HeyRuaHow to say “chance” in Irish
- Irish:
- seans
- English:
- chance, luck
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, fourth declension
- Pronunciation:
- “shanss” /ʃan̪ˠsˠ/
- Plural:
- seansanna (chances)
- Genitive singular:
- seans, an tseans (e.g. ar son an tseans, for the sake of the chance)
- Genitive plural:
- seansanna, na seansanna (e.g. líon na seansanna, the number of chances)
What does “seans” mean?
“Seans” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- chance
- The possibility that something will happen, or an opportunity to do something.Also: opportunity, possibility, likelihood, prospect.
1 other meaning: luck
- 2luck
- Good fortune or the way things happen by chance.Also: fortune, fluke.
Other Irish words for chance: faill (opportunity), comhtharlú (coincidence)
“Seans” with the article
The plural of chance in Irish is seansanna. Here is seans after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Seans” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using seans, the Irish word for chance.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Chance in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for chance?
The Irish for chance is seans (pronounced “shanss”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is seansanna. Depending on context it can also mean luck.
How do you pronounce seans in Irish?
Seans is said like “shanss” (IPA /ʃan̪ˠsˠ/).
What is the plural of chance in Irish?
The plural of seans is seansanna; with the article, na seansanna means “the chances”. The genitive plural is seansanna, as in líon na seansanna (the number of chances).
Does seans have more than one meaning?
Yes. Seans can mean chance or luck, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does seans change to sheans?
After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo sheans. After ár (our) it stays ár seans, because s does not take eclipsis.
What is the difference between 'seans' and 'deis'?
'Deis' means an opportunity or the right moment to do something, while 'seans' covers both opportunity and likelihood, as in 'Seans go mbeidh sé fliuch' (It may be wet).
How do I say 'maybe' using 'seans'?
Use 'Seans go' followed by a dependent verb form, for example 'Seans go bhfuil tú ceart' (Maybe you're right).
