HeyRuaHow to say “waitress” in Irish
- Irish:
- banfhreastalaí
- English:
- waitress, female attendant
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine
- Pronunciation:
- “BAN-ras-tuh-lee” /ˈbˠanˠˌɾˠasˠt̪ˠəl̪ˠiː/
- Plural:
- banfhreastalaithe (waitresses)
- Genitive singular:
- banfhreastalaí, an bhanfhreastalaí (e.g. ainm an bhanfhreastalaí, the waitress's name)
- Genitive plural:
- banfhreastalaithe, na mbanfhreastalaithe (e.g. éide na mbanfhreastalaithe, the waitresses' uniform)
What does “banfhreastalaí” mean?
“Banfhreastalaí” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- waitress
- A woman who serves food and drink to customers in a restaurant, café or hotel.Also: female server.
1 other meaning: female attendant
- 2female attendant
- A woman whose job is to attend to or serve people, for example on a plane or in a shop.Also: stewardess, air hostess.
Other Irish words for waitress: freastalaí (waiter)
“Banfhreastalaí” with the article
The plural of waitress in Irish is banfhreastalaithe. Here is banfhreastalaí after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Banfhreastalaí” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using banfhreastalaí, the Irish word for waitress.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Waitress in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for waitress?
The Irish for waitress is banfhreastalaí (pronounced “BAN-ras-tuh-lee”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is banfhreastalaithe. Depending on context it can also mean female attendant.
How do you pronounce banfhreastalaí in Irish?
Banfhreastalaí is said like “BAN-ras-tuh-lee” (IPA /ˈbˠanˠˌɾˠasˠt̪ˠəl̪ˠiː/).
What is the plural of waitress in Irish?
The plural of banfhreastalaí is banfhreastalaithe; with the article, na banfhreastalaithe means “the waitresses”. The genitive plural is banfhreastalaithe, as in éide na mbanfhreastalaithe (the waitresses' uniform).
Does banfhreastalaí have more than one meaning?
Yes. Banfhreastalaí can mean waitress or female attendant, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does banfhreastalaí change to bhanfhreastalaí or mbanfhreastalaí?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) banfhreastalaí becomes mo bhanfhreastalaí (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár mbanfhreastalaí (eclipsis).
Is banfhreastalaí feminine since it means a woman?
No, it is grammatically masculine like freastalaí, but pronouns referring to the person are usually feminine: Is banfhreastalaí í.
Can I just say freastalaí for a waitress?
Yes, freastalaí is often used for both men and women nowadays; banfhreastalaí specifies a female server.
