HeyRuaHow to say “horn” in Irish
- Irish:
- beann
- English:
- horn, peak, prong, regard
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, second declension
- Pronunciation:
- “byown” /bʲaun̪ˠ/
- Plural:
- beanna (horns)
- Genitive singular:
- binne, na binne (e.g. barr na binne, the tip of the horn)
- Genitive plural:
- beann, na mbeann (e.g. fad na mbeann, the length of the horns)
What does “beann” mean?
“Beann” has four alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- horn
- A horn or antler of an animal such as a cow or deer.Also: antler.
3 other meanings: peak or prong or regard
- 2peak
- A pointed top or summit of a mountain, also a projecting point.Also: summit, pinnacle, point.
- 3prong
- A prong or tine, a pointed part sticking out of something such as a fork.Also: tine, point.
- 4regard
- Regard or esteem, used in phrases meaning to care about or depend on something.Also: esteem, dependence.
“Beann” with the article
The plural of horn in Irish is beanna. Here is beann after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Beann” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using beann, the Irish word for horn.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Horn in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for horn?
The Irish for horn is beann (pronounced “byown”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is beanna. Depending on context it can also mean peak or prong or regard.
How do you pronounce beann in Irish?
Beann is said like “byown” (IPA /bʲaun̪ˠ/).
What is the plural of horn in Irish?
The plural of beann is beanna; with the article, na beanna means “the horns”. The genitive plural is beann, as in fad na mbeann (the length of the horns).
Does beann have more than one meaning?
Yes. Beann can mean horn, peak, prong or regard, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does beann change to bheann or mbeann?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) beann becomes mo bheann (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár mbeann (eclipsis).
What does 'beann a bheith agat ar rud' mean?
It means to care about or heed something; 'níl beann aici ar an aimsir' means she doesn't care about the weather. 'Gan beann ar' means regardless of.
What is the difference between beann and adharc?
'Adharc' is the everyday word for an animal's horn, while 'beann' is more literary and is also used for peaks and prongs.
