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Princess in Irish (Banphrionsa): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage

The Irish for princess is banphrionsa, a masculine noun (plural banphrionsaí).
Updated October 2026Report a mistake

How to say “princess” in Irish

Irish:
banphrionsa
English:
princess
Word type:
noun
Gender:
masculine, fourth declension
Pronunciation:
“BAN-frin-suh”  /ˈbˠanˠˌfʲɾʲɪnˠsˠə/
Various forms
Plural:
banphrionsaí (princesses)
Genitive singular:
banphrionsa, an bhanphrionsa (e.g. gúna an bhanphrionsa, the princess's dress)
Genitive plural:
banphrionsaí, na mbanphrionsaí (e.g. scéalta na mbanphrionsaí, the stories of the princesses)

What does “banphrionsa” mean?

princess
A female member of a royal family, especially the daughter of a king or queen, or the wife of a prince.Also: royal daughter, prince's wife.

“Banphrionsa” with the article

The plural of princess in Irish is banphrionsaí. Here is banphrionsa after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an banphrionsa
the princess
No change after an
na banphrionsaí
the princesses
Plural: no change after na

“Banphrionsa” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using banphrionsa, the Irish word for princess.

Bhí banphrionsa ina cónaí sa chaisleán.
A princess lived in the castle.
Phós an banphrionsa an rí óg.
The princess married the young king.
Chonaic mé pictiúr den bhanphrionsa ar an nuachtán.
I saw a picture of the princess in the newspaper.
Is maith le m'iníon scéalta faoi bhanphrionsaí.
My daughter likes stories about princesses.
Ba í an bhean sin banphrionsa na Breataine Bige.
That woman was the Princess of Wales.
Gléasadh í mar bhanphrionsa don chóisir.
She was dressed as a princess for the party.
Bhí coróin óir ar cheann an bhanphrionsa.
There was a gold crown on the princess's head.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

Princess in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for princess?

The Irish for princess is banphrionsa (pronounced “BAN-frin-suh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is banphrionsaí.

How do you pronounce banphrionsa in Irish?

Banphrionsa is said like “BAN-frin-suh” (IPA /ˈbˠanˠˌfʲɾʲɪnˠsˠə/).

What is the plural of princess in Irish?

The plural of banphrionsa is banphrionsaí; with the article, na banphrionsaí means “the princesses”. The genitive plural is banphrionsaí, as in scéalta na mbanphrionsaí (the stories of the princesses).

Why does banphrionsa change to bhanphrionsa or mbanphrionsa?

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

Is 'banphrionsa' masculine even though it means a woman?

Yes, grammatically banphrionsa is masculine, like prionsa, so you say an banphrionsa; but pronouns referring to her are feminine: tá sí ann.

How is 'banphrionsa' formed?

It is ban- (woman, female) plus prionsa (prince), the same pattern as banaltra or banfhile.

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