Dirt in Irish (Salachar): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for dirt?

The Irish for dirt is salachar (pronounced “SAL-uh-khar”). It’s a masculine noun. Depending on context it can also mean obscenity or weeds.

Q: Does salachar have more than one meaning?

Yes. Salachar can mean dirt, obscenity or weeds, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “dirt” in Irish

Irish:: salachar
English:: dirt, obscenity, weeds
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, first declension
Pronunciation:: “SAL-uh-khar” /ˈsˠalˠəxəɾˠ/

Various forms

Genitive singular:: salachair, an tsalachair (e.g. boladh an tsalachair, the smell of the dirt)

What does “salachar” mean?

“Salachar” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

dirt: Dirt, filth or grime that makes something unclean.Also: filth, grime, muck, mess.

2 other meanings: obscenity or weeds

2obscenity: Indecency or smuttiness, especially in speech.Also: smut, indecency, sordidness.
3weeds: Weed growth infesting a crop or land.Also: weed infestation.

Other Irish words for dirt: dusta (dust)

“Salachar” with the article

Here is salachar after the article (an t-alt).

an salachar

the dirt

No change after an

“Salachar” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using salachar, the Irish word for dirt.

Tá salachar ar d'aghaidh.

There's dirt on your face.

Ghlan sí an salachar den urlár.

She cleaned the dirt off the floor.

Ní maith liom boladh an tsalachair sin.

I don't like the smell of that dirt.

Bhí mo bhróga lán salachair tar éis an chluiche.

My shoes were full of dirt after the match.

Bhí salachar ar mo lámha tar éis an ghairdín.

My hands were dirty after the gardening.

Níl aon salachar ar fhuinneog na cistine anois.

There's no dirt on the kitchen window now.

Ná bí ag caint salachair os comhair na bpáistí.

Don't talk smut in front of the children.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Dirt in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for dirt?

The Irish for dirt is salachar (pronounced “SAL-uh-khar”). It’s a masculine noun. Depending on context it can also mean obscenity or weeds.

How do you pronounce salachar in Irish?

Salachar is said like “SAL-uh-khar” (IPA /ˈsˠalˠəxəɾˠ/).

Does salachar have a plural?

No plural form is given for salachar in the standard. Many abstract and mass nouns in Irish have no plural.

Does salachar have more than one meaning?

Yes. Salachar can mean dirt, obscenity or weeds, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does salachar change to shalachar?

After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo shalachar. After ár (our) it stays ár salachar, because s does not take eclipsis.

What is the adjective from salachar?

The adjective is 'salach', meaning dirty, as in 'lámha salacha' (dirty hands).

How do I say dirty talk in Irish?

Use 'salachar cainte', or describe it as 'caint shalach'.

Dirt in Irish (Salachar): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage