buaigh go hiontach
The Irish way to say 'slay' is buaigh go hiontach.
This term is used to express the action of killing or murdering.
Meaning: to kill, murder (verb)
Which one should you use?
While buaigh go hiontach is the primary form provided, the formal alternative Bás a chur ar is used to specifically mean 'to cause death to'.
Did you know?
- Using the phrase Bás a chur ar to praise someone's outfit would be interpreted as morbid or threatening.
- The root of the word buaigh is actually bua, which means 'victory'.
- The term buadh refers to a virtue or merit and shares the same root as the word used in buaigh go hiontach.
Example conversation
Niamh and Oisín are discussing an old legend.
- NiamhAn bhfuil an drochfhuil ann?Is the evil blood there?
- OisínTá, ach caithfidh tú buaigh go hiontach é.Yes, but you must slay it.
- NiamhAn bhfuil an sword ag mo lámh?Is the sword in my hand?
- OisínTá, Niamh, úsáid é anois.Yes, Niamh, use it now.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries buaigh, go, CC BY-SA 4.0.
