HeyRuaHow to say “emphasis” in Irish
- Irish:
- béim
- English:
- emphasis, stress, blow, beat
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, second declension
- Pronunciation:
- “baym” /bʲeːmʲ/
- Plural:
- béimeanna (emphases)
- Genitive singular:
- béime, na béime (e.g. comhartha béime, stress mark)
- Genitive plural:
- béimeanna, na mbéimeanna (e.g. suíomh na mbéimeanna, the position of the stresses)
What does “béim” mean?
“Béim” has four alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- emphasis
- Special importance or weight given to something, especially a point being made.Also: stress, importance, focus.
3 other meanings: stress or blow or beat
- 2stress
- The extra force put on a syllable or word when speaking.Also: accent, word stress, syllable stress.
- 3blow
- A stroke or hit, an act of striking something.Also: stroke, hit, strike.
- 4beat
- A regular pulse or stressed beat in music or verse.Also: pulse, rhythm beat.
“Béim” with the article
The plural of emphasis in Irish is béimeanna. Here is béim after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Béim” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using béim, the Irish word for emphasis.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Emphasis in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for emphasis?
The Irish for emphasis is béim (pronounced “baym”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is béimeanna. Depending on context it can also mean stress or blow or beat.
How do you pronounce béim in Irish?
Béim is said like “baym” (IPA /bʲeːmʲ/).
What is the plural of emphasis in Irish?
The plural of béim is béimeanna; with the article, na béimeanna means “the emphases”. The genitive plural is béimeanna, as in suíomh na mbéimeanna (the position of the stresses).
Does béim have more than one meaning?
Yes. Béim can mean emphasis, stress, blow or beat, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does béim change to bhéim or mbéim?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) béim becomes mo bhéim (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár mbéim (eclipsis).
How do I say 'to emphasise' something in Irish?
Use 'béim a chur ar rud', for example 'chuir sí béim ar an bpointe sin' (she emphasised that point).
What does 'béim síos' mean?
'Béim síos' is a put-down or a humiliating remark, as in 'thug sé béim síos dom' (he put me down).
