Bairn Meaning in English

word

US

ˈbɛɚn

BAIRN

UK

bˈeən

BAIRN

Definition

A child or baby, especially used in Scottish and northern English dialects.

Usage & Nuances

'Bairn' is regional and informal, mainly in Scotland and northern England. Rare elsewhere in the UK or internationally. Often appears in folklore, poetry, or when referencing local heritage. Modern conversation uses 'child', but 'bairn' adds a local or nostalgic tone.

• Spanish: niño - niña - criatura (escocés/norte de Inglaterra)
• Portuguese (BR): criança (escocês/norte da Inglaterra)
• Portuguese (PT): criança (escocês/norte de Inglaterra)
• Chinese (Simplified): 小孩（苏格兰、英格兰北部方言）
• Chinese (Traditional): 小孩（蘇格蘭、英格蘭北部方言）
• Hindi: बच्चा (स्कॉटलैंड/उत्तरी इंग्लैंड में प्रचलित)
• Arabic: طفل (لهجة اسكتلندية أو شمال إنجلترا)
• Bengali: শিশু - বাচ্চা
• Russian: ребёнок
• Japanese: 子ども - 赤ちゃん
• Vietnamese: đứa trẻ - em bé
• Korean: 아이 - 아기
• Turkish: çocuk - bebek
• Urdu: بچہ - نوزاد
• Indonesian: anak - bayi

Example Sentences

The bairn is sleeping in the cradle.

basic

She took her bairn to the park.

basic

The old man smiled at the bairn.

basic

They say every bairn brings its own luck.

natural

She grew up as the eldest bairn in a big family.

natural

You’ll hear ‘bairn’ a lot if you visit Scotland.

natural