HeyRuaHow to say “free” in Irish
- Irish:
- saor
- English:
- free, cheap, available, exempt
- Word type:
- adjective
- Freer:
- níos saoire
- Freest:
- is saoire
- Plural:
- saora
- Pronunciation:
- “seer” /sˠiːɾˠ/
What does “saor” mean?
“Saor” has four alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- free
- Not imprisoned, controlled or restricted; at liberty.Also: at liberty, independent, unrestricted.
3 other meanings: cheap or available or exempt
- 2cheap
- Low in price; not costing much money.Also: inexpensive, low-priced.
- 3available
- Not busy or not occupied, so able to be used or to do something.Also: free, vacant, not busy.
- 4exempt
- Not affected by or not liable for something, such as blame or a tax.Also: immune, clear of, innocent.
The same spelling has its own page as:
“Saor” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is saor after carr (car, masculine), after girseach (girl, feminine) and after a plural.
séimhiú (the h) the ending
After a feminine noun the adjective gets a séimhiú, an h after its first letter: girseach shaor. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: carr saor.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, saora. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: girseacha saora.
Freer, freest, very free
Tá an siopa seo níos saoire ná an ceann eile. This shop is cheaper than the other one.
| freer | níos saoire | in the past tense: ní ba shaoire |
|---|---|---|
| freest | is saoire | in the past tense: ba shaoire |
| as free as | chomh saor le | no change after chomh |
| very free | an-saor | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too free | róshaor | ró- lenites |
“Saor” in a sentence: Irish examples
With a masculine noun, a feminine noun, a plural, a comparison and on its own.
Other adjectives in Irish
More everyday Irish adjectives to learn next.
Free in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for free?
The Irish for free is saor (pronounced “seer”). It comes after the noun: carr saor, a free car; girseach shaor, a free girl.
How do you say freer and freest in Irish?
níos saoire is freer and is saoire is freest. In the past tense they become ní ba shaoire and ba shaoire.
Why does saor become shaor?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So girseach shaor (a free girl) but carr saor (a free car), because carr is masculine.
What is the plural of saor?
With a plural noun saor becomes saora: carranna saora, girseacha saora.
How do you say very free in Irish?
an-saor. Too free is róshaor, and as free as is chomh saor le.
Does saor have more than one meaning?
Yes. Saor can mean free, cheap, available or exempt, depending on context; the first is the most common.
How do I say 'free of charge' in Irish?
Use 'saor in aisce', as in 'Cead isteach saor in aisce' (entry free of charge). 'Saor' alone often means cheap.
What is the opposite of 'saor' meaning cheap?
The opposite is 'daor', expensive: 'Tá an fíon seo daor' means this wine is expensive.
