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White butterfly in Irish (Bánóg): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage

‘bánóg’ also means: fairway

The Irish for white butterfly is bánóg, a feminine noun (plural bánóga).
Updated October 2026Report a mistake

How to say “white butterfly” in Irish

Irish:
bánóg
English:
white butterfly, fairway
Word type:
noun
Gender:
feminine, second declension
Pronunciation:
“BAW-nohg”  /ˈbˠaːn̪ˠoːɡ/
Various forms
Plural:
bánóga (white butterflies)
Genitive singular:
bánóige, na bánóige (e.g. sciatháin na bánóige, the wings of the white butterfly)
Genitive plural:
bánóg, na mbánóg (e.g. eitilt na mbánóg, the flight of the white butterflies)

What does “bánóg” mean?

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

white butterfly
A white butterfly of the family that includes the cabbage white.Also: white, cabbage white, pierid.
1 other meaning: fairway
2fairway
The smooth, mown stretch of grass between the tee and the green on a golf course.Also: golf fairway.

“Bánóg” with the article

The plural of white butterfly in Irish is bánóga. Here is bánóg after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an bhánóg
the white butterfly
Lenition: b becomes bh after an (feminine noun)
na bánóga
the white butterflies
Plural: no change after na

“Bánóg” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using bánóg, the Irish word for white butterfly.

Chonaic mé bánóg sa ghairdín inniu.
I saw a white butterfly in the garden today.
Tá an bhánóg ina suí ar an gcabáiste.
The white butterfly is sitting on the cabbage.
Tá dath geal ar sciatháin na bánóige.
The white butterfly's wings are bright in colour.
Bhí bánóga ag eitilt timpeall na mbláthanna.
White butterflies were flying around the flowers.
Bhuail sé an liathróid díreach síos an bhánóg.
He hit the ball straight down the fairway.
Thit mo liathróid ar imeall na bánóige.
My ball landed at the edge of the fairway.
Is iomaí bánóg a fheictear i lár an tsamhraidh.
Many white butterflies are seen in midsummer.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

White butterfly in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for white butterfly?

The Irish for white butterfly is bánóg (pronounced “BAW-nohg”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is bánóga. Depending on context it can also mean fairway.

How do you pronounce bánóg in Irish?

Bánóg is said like “BAW-nohg” (IPA /ˈbˠaːn̪ˠoːɡ/).

What is the plural of white butterfly in Irish?

The plural of bánóg is bánóga; with the article, na bánóga means “the white butterflies”. The genitive plural is bánóg, as in eitilt na mbánóg (the flight of the white butterflies).

Does bánóg have more than one meaning?

Yes. Bánóg can mean white butterfly or fairway, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does bánóg change to bhánóg or mbánóg?

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

What is the difference between 'bánóg' and 'féileacán'?

'Féileacán' is the general word for any butterfly, while 'bánóg' refers specifically to a white butterfly such as the cabbage white.

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