Barrel in Irish (Bairille): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for barrel?

The Irish for barrel is bairille (pronounced “BAR-il-yuh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is bairillí. Depending on context it can also mean barrel (of gun).

Q: What is the plural of barrel in Irish?

The plural of bairille is bairillí; with the article, na bairillí means “the barrels”. The genitive plural is bairillí, as in ábhar na mbairillí (the contents of the barrels).

Q: Does bairille have more than one meaning?

Yes. Bairille can mean barrel or barrel (of gun), depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “barrel” in Irish

Irish:: bairille
English:: barrel, barrel (of gun)
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, fourth declension
Pronunciation:: “BAR-il-yuh” /ˈbˠaɾʲəlʲə/

Various forms

Plural:: bairillí (barrels)
Genitive singular:: bairille, an bhairille (e.g. clár an bhairille, the lid of the barrel)
Genitive plural:: bairillí, na mbairillí (e.g. ábhar na mbairillí, the contents of the barrels)

What does “bairille” mean?

“Bairille” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

barrel: A large round wooden or metal container with flat ends, used for holding liquids such as beer or oil.Also: cask, keg, drum.

2 other meanings: barrel (of gun)

2barrel: A barrel as a unit of measure, especially for oil or beer.Also: barrel of oil.
3barrel (of gun): The metal tube of a gun through which the bullet is fired.Also: gun barrel, barrel.

“Bairille” with the article

The plural of barrel in Irish is bairillí. Here is bairille after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an bairille

the barrel

No change after an

na bairillí

the barrels

Plural: no change after na

“Bairille” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using bairille, the Irish word for barrel.

Tá bairille leanna sa siléar.

There's a barrel of beer in the cellar.

Bhain sé an clár den bhairille.

He took the lid off the barrel.

Tá an bairille folamh anois.

The barrel is empty now.

Chuireamar an t-uisce báistí i mbairillí.

We put the rainwater into barrels.

D'ardaigh praghas bairille ola arís.

The price of a barrel of oil went up again.

Bhí boladh fíona ar bhun an bhairille.

The bottom of the barrel smelled of wine.

Rolláil siad an bairille isteach sa teach tábhairne.

They rolled the barrel into the pub.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Barrel in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for barrel?

The Irish for barrel is bairille (pronounced “BAR-il-yuh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is bairillí. Depending on context it can also mean barrel (of gun).

How do you pronounce bairille in Irish?

Bairille is said like “BAR-il-yuh” (IPA /ˈbˠaɾʲəlʲə/).

What is the plural of barrel in Irish?

The plural of bairille is bairillí; with the article, na bairillí means “the barrels”. The genitive plural is bairillí, as in ábhar na mbairillí (the contents of the barrels).

Does bairille have more than one meaning?

Yes. Bairille can mean barrel or barrel (of gun), depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does bairille change to bhairille or mbairille?

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

Is 'bairille' the same as 'ceaig'?

Both are containers for drink, but 'ceaig' is a keg, usually smaller, while 'bairille' is the general word for a barrel.

Barrel in Irish (Bairille): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage