Boy in Irish (Buachaill): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for boy?

The Irish for boy is buachaill (pronounced “BOO-uh-khil”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is buachaillí. Depending on context it can also mean boyfriend or herdsman.

Q: What is the plural of boy in Irish?

The plural of buachaill is buachaillí; with the article, na buachaillí means “the boys”. The genitive plural is buachaillí, as in scoil na mbuachaillí (the boys' school).

Q: Does buachaill have more than one meaning?

Yes. Buachaill can mean boy, boyfriend or herdsman, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “boy” in Irish

Irish:: buachaill
English:: boy, boyfriend, herdsman
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, third declension
Pronunciation:: “BOO-uh-khil” /ˈbˠuəxəlʲ/

Various forms

Plural:: buachaillí (boys)
Genitive singular:: buachalla, an bhuachalla (e.g. rothar an bhuachalla, the boy's bicycle)
Genitive plural:: buachaillí, na mbuachaillí (e.g. scoil na mbuachaillí, the boys' school)

What does “buachaill” mean?

“Buachaill” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

boy: A male child or young man.Also: lad, youth, young man.

2 other meanings: boyfriend or herdsman

2boyfriend: A young man with whom someone has a romantic relationship.Also: sweetheart, fellow.
3herdsman: A boy or man who looks after animals or works as a servant on a farm.Also: herd boy, servant boy, farmhand.

Other Irish words for boy: mac (son), gasúr (boy), leaid (lad), garsún (boy)

“Buachaill” with the article

The plural of boy in Irish is buachaillí. Here is buachaill after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an buachaill

the boy

No change after an

na buachaillí

the boys

Plural: no change after na

“Buachaill” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using buachaill, the Irish word for boy.

Níl ionat ach buachaill beag.

You're only a small boy.

Tá an buachaill ag imirt peile sa pháirc.

The boy is playing football in the field.

Cá bhfuil mála an bhuachalla?

Where is the boy's bag?

Bhí brístí gearra ar na buachaillí.

The boys were wearing short trousers.

Tá mo bhuachaill ag obair i mBaile Átha Cliath.

My boyfriend is working in Dublin.

Is é an buachaill is cliste sa rang é.

He is the cleverest boy in the class.

Tá seisear buachaillí agus ceathrar cailíní sa teaghlach.

There are six boys and four girls in the family.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

sonsake cúlback aonace páirtpart solátharsupply solátharprovision

Boy in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for boy?

The Irish for boy is buachaill (pronounced “BOO-uh-khil”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is buachaillí. Depending on context it can also mean boyfriend or herdsman.

How do you pronounce buachaill in Irish?

Buachaill is said like “BOO-uh-khil” (IPA /ˈbˠuəxəlʲ/).

What is the plural of boy in Irish?

The plural of buachaill is buachaillí; with the article, na buachaillí means “the boys”. The genitive plural is buachaillí, as in scoil na mbuachaillí (the boys' school).

Does buachaill have more than one meaning?

Yes. Buachaill can mean boy, boyfriend or herdsman, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does buachaill change to bhuachaill or mbuachaill?

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

What is the difference between buachaill and garsún?

Both mean boy; buachaill is standard everywhere, while garsún is used especially in Munster and Connacht for a young boy.

Can buachaill mean boyfriend?

Yes, 'mo bhuachaill' can mean 'my boyfriend', though 'mo bhuachaill' can also simply mean 'my boy' depending on context.

Boy in Irish (Buachaill): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage