bliain

Irish

Alternative forms

• bliadhain (obsolete)

Etymology

From Old Irish blíadain, from Proto-Celtic *blēdanī (“year”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /bʲlʲiənʲ/

Noun

bliain f (genitive singular bliana, nominative plural blianta)

1. a year

Declension

Declension of bliain

Third declension

Bare forms: Case Singular Plural Nominative bliain blianta Vocative a bhliain a bhlianta Genitive bliana blianta Dative bliain blianta

Forms with the definite article: Case Singular Plural Nominative an bhliain na blianta Genitive na bliana na mblianta Dative leis an mbliain don bhliain leis na blianta

Usage notes

• After a numeral, a count plural bliana is used. This form is lenited after dhá, but not after trí through sé. It is eclipsed from seacht up to deich.
  • dhá bhliana ― two years
  • trí bliana ― three years
  • seacht mbliana ― seven years

Derived terms

• athbhliain (“new year”)
• blianacht (“annuity”)
• bliantúil (“annual”)
• i mbliana (“this year”)

Mutation

Irish mutation
Radical	Lenition	Eclipsis
bliain	bhliain	mbliain
Note: Some of these forms may be hypothetical. Not every possible mutated form of every word actually occurs.