HeyRuaHow to say “alphabet” in Irish
- Irish:
- aibítir
- English:
- alphabet, rudiments
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, second declension
- Pronunciation:
- “AB-ee-tir” /ˈabʲiːtʲəɾʲ/
- Plural:
- aibítrí (alphabets)
- Genitive singular:
- aibítre, na haibítre (e.g. litreacha na haibítre, the letters of the alphabet)
- Genitive plural:
- aibítrí, na n-aibítrí (e.g. stair na n-aibítrí, the history of alphabets)
What does “aibítir” mean?
“Aibítir” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- alphabet
- The set of letters used to write a language, in their fixed order.Also: letters, abc.
1 other meaning: rudiments
- 2rudiments
- The basic elements or first principles of a subject.Also: basics, abc, first principles.
“Aibítir” with the article
The plural of alphabet in Irish is aibítrí. Here is aibítir after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Aibítir” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using aibítir, the Irish word for alphabet.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Alphabet in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for alphabet?
The Irish for alphabet is aibítir (pronounced “AB-ee-tir”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is aibítrí. Depending on context it can also mean rudiments.
How do you pronounce aibítir in Irish?
Aibítir is said like “AB-ee-tir” (IPA /ˈabʲiːtʲəɾʲ/).
What is the plural of alphabet in Irish?
The plural of aibítir is aibítrí; with the article, na haibítrí means “the alphabets”. The genitive plural is aibítrí, as in stair na n-aibítrí (the history of alphabets).
Does aibítir have more than one meaning?
Yes. Aibítir can mean alphabet or rudiments, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does aibítir sometimes have a t or h in front of it?
Irish nouns beginning with a vowel take a prefix after certain words: an aibítir (the alphabet), a haibítir (her alphabet), a n-aibítir (their alphabet), na haibítrí (the alphabets).
How do I say 'in alphabetical order' in Irish?
Say 'in ord aibítre', using the genitive aibítre; the adjective 'alphabetical' is aibítreach.
How many letters are in the Irish alphabet?
The traditional aibítir Ghaeilge has 18 letters, though other letters appear in loanwords.
