How to pronounce Irish
Say it like EYE-rish. Irish has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (EYE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce Irish. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- EYE
- rish
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Irish pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- EYESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- rishKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of Irish
American and British speakers say Irish in essentially the same way: /ˈaɪrɪʃ/ in the US and /ˈaɪrɪʃ/ in the UK.
British respelling: EYE-rish.
What does Irish mean?
- of or relating to or characteristic of Ireland or its people
- people of Ireland or of Irish extraction
- whiskey made in Ireland chiefly from barley
- the Celtic language of Ireland
Questions about saying Irish
How do you pronounce Irish?
Say EYE-rish. The American pronunciation is /ˈaɪrɪʃ/. In British English it is /ˈaɪrɪʃ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in Irish?
Irish has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (EYE). Broken into parts: EYE · rish.
Do Americans and Brits say Irish the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈaɪrɪʃ/ and the British form is /ˈaɪrɪʃ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.