HeyRuaHow to say “handle” in Irish
- Irish:
- sáfach
- English:
- handle
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, second declension
- Pronunciation:
- “SAW-fukh” /ˈsˠɑːfˠəx/
- Plural:
- sáfacha (handles)
- Genitive singular:
- sáfaí, na sáfaí (e.g. fad na sáfaí, the length of the handle)
- Genitive plural:
- sáfach, na sáfach (e.g. déanamh na sáfach, the making of the handles)
What does “sáfach” mean?
- handle
- The handle or helve of a tool or weapon, such as an axe, spade or spear.Also: helve, haft, shaft.
Other Irish words for handle: láimhseáil (handle), hanla (handle), dornchla (handle), láimhsigh (handle)
“Sáfach” with the article
The plural of handle in Irish is sáfacha. Here is sáfach after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Sáfach” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using sáfach, the Irish word for handle.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Handle in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for handle?
The Irish for handle is sáfach (pronounced “SAW-fukh”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is sáfacha.
How do you pronounce sáfach in Irish?
Sáfach is said like “SAW-fukh” (IPA /ˈsˠɑːfˠəx/).
What is the plural of handle in Irish?
The plural of sáfach is sáfacha; with the article, na sáfacha means “the handles”. The genitive plural is sáfach, as in déanamh na sáfach (the making of the handles).
Why does sáfach change to sháfach?
After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo sháfach. After ár (our) it stays ár sáfach, because s does not take eclipsis.
How does sáfach differ from hanla and lámh?
Sáfach is the long handle or helve of a tool or weapon, like an axe; hanla or lámh is used more generally for handles of cups, doors and so on. A spade handle is often called cos as well.
