bréagáin
The Irish word for toys is bréagáin.
bréagáin refers to objects that children play with for amusement.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Ulster region, bréagáin is the most common term for toys.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of the word is bréagán. To say 'the toys', you add the definite article na before the plural form to get na bréagáin.
Did you know?
- The word for toys, bréagáin, is rooted in the word for 'a lie', bréag, suggesting that playthings are 'little lies'.
- Folklore suggests that toys made of iron were once avoided because iron was thought to repel the fairies, known as the 'Good People'.
- In Irish storytelling, items that are 'bréag' (false/deceptive) are often used to describe magical objects that look like one thing but are actually another.
Examples in context
- Tá an leanaí ag imirt le bréagáin.The child is playing with toys.
Example conversation
Cathal and Saoirse are tidying up a playroom.
- CathalAn bhfuil na bréagáin go léir anseo?Are all the toys here?
- SaoirseNíl, tá roinnt acu faoi an tsofa.No, some of them are under the sofa.
- CathalBain na bréagáin amach ansin, Saoirse.Get the toys out of there, Saoirse.
- SaoirseTá siad glan anois, a Chathail.They are clean now, Cathal.
