HeyRuaHow to say “old person” in Irish
- Irish:
- seanduine
- English:
- old person
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, fourth declension
- Pronunciation:
- “SHAN-din-yuh” /ˈʃan̪ˠˌd̪ˠɪnʲə/
- Plural:
- seandaoine (old people)
- Genitive singular:
- seanduine, an tseanduine (e.g. teach an tseanduine, the old man's house)
- Genitive plural:
- seandaoine, na seandaoine (e.g. teach na seandaoine, the old people's home)
What does “seanduine” mean?
- old person
- A person who is old, especially an elderly man.Also: old man, elderly person, senior citizen, old-timer.
Other Irish words for old person: seanóir (old person)
“Seanduine” with the article
The plural of old person in Irish is seandaoine. Here is seanduine after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Seanduine” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using seanduine, the Irish word for old person.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Old person in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for old person?
The Irish for old person is seanduine (pronounced “SHAN-din-yuh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is seandaoine.
How do you pronounce seanduine in Irish?
Seanduine is said like “SHAN-din-yuh” (IPA /ˈʃan̪ˠˌd̪ˠɪnʲə/).
What is the plural of old person in Irish?
The plural of seanduine is seandaoine; with the article, na seandaoine means “the old people”. The genitive plural is seandaoine, as in teach na seandaoine (the old people's home).
Why does seanduine change to sheanduine?
After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo sheanduine. After ár (our) it stays ár seanduine, because s does not take eclipsis.
Is 'seanduine' only used for men?
It means an old person generally but usually refers to an old man; for an old woman 'seanbhean' is used.
Why does the genitive with the article become 'an tseanduine'?
Nouns beginning with s followed by a vowel take t after the article in the masculine genitive, so 'hata an tseanduine' means the old man's hat.
