tuirseach
/t̪ˠəɾˠˈʃax/
The English phrase 'tired' is translated into Irish as tuirseach.
Tuirseach is used to describe someone or something in need of rest or sleep. If you want to say you are 'tired of' something, you should follow the adjective with the preposition de (or den if it precedes a vowel).
Meaning: in need of rest or sleep (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective tuirseach is indeclinable for gender, so it remains the same whether the subject is masculine or feminine. The plural form of the adjective is tuirseacha.
How do you pronounce it?
/t̪ˠəɾˠˈʃax/
Did you know?
- Although it means 'tired' today, the word tuirseach originally described a person who was 'mournful' or 'sorrowful'.
- The suffix -ach used in tuirseach is a productive tool in Irish to turn a noun into an adjective, functioning similarly to the English phrase 'full of'.
- In certain Irish dialects, the word tuirseach doesn't just describe a person who needs sleep, but can also describe a 'tedious' or 'tiresome' task.
Examples in context
- Tá mé tuirseach den chaint.I’m tired of the talkThis sentence shows how to use tuirseach with the preposition 'den' to express being tired of something.
- Tá na ceoltóirí tuirseach.The musicians are tired.Tatoeba #12042870 by enebi, translation #12037367 by carlosalberto
- Tá an madra tuirseach anois.The dog is tired now.
Example conversation
Siobhán and Conor are finishing a long walk.
- SiobhánTá mé an-tuirseach, a Chonaire.I am very tired, Conor.
- ConorTá mé tuirseach freasa, a Shibhán.I am tired as well, Siobhán.
- SiobhánAn féidir linn stopadh anseo?Can we stop here?
- ConorTá sin ceart go leor liom.That is fine with me.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tired” translations and entries tuirseach, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tuirseach, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0, Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
