HeyRuaHow to say “milk” in Irish
- Irish:
- bainne
- English:
- milk, milky juice
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, fourth declension
- Pronunciation:
- “BAN-yuh” /ˈbˠanʲə/
- Plural:
- bainní (milks)
- Genitive singular:
- bainne, an bhainne (e.g. buidéal bainne, a bottle of milk)
- Genitive plural:
- bainní, na mbainní (e.g. cumhdach na mbainní, the packaging of the milks)
What does “bainne” mean?
“Bainne” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- milk
- The white liquid produced by cows and other mammals, drunk or used in food.Also: dairy milk, cow's milk.
“Bainne” with the article
The plural of milk in Irish is bainní. Here is bainne after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Bainne” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using bainne, the Irish word for milk.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Milk in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for milk?
The Irish for milk is bainne (pronounced “BAN-yuh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is bainní. Depending on context it can also mean milky juice.
How do you pronounce bainne in Irish?
Bainne is said like “BAN-yuh” (IPA /ˈbˠanʲə/).
What is the plural of milk in Irish?
The plural of bainne is bainní; with the article, na bainní means “the milks”. The genitive plural is bainní, as in cumhdach na mbainní (the packaging of the milks).
Does bainne have more than one meaning?
Yes. Bainne can mean milk or milky juice, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does bainne change to bhainne or mbainne?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) bainne becomes mo bhainne (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár mbainne (eclipsis).
How do I say 'a glass of milk'?
Say 'gloine bainne'; bainne stays the same in the genitive, so 'cupán bainne' is a cup of milk.
What is buttermilk in Irish?
Buttermilk is 'bláthach', while 'bainne géar' means sour milk.
