Biography in Irish (Beathaisnéis): Meaning

Q: What is the Irish for biography?

The Irish for biography is beathaisnéis (pronounced “BAH-hash-naysh”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is beathaisnéisí.

Q: What is the plural of biography in Irish?

The plural of beathaisnéis is beathaisnéisí; with the article, na beathaisnéisí means “the biographies”. The genitive plural is beathaisnéisí, as in bailiúchán na mbeathaisnéisí (the collection of biographies).

How to say “biography” in Irish

Irish:: beathaisnéis
English:: biography
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine, second declension
Pronunciation:: “BAH-hash-naysh” /ˈbʲahəʃnʲeːʃ/

Various forms

Plural:: beathaisnéisí (biographies)
Genitive singular:: beathaisnéise, na beathaisnéise (e.g. údar na beathaisnéise, the author of the biography)
Genitive plural:: beathaisnéisí, na mbeathaisnéisí (e.g. bailiúchán na mbeathaisnéisí, the collection of biographies)

What does “beathaisnéis” mean?

biography: A written account of a person's life, usually by another person.Also: life story, memoir, life history.

“Beathaisnéis” with the article

The plural of biography in Irish is beathaisnéisí. Here is beathaisnéis after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an bheathaisnéis

the biography

Lenition: b becomes bh after an (feminine noun)

na beathaisnéisí

the biographies

Plural: no change after na

“Beathaisnéis” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using beathaisnéis, the Irish word for biography.

Léigh mé beathaisnéis Mhichíl Uí Choileáin anuraidh.

I read a biography of Michael Collins last year.

Tá an bheathaisnéis seo an-fhada ar fad.

This biography is very long indeed.

Scríobh sí beathaisnéis a seanathar.

She wrote her grandfather's biography.

Is maith liom beathaisnéisí a léamh.

I like reading biographies.

Bhí grianghraif dheasa i lár na beathaisnéise.

There were nice photographs in the middle of the biography.

Tá eolas nua sa bheathaisnéis faoina óige.

There is new information in the biography about his youth.

Cuireadh mo bheathaisnéis ghearr ar an suíomh gréasáin.

My short biography was put on the website.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Biography in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for biography?

The Irish for biography is beathaisnéis (pronounced “BAH-hash-naysh”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is beathaisnéisí.

How do you pronounce beathaisnéis in Irish?

Beathaisnéis is said like “BAH-hash-naysh” (IPA /ˈbʲahəʃnʲeːʃ/).

What is the plural of biography in Irish?

The plural of beathaisnéis is beathaisnéisí; with the article, na beathaisnéisí means “the biographies”. The genitive plural is beathaisnéisí, as in bailiúchán na mbeathaisnéisí (the collection of biographies).

Why does beathaisnéis change to bheathaisnéis or mbeathaisnéis?

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

How do I say 'autobiography' in Irish?

Use 'dírbheathaisnéis', formed from 'dír-' (self) and 'beathaisnéis'.

Is 'beathaisnéis' related to 'beatha'?

Yes, it combines 'beatha' (life) and 'faisnéis' (information, account), so it literally means an account of a life.

Biography in Irish (Beathaisnéis): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage