Mud in Irish (Slaba): Meaning, Pronunciation & Examples

Q: What is the Irish for mud?

The Irish for mud is slaba (pronounced “SLAH-buh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is slabaí. Depending on context it can also mean mudflat or slob.

Q: What is the plural of mud in Irish?

The plural of slaba is slabaí; with the article, na slabaí means “the muds”. The genitive plural is slabaí, as in boladh na slabaí (the smell of the muds).

Q: Does slaba have more than one meaning?

Yes. Slaba can mean mud, mudflat or slob, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “mud” in Irish

Irish:: slaba
English:: mud, mudflat, slob
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, fourth declension
Pronunciation:: “SLAH-buh” /ˈsˠl̪ˠabˠə/

Various forms

Plural:: slabaí (muds)
Genitive singular:: slaba, an tslaba (e.g. boladh an tslaba, the smell of the mud)
Genitive plural:: slabaí, na slabaí (e.g. boladh na slabaí, the smell of the muds)

What does “slaba” mean?

“Slaba” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

mud: Soft, wet earth or ooze, especially on a shore or in a muddy place.Also: ooze, mire, sludge.

2 other meanings: mudflat or slob

2mudflat: A stretch of muddy land left uncovered by the tide; a slob.Also: slob, slobland.
3slob: An untidy, sloppy or slovenly person.Also: sloven, messy person.

Other Irish words for mud: lathach (mud), puiteach (mud), clábar (mud), láib (mud)

“Slaba” with the article

The plural of mud in Irish is slabaí. Here is slaba after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an slaba

the mud

No change after an

na slabaí

the muds

Plural: no change after na

“Slaba” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using slaba, the Irish word for mud.

Bhí slaba ar fud an bhóthair tar éis na báistí.

There was mud all over the road after the rain.

Chuaigh an carr i bhfostú sa slaba.

The car got stuck in the mud.

Tá mo bhuataisí clúdaithe le slaba.

My boots are covered in mud.

Nigh an slaba de do lámha.

Wash the mud off your hands.

Bhí boladh an tslaba láidir le lag trá.

The smell of the mud was strong at low tide.

Feicfidh tú a lán éan ar na slabaí.

You'll see lots of birds on the mudflats.

Siúlaimid amach ar an slaba nuair a bhíonn an taoide amuigh.

We walk out on the mudflat when the tide is out.

Other nouns in Irish

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Mud in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for mud?

The Irish for mud is slaba (pronounced “SLAH-buh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is slabaí. Depending on context it can also mean mudflat or slob.

How do you pronounce slaba in Irish?

Slaba is said like “SLAH-buh” (IPA /ˈsˠl̪ˠabˠə/).

What is the plural of mud in Irish?

The plural of slaba is slabaí; with the article, na slabaí means “the muds”. The genitive plural is slabaí, as in boladh na slabaí (the smell of the muds).

Does slaba have more than one meaning?

Yes. Slaba can mean mud, mudflat or slob, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does slaba change to shlaba?

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

What is the difference between 'slaba' and 'láib'?

Both mean mud; 'láib' is the general word for mud or mire, while 'slaba' often suggests soft ooze, especially shore mud or a mudflat.

Mud in Irish (Slaba): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage