HeyRuaHow to say “old bachelor” in Irish
- Irish:
- seanbhuachaill
- English:
- old bachelor, old boy
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine
- Pronunciation:
- “SHAN-voo-uh-khil” /ˈʃanˌwuəxəlʲ/
- Plural:
- seanbhuachaillí (old bachelors)
- Genitive singular:
- seanbhuachalla, an tseanbhuachalla (e.g. teach an tseanbhuachalla, the old bachelor's house)
- Genitive plural:
- seanbhuachaillí, na seanbhuachaillí (e.g. club na seanbhuachaillí, the old bachelors' club)
What does “seanbhuachaill” mean?
“Seanbhuachaill” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- old bachelor
- An older man who has never married.Also: bachelor, confirmed bachelor, unmarried man.
1 other meaning: old boy
- 2old boy
- An old man, or a familiar way of referring to a man, like 'old boy' in English.Also: old fellow, old man.
“Seanbhuachaill” with the article
The plural of old bachelor in Irish is seanbhuachaillí. Here is seanbhuachaill after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Seanbhuachaill” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using seanbhuachaill, the Irish word for old bachelor.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Old bachelor in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for old bachelor?
The Irish for old bachelor is seanbhuachaill (pronounced “SHAN-voo-uh-khil”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is seanbhuachaillí. Depending on context it can also mean old boy.
How do you pronounce seanbhuachaill in Irish?
Seanbhuachaill is said like “SHAN-voo-uh-khil” (IPA /ˈʃanˌwuəxəlʲ/).
What is the plural of old bachelor in Irish?
The plural of seanbhuachaill is seanbhuachaillí; with the article, na seanbhuachaillí means “the old bachelors”. The genitive plural is seanbhuachaillí, as in club na seanbhuachaillí (the old bachelors' club).
Does seanbhuachaill have more than one meaning?
Yes. Seanbhuachaill can mean old bachelor or old boy, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does seanbhuachaill change to sheanbhuachaill?
After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo sheanbhuachaill. After ár (our) it stays ár seanbhuachaill, because s does not take eclipsis.
What is the female equivalent of 'seanbhuachaill'?
An unmarried older woman is traditionally called 'seanmhaighdean', old maid.
Is 'seanbhuachaill' the same as 'baitsiléir'?
Both mean bachelor, but 'seanbhuachaill' stresses an older man who never married, while 'baitsiléir' is the more neutral word.
