HeyRuaHow to say “increase” in Irish
- Irish:
- breis
- English:
- increase, extra, excess
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, second declension
- Pronunciation:
- “bresh” /bʲɾʲɛʃ/
- Plural:
- breiseanna (increases)
- Genitive singular:
- breise, na breise (e.g. am breise, extra time)
- Genitive plural:
- breiseanna, na mbreiseanna (e.g. liosta na mbreiseanna, list of the additions)
What does “breis” mean?
“Breis” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- increase
- An addition or increase to an amount, size or number.Also: addition, increment, more.
2 other meanings: extra or excess
- 2extra
- Something additional or extra; as genitive 'breise' after a noun it means extra or spare.Also: additional, spare, surplus.
- 3excess
- An amount over what is needed, used in 'breis is' meaning more than.Also: more than, overmuch, over.
Other Irish words for increase: méadú (increase), méadaigh (increase), breisiú (increase), breisigh (increase)
“Breis” with the article
The plural of increase in Irish is breiseanna. Here is breis after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Breis” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using breis, the Irish word for increase.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Increase in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for increase?
The Irish for increase is breis (pronounced “bresh”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is breiseanna. Depending on context it can also mean extra or excess.
How do you pronounce breis in Irish?
Breis is said like “bresh” (IPA /bʲɾʲɛʃ/).
What is the plural of increase in Irish?
The plural of breis is breiseanna; with the article, na breiseanna means “the increases”. The genitive plural is breiseanna, as in liosta na mbreiseanna (list of the additions).
Does breis have more than one meaning?
Yes. Breis can mean increase, extra or excess, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does breis change to bhreis or mbreis?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) breis becomes mo bhreis (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár mbreis (eclipsis).
How do I say 'more than' with numbers?
Use 'breis is' or 'breis agus': 'breis is deich mbliana' means more than ten years.
How do I say 'extra' before a noun?
Put the genitive 'breise' after the noun: 'lá breise' is an extra day, 'obair bhreise' is extra work.
