HeyRuaHow to say “bit” in Irish
- Irish:
- béalalt
- English:
- bit
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine
- Pronunciation:
- “BAYL-alt” /ˈbʲeːl̪ˠəl̪ˠt̪ˠ/
- Plural:
- béalailt (bits)
- Genitive singular:
- béalailt, an bhéalailt (e.g. fáinne an bhéalailt, the ring of the bit)
- Genitive plural:
- béalalt, na mbéalalt (e.g. fáinní na mbéalalt, the rings of the bits)
What does “béalalt” mean?
- bit
- The metal bar placed in a horse's mouth and attached to the reins, used to control the animal.Also: horse bit, bridle bit, snaffle.
Other Irish words for bit: mír (bit), píosa (piece), pioc (bit), blúire (fragment)
“Béalalt” with the article
The plural of bit in Irish is béalailt. Here is béalalt after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Béalalt” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using béalalt, the Irish word for bit.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Bit in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for bit?
The Irish for bit is béalalt (pronounced “BAYL-alt”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is béalailt.
How do you pronounce béalalt in Irish?
Béalalt is said like “BAYL-alt” (IPA /ˈbʲeːl̪ˠəl̪ˠt̪ˠ/).
What is the plural of bit in Irish?
The plural of béalalt is béalailt; with the article, na béalailt means “the bits”. The genitive plural is béalalt, as in fáinní na mbéalalt (the rings of the bits).
Why does béalalt change to bhéalalt or mbéalalt?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) béalalt becomes mo bhéalalt (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár mbéalalt (eclipsis).
What is the difference between 'béalalt' and 'srian'?
'Béalalt' is specifically the bit that goes in the horse's mouth, while 'srian' is the bridle or rein as a whole.
