Saving in Irish (Sábháil): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for saving?

The Irish for saving is sábháil (pronounced “SAW-vawl”). It’s a feminine noun. Depending on context it can also mean safety or harvesting.

Q: Does sábháil have more than one meaning?

Yes. Sábháil can mean saving, safety or harvesting, depending on context; the first is the most common. Sábháil also has its own entry as a verb meaning to save.

How to say “saving” in Irish

Irish:: sábháil
English:: saving, safety, harvesting
Word type:: noun (verbal noun)
Verbal noun of:: sábháil, to save (ag sábháil, saving)
Gender:: feminine, third declension
Pronunciation:: “SAW-vawl” /ˈsˠɑːwɑːlʲ/

Various forms

Genitive singular:: sábhála, na sábhála (e.g. obair na sábhála, the work of saving)

What does “sábháil” mean?

“Sábháil” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

saving: The verbal noun of the verb sábháil: the act of saving, rescuing or keeping someone or something safe.Also: rescue, rescuing, save.

2 other meanings: safety or harvesting

2safety: The state of being safe or protected, used mostly in the genitive as in crios sábhála.Also: security, preservation.
3harvesting: The saving or bringing in of crops such as hay or corn.Also: saving hay, bringing in crops.

Other Irish words for saving: tarrtháil (rescue), spáráil (sparing), coigilt (saving), coigilteas (saving)

Other entries for “sábháil”

The same spelling has its own page as:

sábháilto save · verb

“Sábháil” as a verbal noun

After ag, sábháil means saving: it is the verbal noun of the verb sábháil (to save). A noun that follows it goes into the genitive.

agat

sábháilverbal noun

ag sábháilsaving

“Sábháil” with the article

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

an tsábháil

the saving

Feminine nouns take t before s after an

“Sábháil” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using sábháil, the Irish word for saving.

Suigh sa charr agus tarraing umat an crios sábhála.

Sit in the car and put on your seat belt.

Teannaigí bhur gcriosanna sábhála, le bhur dtoil.

Tighten your seat belts, please.

Bhí siad ag sábháil an fhéir inné.

They were saving the hay yesterday.

Is mór an tsábháil airgid é sin.

That's a big saving of money.

Bhí sábháil an linbh ina scéal mór sa nuacht.

The rescue of the child was a big story in the news.

Ná déan dearmad ar an gcomhad a shábháil.

Don't forget to save the file.

Caitheann gach oibrí anseo hata sábhála.

Every worker here wears a safety helmet.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Saving in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for saving?

The Irish for saving is sábháil (pronounced “SAW-vawl”). It’s a feminine noun. Depending on context it can also mean safety or harvesting.

How do you pronounce sábháil in Irish?

Sábháil is said like “SAW-vawl” (IPA /ˈsˠɑːwɑːlʲ/).

Does sábháil have a plural?

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

Does sábháil have more than one meaning?

Yes. Sábháil can mean saving, safety or harvesting, depending on context; the first is the most common. Sábháil also has its own entry as a verb meaning to save.

Why does sábháil change to shábháil?

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

What is the difference between sábháil and sábháilteacht?

Sábháil is the act of saving, while sábháilteacht is the noun for safety as a quality, e.g. sábháilteacht ar bhóithre, road safety.

How do I say 'save money'?

Say airgead a shábháil or airgead a choigilt; ag sábháil airgid means saving money.

Saving in Irish (Sábháil): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage