Trousers in Irish (Bríste): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for trousers?

The Irish for trousers is bríste (pronounced “BREESH-tyuh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is brístí. Depending on context it can also mean breeching.

Q: What is the plural of trousers in Irish?

The plural of bríste is brístí; with the article, na brístí means “the trousers”. The genitive plural is brístí, as in praghas na mbrístí (the price of the trousers).

Q: Does bríste have more than one meaning?

Yes. Bríste can mean trousers or breeching, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “trousers” in Irish

Irish:: bríste
English:: trousers, breeching
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, fourth declension
Pronunciation:: “BREESH-tyuh” /ˈbʲɾʲiːʃtʲə/

Various forms

Plural:: brístí (trousers)
Genitive singular:: bríste, an bhríste (e.g. póca an bhríste, the trouser pocket)
Genitive plural:: brístí, na mbrístí (e.g. praghas na mbrístí, the price of the trousers)

What does “bríste” mean?

“Bríste” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

trousers: A garment worn from the waist down, covering each leg separately.Also: pants, slacks, pair of trousers.

1 other meaning: breeching

2breeching: The strap of a harness that passes around the hindquarters of a horse.Also: harness strap.

Other Irish words for trousers: treabhsar (trousers)

“Bríste” with the article

The plural of trousers in Irish is brístí. Here is bríste after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an bríste

the trousers

No change after an

na brístí

the trousers

Plural: no change after na

“Bríste” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using bríste, the Irish word for trousers.

Cheannaigh mé bríste nua inné.

I bought new trousers yesterday.

Tá an bríste seo rófhada dom.

These trousers are too long for me.

Tá poll i nglúin an bhríste.

There's a hole in the knee of the trousers.

Bhí brístí gearra á gcaitheamh ag na buachaillí.

The boys were wearing shorts.

Chuir mé m'eochracha i bpóca mo bhríste.

I put my keys in my trouser pocket.

Cuir ort do bhríste, tá sé fuar.

Put on your trousers, it's cold.

Tá a lán brístí sa siopa sin.

There are lots of trousers in that shop.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

athrúchange tuilleadhmore caitheamhspending caitheamhspending linnpool baintconnection

Trousers in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for trousers?

The Irish for trousers is bríste (pronounced “BREESH-tyuh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is brístí. Depending on context it can also mean breeching.

How do you pronounce bríste in Irish?

Bríste is said like “BREESH-tyuh” (IPA /ˈbʲɾʲiːʃtʲə/).

What is the plural of trousers in Irish?

The plural of bríste is brístí; with the article, na brístí means “the trousers”. The genitive plural is brístí, as in praghas na mbrístí (the price of the trousers).

Does bríste have more than one meaning?

Yes. Bríste can mean trousers or breeching, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does bríste change to bhríste or mbríste?

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

Is 'bríste' singular or plural?

Unlike English 'trousers', 'bríste' is singular for one pair: 'tá an bríste salach' (the trousers are dirty). 'Brístí' means several pairs.

How do I say 'shorts' or 'underpants'?

Shorts is 'bríste gearr' and underpants is 'fobhríste'.

Trousers in Irish (Bríste): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage