HeyRuaHow to say “child” in Irish
- Irish:
- páiste
- English:
- child
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, fourth declension
- Pronunciation:
- “PAWSH-tyuh” /ˈpˠɑːʃtʲə/
- Plural:
- páistí (children)
- Genitive singular:
- páiste, an pháiste (e.g. seomra an pháiste, the child's room)
- Genitive plural:
- páistí, na bpáistí (e.g. bréagáin na bpáistí, the children's toys)
What does “páiste” mean?
- child
- A young boy or girl, or a son or daughter of any age.Also: kid, youngster, infant.
“Páiste” with the article
The plural of child in Irish is páistí. Here is páiste after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Páiste” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using páiste, the Irish word for child.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Child in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for child?
The Irish for child is páiste (pronounced “PAWSH-tyuh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is páistí.
How do you pronounce páiste in Irish?
Páiste is said like “PAWSH-tyuh” (IPA /ˈpˠɑːʃtʲə/).
What is the plural of child in Irish?
The plural of páiste is páistí; with the article, na páistí means “the children”. The genitive plural is páistí, as in bréagáin na bpáistí (the children's toys).
Why does páiste change to pháiste or bpáiste?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) páiste becomes mo pháiste (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár bpáiste (eclipsis).
What is the difference between 'páiste' and 'leanbh'?
Both mean child; 'páiste' is the everyday word in most areas, while 'leanbh' is common in Munster and in more formal or literary Irish, and also means a baby.
How do I say 'children' meaning someone's family?
You can say 'páistí' or use 'clann', as in 'Tá clann mhór acu' (They have a big family of children).
