HeyRuaHow to say “birth” in Irish
- Irish:
- breith
- English:
- birth, catching, judgment, bringing
- Word type:
- noun (verbal noun)
- Verbal noun of:
- beir, to catch (ag breith, catching)
- Gender:
- feminine, second declension
- Pronunciation:
- “breh” /bʲɾʲɛh/
- Plural:
- breitheanna (births)
- Genitive singular:
- breithe, na breithe (e.g. dáta breithe, date of birth)
- Genitive plural:
- breitheanna, na mbreitheanna (e.g. líon na mbreitheanna, the number of births)
What does “breith” mean?
“Breith” has four alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- birth
- The act of being born or of giving birth; also the verbal noun of the verb 'beir' (bear, give birth).Also: childbirth, bearing, delivery.
3 other meanings: catching or judgment or bringing
- 2catching
- The act of catching, seizing or overtaking something; verbal noun of 'beir' in the sense 'catch, take hold of'.Also: seizing, grasping, overtaking.
- 3judgment
- A judgment or decision given on a matter, especially by a court or judge.Also: decision, verdict, ruling.
- 4bringing
- The act of bringing or taking something somewhere; verbal noun of 'beir' in the sense 'bring, carry'.Also: taking, carrying.
Other Irish words for birth: saolaigh (be born), beireatas (birth)
“Breith” as a verbal noun
After ag, breith means catching: it is the verbal noun of the verb beir (to catch). A noun that follows it goes into the genitive.
“Breith” with the article
The plural of birth in Irish is breitheanna. Here is breith after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Breith” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using breith, the Irish word for birth.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Birth in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for birth?
The Irish for birth is breith (pronounced “breh”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is breitheanna. Depending on context it can also mean catching or judgment or bringing.
How do you pronounce breith in Irish?
Breith is said like “breh” (IPA /bʲɾʲɛh/).
What is the plural of birth in Irish?
The plural of breith is breitheanna; with the article, na breitheanna means “the births”. The genitive plural is breitheanna, as in líon na mbreitheanna (the number of births).
Does breith have more than one meaning?
Yes. Breith can mean birth, catching, judgment or bringing, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does breith change to bhreith or mbreith?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) breith becomes mo bhreith (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár mbreith (eclipsis).
What is the difference between 'breith' and 'breithiúnas'?
Both can mean judgment, but 'breithiúnas' is the usual word for a formal judgment or the faculty of judging, while 'breith' is used in phrases like 'breith a thabhairt ar' (to pass judgment on).
How do I say 'catch' using 'breith'?
Use 'breith ar': 'ag breith ar an liathróid' means catching the ball, and 'rug sé orm' means he caught me.
