Caibidil a Cúig: Prepositions (Réamhfhocail)

idir = between

Case

idir requires the accusative (but the dative by nouns in the plural).

variations

eadar (in Ulster)

Initial Mutations after idir

without article: lenition e.g.: idir mhrá = amongst women
but no lenition if distance, time, difference or opposition is being expressed.
with an article: no lenition or eclipsis

Interrogative

Cé eatarthu = between what, between whom?

Combinations with personal pronouns

-	general	contrast form	translation
we	eadrainn	eadrainne	between us/among us
you	eadraibh	eadraibhse	between you/among you
they	eatarthu	eadarthusan	between them/among them

Today there are conjugated forms just for the plural, in the singular not: idir mise is tusa = between me and you
(Forms like eadram = between me, eadrat = between you, eidirthi = between her are archaic)
The plural forms are not used in lists with agus = and: idir iad agus na daoine eile = between them and the other people

use

spatially: between : idir Baile Átha Cliath agus Gaillimh = between Dublin and Galway
temporally: between idir an dó agus an trí = between two and three (O'clock)
pairings: both... and (with agus), (use of the singular): idir fhear agus bhean = men and women, idir balla agus ceann = walls and roof, idir sean agus óg = young and old,
partially, partially (with agus): idir mhagadh is dháiríre = half joking, half serious , idir gháire is ghol = between laughing and crying
idiomatic expressions : idir an dá linn = in the meantime, idir amanna = now and again, idir eatarthu = half and half
exclusively among: eadrainn féin an chaint seo = this should remain between us, rún idir mhná = a secret amongst women
among the : an bhean is áille idir Éireannaigh = the most beautiful woman among the Irish
in the sense of while: under, in: idir lámha = in progress, idir chamáin = in conversation

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