Mouth in Irish (Béal): Meaning, Pronunciation & Examples

Q: What is the Irish for mouth?

The Irish for mouth is béal (pronounced “bayl”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is béil. Depending on context it can also mean opening or edge or muzzle.

Q: What is the plural of mouth in Irish?

The plural of béal is béil; with the article, na béil means “the mouths”. The genitive plural is béal, as in cruth na mbéal (the shape of the mouths).

Q: Does béal have more than one meaning?

Yes. Béal can mean mouth, opening, edge or muzzle, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “mouth” in Irish

Irish:: béal
English:: mouth, opening, edge, muzzle
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, first declension
Pronunciation:: “bayl” /bʲeːlˠ/

Various forms

Plural:: béil (mouths)
Genitive singular:: béil, an bhéil (e.g. cúinne an bhéil, the corner of the mouth)
Genitive plural:: béal, na mbéal (e.g. cruth na mbéal, the shape of the mouths)

What does “béal” mean?

“Béal” has four alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

mouth: The opening in the face used for eating and speaking.Also: lips, gob.

3 other meanings: opening or edge or muzzle

2opening: The mouth or entrance of something, such as a river, bag, cave or harbour.Also: mouth of river, entrance, estuary.
3edge: The sharp cutting edge of a blade or tool.Also: blade edge, cutting edge.
4muzzle: The open front end of a gun barrel.Also: gun muzzle.

Other Irish words for mouth: cab (mouth), pus (mouth)

“Béal” with the article

The plural of mouth in Irish is béil. Here is béal after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an béal

the mouth

No change after an

na béil

the mouths

Plural: no change after na

“Béal” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using béal, the Irish word for mouth.

Oscail do bhéal, le do thoil.

Open your mouth, please.

Dún do bhéal agus éist liom.

Shut your mouth and listen to me.

Bhí an béal tirim aige ón eagla.

His mouth was dry with fear.

Tá mo bhéal dóite ag an tae.

The tea has burnt my mouth.

Tá teach againn ag béal na habhann.

We have a house at the mouth of the river.

Chuir sé milseán ina bhéal.

He put a sweet in his mouth.

Ná labhair agus do bhéal lán.

Don't talk with your mouth full.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

cinneadhdeciding cinneadhdecision aithneacquaintance codladhsleep costascost áisfacility

Mouth in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for mouth?

The Irish for mouth is béal (pronounced “bayl”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is béil. Depending on context it can also mean opening or edge or muzzle.

How do you pronounce béal in Irish?

Béal is said like “bayl” (IPA /bʲeːlˠ/).

What is the plural of mouth in Irish?

The plural of béal is béil; with the article, na béil means “the mouths”. The genitive plural is béal, as in cruth na mbéal (the shape of the mouths).

Does béal have more than one meaning?

Yes. Béal can mean mouth, opening, edge or muzzle, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does béal change to bhéal or mbéal?

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

What does 'an béal bocht' mean?

'An béal bocht' means pleading poverty or putting on the poor mouth, as in 'Ná bí ag déanamh an bhéil bhoicht'.

How do I say something is upside down using 'béal'?

'Béal faoi' means face down or upside down, for example 'Bhí an bád béal faoi'.

Mouth in Irish (Béal): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage