HeyRuaHow to say “arrow” in Irish
- Irish:
- saighead
- English:
- arrow, dart, sharp pain
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, second declension
- Pronunciation:
- “syde” /sˠəidˠ/
- Plural:
- saigheada (arrows)
- Genitive singular:
- saighde, na saighde (e.g. rinn na saighde, the point of the arrow)
- Genitive plural:
- saighead, na saighead (e.g. ag caitheamh na saighead, shooting the arrows)
What does “saighead” mean?
“Saighead” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- arrow
- A thin pointed shaft shot from a bow.Also: shaft, bolt.
2 other meanings: dart or sharp pain
- 2dart
- A small pointed missile thrown by hand, especially in the game of darts.Also: darts.
- 3sharp pain
- A sudden stabbing pain, or a cutting remark.Also: stab of pain, pang, barb.
“Saighead” with the article
The plural of arrow in Irish is saigheada. Here is saighead after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Saighead” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using saighead, the Irish word for arrow.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Arrow in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for arrow?
The Irish for arrow is saighead (pronounced “syde”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is saigheada. Depending on context it can also mean dart or sharp pain.
How do you pronounce saighead in Irish?
Saighead is said like “syde” (IPA /sˠəidˠ/).
What is the plural of arrow in Irish?
The plural of saighead is saigheada; with the article, na saigheada means “the arrows”. The genitive plural is saighead, as in ag caitheamh na saighead (shooting the arrows).
Does saighead have more than one meaning?
Yes. Saighead can mean arrow, dart or sharp pain, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does saighead change to shaighead?
After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo shaighead. After ár (our) it stays ár saighead, because s does not take eclipsis.
How do you say 'playing darts' in Irish?
The usual phrase is 'ag caitheamh saighead', literally throwing darts.
What is an archer called?
An archer is 'saighdeoir', from 'saighead'; in modern Irish 'saighdiúir' means a soldier, so do not confuse them.
