HeyRuaHow to say “navvy” in Irish
- Irish:
- náibhí
- English:
- navvy
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, fourth declension
- Pronunciation:
- “NAW-vee” /ˈnˠaːvʲiː/
Various forms
- Plural:
- náibhithe (navvies)
- Genitive singular:
- náibhí, an náibhí (e.g. láí an náibhí, the navvy's spade)
- Genitive plural:
- náibhithe, na náibhithe (e.g. saol na náibhithe, the life of the navvies)
What does “náibhí” mean?
- navvy
- A labourer who does heavy manual work such as digging roads, canals or railways.Also: labourer, manual worker, digger.
“Náibhí” with the article
The plural of navvy in Irish is náibhithe. Here is náibhí after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
an náibhí
the navvy
No change after an
na náibhithe
the navvies
Plural: no change after na
“Náibhí” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using náibhí, the Irish word for navvy.
Bhí m'athair ina náibhí i Sasana.
My father was a navvy in England.
D'oibrigh an náibhí go crua ar an mbóthar.
The navvy worked hard on the road.
Chuaigh na náibhithe anonn go Londain ag lorg oibre.
The navvies went over to London looking for work.
Ba shaol crua é saol an náibhí.
The navvy's life was a hard one.
Thóg náibhithe as Éirinn na bóithre iarainn.
Navvies from Ireland built the railways.
Scríobh sé leabhar faoi shaol na náibhithe.
He wrote a book about the lives of the navvies.
Ní raibh ach láí agus neart ag an náibhí.
The navvy had only a spade and his strength.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Navvy in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for navvy?
The Irish for navvy is náibhí (pronounced “NAW-vee”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is náibhithe.
How do you pronounce náibhí in Irish?
Náibhí is said like “NAW-vee” (IPA /ˈnˠaːvʲiː/).
What is the plural of navvy in Irish?
The plural of náibhí is náibhithe; with the article, na náibhithe means “the navvies”. The genitive plural is náibhithe, as in saol na náibhithe (the life of the navvies).
Is 'náibhí' the same as 'spailpín'?
Not quite: a 'spailpín' was a seasonal farm labourer, while a 'náibhí' did heavy construction work such as digging roads and railways.
