Béarla
/ˈbʲiːa̯ɾˠl̪ˠə/masculine
The English language in Irish is Béarla. Wiktionary also lists Sacs-Bhéarla.
Meaning: the English language (name)
Ways to say it
| Irish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Béarla | /ˈbʲiːa̯ɾˠl̪ˠə/ (Munster) /ˈbʲeːɾˠl̪ˠə/ (Connacht) |
masculine |
| Sacs-Bhéarla | masculine |
Béarla is the name for the English language. When expressing that you can speak a language, it is common in Irish to add agam (meaning at me) after the verb to have.
Which one should you use?
While Béarla refers specifically to the English language, Sasanach is used to refer to the English people or things pertaining to England.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbʲiːa̯ɾˠl̪ˠə/
Did you know?
- Originally, Béarla was part of a longer phrase Béarla gallda, meaning 'foreign speech'.
Examples in context
- Is maith leo an Béarla.They like English.This sentence shows how to say someone likes Béarla.Tatoeba #7292793 by anrialach, translation #306188 by CN
- Is fearr Gaeilge bhriste ná Béarla cliste.Broken Irish is better than clever English.This sentence compares broken Irish to clever Béarla.
- Táim ag foghlaim Béarla.I'm learning English.This sentence is useful for saying you are learning Béarla.Tatoeba #10317321 by koala, translation #1188743 by cntrational
- Tá Béarla agam.I speak English.
- Is fearr liom Béarla.I prefer English.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Siobhán and Cathal are talking about their language studies.
- SiobhánAn bhfuil tú ag léamh le Béarla?Are you reading in English?
- CathalTá, tá an leabhar seo go hiontach.Yes, this book is wonderful.
- SiobhánAn bhfuil an Béarla ann castach?Is the English in it difficult?
- CathalNíl, tá sé an-shimplí.No, it is very simple.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “english” translations and entries Béarla, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Béarla, béarla, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
