Paper in Irish (Páipéar): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for paper?

The Irish for paper is páipéar (pronounced “PAW-pair”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is páipéir. Depending on context it can also mean newspaper or paper (document, exam, essay).

Q: What is the plural of paper in Irish?

The plural of páipéar is páipéir; with the article, na páipéir means “the papers”. The genitive plural is páipéar, as in carn na bpáipéar (the pile of papers).

Q: Does páipéar have more than one meaning?

Yes. Páipéar can mean paper, newspaper or paper (document, exam, essay), depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “paper” in Irish

Irish:: páipéar
English:: paper, newspaper, paper (document, exam, essay)
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, first declension
Pronunciation:: “PAW-pair” /ˈpˠɑːpʲeːɾˠ/

Various forms

Plural:: páipéir (papers)
Genitive singular:: páipéir, an pháipéir (e.g. leathanach an pháipéir, the page of the paper)
Genitive plural:: páipéar, na bpáipéar (e.g. carn na bpáipéar, the pile of papers)

What does “páipéar” mean?

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

paper: The thin material made from wood pulp that you write, print or wrap things on.Also: sheet of paper, writing paper.

2 other meanings: newspaper or paper (document, exam, essay)

2newspaper: A daily or weekly publication with news, often just called 'the paper'.Also: paper, daily paper.
3paper (document, exam, essay): A written document, such as an exam paper or an academic paper presented to others.Also: paper, exam paper, document, essay.

Other Irish words for paper: nuachtán (newspaper), cáipéis (document), doiciméad (document)

“Páipéar” with the article

The plural of paper in Irish is páipéir. Here is páipéar after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an páipéar

the paper

No change after an

na páipéir

the papers

Plural: no change after na

“Páipéar” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using páipéar, the Irish word for paper.

An bhfuil páipéar agat?

Do you have any paper?

Fill an páipéar ina dhá leath.

Fold the paper in half.

Léigh mé é sa pháipéar inné.

I read it in the paper yesterday.

Cheannaigh m'athair na páipéir Domhnaigh ar maidin.

My father bought the Sunday papers this morning.

Tá mo pháipéar scrúdaithe críochnaithe agam.

I have finished my exam paper.

Cuir an bruscar páipéir sa bhosca athchúrsála.

Put the waste paper in the recycling bin.

Bhí a phictiúr i bpáipéar áitiúil.

His picture was in a local paper.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Paper in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for paper?

The Irish for paper is páipéar (pronounced “PAW-pair”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is páipéir. Depending on context it can also mean newspaper or paper (document, exam, essay).

How do you pronounce páipéar in Irish?

Páipéar is said like “PAW-pair” (IPA /ˈpˠɑːpʲeːɾˠ/).

What is the plural of paper in Irish?

The plural of páipéar is páipéir; with the article, na páipéir means “the papers”. The genitive plural is páipéar, as in carn na bpáipéar (the pile of papers).

Does páipéar have more than one meaning?

Yes. Páipéar can mean paper, newspaper or paper (document, exam, essay), depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does páipéar change to pháipéar or bpáipéar?

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

What is the difference between 'páipéar' and 'nuachtán'?

'Nuachtán' means only a newspaper, while 'páipéar' means paper in general and is also used informally for a newspaper, as in 'sa pháipéar'.

Paper in Irish (Páipéar): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage