Opinion in Irish (Barúil): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for opinion?

The Irish for opinion is barúil (pronounced “BAR-ool”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is barúlacha. Depending on context it can also mean guess.

Q: What is the plural of opinion in Irish?

The plural of barúil is barúlacha; with the article, na barúlacha means “the opinions”. The genitive plural is barúlacha, as in malartú na mbarúlacha (the exchange of opinions).

Q: Does barúil have more than one meaning?

Yes. Barúil can mean opinion or guess, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “opinion” in Irish

Irish:: barúil
English:: opinion, guess
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine, third declension
Pronunciation:: “BAR-ool” /ˈbˠaɾˠuːlʲ/

Various forms

Plural:: barúlacha (opinions)
Genitive singular:: barúla, na barúla (e.g. athrú barúla, a change of opinion)
Genitive plural:: barúlacha, na mbarúlacha (e.g. malartú na mbarúlacha, the exchange of opinions)

What does “barúil” mean?

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

opinion: What a person thinks or believes about something; a view or judgement.Also: view, belief, notion, idea.

1 other meaning: guess

2guess: An estimate or supposition about something you are not sure of.Also: estimate, supposition, conjecture.

Other Irish words for opinion: tuairim (opinion)

“Barúil” with the article

The plural of opinion in Irish is barúlacha. Here is barúil after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an bharúil

the opinion

Lenition: b becomes bh after an (feminine noun)

na barúlacha

the opinions

Plural: no change after na

“Barúil” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using barúil, the Irish word for opinion.

Cad é do bharúil féin?

What do you think yourself?

Tá daoine áirithe den bharúil go bhfuil sé mícheart.

Certain people are of the opinion that he is wrong.

Is é mo bharúil go mbeidh sé ag cur báistí.

My guess is that it will rain.

Níl aon bharúil agam cá bhfuil sí.

I have no idea where she is.

Bhí barúlacha éagsúla ag na múinteoirí.

The teachers had different opinions.

Ní raibh mé ar aon bharúil leis.

I didn't agree with him.

D'athraigh sé a bharúil tar éis an chruinnithe.

He changed his mind after the meeting.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Opinion in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for opinion?

The Irish for opinion is barúil (pronounced “BAR-ool”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is barúlacha. Depending on context it can also mean guess.

How do you pronounce barúil in Irish?

Barúil is said like “BAR-ool” (IPA /ˈbˠaɾˠuːlʲ/).

What is the plural of opinion in Irish?

The plural of barúil is barúlacha; with the article, na barúlacha means “the opinions”. The genitive plural is barúlacha, as in malartú na mbarúlacha (the exchange of opinions).

Does barúil have more than one meaning?

Yes. Barúil can mean opinion or guess, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does barúil change to bharúil or mbarúil?

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

What is the difference between barúil and tuairim?

Both mean opinion; tuairim is the more standard word in formal writing, while barúil is very common in speech, especially in Ulster, as in 'Cad é do bharúil?'.

How do I say 'I have no idea' with barúil?

Say 'Níl barúil agam' or 'Níl barúil dá laghad agam', meaning I have no idea at all.

Opinion in Irish (Barúil): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage