HeyRuaHow to say “drain” in Irish
- Irish:
- silteán
- English:
- drain, rivulet
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, first declension
- Pronunciation:
- “SHIL-tyawn” /ˈʃɪl̠ʲtʲaːn̪ˠ/
- Plural:
- silteáin (drains)
- Genitive singular:
- silteáin, an tsilteáin (e.g. béal an tsilteáin, mouth of the drain)
- Genitive plural:
- silteán, na silteán (e.g. glanadh na silteán, cleaning of the drains)
What does “silteán” mean?
“Silteán” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- drain
- A small drain or channel that carries away water, especially from land or a road.Also: small drain, channel, gully, gutter.
1 other meaning: rivulet
- 2rivulet
- A tiny stream of running water.Also: rill, trickle, small stream.
Other Irish words for drain: draein (drain)
“Silteán” with the article
The plural of drain in Irish is silteáin. Here is silteán after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Silteán” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using silteán, the Irish word for drain.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Drain in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for drain?
The Irish for drain is silteán (pronounced “SHIL-tyawn”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is silteáin. Depending on context it can also mean rivulet.
How do you pronounce silteán in Irish?
Silteán is said like “SHIL-tyawn” (IPA /ˈʃɪl̠ʲtʲaːn̪ˠ/).
What is the plural of drain in Irish?
The plural of silteán is silteáin; with the article, na silteáin means “the drains”. The genitive plural is silteán, as in glanadh na silteán (cleaning of the drains).
Does silteán have more than one meaning?
Yes. Silteán can mean drain or rivulet, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does silteán change to shilteán?
After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo shilteán. After ár (our) it stays ár silteán, because s does not take eclipsis.
What is the difference between silteán and díog?
A silteán is a small drain or channel for water, while a díog is a larger open ditch or trench, often along a field.
