HeyRuaHow to say “whistle” in Irish
- Irish:
- fead
- English:
- whistle, whistle (instrument), hiss, whistling of wind
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, second declension
- Pronunciation:
- “fad” /fʲad̪ˠ/
- Plural:
- feadanna (whistles)
- Genitive singular:
- feide, na feide (e.g. fuaim na feide, the sound of the whistle)
- Genitive plural:
- feadanna, na bhfeadanna (e.g. fuaim na bhfeadanna, the sound of the whistles)
What does “fead” mean?
“Fead” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- whistle
- A shrill sound made by blowing through the lips or through an instrument.Also: whistling, whistling sound.
2 other meanings: whistle (instrument) or hiss, whistling of wind
- 2whistle (instrument)
- A small device that makes a shrill sound when blown, such as a referee's whistle.Also: whistle, referee's whistle, tin whistle.
- 3hiss, whistling of wind
- A whistling or hissing sound made by wind, breath or an animal.Also: hiss, wheeze, whistling of wind.
Other Irish words for whistle: feadóg (whistle), feadaíl (whistling)
“Fead” with the article
The plural of whistle in Irish is feadanna. Here is fead after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Fead” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using fead, the Irish word for whistle.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Whistle in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for whistle?
The Irish for whistle is fead (pronounced “fad”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is feadanna. Depending on context it can also mean whistle (instrument) or hiss, whistling of wind.
How do you pronounce fead in Irish?
Fead is said like “fad” (IPA /fʲad̪ˠ/).
What is the plural of whistle in Irish?
The plural of fead is feadanna; with the article, na feadanna means “the whistles”. The genitive plural is feadanna, as in fuaim na bhfeadanna (the sound of the whistles).
Does fead have more than one meaning?
Yes. Fead can mean whistle, whistle (instrument) or hiss, whistling of wind, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does fead change to fhead or bhfead?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) fead becomes m'fhead (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár bhfead (eclipsis).
What is the difference between fead and feadóg?
Fead is a whistle, either the sound or a whistle you blow, while feadóg usually means the instrument, especially the tin whistle (feadóg stáin). Both 'fead stáin' and 'feadóg stáin' are heard.
How do you say 'to whistle' using fead?
Say 'fead a ligean', for example 'Lig sé fead', 'He whistled'. The verb feadaíl also means to whistle.
