Fable in Irish (Fabhal): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for fable?

The Irish for fable is fabhal (pronounced “FOW-ul”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is faibhle. Depending on context it can also mean fabrication.

Q: What is the plural of fable in Irish?

The plural of fabhal is faibhle; with the article, na faibhle means “the fables”. The genitive plural is faibhle, as in leabhar na bhfaibhle (the book of fables).

Q: Does fabhal have more than one meaning?

Yes. Fabhal can mean fable or fabrication, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “fable” in Irish

Irish:: fabhal
English:: fable, fabrication
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine
Pronunciation:: “FOW-ul” /fˠəulˠ/

Various forms

Plural:: faibhle (fables)
Genitive singular:: faibhle, na faibhle (e.g. teagasc na faibhle, the moral of the fable)
Genitive plural:: faibhle, na bhfaibhle (e.g. leabhar na bhfaibhle, the book of fables)

What does “fabhal” mean?

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

fable: A short traditional story, often with animals as characters, that teaches a moral lesson.Also: moral tale, parable, allegory.

1 other meaning: fabrication

2fabrication: An invented or untrue story, a made-up tale.Also: made-up story, tall tale, fiction.

“Fabhal” with the article

The plural of fable in Irish is faibhle. Here is fabhal after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an fhabhal

the fable

Lenition: f becomes fh after an (feminine noun)

na faibhle

the fables

Plural: no change after na

“Fabhal” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using fabhal, the Irish word for fable.

Léigh an múinteoir fabhal dúinn inniu.

The teacher read us a fable today.

Is maith liom an fabhal faoin sionnach.

I like the fable about the fox.

Cad é teagasc na faibhle seo?

What is the moral of this fable?

Scríobh Aesop a lán faibhle cáiliúla.

Aesop wrote many famous fables.

Bhí ainmhithe ag caint i m'fhabhal.

There were animals talking in my fable.

Tá ceacht tábhachtach san fhabhal sin.

There is an important lesson in that fable.

Níl ansin ach fabhal, ní fíor é.

That's only a made-up story, it isn't true.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Fable in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for fable?

The Irish for fable is fabhal (pronounced “FOW-ul”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is faibhle. Depending on context it can also mean fabrication.

How do you pronounce fabhal in Irish?

Fabhal is said like “FOW-ul” (IPA /fˠəulˠ/).

What is the plural of fable in Irish?

The plural of fabhal is faibhle; with the article, na faibhle means “the fables”. The genitive plural is faibhle, as in leabhar na bhfaibhle (the book of fables).

Does fabhal have more than one meaning?

Yes. Fabhal can mean fable or fabrication, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does fabhal change to fhabhal or bhfabhal?

Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) fabhal becomes m'fhabhal (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár bhfabhal (eclipsis).

What is the difference between fabhal and finscéal?

A fabhal is a short moral tale, often with animals, while a finscéal is a legend or piece of fiction more generally.

Fable in Irish (Fabhal): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage