HeyRuaHow to say “mute” in Irish
- Irish:
- balbh
- English:
- mute, inarticulate, muffled
- Word type:
- adjective
- Muter:
- níos bailbhe
- Mutest:
- is bailbhe
- Plural:
- balbha
- Pronunciation:
- “BAL-uv” /ˈbˠal̪ˠəvˠ/
What does “balbh” mean?
“Balbh” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- mute
- Unable to speak, or not speaking at all.Also: dumb, speechless, silent.
2 other meanings: inarticulate or muffled
- 2inarticulate
- Not able to express yourself clearly in words.Also: tongue-tied, stammering.
- 3muffled
- Describing a sound that is dull or not clear.Also: dull, muted.
“Balbh” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is balbh after fear (man, masculine), after bean (woman, feminine) and after a plural.
séimhiú (the h) the ending
After a feminine noun the adjective gets a séimhiú, an h after its first letter: bean bhalbh. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: fear balbh.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, balbha. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant: fir bhalbha; after other plurals it does not: mná balbha.
Muter, mutest, very mute
| muter | níos bailbhe | in the past tense: ní ba bhailbhe |
|---|---|---|
| mutest | is bailbhe | in the past tense: ba bhailbhe |
| as mute as | chomh balbh le | no change after chomh |
| very mute | an-bhalbh | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too mute | róbhalbh | ró- lenites |
“Balbh” in a sentence: Irish examples
With a masculine noun, a feminine noun, a plural, a comparison and on its own.
Other adjectives in Irish
More everyday Irish adjectives to learn next.
Mute in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for mute?
The Irish for mute is balbh (pronounced “BAL-uv”). It comes after the noun: fear balbh, a mute man; bean bhalbh, a mute woman.
How do you say muter and mutest in Irish?
níos bailbhe is muter and is bailbhe is mutest. In the past tense they become ní ba bhailbhe and ba bhailbhe.
Why does balbh become bhalbh?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So bean bhalbh (a mute woman) but fear balbh (a mute man), because fear is masculine.
What is the plural of balbh?
With a plural noun balbh becomes balbha: fir bhalbha, mná balbha. After a plural that ends in a slender consonant it is lenited as well.
How do you say very mute in Irish?
an-bhalbh. Too mute is róbhalbh, and as mute as is chomh balbh le.
Does balbh have more than one meaning?
Yes. Balbh can mean mute, inarticulate or muffled, depending on context; the first is the most common.
How do I say I was speechless with surprise?
Say "Bhí mé balbh le hiontas", using "le" for the cause.
What is the difference between balbh and bodhar?
"Balbh" means unable to speak, while "bodhar" means deaf.
