puifín
masculine
The Irish word for puffin is puifín. Wiktionary also lists fuipín.
Meaning: Fratercula arctica (noun)
Ways to say it
| Irish | Note |
|---|---|
| puifín | masculine |
| fuipín | masculine |
The term refers to the seabird Fratercula arctica.
Which one should you use?
puifín is the default form, while fuipín is specifically the singular nominative form used when the word acts as the subject of a sentence.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form fuipín is the singular nominative form used when the word is the subject of a sentence. Both forms are masculine nouns.
Did you know?
- The word puifín is a loanword from the English 'puffin', but it has been adapted to fit Irish phonology and grammar.
- In Irish, the word puifín is actually a diminutive, as the suffix -ín functions like the English '-y' or '-ling' to create a sense of smallness or endearment.
- The word puifín is a loanword from English, but it was modified with a native Irish suffix to make the bird sound smaller or cuter.
Examples in context
- An bhfaca tú an puifín?Did you see the puffin?
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at birds on a cliff.
- SiobhánSeo an puifín, a Oisín!Here is the puffin, Oisín!
- OisínÓ, is éasáinn é a aitheas.Oh, it is easy to recognize.
- SiobhánAn bhfuil an puifín ag ithe iasc?Is the puffin eating fish?
- OisínTá, féach air anois!Yes, look at it now!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “puffin” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
