Bean
/bʲan̪ˠ/
Bean is the Irish word for the title Mrs.
The word is used as a title for a woman. In formal contexts, the phrase Bean Uí is used to say Mrs, which is followed by the husband's surname.
Meaning: title before a woman's name (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
/bʲan̪ˠ/
Did you know?
- In Irish, Bean Uí is used for 'Mrs', where Uí is a modified form of the word for 'grandson' or 'descendant'.
- The word bean shares the same ancient Indo-European root as the English word 'woman', both descending from the root *gʷḗn.
- When using the formal title Bean Uí, the surname undergoes a grammatical change known as lenition, adding an 'h' to the name.
Examples in context
- An bhfuil Bean Uí Ó Conaill anseo?Is Mrs. O'Connell here?
Example conversation
Cathal is introducing a guest to Siobhán.
- CathalSiobhán, tabhair faoi gcéim Bean Uí Ghabháin.Siobhán, meet Mrs. O'Gabháin.
- SiobhánDia dhuit, a Bean Uí Ghabháin.Hello, Mrs. O'Gabháin.
- CathalIs comhghaolta í agus mo mháthair.She is a colleague of my mother.
- SiobhánTá sé go maith Bean Uí Ghabháin a bheith anseo.It is good to have Mrs. O'Gabháin here.
Sources
- Pronunciation from the Wiktionary entry bean.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bean, CC BY-SA 4.0.
