Aobh is typically pronounced similarly to “Eve.” The exact pronunciation can vary slightly by accent, but a common Irish Gaelic rendering is close to /ˈeɪv/ or /ˈeɪb/ depending on regional influences, with the leading vowel sound akin to the English long A in “day” and a final consonant that lands near a soft v or b sound. In practice, many learners adopt the anglicized cue “ev-” or “eev” as an approximate until they hear a local speaker. What to aim for when pronouncing Aobh
- Start with a long “A” sound: like the /eɪ/ in “day.”
- Follow with a soft, light consonant that softens toward a brief, airy end: either a subtle /v/ or a soft /b/ depending on the speaker.
- Stress the first syllable: Aobh (two-syllable rhythm) with the emphasis on the first.
If you’re aiming for the most authentic Irish pronunciation, listening to native speakers from different regions can help fine-tune the ending, since some dialects lean toward an /ev/ or an /ève/ quality, while others approximate a silent or very light final consonant.
