Bean in Irish (Pónaire): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for bean?

The Irish for bean is pónaire (pronounced “POH-nir-uh”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is pónairí.

Q: What is the plural of bean in Irish?

The plural of pónaire is pónairí; with the article, na pónairí means “the beans”. The genitive plural is pónairí, as in canna na bpónairí (the can of the beans).

How to say “bean” in Irish

Irish:: pónaire
English:: bean
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine, fourth declension
Pronunciation:: “POH-nir-uh” /ˈpˠoːnˠəɾʲə/

Various forms

Plural:: pónairí (beans)
Genitive singular:: pónaire, na pónaire (e.g. blas na pónaire, the taste of the bean)
Genitive plural:: pónairí, na bpónairí (e.g. canna na bpónairí, the can of the beans)

What does “pónaire” mean?

bean: A seed or pod of a climbing or bushy plant, eaten as a vegetable.Also: beans, pulse, legume.

Other Irish words for bean: pónar (bean)

“Pónaire” with the article

The plural of bean in Irish is pónairí. Here is pónaire after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an phónaire

the bean

Lenition: p becomes ph after an (feminine noun)

na pónairí

the beans

Plural: no change after na

“Pónaire” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using pónaire, the Irish word for bean.

D'ith mé pónairí le haghaidh bricfeasta.

I ate beans for breakfast.

Ar mhaith leat pónairí ar thósta?

Would you like beans on toast?

Chuir mé pónairí sa ghairdín inné.

I planted beans in the garden yesterday.

Tá an phónaire seo an-chrua fós.

This bean is still very hard.

Cheannaigh sí canna pónairí san ollmhargadh.

She bought a can of beans in the supermarket.

Is maith le mo dheartháir pónairí glasa.

My brother likes green beans.

Tá a lán próitéine i bpónairí.

There is a lot of protein in beans.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Bean in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for bean?

The Irish for bean is pónaire (pronounced “POH-nir-uh”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is pónairí.

How do you pronounce pónaire in Irish?

Pónaire is said like “POH-nir-uh” (IPA /ˈpˠoːnˠəɾʲə/).

What is the plural of bean in Irish?

The plural of pónaire is pónairí; with the article, na pónairí means “the beans”. The genitive plural is pónairí, as in canna na bpónairí (the can of the beans).

Why does pónaire change to phónaire or bpónaire?

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

How do I say 'baked beans' in Irish?

Baked beans are usually called pónairí bácáilte in Irish.

Bean in Irish (Pónaire): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage