HeyRuaHow to say “etymology” in Irish
- Irish:
- sanas
- English:
- etymology, whisper, annunciation
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, first declension
- Pronunciation:
- “SAN-us” /ˈsˠanˠəsˠ/
- Plural:
- sanais (etymologies)
- Genitive singular:
- sanais, an tsanais (e.g. foinse an tsanais, the source of the etymology)
- Genitive plural:
- sanas, na sanas (e.g. foclóir sanas, etymological dictionary)
What does “sanas” mean?
“Sanas” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- etymology
- The origin and history of a word; in modern Irish 'sanas' is the usual term for a word's etymology.Also: word origin, derivation.
2 other meanings: whisper or annunciation
- 2whisper
- A quiet hint, suggestion or private word given to someone.Also: hint, suggestion, private communication.
- 3annunciation
- The announcement to the Virgin Mary that she would bear Christ, as in 'Lá Fhéile Muire na Sanaise' (Lady Day).Also: lady day.
“Sanas” with the article
The plural of etymology in Irish is sanais. Here is sanas after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Sanas” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using sanas, the Irish word for etymology.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Etymology in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for etymology?
The Irish for etymology is sanas (pronounced “SAN-us”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is sanais. Depending on context it can also mean whisper or annunciation.
How do you pronounce sanas in Irish?
Sanas is said like “SAN-us” (IPA /ˈsˠanˠəsˠ/).
What is the plural of etymology in Irish?
The plural of sanas is sanais; with the article, na sanais means “the etymologies”. The genitive plural is sanas, as in foclóir sanas (etymological dictionary).
Does sanas have more than one meaning?
Yes. Sanas can mean etymology, whisper or annunciation, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does sanas change to shanas?
After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo shanas. After ár (our) it stays ár sanas, because s does not take eclipsis.
What is the difference between 'sanas' and 'sanasaíocht'?
'Sanas' is the etymology of a particular word, while 'sanasaíocht' is the study of etymology as a field.
