Meat in Irish (Feoil): Meaning, Pronunciation & Examples

Q: What is the Irish for meat?

The Irish for meat is feoil (pronounced “fyohl”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is feolta. Depending on context it can also mean flesh.

Q: What is the plural of meat in Irish?

The plural of feoil is feolta; with the article, na feolta means “the meats”. The genitive plural is feolta, as in díoltóir na bhfeolta (the seller of the meats).

Q: Does feoil have more than one meaning?

Yes. Feoil can mean meat or flesh, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “meat” in Irish

Irish:: feoil
English:: meat, flesh
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine, third declension
Pronunciation:: “fyohl” /fʲoːlʲ/

Various forms

Plural:: feolta (meats)
Genitive singular:: feola, na feola (e.g. praghas na feola, the price of the meat)
Genitive plural:: feolta, na bhfeolta (e.g. díoltóir na bhfeolta, the seller of the meats)

What does “feoil” mean?

“Feoil” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

meat: The flesh of animals eaten as food.Also: flesh food.

1 other meaning: flesh

2flesh: The soft substance of a human or animal body, also used of the body as opposed to the spirit.Also: body.

“Feoil” with the article

The plural of meat in Irish is feolta. Here is feoil after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an fheoil

the meat

Lenition: f becomes fh after an (feminine noun)

na feolta

the meats

Plural: no change after na

“Feoil” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using feoil, the Irish word for meat.

An itheann tú feoil Dé hAoine?

Do you eat meat on Fridays?

Ní ithim feoil ar chor ar bith.

I don't eat meat at all.

Tá an fheoil sin ródhaor inniu.

That meat is too expensive today.

Cheannaigh mé píosa feola sa siopa.

I bought a piece of meat in the shop.

Cuir an fheoil san oigheann anois.

Put the meat in the oven now.

Díolann an búistéir feolta éagsúla.

The butcher sells various meats.

Bhí an fheoil dóite go dona.

The meat was badly burnt.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Meat in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for meat?

The Irish for meat is feoil (pronounced “fyohl”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is feolta. Depending on context it can also mean flesh.

How do you pronounce feoil in Irish?

Feoil is said like “fyohl” (IPA /fʲoːlʲ/).

What is the plural of meat in Irish?

The plural of feoil is feolta; with the article, na feolta means “the meats”. The genitive plural is feolta, as in díoltóir na bhfeolta (the seller of the meats).

Does feoil have more than one meaning?

Yes. Feoil can mean meat or flesh, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does feoil change to fheoil or bhfeoil?

Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) feoil becomes m'fheoil (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár bhfeoil (eclipsis).

How do I say beef or pork in Irish?

Irish often compounds feoil with the animal: mairteoil (beef), muiceoil (pork), caoireoil (mutton), uaineoil (lamb).

What is a vegetarian in Irish?

A vegetarian is feoilséantóir, literally a meat-refuser: Is feoilséantóir mé.

Meat in Irish (Feoil): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage