HeyRuaHow to say “Englishman” in Irish
- Irish:
- Sasanach
- English:
- Englishman, Protestant
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, first declension
- Pronunciation:
- “SASS-uh-nukh” /ˈsˠasˠənˠəx/
- Plural:
- Sasanaigh (Englishmen)
- Genitive singular:
- Sasanaigh, an tSasanaigh (e.g. teach an tSasanaigh, the Englishman's house)
- Genitive plural:
- Sasanach, na Sasanach (e.g. teanga na Sasanach, the language of the English)
What does “Sasanach” mean?
“Sasanach” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- Englishman
- A man or woman from England, an English person.Also: englishwoman, English person, the English.
1 other meaning: Protestant
- 2Protestant
- In older or dialect use, a Protestant, especially one seen as of English stock.Also: planter.
Other Irish words for Englishman: Sacsanach (Englishman)
“Sasanach” with the article
The plural of Englishman in Irish is Sasanaigh. Here is Sasanach after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Sasanach” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using Sasanach, the Irish word for Englishman.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Phrases with “Sasanach”
Englishman in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for Englishman?
The Irish for Englishman is Sasanach (pronounced “SASS-uh-nukh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is Sasanaigh. Depending on context it can also mean Protestant.
How do you pronounce Sasanach in Irish?
Sasanach is said like “SASS-uh-nukh” (IPA /ˈsˠasˠənˠəx/).
What is the plural of Englishman in Irish?
The plural of Sasanach is Sasanaigh; with the article, na Sasanaigh means “the Englishmen”. The genitive plural is Sasanach, as in teanga na Sasanach (the language of the English).
Does Sasanach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Sasanach can mean Englishman or Protestant, depending on context; the first is the most common. Sasanach also has its own entry as an adjective meaning English.
Why does Sasanach change to Shasanach?
After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo Shasanach. After ár (our) it stays ár Sasanach, because s does not take eclipsis.
How do I say 'England' as opposed to 'an English person'?
England is 'Sasana' and an English person is 'Sasanach'; the English language is 'Béarla', not 'Sasanach'.
Why is it 'an tSasanaigh' in the genitive?
Masculine nouns beginning with s take t- after the article in the genitive singular, so 'teach an tSasanaigh', the Englishman's house.
