HeyRuaHow to say “sail” in Irish
- Irish:
- seol
- English:
- sail, course, loom, childbed
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, first declension
- Pronunciation:
- “shohl” /ʃoːlˠ/
- Plural:
- seolta (sails)
- Genitive singular:
- seoil, an tseoil (e.g. téad an tseoil, the rope of the sail)
- Genitive plural:
- seolta, na seolta (e.g. ardú na seolta, the hoisting of the sails)
What does “seol” mean?
“Seol” has four alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- sail
- A large piece of cloth fixed to a mast that catches the wind and drives a boat along.Also: canvas, boat sail.
3 other meanings: course or loom or childbed
- 2course
- The direction, drift or flow of something, as in a course of events or a current.Also: direction, drift, flow, trend.
- 3loom
- A frame or machine used for weaving cloth.Also: weaving loom.
- 4childbed
- In the phrase 'luí seoil', the lying-in of a woman giving birth.Also: lying-in, confinement.
“Seol” with the article
The plural of sail in Irish is seolta. Here is seol after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Seol” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using seol, the Irish word for sail.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Sail in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for sail?
The Irish for sail is seol (pronounced “shohl”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is seolta. Depending on context it can also mean course or loom or childbed.
How do you pronounce seol in Irish?
Seol is said like “shohl” (IPA /ʃoːlˠ/).
What is the plural of sail in Irish?
The plural of seol is seolta; with the article, na seolta means “the sails”. The genitive plural is seolta, as in ardú na seolta (the hoisting of the sails).
Does seol have more than one meaning?
Yes. Seol can mean sail, course, loom or childbed, depending on context; the first is the most common. Seol also has its own entry as a verb meaning to send.
Why does seol change to sheol?
After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo sheol. After ár (our) it stays ár seol, because s does not take eclipsis.
How is 'seol' related to 'seoladh'?
The verb 'seol' means to sail or send, and its verbal noun 'seoladh' means sailing, sending or an address, while the noun 'seol' is a sail.
How do you say 'set sail' in Irish?
You can say 'cuir seolta suas' or simply use the verb, 'sheol siad amach', they sailed out.
