HeyRuaHow to say “migrant labourer” in Irish
- Irish:
- spailpín
- English:
- migrant labourer, rascal
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, fourth declension
- Pronunciation:
- “SPAL-peen” /ˈsˠpˠalʲpʲiːnʲ/
- Plural:
- spailpíní (migrant labourers)
- Genitive singular:
- spailpín, an spailpín (e.g. saol an spailpín, the life of the migrant labourer)
- Genitive plural:
- spailpíní, na spailpíní (e.g. amhráin na spailpíní, the songs of the migrant labourers)
What does “spailpín” mean?
“Spailpín” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- migrant labourer
- A seasonal farm worker who travelled from place to place looking for hired work, especially at harvest time.Also: spalpeen, seasonal worker, farm labourer, hired labourer.
1 other meaning: rascal
- 2rascal
- A worthless or contemptible person; used as a term of abuse.Also: scamp, good-for-nothing, worthless person.
“Spailpín” with the article
The plural of migrant labourer in Irish is spailpíní. Here is spailpín after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Spailpín” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using spailpín, the Irish word for migrant labourer.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Migrant labourer in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for migrant labourer?
The Irish for migrant labourer is spailpín (pronounced “SPAL-peen”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is spailpíní. Depending on context it can also mean rascal.
How do you pronounce spailpín in Irish?
Spailpín is said like “SPAL-peen” (IPA /ˈsˠpˠalʲpʲiːnʲ/).
What is the plural of migrant labourer in Irish?
The plural of spailpín is spailpíní; with the article, na spailpíní means “the migrant labourers”. The genitive plural is spailpíní, as in amhráin na spailpíní (the songs of the migrant labourers).
Does spailpín have more than one meaning?
Yes. Spailpín can mean migrant labourer or rascal, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Is 'spailpín' the source of the English word 'spalpeen'?
Yes, Hiberno-English 'spalpeen' comes from 'spailpín', and like the Irish it can mean both a migrant labourer and a rascal.
