leanbh
/ˈlʲan̪ˠəvˠ/
The English word 'baby' can be translated into Irish as leanbh. Wiktionary also lists leanbán and páistín.
Meaning: very young human being (noun)
Ways to say it
| Irish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| leanbh | /ˈlʲan̪ˠəvˠ/ (Munster) /ˈl̠ʲanˠəvˠ/ (Galway) |
|
| leanbán | /ˈl̠ʲanˠəbˠɑnˠ/ (Ulster) | masculine |
| páistín | masculine | |
| báb | feminine | |
| babaí | masculine | |
| bábán | masculine | |
| gineog | feminine |
These terms all refer to a very young human being.
Which one should you use?
leanbh is the standard singular form. leanbán is a masculine form, while báb is a feminine form. babaí and bábán are also masculine forms. páistín is a masculine form. gineog is a feminine form.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The word gineog is an informal, often colloquial way to refer to a baby or a small child.
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form leanbh is a singular noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈlʲan̪ˠəvˠ/
Did you know?
- In traditional Irish folklore, certain words for babies were sometimes avoided or replaced with euphemisms to protect infants from the 'evil eye' or jealous spirits.
- The Old Irish ancestor of the word, lenab, shows that the term for an infant has remained remarkably stable for over a thousand years.
- In some Irish dialects, the word leanbh can be used metaphorically to describe a person who is naive or innocent, regardless of their actual age.
Examples in context
- Is breá liom an páiste sin!I love that baby!
- An bhfuil an leanbh ag dul a chodladh?Is the baby going to sleep?
- Tá an leanbh suaimhach anois.The baby is calm now.
- An bhfuil leanbh agat?Do you have a baby?
- Is leanbh mór an leanbh sin.That baby is a big baby.
Example conversation
Cathal and Siobhán are looking at a photograph.
- CathalCé an leanbh seo, a Siobhán?Who is this baby, Siobhán?
- SiobhánIs é mo mac é.He is my son.
- CathalTá an leanbh chomh álainn!The baby is so beautiful!
- SiobhánGo raibh maith agat, a Cathal.Thank you, Cathal.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “baby” translations and entries leanbh, leanbán, báb, babaí, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries leanbh, leanbán, CC BY-SA 4.0.
