Leech in Irish (Súmaire): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for leech?

The Irish for leech is súmaire (pronounced “SOO-mur-uh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is súmairí. Depending on context it can also mean sucker or sinkhole.

Q: What is the plural of leech in Irish?

The plural of súmaire is súmairí; with the article, na súmairí means “the leeches”. The genitive plural is súmairí, as in úsáid súmairí sa leigheas (the use of leeches in medicine).

Q: Does súmaire have more than one meaning?

Yes. Súmaire can mean leech, sucker or sinkhole, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “leech” in Irish

Irish:: súmaire
English:: leech, sucker, sinkhole
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, fourth declension
Pronunciation:: “SOO-mur-uh” /ˈsˠuːmˠəɾʲə/

Various forms

Plural:: súmairí (leeches)
Genitive singular:: súmaire, an tsúmaire (e.g. greim an tsúmaire, the bite of the leech)
Genitive plural:: súmairí, na súmairí (e.g. úsáid súmairí sa leigheas, the use of leeches in medicine)

What does “súmaire” mean?

“Súmaire” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

leech: A blood-sucking worm that lives in water, or a person who lives off others.Also: bloodsucker, parasite, sponger.

2 other meanings: sucker or sinkhole

2sucker: A person or thing that sucks, such as a sucking device or a heavy drinker.Also: suction device, tippler.
3sinkhole: A hollow, pit or whirlpool that swallows water or things into it.Also: sump, whirlpool, quicksand.

“Súmaire” with the article

The plural of leech in Irish is súmairí. Here is súmaire after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an súmaire

the leech

No change after an

na súmairí

the leeches

Plural: no change after na

“Súmaire” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using súmaire, the Irish word for leech.

Bhí súmaire greamaithe de mo chos.

There was a leech stuck to my leg.

Tá an súmaire sin ag maireachtáil ar a mhuintir.

That sponger is living off his family.

Ná bí i do shúmaire, déan do chuid oibre.

Don't be a parasite, do your share of the work.

Tá súmairí go leor san abhainn seo.

There are plenty of leeches in this river.

Bhain an dochtúir úsáid as súmairí fadó.

Doctors used leeches long ago.

Chonaic mé cruth an tsúmaire san uisce.

I saw the shape of the leech in the water.

Is súmaire dí é ó mhaidin go hoíche.

He is a heavy drinker from morning to night.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Leech in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for leech?

The Irish for leech is súmaire (pronounced “SOO-mur-uh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is súmairí. Depending on context it can also mean sucker or sinkhole.

How do you pronounce súmaire in Irish?

Súmaire is said like “SOO-mur-uh” (IPA /ˈsˠuːmˠəɾʲə/).

What is the plural of leech in Irish?

The plural of súmaire is súmairí; with the article, na súmairí means “the leeches”. The genitive plural is súmairí, as in úsáid súmairí sa leigheas (the use of leeches in medicine).

Does súmaire have more than one meaning?

Yes. Súmaire can mean leech, sucker or sinkhole, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does súmaire change to shúmaire?

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

Can 'súmaire' describe a person?

Yes, 'súmaire' is often used of a sponger or parasite who lives off others, e.g. 'Is súmaire ceart é'.

What is 'súmaireacht'?

'Súmaireacht' means sucking or sponging, the activity of a 'súmaire'.

Leech in Irish (Súmaire): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage