The Unique Sounds and Letters of Irish (e.g., “bh”, “mh”, “fh”)
Irish is full of surprises! Some of its letters look like English but sound totally different. That’s what makes learning Irish fun and magical for kids.
What Do These Letter Combos Mean?
In Irish (also called Gaelic), some letters work together to make new sounds:
- bh and mh often sound like a soft “v” or “w”.
- fh is silent!
- ch makes a deep, throaty sound (like in “loch”).
These rules might seem tricky at first, but they turn into fun once you start listening and practicing.
Say It with Sound
Here are some example words:
- Bhean (woman) → sounds like “van”
- Mhaith (good) → sounds like “wah”
- Fhéin (self) → the “fh” disappears!
Irish is a language where the spelling is full of hidden treasures. It helps kids learn to listen closely and notice patterns.
Fun Activities to Explore Irish Sounds
Sound Detective
Play recordings of Irish words and ask kids to find the silent letters or hidden “v” sounds.
Letter Swap Challenge
Write basic Irish words on cards and let kids swap the silent or tricky letters for emoji or stickers when they hear the change.
With Dinolingo, kids don’t just see letters—they hear them! Through engaging videos, songs, and stories, children ages 2–14 learn Irish pronunciation in a fun, interactive way.
Whether it’s practicing “mh” with a song or discovering a silent “fh” in a story, Dinolingo’s playful style helps learners feel confident. Available on web, iOS, and Android, with offline printables too.
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