HeyRuaHow to say “axe” in Irish
- Irish:
- biail
- English:
- axe
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine
- Pronunciation:
- “bee-uhl” /bʲiəlʲ/
- Plural:
- biailí (axes)
- Genitive singular:
- biaile, na biaile (e.g. cos na biaile, the handle of the axe)
- Genitive plural:
- biailí, na mbiailí (e.g. faobhar na mbiailí, the edge of the axes)
What does “biail” mean?
- axe
- A tool with a heavy blade on a long handle, used for chopping wood.Also: ax, hatchet, chopper.
Other Irish words for axe: tua (axe)
“Biail” with the article
The plural of axe in Irish is biailí. Here is biail after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Biail” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using biail, the Irish word for axe.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Axe in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for axe?
The Irish for axe is biail (pronounced “bee-uhl”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is biailí.
How do you pronounce biail in Irish?
Biail is said like “bee-uhl” (IPA /bʲiəlʲ/).
What is the plural of axe in Irish?
The plural of biail is biailí; with the article, na biailí means “the axes”. The genitive plural is biailí, as in faobhar na mbiailí (the edge of the axes).
Why does biail change to bhiail or mbiail?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) biail becomes mo bhiail (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár mbiail (eclipsis).
What is the difference between biail and tua?
Both mean axe; tua is very common for an axe or hatchet, while biail is the general word for an axe, especially a woodcutter's axe.
