HeyRuaHow to say “honey” in Irish
- Irish:
- mil
- English:
- honey
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, third declension
- Pronunciation:
- “mil” /mʲɪlʲ/
Various forms
- Genitive singular:
- meala, na meala (e.g. crúsca meala, a jar of honey)
What does “mil” mean?
- honey
- The sweet, thick, golden food that bees make from the nectar of flowers.Also: bee honey, sweetness.
“Mil” with the article
Here is mil after the article (an t-alt).
an mhil
the honey
Lenition: m becomes mh after an (feminine noun)
“Mil” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using mil, the Irish word for honey.
Is maith liom mil ar mo thósta.
I like honey on my toast.
Cuir spúnóg meala sa tae.
Put a spoonful of honey in the tea.
Déanann na beacha mil sa choirceog.
Bees make honey in the hive.
Tá an mhil seo an-mhilis ar fad.
This honey is very sweet indeed.
Cheannaigh mé próca meala ag an margadh.
I bought a jar of honey at the market.
Bhí blas na meala ar an gcíste.
The cake tasted of honey.
Ná fág an mhil ar an mbord.
Don't leave the honey on the table.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Honey in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for honey?
The Irish for honey is mil (pronounced “mil”). It’s a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce mil in Irish?
Mil is said like “mil” (IPA /mʲɪlʲ/).
Does mil have a plural?
No plural form is given for mil in the standard. Many abstract and mass nouns in Irish have no plural.
Why does mil change to mhil?
After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo mhil. After ár (our) it stays ár mil, because m does not take eclipsis.
How do you say 'honeymoon' in Irish?
It is 'mí na meala', literally 'the month of honey', using the genitive 'meala'.
Is 'mil' used for sweet talk too?
Yes, figuratively; 'béal meala' means a honeyed or flattering mouth, someone with sweet words.
