HeyRuaHow to say “sanctuary” in Irish
- Irish:
- sanctóir
- English:
- sanctuary
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, third declension
- Pronunciation:
- “SANK-tor” /ˈsˠaŋkt̪ˠoːɾʲ/
- Plural:
- sanctóirí (sanctuaries)
- Genitive singular:
- sanctóra, an tsanctóra (e.g. doras an tsanctóra, the door of the sanctuary)
- Genitive plural:
- sanctóirí, na sanctóirí (e.g. ailtireacht na sanctóirí, the architecture of the sanctuaries)
What does “sanctóir” mean?
- sanctuary
- The holiest part of a church around the altar, or a sacred place in general.Also: chancel, sanctum, holy place.
Other Irish words for sanctuary: tearmann (sanctuary)
“Sanctóir” with the article
The plural of sanctuary in Irish is sanctóirí. Here is sanctóir after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Sanctóir” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using sanctóir, the Irish word for sanctuary.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Sanctuary in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for sanctuary?
The Irish for sanctuary is sanctóir (pronounced “SANK-tor”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is sanctóirí.
How do you pronounce sanctóir in Irish?
Sanctóir is said like “SANK-tor” (IPA /ˈsˠaŋkt̪ˠoːɾʲ/).
What is the plural of sanctuary in Irish?
The plural of sanctóir is sanctóirí; with the article, na sanctóirí means “the sanctuaries”. The genitive plural is sanctóirí, as in ailtireacht na sanctóirí (the architecture of the sanctuaries).
Why does sanctóir change to shanctóir?
After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo shanctóir. After ár (our) it stays ár sanctóir, because s does not take eclipsis.
Is 'sanctóir' the word for an animal or bird sanctuary?
No, 'sanctóir' is the sacred part of a church. For a refuge or wildlife sanctuary use 'tearmann', as in 'tearmann éan' (bird sanctuary).
