HeyRuaHow to say “bilberry” in Irish
- Irish:
- fraochán
- English:
- bilberry, bilberry plant
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, first declension
- Pronunciation:
- “FRAY-khawn” /ˈfˠɾˠiːxaːnˠ/
- Plural:
- fraocháin (bilberries)
- Genitive singular:
- fraocháin, an fhraocháin (e.g. blas an fhraocháin, the taste of the bilberry)
- Genitive plural:
- fraochán, na bhfraochán (e.g. Domhnach na bhFraochán, Bilberry Sunday)
What does “fraochán” mean?
“Fraochán” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- bilberry
- A small dark blue edible berry that grows on a low shrub on heath and mountain land.Also: blueberry, whortleberry, fraughan, huckleberry.
1 other meaning: bilberry plant
- 2bilberry plant
- The low heathland shrub that produces bilberries.Also: bilberry bush, whortleberry bush.
“Fraochán” with the article
The plural of bilberry in Irish is fraocháin. Here is fraochán after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Fraochán” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using fraochán, the Irish word for bilberry.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Bilberry in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for bilberry?
The Irish for bilberry is fraochán (pronounced “FRAY-khawn”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is fraocháin. Depending on context it can also mean bilberry plant.
How do you pronounce fraochán in Irish?
Fraochán is said like “FRAY-khawn” (IPA /ˈfˠɾˠiːxaːnˠ/).
What is the plural of bilberry in Irish?
The plural of fraochán is fraocháin; with the article, na fraocháin means “the bilberries”. The genitive plural is fraochán, as in Domhnach na bhFraochán (Bilberry Sunday).
Does fraochán have more than one meaning?
Yes. Fraochán can mean bilberry or bilberry plant, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does fraochán change to fhraochán or bhfraochán?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) fraochán becomes mo fhraochán (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár bhfraochán (eclipsis).
Is 'fraochán' the same as the shop-bought blueberry?
Strictly 'fraochán' is the wild bilberry, but it is commonly used for cultivated blueberries too.
Is 'fraochán' related to 'fraoch'?
Yes, it comes from 'fraoch' (heather), since the plant grows on heathery ground.
