HeyRuaHow to say “heroine” in Irish
- Irish:
- banlaoch
- English:
- heroine, female warrior
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine
- Pronunciation:
- “BAN-leekh” /ˈbˠanˠl̪ˠiːx/
- Plural:
- banlaochra (heroines)
- Genitive singular:
- banlaoich, an bhanlaoich (e.g. scéal an bhanlaoich, the story of the heroine)
- Genitive plural:
- banlaochra, na mbanlaochra (e.g. saol na mbanlaochra, the life of the heroines)
What does “banlaoch” mean?
“Banlaoch” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- heroine
- A woman admired for her courage or great deeds, or the main female character in a story.Also: female hero, brave woman.
1 other meaning: female warrior
- 2female warrior
- A woman who fights as a warrior, especially in old stories and legends.Also: woman warrior, amazon.
“Banlaoch” with the article
The plural of heroine in Irish is banlaochra. Here is banlaoch after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Banlaoch” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using banlaoch, the Irish word for heroine.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Heroine in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for heroine?
The Irish for heroine is banlaoch (pronounced “BAN-leekh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is banlaochra. Depending on context it can also mean female warrior.
How do you pronounce banlaoch in Irish?
Banlaoch is said like “BAN-leekh” (IPA /ˈbˠanˠl̪ˠiːx/).
What is the plural of heroine in Irish?
The plural of banlaoch is banlaochra; with the article, na banlaochra means “the heroines”. The genitive plural is banlaochra, as in saol na mbanlaochra (the life of the heroines).
Does banlaoch have more than one meaning?
Yes. Banlaoch can mean heroine or female warrior, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does banlaoch change to bhanlaoch or mbanlaoch?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) banlaoch becomes mo bhanlaoch (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár mbanlaoch (eclipsis).
Why is 'banlaoch' masculine when it refers to a woman?
Compounds take the gender of the final element, and 'laoch' is masculine, so 'banlaoch' is grammatically masculine: 'an banlaoch', though pronouns referring to her are still 'sí' and 'í'.
How is 'banlaoch' formed?
It combines the prefix 'ban-' (female, from 'bean') with 'laoch' (hero, warrior), like 'banphrionsa' or 'banaltra'.
