Drain in Irish (Silteoir): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for drain?

The Irish for drain is silteoir (pronounced “SHIL-tyohr”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is silteoirí. Depending on context it can also mean strainer.

Q: What is the plural of drain in Irish?

The plural of silteoir is silteoirí; with the article, na silteoirí means “the drains”. The genitive plural is silteoirí, as in glanadh na silteoirí (cleaning the drains).

Q: Does silteoir have more than one meaning?

Yes. Silteoir can mean drain or strainer, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “drain” in Irish

Irish:: silteoir
English:: drain, strainer
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine
Pronunciation:: “SHIL-tyohr” /ˈʃɪl̠ʲt̠ʲoːɾʲ/

Various forms

Plural:: silteoirí (drains)
Genitive singular:: silteora, an tsilteora (e.g. clúdach an tsilteora, the drain cover)
Genitive plural:: silteoirí, na silteoirí (e.g. glanadh na silteoirí, cleaning the drains)

What does “silteoir” mean?

“Silteoir” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

drain: A pipe, channel or opening that carries away water or other liquid.Also: drainpipe, drainage pipe, outlet.

1 other meaning: strainer

2strainer: A utensil with small holes for draining liquid from food.Also: colander, sieve.

Other Irish words for drain: draein (drain)

“Silteoir” with the article

The plural of drain in Irish is silteoirí. Here is silteoir after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an silteoir

the drain

No change after an

na silteoirí

the drains

Plural: no change after na

“Silteoir” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using silteoir, the Irish word for drain.

Tá an silteoir blocáilte arís.

The drain is blocked again.

Chuir sé silteoir nua sa ghairdín.

He put a new drain in the garden.

Tá boladh gránna ón silteoir.

There's a horrible smell from the drain.

Thit m'eochair isteach sa silteoir.

My key fell into the drain.

Ghlan na hoibrithe na silteoirí ar fad.

The workers cleaned all the drains.

Bhí duilleoga ag clúdach bhéal an tsilteora.

Leaves were covering the mouth of the drain.

Doirt an t-uisce amach as an silteoir.

Pour the water out through the strainer.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Drain in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for drain?

The Irish for drain is silteoir (pronounced “SHIL-tyohr”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is silteoirí. Depending on context it can also mean strainer.

How do you pronounce silteoir in Irish?

Silteoir is said like “SHIL-tyohr” (IPA /ˈʃɪl̠ʲt̠ʲoːɾʲ/).

What is the plural of drain in Irish?

The plural of silteoir is silteoirí; with the article, na silteoirí means “the drains”. The genitive plural is silteoirí, as in glanadh na silteoirí (cleaning the drains).

Does silteoir have more than one meaning?

Yes. Silteoir can mean drain or strainer, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does silteoir change to shilteoir?

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

How does 'silteoir' differ from 'séarach'?

A 'silteoir' is a drain or outlet for draining water, while 'séarach' is a sewer carrying waste. 'Draein' is also widely used for a drain.

Drain in Irish (Silteoir): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage