HeyRuaHow to say “laugh” in Irish
- Irish:
- gáire
- English:
- laugh
- Word type:
- noun (verbal noun)
- Verbal noun of:
- gáir, to laugh (ag gáire, laughing)
- Gender:
- masculine, fourth declension
- Pronunciation:
- “GAW-ruh” /ˈɡɑːɾʲə/
- Plural:
- gáirí (laughs)
- Genitive singular:
- gáire, an gháire (e.g. fuaim an gháire, the sound of the laugh)
- Genitive plural:
- gáirí, na ngáirí (e.g. macalla na ngáirí, the echo of the laughter)
What does “gáire” mean?
- laugh
- A laugh or laughter; the sound people make when something amuses them, also used as the verbal noun of the verb gáir.Also: laughter, laughing, chuckle.
Other Irish words for laugh: gáir (laugh)
“Gáire” as a verbal noun
After ag, gáire means laughing: it is the verbal noun of the verb gáir (to laugh). A noun that follows it goes into the genitive.
“Gáire” with the article
The plural of laugh in Irish is gáirí. Here is gáire after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Gáire” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using gáire, the Irish word for laugh.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Laugh in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for laugh?
The Irish for laugh is gáire (pronounced “GAW-ruh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is gáirí.
How do you pronounce gáire in Irish?
Gáire is said like “GAW-ruh” (IPA /ˈɡɑːɾʲə/).
What is the plural of laugh in Irish?
The plural of gáire is gáirí; with the article, na gáirí means “the laughs”. The genitive plural is gáirí, as in macalla na ngáirí (the echo of the laughter).
Why does gáire change to gháire or ngáire?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) gáire becomes mo gháire (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár ngáire (eclipsis).
How do I say 'to laugh' in Irish?
The usual way is gáire a dhéanamh, e.g. Rinne sí gáire (She laughed); 'laughing' is ag gáire.
What is the difference between gáire and miongháire?
Gáire is a laugh, while miongháire is a smile or a small laugh; a smile is also meangadh gáire.
