Fat in Irish (Saill): Meaning, Pronunciation & Examples

Q: What is the Irish for fat?

The Irish for fat is saill (pronounced “sal”). It’s a feminine noun. Depending on context it can also mean salted meat.

Q: Does saill have more than one meaning?

Yes. Saill can mean fat or salted meat, depending on context; the first is the most common. Saill also has its own entry as a verb meaning to salt.

How to say “fat” in Irish

Irish:: saill
English:: fat, salted meat
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine, second declension
Pronunciation:: “sal” /sˠalʲ/

Various forms

Genitive singular:: saille, na saille (e.g. blas na saille, the taste of the fat)

What does “saill” mean?

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

fat: The fatty part of meat or of an animal's body; fat as a substance.Also: fatty meat, lard, grease.

1 other meaning: salted meat

2salted meat: Meat, especially pork, that has been preserved with salt.Also: salt meat, salt pork, bacon.

Other Irish words for fat: ramhar (fat), gréisc (grease)

Other entries for “saill”

The same spelling has its own page as:

saillto salt · verb

“Saill” with the article

Here is saill after the article (an t-alt).

an tsaill

the fat

Feminine nouns take t before s after an

“Saill” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using saill, the Irish word for fat.

Bain an tsaill den fheoil sula gcócarálann tú í.

Cut the fat off the meat before you cook it.

Níl mórán saille ar an bpíosa feola seo.

There isn't much fat on this piece of meat.

Is maith liom saill ar mo bhagún.

I like fat on my bacon.

Tá an iomarca saille i do bhia.

There is too much fat in your food.

Bhí saill ar crochadh sa simléar fadó.

Salted meat used to hang in the chimney long ago.

Leáigh an tsaill sa phanna ar dtús.

Melt the fat in the pan first.

Bíonn brat saille faoin gcraiceann.

There is a layer of fat under the skin.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Fat in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for fat?

The Irish for fat is saill (pronounced “sal”). It’s a feminine noun. Depending on context it can also mean salted meat.

How do you pronounce saill in Irish?

Saill is said like “sal” (IPA /sˠalʲ/).

Does saill have a plural?

No plural form is given for saill in the standard. Many abstract and mass nouns in Irish have no plural.

Does saill have more than one meaning?

Yes. Saill can mean fat or salted meat, depending on context; the first is the most common. Saill also has its own entry as a verb meaning to salt.

Why does saill change to shaill?

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

What is the difference between 'saill' and 'geir'?

'Saill' is fat in general, especially fatty or salted meat, while 'geir' usually means suet or tallow, hard animal fat.

What does 'cur saille ar thóin muice' mean?

Literally 'putting fat on a pig's backside', it means giving to those who already have plenty.

Fat in Irish (Saill): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage