HeyRuaHow to say “blackberry” in Irish
- Irish:
- sméar
- English:
- blackberry, berry
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, second declension
- Pronunciation:
- “smayr” /sˠmʲeːɾˠ/
- Plural:
- sméara (blackberries)
- Genitive singular:
- sméire, na sméire (e.g. blas na sméire, the taste of the blackberry)
- Genitive plural:
- sméar, na sméar (e.g. ag piocadh sméar, picking blackberries)
What does “sméar” mean?
“Sméar” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- blackberry
- The small dark juicy fruit of the bramble bush.Also: bramble berry, berry.
1 other meaning: berry
- 2berry
- Any small soft fruit growing on a bush, often used with a qualifying word, as in 'sméar dhubh'.Also: soft fruit.
“Sméar” with the article
The plural of blackberry in Irish is sméara. Here is sméar after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Sméar” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using sméar, the Irish word for blackberry.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Blackberry in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for blackberry?
The Irish for blackberry is sméar (pronounced “smayr”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is sméara. Depending on context it can also mean berry.
How do you pronounce sméar in Irish?
Sméar is said like “smayr” (IPA /sˠmʲeːɾˠ/).
What is the plural of blackberry in Irish?
The plural of sméar is sméara; with the article, na sméara means “the blackberries”. The genitive plural is sméar, as in ag piocadh sméar (picking blackberries).
Does sméar have more than one meaning?
Yes. Sméar can mean blackberry or berry, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'sméar' and 'sú talún'?
'Sméar' usually means a blackberry ('sméar dhubh'), while a strawberry is 'sú talún' and a raspberry is 'sú craobh'.
Is there a saying about blackberries after Halloween?
Yes, folklore says the púca spoils the blackberries at Samhain, so people avoid eating 'sméara' after Oíche Shamhna.
