HeyRuaHow to say “drowning” in Irish
- Irish:
- bá
- English:
- drowning, submersion, quenching, elision
- Word type:
- noun (verbal noun)
- Verbal noun of:
- báigh, to drown (ag bá, drowning)
- Gender:
- masculine, fourth declension
- Pronunciation:
- “baw” /bˠaː/
- Genitive singular:
- bá, an bhá (e.g. contúirt bá, danger of drowning)
What does “bá” mean?
“Bá” has four alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- drowning
- The act of drowning or being drowned; verbal noun of the verb 'báigh'.Also: drown, sinking.
3 other meanings: submersion or quenching or elision
- 2submersion
- Putting something under water or flooding it, as the verbal noun of 'báigh'.Also: immersion, inundation, flooding, submergence.
- 3quenching
- Putting out or extinguishing a light or fire, as the verbal noun of 'báigh'.Also: extinguishing, putting out.
- 4elision
- In grammar, the dropping of a vowel sound, as in m'athair for mo athair.Also: vowel elision.
“Bá” as a verbal noun
After ag, bá means drowning: it is the verbal noun of the verb báigh (to drown). A noun that follows it goes into the genitive.
“Bá” with the article
Here is bá after the article (an t-alt).
“Bá” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using bá, the Irish word for drowning.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Drowning in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for drowning?
The Irish for drowning is bá (pronounced “baw”). It’s a masculine noun. Depending on context it can also mean submersion or quenching or elision.
How do you pronounce bá in Irish?
Bá is said like “baw” (IPA /bˠaː/).
Does bá have a plural?
No plural form is given for bá in the standard. Many abstract and mass nouns in Irish have no plural.
Does bá have more than one meaning?
Yes. Bá can mean drowning, submersion, quenching or elision, depending on context; the first is the most common. Bá also has its own entry as a noun, feminine meaning bay.
Why does bá change to bhá or mbá?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) bá becomes mo bhá (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár mbá (eclipsis).
Is 'bá' meaning drowning the same as 'bá' meaning a bay or sympathy?
No. This 'bá' is the verbal noun of 'báigh' (drown); 'bá' meaning a bay has the plural 'bánna', and 'bá' meaning sympathy is a separate word, as in 'tá bá agam leis'.
How do you say 'he was drowned'?
Use the verb: 'báitheadh é'. The noun appears in phrases like 'i mbaol a bháite' (in danger of drowning).
