HeyRuaHow to say “friar” in Irish
- Irish:
- bráthair
- English:
- friar, brother, angel shark
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, fifth declension
- Pronunciation:
- “BRAW-hir” /ˈbˠɾˠɑːhəɾʲ/
- Plural:
- bráithre (friars)
- Genitive singular:
- bráthar, an bhráthar (e.g. aibíd an bhráthar, the friar's habit)
- Genitive plural:
- bráithre, na mbráithre (e.g. mainistir na mbráithre, the friars' monastery)
What does “bráthair” mean?
“Bráthair” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- friar
- A male member of a religious order, such as a Franciscan or Dominican friar.Also: religious brother, monk, brother.
2 other meanings: brother or angel shark
- 2brother
- A man connected to others by a common cause, organisation or faith; in older or dialect use, a blood brother or kinsman.Also: fellow member, comrade, kinsman.
- 3angel shark
- A flat-bodied shark found in the sea, also called the monkfish.Also: monkfish.
Other Irish words for friar: manach (monk)
“Bráthair” with the article
The plural of friar in Irish is bráithre. Here is bráthair after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Bráthair” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using bráthair, the Irish word for friar.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Friar in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for friar?
The Irish for friar is bráthair (pronounced “BRAW-hir”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is bráithre. Depending on context it can also mean brother or angel shark.
How do you pronounce bráthair in Irish?
Bráthair is said like “BRAW-hir” (IPA /ˈbˠɾˠɑːhəɾʲ/).
What is the plural of friar in Irish?
The plural of bráthair is bráithre; with the article, na bráithre means “the friars”. The genitive plural is bráithre, as in mainistir na mbráithre (the friars' monastery).
Does bráthair have more than one meaning?
Yes. Bráthair can mean friar, brother or angel shark, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does bráthair change to bhráthair or mbráthair?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) bráthair becomes mo bhráthair (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár mbráthair (eclipsis).
What is the difference between 'bráthair' and 'deartháir'?
In modern Irish 'deartháir' is a brother in the family, while 'bráthair' is mainly a religious brother or friar. In some older and literary use 'bráthair' can still mean a kinsman.
How do I say 'the Christian Brothers' in Irish?
Say 'na Bráithre Críostaí', and a Christian Brothers' school is 'scoil na mBráithre'.
