buachaill
/ˈbˠuəxəlʲ/masculine
The English word 'boy' is translated into Irish as buachaill. If unsure, use buachaill. Wiktionary also lists garsún.
Meaning: male child (noun)
Ways to say it
| Irish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| buachaill | /ˈbˠuəxəlʲ/ (Munster) /ˈbˠuəxəl̠ʲ/ (Connacht) |
masculine |
| garsún | /ɡɑɾˠˈsˠuːn̪ˠ/ (Munster) /ˈɡaɾˠsˠuːnˠ/ (Connacht) |
masculine |
Both buachaill and garsún are masculine nouns used to refer to a male child. Note that the word Mac can also be used to mean 'son'.
Which one should you use?
buachaill is the default form, while garsún is an alternative word for a boy.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of buachaill is buachaillí.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbˠuəxəlʲ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use an buachaill for 'the boy' in all contexts.
Did you know?
- The word buachaill is related to the Ancient Greek word βουκόλος, which also meant 'cowherd'.
- In some traditional Irish contexts, buachaill can be used to describe a young man who is no longer a child.
Examples in context
- Uair a bhí mise ag fás suas, chonaic mé an buachaill is láidre sa mbaile. Agus ó chonaic mé an t-aonad san, nídh 'acainn dom dol im choladh.When I was growing up, I saw the largest boy in the village. Since I saw that unit, I have not been able to sleep.This sentence uses buachaill to describe a boy in a village.Tatoeba #7290681 by anrialach, translation #7290684 by anrialach
- Tá an buachaill tanaí.The boy is slim.This sentence uses buachaill to describe a boy's physical build.Tatoeba #3233356 by biber, translation #2002600 by bichodebola
- Is é an buachaill sin a dheartháir.That boy is his brother.This sentence uses buachaill to identify a boy as a brother.Tatoeba #4606579 by Choctaw_Irish, translation #68199 by CK
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Conor and Aoife are looking at a photograph.
- ConorCé an buachaill beag seo?Who is this little boy?
- AoifeIs é sin mo mac.That is my son.
- ConorTá an buachaill sin go hálainn.That boy is beautiful.
- AoifeGo raibh maith agat, a Chonaire.Thank you, Conor.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “boy” translations and entries buachaill, garsún, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries buachaill, garsún, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
