Whistle in Irish (Feadóg): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for whistle?

The Irish for whistle is feadóg (pronounced “FAD-ohg”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is feadóga. Depending on context it can also mean plover.

Q: What is the plural of whistle in Irish?

The plural of feadóg is feadóga; with the article, na feadóga means “the whistles”. The genitive plural is feadóg, as in ceol na bhfeadóg (the music of the whistles).

Q: Does feadóg have more than one meaning?

Yes. Feadóg can mean whistle or plover, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “whistle” in Irish

Irish:: feadóg
English:: whistle, plover
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine, second declension
Pronunciation:: “FAD-ohg” /ˈfʲad̪ˠoːɡ/

Various forms

Plural:: feadóga (whistles)
Genitive singular:: feadóige, na feadóige (e.g. fuaim na feadóige, the sound of the whistle)
Genitive plural:: feadóg, na bhfeadóg (e.g. ceol na bhfeadóg, the music of the whistles)

What does “feadóg” mean?

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

whistle: A small instrument or device you blow into to make a high whistling sound, including the tin whistle.Also: tin whistle, penny whistle, pipe.

1 other meaning: plover

2plover: A wading bird of shores and moorland, such as the golden plover.Also: golden plover, ringed plover.

Other Irish words for whistle: fead (whistle), feadaíl (whistling)

“Feadóg” with the article

The plural of whistle in Irish is feadóga. Here is feadóg after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an fheadóg

the whistle

Lenition: f becomes fh after an (feminine noun)

na feadóga

the whistles

Plural: no change after na

“Feadóg” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using feadóg, the Irish word for whistle.

Casaim an giotár agus an fheadóg stáin.

I play the guitar and the tin whistle.

Shéid an réiteoir an fheadóg.

The referee blew the whistle.

Cheannaigh mé feadóg nua inné.

I bought a new whistle yesterday.

Tá m'fheadóg i mo phóca.

My whistle is in my pocket.

Sheinn na páistí ar na feadóga le chéile.

The children played the whistles together.

Chuala mé glór na feadóige ar an bportach.

I heard the call of the plover on the bog.

Foghlaimíonn go leor páistí an fheadóg ar scoil.

Lots of children learn the whistle at school.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Whistle in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for whistle?

The Irish for whistle is feadóg (pronounced “FAD-ohg”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is feadóga. Depending on context it can also mean plover.

How do you pronounce feadóg in Irish?

Feadóg is said like “FAD-ohg” (IPA /ˈfʲad̪ˠoːɡ/).

What is the plural of whistle in Irish?

The plural of feadóg is feadóga; with the article, na feadóga means “the whistles”. The genitive plural is feadóg, as in ceol na bhfeadóg (the music of the whistles).

Does feadóg have more than one meaning?

Yes. Feadóg can mean whistle or plover, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does feadóg change to fheadóg or bhfeadóg?

Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) feadóg becomes m'fheadóg (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár bhfeadóg (eclipsis).

How do I say 'flute' in Irish?

A concert flute is 'feadóg mhór' (also 'fliúit'), while the tin whistle is 'feadóg stáin'.

What is the verb for whistling?

Whistling with the mouth is 'feadaíl'; blowing a whistle is 'an fheadóg a shéideadh'.

Whistle in Irish (Feadóg): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage