Fable in Irish (Fabhalscéal): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for fable?

The Irish for fable is fabhalscéal (pronounced “FOWL-shkayl”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is fabhalscéalta. Depending on context it can also mean legendary story.

Q: What is the plural of fable in Irish?

The plural of fabhalscéal is fabhalscéalta; with the article, na fabhalscéalta means “the fables”. The genitive plural is fabhalscéalta, as in leabhar na bhfabhalscéalta (the book of fables).

Q: Does fabhalscéal have more than one meaning?

Yes. Fabhalscéal can mean fable or legendary story, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “fable” in Irish

Irish:: fabhalscéal
English:: fable, legendary story
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, first declension
Pronunciation:: “FOWL-shkayl” /ˈfˠəulˠˌʃceːlˠ/

Various forms

Plural:: fabhalscéalta (fables)
Genitive singular:: fabhalscéil, an fhabhalscéil (e.g. teagasc an fhabhalscéil, the moral of the fable)
Genitive plural:: fabhalscéalta, na bhfabhalscéalta (e.g. leabhar na bhfabhalscéalta, the book of fables)

What does “fabhalscéal” mean?

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

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

1 other meaning: legendary story

2legendary story: A made-up or legendary tale, not based on fact.Also: legend, myth, tall tale.

“Fabhalscéal” with the article

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

an fabhalscéal

the fable

No change after an

na fabhalscéalta

the fables

Plural: no change after na

“Fabhalscéal” in a sentence: Irish examples

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

Léigh an múinteoir fabhalscéal don rang inniu.

The teacher read a fable to the class today.

Is maith liom an fabhalscéal faoin sionnach.

I like the fable about the fox.

Cad é teagasc an fhabhalscéil seo?

What is the moral of this fable?

Scríobh Aesop a lán fabhalscéalta.

Aesop wrote a lot of fables.

Ba é sin an fabhalscéal ab fhearr le mo mhac.

That was my son's favourite fable.

I bhfabhalscéal, labhraíonn na hainmhithe.

In a fable, the animals talk.

Níl ann ach fabhalscéal, ní fíor é.

It's only a fable, 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 fabhalscéal (pronounced “FOWL-shkayl”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is fabhalscéalta. Depending on context it can also mean legendary story.

How do you pronounce fabhalscéal in Irish?

Fabhalscéal is said like “FOWL-shkayl” (IPA /ˈfˠəulˠˌʃceːlˠ/).

What is the plural of fable in Irish?

The plural of fabhalscéal is fabhalscéalta; with the article, na fabhalscéalta means “the fables”. The genitive plural is fabhalscéalta, as in leabhar na bhfabhalscéalta (the book of fables).

Does fabhalscéal have more than one meaning?

Yes. Fabhalscéal can mean fable or legendary story, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does fabhalscéal change to fhabhalscéal or bhfabhalscéal?

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

What is the difference between fabhalscéal and finscéal?

A fabhalscéal is a fable, usually with a moral, while finscéal means a legend or a fictional tale more generally.

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