HeyRuaHow to say “beak” in Irish
- Irish:
- gob
- English:
- beak, mouth, tip
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, first declension
- Pronunciation:
- “gub” /ɡɔbˠ/
- Plural:
- goba (beaks)
- Genitive singular:
- goib, an ghoib (e.g. dath an ghoib, the colour of the beak)
- Genitive plural:
- gob, na ngob (e.g. cruth na ngob, the shape of the beaks)
What does “gob” mean?
“Gob” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- beak
- The hard pointed mouth of a bird.Also: bill, neb.
2 other meanings: mouth or tip
- 2mouth
- A person's mouth, used informally or rudely.Also: gob, snout.
- 3tip
- The pointed end or projecting point of something, such as a pen nib or a piece of land.Also: point, nib, projection.
“Gob” with the article
The plural of beak in Irish is goba. Here is gob after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Gob” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using gob, the Irish word for beak.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Beak in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for beak?
The Irish for beak is gob (pronounced “gub”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is goba. Depending on context it can also mean mouth or tip.
How do you pronounce gob in Irish?
Gob is said like “gub” (IPA /ɡɔbˠ/).
What is the plural of beak in Irish?
The plural of gob is goba; with the article, na goba means “the beaks”. The genitive plural is gob, as in cruth na ngob (the shape of the beaks).
Does gob have more than one meaning?
Yes. Gob can mean beak, mouth or tip, depending on context; the first is the most common. Gob also has its own entry as a verb meaning to stick out.
Why does gob change to ghob or ngob?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) gob becomes mo ghob (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár ngob (eclipsis).
Is 'gob' rude when used of a person?
Yes, used of a person 'gob' is informal and can be rude, as in 'Dún do ghob!' (Shut your gob!); the neutral word for mouth is 'béal'.
How do I say something is on the tip of my tongue?
Say 'Tá sé ar bharr mo ghoib', literally 'it is on the tip of my beak'.
