HeyRuaHow to say “bean” in Irish
- Irish:
- pónar
- English:
- bean, bean plant
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine
- Pronunciation:
- “POH-nur” /ˈpˠoːn̪ˠəɾˠ/
- Plural:
- pónair (beans)
- Genitive singular:
- pónair, an phónair (e.g. craiceann an phónair, the skin of the bean)
- Genitive plural:
- pónar, na bpónar (e.g. canna na bpónar, the can of the beans)
What does “pónar” mean?
“Pónar” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- bean
- A seed or pod of a climbing or bush plant, eaten as a vegetable.Also: beans, broad bean, pulse.
1 other meaning: bean plant
- 2bean plant
- The plant that produces beans.Also: bean.
Other Irish words for bean: pónaire (bean)
“Pónar” with the article
The plural of bean in Irish is pónair. Here is pónar after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Pónar” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using pónar, the Irish word for bean.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Bean in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for bean?
The Irish for bean is pónar (pronounced “POH-nur”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is pónair. Depending on context it can also mean bean plant.
How do you pronounce pónar in Irish?
Pónar is said like “POH-nur” (IPA /ˈpˠoːn̪ˠəɾˠ/).
What is the plural of bean in Irish?
The plural of pónar is pónair; with the article, na pónair means “the beans”. The genitive plural is pónar, as in canna na bpónar (the can of the beans).
Does pónar have more than one meaning?
Yes. Pónar can mean bean or bean plant, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does pónar change to phónar or bpónar?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) pónar becomes mo phónar (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár bpónar (eclipsis).
Is 'pónaire' also correct?
Yes, 'pónaire' is a common feminine variant, but the standard headword here is masculine 'pónar' with plural 'pónair'.
