HeyRuaHow to say “bay” in Irish
- Irish:
- bá
- English:
- bay
- Word type:
- noun (verbal noun)
- Verbal noun of:
- báigh, to drown (ag bá, drowning)
- Gender:
- feminine, fourth declension
- Pronunciation:
- “baw” /bˠɑː/
- Plural:
- bánna (bays)
- Genitive singular:
- bá, na bá (e.g. cladach na bá, the shore of the bay)
- Genitive plural:
- bánna, na mbánna (e.g. ainmneacha na mbánna, the names of the bays)
What does “bá” mean?
- bay
- A wide curved inlet of the sea where the coast bends inwards.Also: inlet, cove.
“Bá” as a verbal noun
After ag, bá means drowning: it is the verbal noun of the verb báigh (to drown). A noun that follows it goes into the genitive.
“Bá” with the article
The plural of bay in Irish is bánna. Here is bá after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Bá” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using bá, the Irish word for bay.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Bay in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for bay?
The Irish for bay is bá (pronounced “baw”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is bánna.
How do you pronounce bá in Irish?
Bá is said like “baw” (IPA /bˠɑː/).
What is the plural of bay in Irish?
The plural of bá is bánna; with the article, na bánna means “the bays”. The genitive plural is bánna, as in ainmneacha na mbánna (the names of the bays).
Does bá have more than one meaning?
Bá also has its own entry as a noun, masculine meaning drowning.
Why does bá change to bhá or mbá?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) bá becomes mo bhá (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár mbá (eclipsis).
What is the difference between 'bá' and 'cuan'?
'Bá' is a wide open bay, while 'cuan' usually means a harbour or more sheltered inlet, as in 'Cuan Bhaile Átha Cliath' for Dublin Harbour.
