HeyRuaHow to say “life” in Irish
- Irish:
- beatha
- English:
- life, livelihood, food, biography
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, fourth declension
- Pronunciation:
- “BYA-huh” /ˈbʲahə/
- Plural:
- beathaí (lives)
- Genitive singular:
- beatha, na beatha (e.g. slí bheatha, way of life, occupation)
- Genitive plural:
- beathaí, na mbeathaí (e.g. scéalta na mbeathaí, the life stories)
What does “beatha” mean?
“Beatha” has four alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- life
- The state of being alive, or the course of a person's existence.Also: existence, lifetime.
3 other meanings: livelihood or food or biography
- 2livelihood
- The way a person earns a living, especially in the phrase 'slí bheatha'.Also: living, occupation.
- 3food
- Food or nourishment that keeps a person or animal alive.Also: sustenance, nourishment.
- 4biography
- A written account of a person's life.Also: life story.
Other Irish words for life: saol (life)
“Beatha” with the article
The plural of life in Irish is beathaí. Here is beatha after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Beatha” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using beatha, the Irish word for life.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Life in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for life?
The Irish for life is beatha (pronounced “BYA-huh”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is beathaí. Depending on context it can also mean livelihood or food or biography.
How do you pronounce beatha in Irish?
Beatha is said like “BYA-huh” (IPA /ˈbʲahə/).
What is the plural of life in Irish?
The plural of beatha is beathaí; with the article, na beathaí means “the lives”. The genitive plural is beathaí, as in scéalta na mbeathaí (the life stories).
Does beatha have more than one meaning?
Yes. Beatha can mean life, livelihood, food or biography, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does beatha change to bheatha or mbeatha?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) beatha becomes mo bheatha (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár mbeatha (eclipsis).
What is the difference between 'beatha' and 'saol'?
Both mean life, but 'saol' is the everyday word for life and the world (sa saol seo), while 'beatha' stresses being alive and livelihood, as in 'slí bheatha'.
Why does 'uisce beatha' mean whiskey?
'Uisce beatha' literally means water of life, and the English word whiskey comes from it.
