HeyRuaHow to say “pancreas” in Irish
- Irish:
- briseán
- English:
- pancreas, sweetbread
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, first declension
- Pronunciation:
- “brish-AWN” /bʲɾʲɪˈʃɑːn̪ˠ/
- Plural:
- briseáin (pancreases)
- Genitive singular:
- briseáin, an bhriseáin (e.g. ailse an bhriseáin, cancer of the pancreas)
- Genitive plural:
- briseán, na mbriseán (e.g. ailse na mbriseán, cancer of the pancreases)
What does “briseán” mean?
“Briseán” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- pancreas
- A gland near the stomach that produces digestive juices and insulin.Also: pancreatic gland.
1 other meaning: sweetbread
- 2sweetbread
- The pancreas or thymus of a young animal, such as a calf or lamb, eaten as food.Also: sweetbreads.
“Briseán” with the article
The plural of pancreas in Irish is briseáin. Here is briseán after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Briseán” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using briseán, the Irish word for pancreas.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Pancreas in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for pancreas?
The Irish for pancreas is briseán (pronounced “brish-AWN”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is briseáin. Depending on context it can also mean sweetbread.
How do you pronounce briseán in Irish?
Briseán is said like “brish-AWN” (IPA /bʲɾʲɪˈʃɑːn̪ˠ/).
What is the plural of pancreas in Irish?
The plural of briseán is briseáin; with the article, na briseáin means “the pancreases”. The genitive plural is briseán, as in ailse na mbriseán (cancer of the pancreases).
Does briseán have more than one meaning?
Yes. Briseán can mean pancreas or sweetbread, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does briseán change to bhriseán or mbriseán?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) briseán becomes mo bhriseán (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár mbriseán (eclipsis).
Is 'briseán' related to the verb 'bris' (break)?
It looks similar to 'bris', but 'briseán' is simply the established word for the pancreas, and in cooking it means sweetbread; don't read it as 'something broken'.
