HeyRuaHow to say “lullaby” in Irish
- Irish:
- suantraí
- English:
- lullaby, sleep music
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, fourth declension
- Pronunciation:
- “SOON-tree” /ˈsˠuən̪ˠt̪ˠɾˠiː/
- Plural:
- suantraithe (lullabies)
- Genitive singular:
- suantraí, na suantraí (e.g. focail na suantraí, the words of the lullaby)
- Genitive plural:
- suantraithe, na suantraithe (e.g. leabhar suantraithe, a book of lullabies)
What does “suantraí” mean?
“Suantraí” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- lullaby
- A soft, gentle song sung to lull a child to sleep.Also: cradle song, sleep song, slumber song.
1 other meaning: sleep music
- 2sleep music
- In traditional Irish music, the strain of music that brings sleep, one of the three classic strains alongside goltraí and geantraí.Also: sleep strain, soothing music.
Other Irish words for lullaby: seoithín (lullaby)
“Suantraí” with the article
The plural of lullaby in Irish is suantraithe. Here is suantraí after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Suantraí” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using suantraí, the Irish word for lullaby.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Lullaby in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for lullaby?
The Irish for lullaby is suantraí (pronounced “SOON-tree”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is suantraithe. Depending on context it can also mean sleep music.
How do you pronounce suantraí in Irish?
Suantraí is said like “SOON-tree” (IPA /ˈsˠuən̪ˠt̪ˠɾˠiː/).
What is the plural of lullaby in Irish?
The plural of suantraí is suantraithe; with the article, na suantraithe means “the lullabies”. The genitive plural is suantraithe, as in leabhar suantraithe (a book of lullabies).
Does suantraí have more than one meaning?
Yes. Suantraí can mean lullaby or sleep music, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does suantraí change to shuantraí?
After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo shuantraí. After ár (our) it stays ár suantraí, because s does not take eclipsis.
What are suantraí, goltraí and geantraí?
They are the three traditional strains of Irish music: suantraí brings sleep, goltraí brings tears, and geantraí brings laughter.
Is there another Irish word for a lullaby?
Yes, 'seoithín' (as in 'seoithín seó') is also used for a lullaby or the crooning sound of one.
