Seed potato in Irish (Sceallán): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for seed potato?

The Irish for seed potato is sceallán (pronounced “SHKAL-awn”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is scealláin. Depending on context it can also mean small potato or pip.

Q: What is the plural of seed potato in Irish?

The plural of sceallán is scealláin; with the article, na scealláin means “the seed potatoes”. The genitive plural is sceallán, as in cur na sceallán (the planting of the seed potatoes).

Q: Does sceallán have more than one meaning?

Yes. Sceallán can mean seed potato, small potato or pip, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “seed potato” in Irish

Irish:: sceallán
English:: seed potato, small potato, pip
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, first declension
Pronunciation:: “SHKAL-awn” /ˈʃcal̪ˠaːnˠ/

Various forms

Plural:: scealláin (seed potatoes)
Genitive singular:: scealláin, an scealláin (e.g. cur an scealláin, the planting of the seed potato)
Genitive plural:: sceallán, na sceallán (e.g. cur na sceallán, the planting of the seed potatoes)

What does “sceallán” mean?

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

seed potato: A small potato or piece of potato kept for planting.Also: potato set, potato seed, set.

2 other meanings: small potato or pip

2small potato: A very small potato, too small to be worth much for eating.Also: tiny potato, potato.
3pip: A seed or kernel inside a fruit.Also: seed, kernel, stone.

“Sceallán” with the article

The plural of seed potato in Irish is scealláin. Here is sceallán after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an sceallán

the seed potato

No change after an

na scealláin

the seed potatoes

Plural: no change after na

“Sceallán” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using sceallán, the Irish word for seed potato.

Chuir mé sceallán i ngach poll.

I put a seed potato in every hole.

Tá an sceallán seo róbheag.

This seed potato is too small.

Ghearr sí na scealláin ina dhá leath.

She cut the seed potatoes in half.

Cheannaigh m'athair scealláin nua san earrach.

My father bought new seed potatoes in spring.

Bhí súil mhaith ar an sceallán.

The seed potato had a good eye.

Choinníomar na scealláin sa scioból.

We kept the seed potatoes in the barn.

Ná caith amach na scealláin bheaga.

Don't throw out the little potatoes.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Seed potato in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for seed potato?

The Irish for seed potato is sceallán (pronounced “SHKAL-awn”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is scealláin. Depending on context it can also mean small potato or pip.

How do you pronounce sceallán in Irish?

Sceallán is said like “SHKAL-awn” (IPA /ˈʃcal̪ˠaːnˠ/).

What is the plural of seed potato in Irish?

The plural of sceallán is scealláin; with the article, na scealláin means “the seed potatoes”. The genitive plural is sceallán, as in cur na sceallán (the planting of the seed potatoes).

Does sceallán have more than one meaning?

Yes. Sceallán can mean seed potato, small potato or pip, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Is 'sceallán' the same as 'práta'?

No, 'práta' is any potato, while 'sceallán' is usually a potato or cut piece kept for planting, or a very small potato.

Seed potato in Irish (Sceallán): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage