Shebeen in Irish (Síbín): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for shebeen?

The Irish for shebeen is síbín (pronounced “shee-BEEN”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is síbíní. Depending on context it can also mean illicit whiskey.

Q: What is the plural of shebeen in Irish?

The plural of síbín is síbíní; with the article, na síbíní means “the shebeens”. The genitive plural is síbíní, as in lucht síbíní (shebeen keepers).

Q: Does síbín have more than one meaning?

Yes. Síbín can mean shebeen or illicit whiskey, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “shebeen” in Irish

Irish:: síbín
English:: shebeen, illicit whiskey
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, fourth declension
Pronunciation:: “shee-BEEN” /ʃiːˈbʲiːnʲ/

Various forms

Plural:: síbíní (shebeens)
Genitive singular:: síbín, an tsíbín (e.g. fear an tsíbín, the shebeen man)
Genitive plural:: síbíní, na síbíní (e.g. lucht síbíní, shebeen keepers)

What does “síbín” mean?

“Síbín” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

shebeen: An unlicensed house or place where alcohol, especially poitín, is sold illegally.Also: illicit pub, unlicensed bar, speakeasy.

1 other meaning: illicit whiskey

2illicit whiskey: Cheap or illegally made liquor, such as poitín, sold in such a place.Also: bad liquor, moonshine.

“Síbín” with the article

The plural of shebeen in Irish is síbíní. Here is síbín after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an síbín

the shebeen

No change after an

na síbíní

the shebeens

Plural: no change after na

“Síbín” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using síbín, the Irish word for shebeen.

Bhí síbín ag a sheanathair thiar sna sléibhte.

His grandfather kept a shebeen back in the mountains.

Dhún na gardaí an síbín anuraidh.

The guards closed the shebeen last year.

Chaith siad an oíche sa síbín.

They spent the night in the shebeen.

Bhí doras an tsíbín ar oscailt go maidin.

The shebeen door was open until morning.

Bhí go leor síbíní sa cheantar fadó.

There were plenty of shebeens in the area long ago.

Ceoltóirí a bhí i síbín Mháire gach Satharn.

There were musicians in Máire's shebeen every Saturday.

Ní ólfainn deoir den síbín sin.

I wouldn't drink a drop of that rotgut.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Shebeen in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for shebeen?

The Irish for shebeen is síbín (pronounced “shee-BEEN”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is síbíní. Depending on context it can also mean illicit whiskey.

How do you pronounce síbín in Irish?

Síbín is said like “shee-BEEN” (IPA /ʃiːˈbʲiːnʲ/).

What is the plural of shebeen in Irish?

The plural of síbín is síbíní; with the article, na síbíní means “the shebeens”. The genitive plural is síbíní, as in lucht síbíní (shebeen keepers).

Does síbín have more than one meaning?

Yes. Síbín can mean shebeen or illicit whiskey, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does síbín change to shíbín?

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

Is the English word 'shebeen' from Irish?

Yes, 'shebeen' comes from Irish síbín, originally meaning poor or illicit drink and then the place selling it.

How is síbín different from tábhairne?

A tábhairne is a licensed pub, while a síbín sells drink illegally without a licence.

Shebeen in Irish (Síbín): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage