na Trí Ríthe
The phrase for "three kings" in Irish is na Trí Ríthe.
This phrase refers specifically to the three wise men who visited the baby Jesus after his birth.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of na (the), trí (three) and ríthe (kings).
How does it change in a sentence?
The word ríthe is the genitive plural form of rí (king). It is used in this specific phrase because it follows the number trí.
Did you know?
- In early Irish society, a rí did not always wear a crown, as the concept of kingship was often symbolized by a white stone or a sacred tree.
- The word rí for 'king' is a cognate of the Latin word rex and the Sanskrit word rajan.
- The word trí can also mean 'through' or 'via', coming from a root meaning 'to pass through'.
Examples in context
- An bhfuil na Trí Ríthe sa scannán?Are the three kings in the movie?
Example conversation
Siobhán and Cian are looking at a nativity scene.
- SiobhánCá bhfuil na Trí Ríthe?Where are the three kings?
- CianTá siad ansin, a Siobhán.They are there, Siobhán.
- SiobhánTá na Trí Ríthe go hálainn.The three kings are beautiful.
- CianTá siad go hálainn, go a truth.They are beautiful, truly.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries trí, CC BY-SA 4.0.
