HeyRuaHow to say “heel” in Irish
- Irish:
- sáil
- English:
- heel, heel of a tool or object, heeltap
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, second declension
- Pronunciation:
- “sawl” /sˠɑːlʲ/
- Plural:
- sála (heels)
- Genitive singular:
- sáile, na sáile (e.g. cnámh na sáile, the heel bone)
- Genitive plural:
- sál, na sál (e.g. fuaim na sál, the sound of the heels)
What does “sáil” mean?
“Sáil” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- heel
- The back part of the foot below the ankle, or the part of a shoe or sock that covers it.Also: heel of foot, heel of shoe, shoe heel.
2 other meanings: heel of a tool or object or heeltap
- 2heel of a tool or object
- The lower or back end of something, such as a golf club, a mast or a ship's keel.Also: heel of a club, heel of a mast, base, end.
- 3heeltap
- A small amount of liquor left at the bottom of a glass.Also: dregs, drop left in a glass.
“Sáil” with the article
The plural of heel in Irish is sála. Here is sáil after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Sáil” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using sáil, the Irish word for heel.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Heel in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for heel?
The Irish for heel is sáil (pronounced “sawl”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is sála. Depending on context it can also mean heel of a tool or object or heeltap.
How do you pronounce sáil in Irish?
Sáil is said like “sawl” (IPA /sˠɑːlʲ/).
What is the plural of heel in Irish?
The plural of sáil is sála; with the article, na sála means “the heels”. The genitive plural is sál, as in fuaim na sál (the sound of the heels).
Does sáil have more than one meaning?
Yes. Sáil can mean heel, heel of a tool or object or heeltap, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does sáil change to sháil?
After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo sháil. After ár (our) it stays ár sáil, because s does not take eclipsis.
How do you say 'on someone's heels' in Irish?
Use 'sna sála ar dhuine' or 'i do sháil', e.g. 'Bhí sé sna sála orm', he was hot on my heels.
