tú
/t̪ˠuː/
In Irish, 'you' is expressed using the subject pronoun tú.
The pronoun is used to address a single person in a familiar or informal way.
Meaning: subject pronoun: the person being addressed (pron)
Which one should you use?
While tú is the standard singular form, you should use sibh when addressing more than one person or when you wish to use a formal or polite register.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Ulster dialect, it is common to use thú instead of tú informally. Additionally, thú is an informal form used mainly in the Connacht region.
How does it change in a sentence?
tú is the singular form used when addressing one person in an informal or familiar context.
How do you pronounce it?
/t̪ˠuː/
Did you know?
- Because tú is often dropped in spoken Irish sentences, the identity of the person being addressed is frequently inferred from the verb form alone.
- The Old Irish word tú shares a common ancestor with the English word 'thou', both descending from the Proto-Indo-European root *túh₂.
- In certain Gaeltacht areas, the distinction between using tú and sibh is a highly sensitive social marker that can signal subtle shifts in attitude.
Examples in context
- Ar inis tú le do mháthair?Have you told your mother?This sentence shows how to use tú when asking a question about a past action.Tatoeba #4062769 by tinybat, translation #4061894 by Hybrid
- Ar léigh tú an leabhar a bhuaigh an duais?Did you read the book that won the prize?This sentence uses tú in a question regarding a completed action.Tatoeba #871600 by cailleachnangadhair, translation #871598 by CM
- Níor chroch tú do chóta taobh thiar den doras.You didn't hang your coat behind the door.This sentence demonstrates the use of tú in a negative statement.Tatoeba #4099793 by tinybat, translation #4099702 by Theocracy
- An bhfuil sibh go maith?Are you all well?
- An bhfuil sé leat?Is it with you?
- Táim ag caint leat mar is fearr liom tusa.I am talking to you because I prefer you.
- Conas atá tú?How are you?
- An bhfuil tú ag dul amach liom?Are you coming out with me?
- 89 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Conor and Aoife are meeting for coffee.
- ConorAn bhfuil tú sásta leis an gcaifé seo?Are you happy with this café?
- AoifeTá, tá sé go hiontach anseo.Yes, it is wonderful here.
- ConorAn ólann tú caifé craobhach?Do you drink branch coffee?
- AoifeNí ólann mé caifé, ólann mé tae.I don't drink coffee, I drink tea.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “you” translations and entries tú, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tú, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
