HeyRuaHow to say “chief town” in Irish
- Irish:
- príomhbhaile
- English:
- chief town, capital
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine
- Pronunciation:
- “PREEV-wal-yeh” /ˈpʲɾʲiːvˌwalʲə/
- Plural:
- príomhbhailte (chief towns)
- Genitive singular:
- príomhbhaile, an phríomhbhaile (e.g. lár an phríomhbhaile, the centre of the chief town)
- Genitive plural:
- príomhbhailte, na bpríomhbhailte (e.g. daonra na bpríomhbhailte, the population of the chief towns)
What does “príomhbhaile” mean?
“Príomhbhaile” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- chief town
- The main or most important town of a county, region or district.Also: main town, county town, principal town.
1 other meaning: capital
- 2capital
- The capital city of a country or state, though 'príomhchathair' is more usual for a city.Also: capital city.
“Príomhbhaile” with the article
The plural of chief town in Irish is príomhbhailte. Here is príomhbhaile after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Príomhbhaile” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using príomhbhaile, the Irish word for chief town.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Chief town in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for chief town?
The Irish for chief town is príomhbhaile (pronounced “PREEV-wal-yeh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is príomhbhailte. Depending on context it can also mean capital.
How do you pronounce príomhbhaile in Irish?
Príomhbhaile is said like “PREEV-wal-yeh” (IPA /ˈpʲɾʲiːvˌwalʲə/).
What is the plural of chief town in Irish?
The plural of príomhbhaile is príomhbhailte; with the article, na príomhbhailte means “the chief towns”. The genitive plural is príomhbhailte, as in daonra na bpríomhbhailte (the population of the chief towns).
Does príomhbhaile have more than one meaning?
Yes. Príomhbhaile can mean chief town or capital, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does príomhbhaile change to phríomhbhaile or bpríomhbhaile?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) príomhbhaile becomes mo phríomhbhaile (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár bpríomhbhaile (eclipsis).
What is the difference between 'príomhbhaile' and 'príomhchathair'?
'Príomhbhaile' usually means the chief town of a county or region, while 'príomhchathair' is the normal word for a capital city such as Baile Átha Cliath.
