HeyRuaHow to say “fox” in Irish
- Irish:
- sionnach
- English:
- fox, sly person
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, first declension
- Pronunciation:
- “SHIN-ukh” /ˈʃɪn̪ˠəx/
- Plural:
- sionnaigh (foxes)
- Genitive singular:
- sionnaigh, an tsionnaigh (e.g. eireaball an tsionnaigh, the fox's tail)
- Genitive plural:
- sionnach, na sionnach (e.g. poill na sionnach, the foxes' dens)
What does “sionnach” mean?
“Sionnach” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- fox
- A wild animal of the dog family with a bushy tail and reddish fur, known for being cunning.Also: red fox, vixen, reynard.
1 other meaning: sly person
- 2sly person
- A cunning or crafty person, compared to a fox.Also: cunning person, crafty person.
“Sionnach” with the article
The plural of fox in Irish is sionnaigh. Here is sionnach after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Sionnach” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using sionnach, the Irish word for fox.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Fox in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for fox?
The Irish for fox is sionnach (pronounced “SHIN-ukh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is sionnaigh. Depending on context it can also mean sly person.
How do you pronounce sionnach in Irish?
Sionnach is said like “SHIN-ukh” (IPA /ˈʃɪn̪ˠəx/).
What is the plural of fox in Irish?
The plural of sionnach is sionnaigh; with the article, na sionnaigh means “the foxes”. The genitive plural is sionnach, as in poill na sionnach (the foxes' dens).
Does sionnach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Sionnach can mean fox or sly person, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does sionnach change to shionnach?
After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo shionnach. After ár (our) it stays ár sionnach, because s does not take eclipsis.
What is the difference between 'sionnach' and 'madra rua'?
Both mean fox. 'Sionnach' is the standard dictionary word, while 'madra rua' (literally 'red dog') is very common in everyday speech, especially in Connacht and Ulster.
