá cáca go blasta?Are both cakes tasty?
- NiamhTá, ach tá ceann níos meascaí.Yes, but one is tastier.
- CianTógfaimid an dá cheann ansin.We'll take both of them then.
- NiamhSin dea-idea, a Chian.That's a good idea, Cian.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (an, dá) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries an, dá, CC BY-SA 4.0.
