HeyRuaHow to say “woman” in Irish
- Irish:
- bean
- English:
- woman, wife
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine
- Pronunciation:
- “ban” /bʲan̪ˠ/
- Plural:
- mná (women)
- Genitive singular:
- mná, na mná (e.g. hata na mná, the woman's hat)
- Genitive plural:
- ban, na mban (e.g. cumann na mban, the women's association)
What does “bean” mean?
“Bean” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- woman
- An adult female person.Also: lady, female.
1 other meaning: wife
- 2wife
- A married woman in relation to her husband, often 'bean chéile'.Also: spouse, missus.
“Bean” with the article
The plural of woman in Irish is mná. Here is bean after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Bean” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using bean, the Irish word for woman.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Woman in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for woman?
The Irish for woman is bean (pronounced “ban”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is mná. Depending on context it can also mean wife.
How do you pronounce bean in Irish?
Bean is said like “ban” (IPA /bʲan̪ˠ/).
What is the plural of woman in Irish?
The plural of bean is mná; with the article, na mná means “the women”. The genitive plural is ban, as in cumann na mban (the women's association).
Does bean have more than one meaning?
Yes. Bean can mean woman or wife, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does bean change to bhean or mbean?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) bean becomes mo bhean (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár mbean (eclipsis).
How do I say 'wife' in Irish?
Use 'bean chéile', or simply 'bean' with a possessive: 'mo bhean' means 'my wife'.
Why is it 'na mban' but 'na mná'?
'Na mná' is the genitive singular or the plural, while 'na mban' is the genitive plural, as in 'cumann na mban', the women's association.
