HeyRuaHow to say “subway” in Irish
- Irish:
- fobhealach
- English:
- subway, underground railway
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine
- Pronunciation:
- “FUH-val-ukh” /ˈfˠɔvʲalˠəx/
- Plural:
- fobhealaí (subways)
- Genitive singular:
- fobhealaigh, an fhobhealaigh (e.g. bealach isteach an fhobhealaigh, the entrance to the subway)
- Genitive plural:
- fobhealaí, na bhfobhealaí (e.g. soilsiú na bhfobhealaí, the lighting of the subways)
What does “fobhealach” mean?
“Fobhealach” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- subway
- An underground passage, especially one that lets people walk under a road.Also: underpass, pedestrian tunnel, underground passage.
1 other meaning: underground railway
- 2underground railway
- An underground railway system in a city, as the word is used in American English.Also: subway, underground, metro, tube.
“Fobhealach” with the article
The plural of subway in Irish is fobhealaí. Here is fobhealach after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Fobhealach” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using fobhealach, the Irish word for subway.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Subway in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for subway?
The Irish for subway is fobhealach (pronounced “FUH-val-ukh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is fobhealaí. Depending on context it can also mean underground railway.
How do you pronounce fobhealach in Irish?
Fobhealach is said like “FUH-val-ukh” (IPA /ˈfˠɔvʲalˠəx/).
What is the plural of subway in Irish?
The plural of fobhealach is fobhealaí; with the article, na fobhealaí means “the subways”. The genitive plural is fobhealaí, as in soilsiú na bhfobhealaí (the lighting of the subways).
Does fobhealach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Fobhealach can mean subway or underground railway, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does fobhealach change to fhobhealach or bhfobhealach?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) fobhealach becomes m'fhobhealach (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár bhfobhealach (eclipsis).
Is 'fobhealach' the word for the London Underground?
For an underground railway, 'traein faoi thalamh' or 'an Tiúb' is often used, while 'fobhealach' is mainly a pedestrian underpass, though it also covers the American 'subway'.
