Fairy in Irish (Sióg): Meaning, Pronunciation & Examples

Q: What is the Irish for fairy?

The Irish for fairy is sióg (pronounced “shee-OHG”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is sióga. Depending on context it can also mean streak.

Q: What is the plural of fairy in Irish?

The plural of sióg is sióga; with the article, na sióga means “the fairies”. The genitive plural is sióg, as in scéalta na sióg (stories of the fairies).

Q: Does sióg have more than one meaning?

Yes. Sióg can mean fairy or streak, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “fairy” in Irish

Irish:: sióg
English:: fairy, streak
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine, second declension
Pronunciation:: “shee-OHG” /ʃiˈoːɡ/

Various forms

Plural:: sióga (fairies)
Genitive singular:: sióige, na sióige (e.g. sciatháin na sióige, the fairy's wings)
Genitive plural:: sióg, na sióg (e.g. scéalta na sióg, stories of the fairies)

What does “sióg” mean?

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

fairy: A small supernatural being from folklore, one of the fairy people.Also: sprite, elf.

1 other meaning: streak

2streak: A narrow strip or streak, for example of colour or of a field.Also: stripe, strip.

Other Irish words for fairy: leipreachán (leprechaun), síogaí (fairy)

“Sióg” with the article

The plural of fairy in Irish is sióga. Here is sióg after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an tsióg

the fairy

Feminine nouns take t before s after an

na sióga

the fairies

Plural: no change after na

“Sióg” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using sióg, the Irish word for fairy.

Chonaic sí sióg sa ghairdín aréir.

She saw a fairy in the garden last night.

Bhí an tsióg ag damhsa faoin ngealach.

The fairy was dancing under the moon.

Creideann mo sheanmháthair sna sióga fós.

My grandmother still believes in fairies.

Léigh mé scéal faoi shióg bheag dhána.

I read a story about a cheeky little fairy.

Ná leag an crann sin, is leis na sióga é.

Don't cut down that tree, it belongs to the fairies.

Ghléas sí í féin mar shióg don chóisir.

She dressed up as a fairy for the party.

Chuala siad ceol na sióg sa ráth.

They heard the fairies' music in the ring fort.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

cuimhnememory ríking iníondaughter saoireholiday capallhorse buíochasthanks

Fairy in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for fairy?

The Irish for fairy is sióg (pronounced “shee-OHG”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is sióga. Depending on context it can also mean streak.

How do you pronounce sióg in Irish?

Sióg is said like “shee-OHG” (IPA /ʃiˈoːɡ/).

What is the plural of fairy in Irish?

The plural of sióg is sióga; with the article, na sióga means “the fairies”. The genitive plural is sióg, as in scéalta na sióg (stories of the fairies).

Does sióg have more than one meaning?

Yes. Sióg can mean fairy or streak, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does sióg change to shióg?

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

What is the difference between 'sióg' and 'sí'?

'Sióg' is the usual word for a fairy, while 'sí' refers to the fairy mound or the fairy folk and appears in phrases like 'bean sí' (banshee) and 'aos sí' (fairy people).

Fairy in Irish (Sióg): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage