Bannock in Irish (Bonnóg): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for bannock?

The Irish for bannock is bonnóg (pronounced “BUN-ohg”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is bonnóga. Depending on context it can also mean topknot.

Q: What is the plural of bannock in Irish?

The plural of bonnóg is bonnóga; with the article, na bonnóga means “the bannocks”. The genitive plural is bonnóg, as in boladh na mbonnóg (the smell of the bannocks).

Q: Does bonnóg have more than one meaning?

Yes. Bonnóg can mean bannock or topknot, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “bannock” in Irish

Irish:: bonnóg
English:: bannock, topknot
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine, second declension
Pronunciation:: “BUN-ohg” /ˈbˠʊn̪ˠoːɡ/

Various forms

Plural:: bonnóga (bannocks)
Genitive singular:: bonnóige, na bonnóige (e.g. blas na bonnóige, the taste of the bannock)
Genitive plural:: bonnóg, na mbonnóg (e.g. boladh na mbonnóg, the smell of the bannocks)

What does “bonnóg” mean?

“Bonnóg” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

bannock: A round, flat loaf or cake of bread, often baked on a griddle or in a pot oven.Also: scone, round loaf, griddle cake.

1 other meaning: topknot

2topknot: A knot or bun of hair worn on the top of the head.Also: bun, hair knot.

“Bonnóg” with the article

The plural of bannock in Irish is bonnóga. Here is bonnóg after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an bhonnóg

the bannock

Lenition: b becomes bh after an (feminine noun)

na bonnóga

the bannocks

Plural: no change after na

“Bonnóg” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using bonnóg, the Irish word for bannock.

Rinne mo mháthair bonnóg aráin inné.

My mother made a round loaf yesterday.

Tá an bhonnóg fós te.

The bannock is still warm.

Gearr slis den bhonnóg dom, le do thoil.

Cut me a slice of the bannock, please.

Bhí im ar an mbonnóg.

There was butter on the bannock.

Cheannaigh sí dhá bhonnóg sa bhácús.

She bought two bannocks in the bakery.

Chuir sí a cuid gruaige i mbonnóg.

She put her hair up in a topknot.

Bhí na bonnóga ag fuarú ar an mbord.

The bannocks were cooling on the table.

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Bannock in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for bannock?

The Irish for bannock is bonnóg (pronounced “BUN-ohg”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is bonnóga. Depending on context it can also mean topknot.

How do you pronounce bonnóg in Irish?

Bonnóg is said like “BUN-ohg” (IPA /ˈbˠʊn̪ˠoːɡ/).

What is the plural of bannock in Irish?

The plural of bonnóg is bonnóga; with the article, na bonnóga means “the bannocks”. The genitive plural is bonnóg, as in boladh na mbonnóg (the smell of the bannocks).

Does bonnóg have more than one meaning?

Yes. Bonnóg can mean bannock or topknot, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does bonnóg change to bhonnóg or mbonnóg?

Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) bonnóg becomes mo bhonnóg (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár mbonnóg (eclipsis).

What is the difference between bonnóg and bairín?

A bonnóg is a round flat cake of bread, while bairín is a loaf, as in bairín breac, a barmbrack.

Bannock in Irish (Bonnóg): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage