HeyRuaHow to say “birth” in Irish
- Irish:
- saolú
- English:
- birth
- Word type:
- noun (verbal noun)
- Verbal noun of:
- saolaigh, to be born (ag saolú, being born)
- Gender:
- masculine
- Pronunciation:
- “SAY-loo” /ˈsˠeːl̪ˠuː/
- Genitive singular:
- saolaithe, an tsaolaithe (e.g. am an tsaolaithe, the time of the birth)
What does “saolú” mean?
- birth
- The act of being born or of giving birth; verbal noun of the verb saolaigh, to bear or be born.Also: being born, delivery, childbirth, giving birth.
Other Irish words for birth: breith (birth), saolaigh (be born), beireatas (birth)
“Saolú” as a verbal noun
After ag, saolú means being born: it is the verbal noun of the verb saolaigh (to be born). A noun that follows it goes into the genitive.
“Saolú” with the article
Here is saolú after the article (an t-alt).
“Saolú” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using saolú, the Irish word for birth.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Birth in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for birth?
The Irish for birth is saolú (pronounced “SAY-loo”). It’s a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce saolú in Irish?
Saolú is said like “SAY-loo” (IPA /ˈsˠeːl̪ˠuː/).
Does saolú have a plural?
No plural form is given for saolú in the standard. Many abstract and mass nouns in Irish have no plural.
Why does saolú change to shaolú?
After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo shaolú. After ár (our) it stays ár saolú, because s does not take eclipsis.
What is the difference between saolú and breith?
Breith is the usual everyday word for birth, as in lá breithe, while saolú is more formal and literally means being brought into the world. Both refer to birth.
