HeyRuaHow to say “love” in Irish
- Irish:
- searc
- English:
- love, beloved
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, second declension
- Pronunciation:
- “shark” /ʃaɾˠk/
- Plural:
- searca (loves)
- Genitive singular:
- seirce, na seirce (e.g. snaidhm seirce, true-love knot)
- Genitive plural:
- searc, na searc (e.g. scéalta na searc, the tales of the loves)
What does “searc” mean?
“Searc” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- love
- Deep, tender love or affection, especially romantic love; a literary or poetic word.Also: affection, passion, fondness.
“Searc” with the article
The plural of love in Irish is searca. Here is searc after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Searc” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using searc, the Irish word for love.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Love in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for love?
The Irish for love is searc (pronounced “shark”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is searca. Depending on context it can also mean beloved.
How do you pronounce searc in Irish?
Searc is said like “shark” (IPA /ʃaɾˠk/).
What is the plural of love in Irish?
The plural of searc is searca; with the article, na searca means “the loves”. The genitive plural is searc, as in scéalta na searc (the tales of the loves).
Does searc have more than one meaning?
Yes. Searc can mean love or beloved, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does searc change to shearc?
After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo shearc. After ár (our) it stays ár searc, because s does not take eclipsis.
What is the difference between searc and grá?
Grá is the everyday word for love, while searc is more literary and poetic, often heard in songs and in endearments like mo shearc.
How is searc used as a term of endearment?
It is used in the vocative, as in a shearc or mo shearc, meaning my darling or my love.
