HeyRuaHow to say “getting” in Irish
- Irish:
- fáil
- English:
- getting, availability, chance
- Word type:
- noun (verbal noun)
- Verbal noun of:
- faigh, to get (ag fáil, getting)
- Gender:
- feminine, third declension
- Pronunciation:
- “fawl” /fˠɑːlʲ/
- Plural:
- fálacha
- Genitive singular:
- fála, na fála (e.g. dáta na fála, date of receipt)
- Genitive plural:
- fálacha, na bhfálacha (e.g. dátaí na bhfálacha, the dates of receipt)
What does “fáil” mean?
“Fáil” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- getting
- The act of getting, obtaining or receiving something; it is the verbal noun of the verb faigh.Also: obtaining, receiving, acquisition, receipt.
2 other meanings: availability or chance
- 2availability
- The state of being obtainable, used mainly in the phrases ar fáil and le fáil meaning 'available, to be had'.Also: available, obtainable, to be had.
- 3chance
- An opportunity or means of getting at something, as in 'fáil a bheith agat ar rud'.Also: opportunity, access, means.
“Fáil” as a verbal noun
After ag, fáil means getting: it is the verbal noun of the verb faigh (to get). A noun that follows it goes into the genitive.
“Fáil” with the article
The plural of getting in Irish is fálacha. Here is fáil after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Fáil” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using fáil, the Irish word for getting.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Phrases with “fáil”
Getting in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for getting?
The Irish for getting is fáil (pronounced “fawl”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is fálacha. Depending on context it can also mean availability or chance.
How do you pronounce fáil in Irish?
Fáil is said like “fawl” (IPA /fˠɑːlʲ/).
What is the plural of getting in Irish?
The plural of fáil is fálacha; with the article, it is na fálacha. The genitive plural is fálacha, as in dátaí na bhfálacha (the dates of receipt).
Does fáil have more than one meaning?
Yes. Fáil can mean getting, availability or chance, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does fáil change to fháil or bhfáil?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) fáil becomes m'fháil (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár bhfáil (eclipsis).
What is the difference between 'ar fáil' and 'le fáil'?
Both mean available: 'ar fáil' says something is on offer, as in 'Tá sé ar fáil anois', while 'le fáil' stresses it can be got or found, as in 'Níl obair le fáil'.
Why does 'fáil' become 'fháil' after a verb?
When a verbal noun follows its object with 'a', it is lenited: 'cead a fháil' means 'to get permission'.
