Possession in Irish (Sealbhaíocht): Meaning

Q: What is the Irish for possession?

The Irish for possession is sealbhaíocht (pronounced “SHAL-uh-vee-ukht”). It’s a feminine noun.

How to say “possession” in Irish

Irish:: sealbhaíocht
English:: possession
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine, third declension
Pronunciation:: “SHAL-uh-vee-ukht” /ˈʃalˠəvˠiːəxt̪ˠ/

Various forms

Genitive singular:: sealbhaíochta, na sealbhaíochta (e.g. cearta sealbhaíochta, rights of possession)

What does “sealbhaíocht” mean?

possession: The state of owning or holding something, especially property or land.Also: ownership, occupancy, tenure.

Other Irish words for possession: seilbh (possession)

“Sealbhaíocht” with the article

Here is sealbhaíocht after the article (an t-alt).

an tsealbhaíocht

the possession

Feminine nouns take t before s after an

“Sealbhaíocht” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using sealbhaíocht, the Irish word for possession.

Tá an talamh ina sealbhaíocht le fiche bliain.

The land has been in her possession for twenty years.

Fuair siad sealbhaíocht an tí inné.

They got possession of the house yesterday.

Ní raibh aon cheart sealbhaíochta aige.

He had no right of possession.

Bhí conspóid ann faoin tsealbhaíocht.

There was a dispute about the possession.

Is í an tsealbhaíocht a bhfuil tábhacht léi.

It is possession that matters.

Thug an chúirt sealbhaíocht na feirme dó.

The court gave him possession of the farm.

Cailleadh sealbhaíocht na liathróide go luath.

Possession of the ball was lost early.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

ábharmaterial áthford clárboard páistechild deireadhend pobalcommunity

Possession in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for possession?

The Irish for possession is sealbhaíocht (pronounced “SHAL-uh-vee-ukht”). It’s a feminine noun.

How do you pronounce sealbhaíocht in Irish?

Sealbhaíocht is said like “SHAL-uh-vee-ukht” (IPA /ˈʃalˠəvˠiːəxt̪ˠ/).

Does sealbhaíocht have a plural?

No plural form is given for sealbhaíocht in the standard. Many abstract and mass nouns in Irish have no plural.

Why does sealbhaíocht change to shealbhaíocht?

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

How is 'sealbhaíocht' different from 'seilbh'?

'Seilbh' is the everyday word for possession, as in 'i seilbh', while 'sealbhaíocht' is more formal and often refers to holding or occupying property.

Possession in Irish (Sealbhaíocht): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage