HeyRuaHow to say “old home” in Irish
- Irish:
- seanbhaile
- English:
- old home, old town
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine
- Pronunciation:
- “SHAN-val-yuh” /ˈʃanˌwalʲə/
- Plural:
- seanbhailte (old homes)
- Genitive singular:
- seanbhaile, an tseanbhaile (e.g. fothrach an tseanbhaile, the ruin of the old homestead)
- Genitive plural:
- seanbhailte, na seanbhailte (e.g. cuimhní na seanbhailte, memories of the old homesteads)
What does “seanbhaile” mean?
“Seanbhaile” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- old home
- The place or homestead where a person or their family used to live, especially where they grew up.Also: homestead, old homestead, home place, native place.
1 other meaning: old town
- 2old town
- An old town or settlement, or the old part of a town.Also: old village, old settlement.
“Seanbhaile” with the article
The plural of old home in Irish is seanbhailte. Here is seanbhaile after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Seanbhaile” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using seanbhaile, the Irish word for old home.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Old home in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for old home?
The Irish for old home is seanbhaile (pronounced “SHAN-val-yuh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is seanbhailte. Depending on context it can also mean old town.
How do you pronounce seanbhaile in Irish?
Seanbhaile is said like “SHAN-val-yuh” (IPA /ˈʃanˌwalʲə/).
What is the plural of old home in Irish?
The plural of seanbhaile is seanbhailte; with the article, na seanbhailte means “the old homes”. The genitive plural is seanbhailte, as in cuimhní na seanbhailte (memories of the old homesteads).
Does seanbhaile have more than one meaning?
Yes. Seanbhaile can mean old home or old town, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does seanbhaile change to sheanbhaile?
After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo sheanbhaile. After ár (our) it stays ár seanbhaile, because s does not take eclipsis.
Is 'seanbhaile' the same as 'baile mór'?
No. 'Seanbhaile' usually means an old home place or homestead, often one's family home, while 'baile mór' means a town.
