HeyRuaHow to say “loaf” in Irish
- Irish:
- bairín
- English:
- loaf
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, fourth declension
- Pronunciation:
- “BAR-een” /ˈbˠaɾʲiːnʲ/
- Plural:
- bairíní (loaves)
- Genitive singular:
- bairín, an bhairín (e.g. blas an bhairín, the taste of the loaf)
- Genitive plural:
- bairíní, na mbairíní (e.g. boladh na mbairíní, the smell of the loaves)
What does “bairín” mean?
- loaf
- A loaf of bread, especially a round or small loaf; also used in 'bairín breac', a fruit loaf.Also: loaf of bread, bun, cake.
Other Irish words for loaf: arán (bread), bollóg (loaf), builín (loaf)
“Bairín” with the article
The plural of loaf in Irish is bairíní. Here is bairín after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Bairín” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using bairín, the Irish word for loaf.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Loaf in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for loaf?
The Irish for loaf is bairín (pronounced “BAR-een”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is bairíní.
How do you pronounce bairín in Irish?
Bairín is said like “BAR-een” (IPA /ˈbˠaɾʲiːnʲ/).
What is the plural of loaf in Irish?
The plural of bairín is bairíní; with the article, na bairíní means “the loaves”. The genitive plural is bairíní, as in boladh na mbairíní (the smell of the loaves).
Why does bairín change to bhairín or mbairín?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) bairín becomes mo bhairín (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár mbairín (eclipsis).
What is the difference between 'bairín' and 'builín'?
Both mean a loaf, but 'builín' is the more general everyday word, while 'bairín' is best known from 'bairín breac', the Halloween fruit loaf.
Where does the English word 'barmbrack' come from?
It comes from the Irish 'bairín breac', meaning a speckled loaf, because of the fruit in it.
