HeyRuaHow to say “safe” in Irish
- Irish:
- slán
- English:
- safe, healthy, whole
- Word type:
- adjective
- Safer:
- níos sláine
- Safest:
- is sláine
- Plural:
- slána
- Pronunciation:
- “slawn” /sˠl̪ˠɑːn̪ˠ/
What does “slán” mean?
“Slán” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- safe
- Free from harm or danger, unhurt.Also: unhurt, unharmed, safe and sound.
2 other meanings: healthy or whole
- 2healthy
- In good health, sound in body.Also: well, sound, hale.
- 3whole
- Complete and undamaged, with nothing missing.Also: intact, complete, entire.
Other Irish adjectives for safe: sábháilte (safe)
“Slán” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is slán after leanbh (child, masculine), after long (ship, feminine) and after a plural.
séimhiú (the h) the ending
After a feminine noun the adjective gets a séimhiú, an h after its first letter: long shlán. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: leanbh slán.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, slána. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: longa slána.
Safer, safest, very safe
| safer | níos sláine | in the past tense: ní ba shláine |
|---|---|---|
| safest | is sláine | in the past tense: ba shláine |
| as safe as | chomh slán le | no change after chomh |
| very safe | an-slán | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too safe | róshlán | ró- lenites |
“Slán” in a sentence: Irish examples
With a masculine noun, a feminine noun, a plural, a comparison and on its own.
Phrases with slán: Slán agat (goodbye), Slán leat (goodbye), Slán go fóill (goodbye for now), Slán abhaile (safe home)
Other adjectives in Irish
More everyday Irish adjectives to learn next.
Phrases with “slán”
Safe in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for safe?
The Irish for safe is slán (pronounced “slawn”). It comes after the noun: leanbh slán, a safe child; long shlán, a safe ship.
How do you say safer and safest in Irish?
níos sláine is safer and is sláine is safest. In the past tense they become ní ba shláine and ba shláine.
Why does slán become shlán?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So long shlán (a safe ship) but leanbh slán (a safe child), because leanbh is masculine.
What is the plural of slán?
With a plural noun slán becomes slána: leanaí slána, longa slána.
How do you say very safe in Irish?
an-slán. Too safe is róshlán, and as safe as is chomh slán le.
Does slán have more than one meaning?
Yes. Slán can mean safe, healthy or whole, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'slán agat' and 'slán leat'?
'Slán agat' is said by the person leaving to the one who stays, and 'slán leat' is said to the person who is leaving.
How is 'slán' different from 'sábháilte'?
Both mean safe, but 'slán' also means whole or healthy, and they are often paired as 'slán sábháilte', safe and sound.
