Motorway in Irish (Saorbhealach): Meaning

Q: What is the Irish for motorway?

The Irish for motorway is saorbhealach (pronounced “SEER-val-ukh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is saorbhealaí.

Q: What is the plural of motorway in Irish?

The plural of saorbhealach is saorbhealaí; with the article, na saorbhealaí means “the motorways”. The genitive plural is saorbhealaí, as in líonra na saorbhealaí (the motorway network).

How to say “motorway” in Irish

Irish:: saorbhealach
English:: motorway
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, first declension
Pronunciation:: “SEER-val-ukh” /ˈsˠiːɾˠvʲalˠəx/

Various forms

Plural:: saorbhealaí (motorways)
Genitive singular:: saorbhealaigh, an tsaorbhealaigh (e.g. dromchla an tsaorbhealaigh, the surface of the motorway)
Genitive plural:: saorbhealaí, na saorbhealaí (e.g. líonra na saorbhealaí, the motorway network)

What does “saorbhealach” mean?

motorway: A wide, fast road with several lanes built for long-distance traffic, with no junctions crossing it at the same level.Also: freeway, expressway, highway.

Other Irish words for motorway: mótarbhealach (motorway)

“Saorbhealach” with the article

The plural of motorway in Irish is saorbhealaí. Here is saorbhealach after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an saorbhealach

the motorway

No change after an

na saorbhealaí

the motorways

Plural: no change after na

“Saorbhealach” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using saorbhealach, the Irish word for motorway.

Tá an saorbhealach dúnta inniu.

The motorway is closed today.

Thiomáineamar go Corcaigh ar an saorbhealach.

We drove to Cork on the motorway.

Bhí trácht trom ar an saorbhealach ar maidin.

There was heavy traffic on the motorway this morning.

Tógadh saorbhealach nua idir an dá chathair.

A new motorway was built between the two cities.

Fág an saorbhealach ag an gcéad acomhal eile.

Leave the motorway at the next junction.

Tá dola le híoc ar chuid de na saorbhealaí.

There is a toll to pay on some of the motorways.

Tharla timpiste ar an saorbhealach aréir.

There was an accident on the motorway last night.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

béalmouth nóscustom dóighexpectation réirwill beirttwo people bunbottom

Motorway in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for motorway?

The Irish for motorway is saorbhealach (pronounced “SEER-val-ukh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is saorbhealaí.

How do you pronounce saorbhealach in Irish?

Saorbhealach is said like “SEER-val-ukh” (IPA /ˈsˠiːɾˠvʲalˠəx/).

What is the plural of motorway in Irish?

The plural of saorbhealach is saorbhealaí; with the article, na saorbhealaí means “the motorways”. The genitive plural is saorbhealaí, as in líonra na saorbhealaí (the motorway network).

Why does saorbhealach change to shaorbhealach?

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

Is 'saorbhealach' the same as 'mótarbhealach'?

Both are used for a motorway; 'mótarbhealach' is the official term on Irish road signs, while 'saorbhealach' is also widely given in dictionaries for motorway or freeway.

What does 'saor' mean in 'saorbhealach'?

Here 'saor' means free, as in free-flowing, not cheap, so 'saorbhealach' is literally a free way.

Motorway in Irish (Saorbhealach): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage