HeyRuaHow to say “meal” in Irish
- Irish:
- béile
- English:
- meal
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, fourth declension
- Pronunciation:
- “BAY-luh” /ˈbʲeːlʲə/
- Plural:
- béilí (meals)
- Genitive singular:
- béile, an bhéile (e.g. costas an bhéile, the cost of the meal)
- Genitive plural:
- béilí, na mbéilí (e.g. praghas na mbéilí, the price of the meals)
What does “béile” mean?
- meal
- Food that is prepared and eaten, usually at a regular time of day.Also: repast, dinner, feed.
“Béile” with the article
The plural of meal in Irish is béilí. Here is béile after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Béile” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using béile, the Irish word for meal.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Phrases with “béile”
Meal in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for meal?
The Irish for meal is béile (pronounced “BAY-luh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is béilí.
How do you pronounce béile in Irish?
Béile is said like “BAY-luh” (IPA /ˈbʲeːlʲə/).
What is the plural of meal in Irish?
The plural of béile is béilí; with the article, na béilí means “the meals”. The genitive plural is béilí, as in praghas na mbéilí (the price of the meals).
Why does béile change to bhéile or mbéile?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) béile becomes mo bhéile (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár mbéile (eclipsis).
What is the difference between 'béile' and 'dinnéar'?
'Béile' is any meal, while 'dinnéar' is specifically dinner, the main meal of the day.
How do I say 'to go out for a meal'?
You can say 'dul amach le haghaidh béile', or in Ulster 'dul amach fá choinne béile'.
