HeyRuaHow to say “lore” in Irish
- Irish:
- seanchas
- English:
- lore, storytelling, chat, genealogy
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, first declension
- Pronunciation:
- “SHAN-uh-khus” /ˈʃanˠəxəsˠ/
- Genitive singular:
- seanchais, an tseanchais (e.g. lucht an tseanchais, the people who keep the lore)
What does “seanchas” mean?
“Seanchas” has four alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- lore
- Traditional knowledge, history and stories handed down orally from generation to generation.Also: tradition, oral tradition, folklore, traditional history.
3 other meanings: storytelling or chat or genealogy
- 2storytelling
- The telling of traditional stories or old tales, especially by a seanchaí.Also: story, old tale, tale.
- 3chat
- Talk, gossip or chatting about people and news, such as asking after someone's family.Also: gossip, talk, chatting.
- 4genealogy
- Knowledge of family history and pedigree, as preserved by tradition.Also: pedigree, family history.
“Seanchas” with the article
Here is seanchas after the article (an t-alt).
“Seanchas” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using seanchas, the Irish word for lore.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Lore in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for lore?
The Irish for lore is seanchas (pronounced “SHAN-uh-khus”). It’s a masculine noun. Depending on context it can also mean storytelling or chat or genealogy.
How do you pronounce seanchas in Irish?
Seanchas is said like “SHAN-uh-khus” (IPA /ˈʃanˠəxəsˠ/).
Does seanchas have a plural?
No plural form is given for seanchas in the standard. Many abstract and mass nouns in Irish have no plural.
Does seanchas have more than one meaning?
Yes. Seanchas can mean lore, storytelling, chat or genealogy, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does seanchas change to sheanchas?
After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo sheanchas. After ár (our) it stays ár seanchas, because s does not take eclipsis.
What is the difference between seanchas and seanchaí?
Seanchas is the lore or storytelling itself, while a seanchaí is the person, the traditional storyteller who keeps it.
How is seanchas different from béaloideas?
Béaloideas is the general term for folklore as a field, while seanchas stresses traditional history, tales and talk handed down orally; it can also simply mean chat.
