HeyRuaHow to say “girl” in Irish
- Irish:
- girseach
- English:
- girl, girlfriend
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, second declension
- Pronunciation:
- “GIR-shukh” /ˈɟɪɾˠʃəx/
- Plural:
- girseacha (girls)
- Genitive singular:
- girsí, na girsí (e.g. máthair na girsí, the girl's mother)
- Genitive plural:
- girseach, na ngirseach (e.g. scoil na ngirseach, the girls' school)
What does “girseach” mean?
“Girseach” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- girl
- A young girl, a female child; the word is especially common in Ulster Irish.Also: young girl, little girl, lass, female child.
1 other meaning: girlfriend
- 2girlfriend
- In informal Ulster usage, a young woman someone is going out with.Also: sweetheart.
Other Irish words for girl: cailín (girl), gearrchaile (young girl)
“Girseach” with the article
The plural of girl in Irish is girseacha. Here is girseach after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Girseach” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using girseach, the Irish word for girl.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Girl in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for girl?
The Irish for girl is girseach (pronounced “GIR-shukh”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is girseacha. Depending on context it can also mean girlfriend.
How do you pronounce girseach in Irish?
Girseach is said like “GIR-shukh” (IPA /ˈɟɪɾˠʃəx/).
What is the plural of girl in Irish?
The plural of girseach is girseacha; with the article, na girseacha means “the girls”. The genitive plural is girseach, as in scoil na ngirseach (the girls' school).
Does girseach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Girseach can mean girl or girlfriend, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does girseach change to ghirseach or ngirseach?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) girseach becomes mo ghirseach (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár ngirseach (eclipsis).
What is the difference between 'girseach' and 'cailín'?
Both mean girl, but 'cailín' is the general standard word, while 'girseach' is used especially in Ulster, often for a young girl or child.
Is 'girseach' feminine even though it ends like a masculine word?
Yes, 'girseach' is feminine, so you say 'an ghirseach' and 'girseach bheag'.
