HeyRuaHow to say “home” in Irish
- Irish:
- baile
- English:
- home, town, townland
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, fourth declension
- Pronunciation:
- “BAL-yuh” /ˈbˠalʲə/
- Plural:
- bailte (homes)
- Genitive singular:
- baile, an bhaile (e.g. muintir an bhaile, the people at home)
- Genitive plural:
- bailte, na mbailte (e.g. muintir na mbailte, the people of the towns)
What does “baile” mean?
“Baile” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- home
- The place where you live, especially in phrases like 'sa bhaile' (at home).Also: homestead, household.
2 other meanings: town or townland
- 2town
- A settlement of houses and people, such as a town or village.Also: village, settlement.
- 3townland
- A small traditional rural land division in Ireland, often found in place names.Also: rural district.
Other Irish words for home: teach (house)
“Baile” with the article
The plural of home in Irish is bailte. Here is baile after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Baile” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using baile, the Irish word for home.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Home in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for home?
The Irish for home is baile (pronounced “BAL-yuh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is bailte. Depending on context it can also mean town or townland.
How do you pronounce baile in Irish?
Baile is said like “BAL-yuh” (IPA /ˈbˠalʲə/).
What is the plural of home in Irish?
The plural of baile is bailte; with the article, na bailte means “the homes”. The genitive plural is bailte, as in muintir na mbailte (the people of the towns).
Does baile have more than one meaning?
Yes. Baile can mean home, town or townland, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does baile change to bhaile or mbaile?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) baile becomes mo bhaile (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár mbaile (eclipsis).
What is the difference between 'sa bhaile' and 'abhaile'?
'Sa bhaile' means at home (location), as in 'Tá mé sa bhaile', while 'abhaile' means homeward (motion), as in 'Tá mé ag dul abhaile'.
How do I say 'town' versus 'village'?
A town is usually 'baile mór' and a village is 'baile beag' or 'sráidbhaile'.
