Mistake in Irish (Botún): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for mistake?

The Irish for mistake is botún (pronounced “buh-TOON”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is botúin. Depending on context it can also mean fault or farrier's knife.

Q: What is the plural of mistake in Irish?

The plural of botún is botúin; with the article, na botúin means “the mistakes”. The genitive plural is botún, as in liosta na mbotún (the list of mistakes).

Q: Does botún have more than one meaning?

Yes. Botún can mean mistake, fault or farrier's knife, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “mistake” in Irish

Irish:: botún
English:: mistake, fault, farrier's knife
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, first declension
Pronunciation:: “buh-TOON” /bˠəˈt̪ˠuːnˠ/

Various forms

Plural:: botúin (mistakes)
Genitive singular:: botúin, an bhotúin (e.g. ceartú an bhotúin, the correction of the mistake)
Genitive plural:: botún, na mbotún (e.g. liosta na mbotún, the list of mistakes)

What does “botún” mean?

“Botún” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

mistake: Something done or said wrongly, an error or blunder.Also: error, blunder, slip.

2 other meanings: fault or farrier's knife

2fault: In tennis and similar games, a serve that breaks the rules.Also: service fault.
3farrier's knife: A knife used by a farrier for trimming horses' hooves.Also: hoof knife.

Other Irish words for mistake: earráid (error), breall (mistake), meancóg (mistake)

“Botún” with the article

The plural of mistake in Irish is botúin. Here is botún after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an botún

the mistake

No change after an

na botúin

the mistakes

Plural: no change after na

“Botún” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using botún, the Irish word for mistake.

Rinne tú botún sa scrúdú.

You made a mistake in the exam.

Tá an botún ceartaithe agam.

I have corrected the mistake.

Admhaím go ndearna mé botún.

I admit that I made a mistake.

Bhí go leor botún litrithe san aiste.

There were lots of spelling mistakes in the essay.

Ba é sin an botún ba mhó a rinne mé.

That was the biggest mistake I made.

Ná bí buartha faoi na botúin bheaga.

Don't worry about the small mistakes.

D'fhoghlaim mé rud éigin as mo bhotún.

I learned something from my mistake.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

cáscase roinndepartment ceantararea leathhalf aoisage úsáiduse

Mistake in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for mistake?

The Irish for mistake is botún (pronounced “buh-TOON”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is botúin. Depending on context it can also mean fault or farrier's knife.

How do you pronounce botún in Irish?

Botún is said like “buh-TOON” (IPA /bˠəˈt̪ˠuːnˠ/).

What is the plural of mistake in Irish?

The plural of botún is botúin; with the article, na botúin means “the mistakes”. The genitive plural is botún, as in liosta na mbotún (the list of mistakes).

Does botún have more than one meaning?

Yes. Botún can mean mistake, fault or farrier's knife, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does botún change to bhotún or mbotún?

Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) botún becomes mo bhotún (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár mbotún (eclipsis).

What is the difference between botún and earráid?

Both mean mistake; botún is the everyday word for a blunder, while earráid is more formal and common for errors in texts or computing, e.g. earráid chló, a typo.

How do I say 'by mistake'?

Use trí dhearmad or de thaisme, e.g. Thóg mé do chóta trí dhearmad, 'I took your coat by mistake'.

Mistake in Irish (Botún): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage