dó
/d̪ˠoː/
The Irish word for two is dó. Wiktionary also lists dhá and beirt.
Meaning: cardinal number 2 (num)
Ways to say it
| Irish | IPA |
|---|---|
| dó | /d̪ˠoː/ (Connacht, Munster) /d̪ˠɔː/ (Ulster) |
| dhá | /ɣɑː/ (Connacht, Munster) /ɣaː/ (Ulster) |
| beirt | /bʲɛɾˠtʲ/ (Munster) /bˠeɾˠtʲ/ (Connacht) |
The word for the number two can be expressed in several ways depending on whether you are counting items, placing the number before a noun or referring to a pair of people.
Which one should you use?
dó is the default cardinal number used for standalone counts, while dhá is the specific form used when the number precedes a noun. The word beirt functions differently as it refers to a group of two, often specifically a pair of people.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Use dhá when the number two precedes a noun. Use dó when the number is used as a standalone count or follows a preposition. Use the noun beirt to express the concept of a pair or a group of two, frequently when referring to people.
How do you pronounce it?
/d̪ˠoː/
Did you know?
- When using dhá before a noun, the noun usually stays in the singular form rather than becoming plural.
- The word beirt for a pair of people is actually etymologically linked to the word for a 'load' or 'burden'.
- Using beirt implies that the two people are together as a unit, whereas dhá simply counts them as two individuals.
Examples in context
- Ghearr sé an úll ina dhá leath.He cut the apple into two halves.This sentence shows how to use dhá to describe two halves of an apple.Tatoeba #4062793 by tinybat, translation #4275695 by pinkfreud
- Tá dhá charr aigeHe has two carsThis sentence demonstrates using dhá to count two cars.
- Bhí filíocht ag an mbeirt.The two composed poetry.This sentence illustrates the use of beirt to refer to a pair of people.
- Bhí dhá bhainisteoir sa chomhlacht.The company had two managers.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Niamh and Cathal are ordering drinks at a cafe.
- NiamhAn mórann tú dó?Do you want two?
- CathalNí mórann mé, amháin anúsal.I don't want two, just one.
- NiamhTá dó ann anois.There are two now.
- CathalGo raibh maith agat, Niamh.Thank you, Niamh.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “two” translations and entries dó, dhá, beirt, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries beirt, dhá, dó, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
