dà
/d̪̊aː/
The Gaelic word for two is dà. Wiktionary also lists dhà and dithis.
Meaning: cardinal number 2 (num)
Ways to say it
| Gaelic | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| dà | /d̪̊aː/ /d̪̊ɑː/ |
|
| dhà | /ɣaː/ /ɣɑː/ |
|
| dithis | /ˈd̥ʲi.iʃ/ /ˈd̥ʲʒi.iʃ/ |
feminine |
The word is used to express the cardinal number 2. It can be used as a number or, in the form dhà, to refer to the digit or figure 2.
Which one should you use?
Additionally, dhà can function as the noun for the digit or figure 2.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some dialects and areas, dà is used instead of dhà.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
While dà and dhà are the standard forms, the form dithis is used specifically when the number modifies a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/d̪̊aː/
Did you know?
- Because dà causes lenition, a speaker can often tell there are two of something just by hearing the modified sound of the noun, even if the word for 'two' is whispered or skipped.
- The word dà is a distant relative of the English word 'two' and the Latin 'duo' because they all share a common ancestor in the Proto-Indo-European language.
- In some traditional Gaelic counting systems, numbers like dithis were used in specific poetic or archaic contexts that differ from daily speech.
Examples in context
- Tha dà chat agam.I have two cats.This sentence shows how to use dà with a noun.Tatoeba #3081383 by Catriona, translation #2412739 by fjrjdk
- Tha dà thaobh air.There are two sides to it.This sentence demonstrates the use of dà.Tatoeba #9276418 by megamanenm, translation #9276420 by megamanenm
- Tha dithis chloinne aig Tòmas.Tom has two children.This sentence illustrates the use of the feminine form dithis.Tatoeba #5883822 by Catriona, translation #1495864 by CK
- Tha dà chloinn agam.I have two children.
- 14 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Isla and Angus are ordering drinks at a cafe.
- IslaDè do thogail thu, a Angus?What will you have, Angus?
- AngusTha mi ag iarraidh dà choffee, mas e do thoil e.I would like two coffees, please.
- IslaDà choffee? An do thogail thu dà?Two coffees? Did you get two?
- AngusTha, aon dhomh agus aon dhut.Yes, one for me and one for you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “two” translations and entries dà, dhà, dithis, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dhà, dithis, dà, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
