rúbaí
The Irish word for ruby is rúbaí.
rúbaí is used to refer to the type of gemstone.
Meaning: type of gem (noun)
Did you know?
- While rúbaí refers to the stone, the word for the color red is dearg, and the two are not linguistically related in Irish.
- The word rúbaí is a phonetic loanword from English, rather than a word derived from ancient Gaelic roots.
- Irish uses a system of 'initial mutations' where the first letter of a word can change, though rúbaí usually retains its starting 'r' in common phrases.
Example conversation
Cathal and Siobhán are looking at jewelry in a shop.
- CathalBreathnaigh ar an bhfáinne seo, a Siobhán.Look at this ring, Siobhán.
- SiobhánAn bhfuil rúbaí ann?Is there a ruby in it?
- CathalTá, agus tá sé go hálainn.Yes, and it is beautiful.
- SiobhánIs é sin an dath is fearr liom.That is my favorite color.
