HeyRuaHow to say “top” in Irish
- Irish:
- barr
- English:
- top, tip, crop, excellence
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, first declension
- Pronunciation:
- “bahr” /bˠɑːɾˠ/
- Plural:
- barra (tops)
- Genitive singular:
- bairr, an bhairr (e.g. fás an bhairr, the growth of the crop)
- Genitive plural:
- barr, na mbarr (e.g. praghas na mbarr, the price of crops)
What does “barr” mean?
“Barr” has four alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- top
- The highest part or upper surface of something, such as a hill, page or table.Also: summit, peak, surface.
3 other meanings: tip or crop or excellence
- 2tip
- The end or point of something, such as a finger, tongue or branch.Also: point, end.
- 3crop
- The produce grown in a field in a season; a crop or yield.Also: yield, harvest.
- 4excellence
- The best or highest degree of something, superiority, as in 'barr maise' or 'thar barr' (excellent).Also: superiority, best.
Other Irish words for top: uachtar (top), mullach (top), dromchla (surface), buaic (peak)
“Barr” with the article
The plural of top in Irish is barra. Here is barr after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Barr” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using barr, the Irish word for top.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Top in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for top?
The Irish for top is barr (pronounced “bahr”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is barra. Depending on context it can also mean tip or crop or excellence.
How do you pronounce barr in Irish?
Barr is said like “bahr” (IPA /bˠɑːɾˠ/).
What is the plural of top in Irish?
The plural of barr is barra; with the article, na barra means “the tops”. The genitive plural is barr, as in praghas na mbarr (the price of crops).
Does barr have more than one meaning?
Yes. Barr can mean top, tip, crop or excellence, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does barr change to bharr or mbarr?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) barr becomes mo bharr (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár mbarr (eclipsis).
What does 'de bharr' mean?
'De bharr' means 'because of' or 'as a result of', followed by the genitive: 'de bharr na báistí' (because of the rain).
What is the difference between 'barr' and 'mullach'?
Both mean top, but 'mullach' is especially the summit of a hill or head, while 'barr' is more general: 'barr an leathanaigh' (top of the page).
