Death in Irish (Bás): Meaning, Pronunciation & Examples

Q: What is the Irish for death?

The Irish for death is bás (pronounced “bawss”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is básanna. Depending on context it can also mean execution.

Q: What is the plural of death in Irish?

The plural of bás is básanna; with the article, na básanna means “the deaths”. The genitive plural is básanna, as in líon na mbásanna (the number of deaths).

Q: Does bás have more than one meaning?

Yes. Bás can mean death or execution, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “death” in Irish

Irish:: bás
English:: death, execution
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, first declension
Pronunciation:: “bawss” /bˠɑːsˠ/

Various forms

Plural:: básanna (deaths)
Genitive singular:: báis, an bháis (e.g. uair an bháis, the hour of death)
Genitive plural:: básanna, na mbásanna (e.g. líon na mbásanna, the number of deaths)

What does “bás” mean?

“Bás” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

death: The end of life; the act or state of dying.Also: dying, decease, demise.

1 other meaning: execution

2execution: A death inflicted as punishment, as in 'pianbhreith bháis' (death sentence) and 'cur chun báis' (putting to death).Also: death penalty, putting to death.

Other Irish words for death: éag (death)

“Bás” with the article

The plural of death in Irish is básanna. Here is bás after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an bás

the death

No change after an

na básanna

the deaths

Plural: no change after na

“Bás” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using bás, the Irish word for death.

Fuair a seanmháthair bás anuraidh.

Her grandmother died last year.

Bhí brón mór orainn tar éis a bháis.

We were very sad after his death.

Is cuid den saol é an bás.

Death is part of life.

Tharla go leor básanna ar na bóithre i mbliana.

There were many deaths on the roads this year.

Bhí sé idir bás agus beatha san ospidéal.

He was between life and death in the hospital.

Bhí mé préachta leis an bhfuacht go bás.

I was frozen to death with the cold.

Ní raibh eagla an bháis uirthi riamh.

She was never afraid of death.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Death in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for death?

The Irish for death is bás (pronounced “bawss”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is básanna. Depending on context it can also mean execution.

How do you pronounce bás in Irish?

Bás is said like “bawss” (IPA /bˠɑːsˠ/).

What is the plural of death in Irish?

The plural of bás is básanna; with the article, na básanna means “the deaths”. The genitive plural is básanna, as in líon na mbásanna (the number of deaths).

Does bás have more than one meaning?

Yes. Bás can mean death or execution, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does bás change to bhás or mbás?

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

How do you say 'to die' in Irish?

The usual way is 'bás a fháil', literally 'to get death': 'Fuair sé bás' means 'He died'.

What does 'ar do bhás' mean?

'Ar do bhás' is an emphatic phrase like 'for the life of you' or 'on no account', as in 'Ar do bhás ná lig uait é!'.

Death in Irish (Bás): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage