HeyRuaHow to say “carving” in Irish
- Irish:
- snoí
- English:
- carving, wearing away
- Word type:
- noun (verbal noun)
- Verbal noun of:
- snoigh, to carve (ag snoí, carving)
- Gender:
- masculine, fourth declension
- Pronunciation:
- “snee” /sn̪ˠiː/
- Genitive singular:
- snoí, an tsnoí (e.g. uirlisí snoí, carving tools)
What does “snoí” mean?
“Snoí” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- carving
- The act of cutting or shaping wood, stone or similar material; the verbal noun of the verb snoigh.Also: hewing, sculpting, whittling, chiselling.
1 other meaning: wearing away
- 2wearing away
- The gradual wasting or wearing down of something, including a person becoming thin and emaciated; also from the verb snoigh.Also: erosion, emaciation, wasting.
“Snoí” as a verbal noun
After ag, snoí means carving: it is the verbal noun of the verb snoigh (to carve). A noun that follows it goes into the genitive.
“Snoí” with the article
Here is snoí after the article (an t-alt).
“Snoí” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using snoí, the Irish word for carving.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Carving in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for carving?
The Irish for carving is snoí (pronounced “snee”). It’s a masculine noun. Depending on context it can also mean wearing away.
How do you pronounce snoí in Irish?
Snoí is said like “snee” (IPA /sn̪ˠiː/).
Does snoí have a plural?
No plural form is given for snoí in the standard. Many abstract and mass nouns in Irish have no plural.
Does snoí have more than one meaning?
Yes. Snoí can mean carving or wearing away, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does snoí change to shnoí?
After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo shnoí. After ár (our) it stays ár snoí, because s does not take eclipsis.
How do I say someone is carving something?
Use ag with the verbal noun and the object in the genitive: tá sé ag snoí adhmaid, he is carving wood.
Can snoí describe a person getting thin?
Yes, in literary use the verb snoigh can mean to waste away, so snoí can refer to emaciation, but the carving sense is far more common.
