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Shovel in Irish (Sluasaid): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage

‘sluasaid’ also means: shovelful

The Irish for shovel is sluasaid, a feminine noun (plural sluaistí).
Updated October 2026Report a mistake

How to say “shovel” in Irish

Irish:
sluasaid
English:
shovel, shovelful
Word type:
noun
Gender:
feminine, second declension
Pronunciation:
“SLOO-uh-sid”  /ˈsl̪ˠuəsˠədʲ/
Various forms
Plural:
sluaistí (shovels)
Genitive singular:
sluaiste, na sluaiste (e.g. cos na sluaiste, the shovel handle)
Genitive plural:
sluaistí, na sluaistí (e.g. lanna na sluaistí, the blades of the shovels)

What does “sluasaid” mean?

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

shovel
A tool with a broad blade and a handle, used for lifting and moving earth, coal, snow or similar material.Also: spade, scoop.
1 other meaning: shovelful
2shovelful
The amount that a shovel holds.Also: shovel load.

“Sluasaid” with the article

The plural of shovel in Irish is sluaistí. Here is sluasaid after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an tsluasaid
the shovel
Feminine nouns take t before s after an
na sluaistí
the shovels
Plural: no change after na

“Sluasaid” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using sluasaid, the Irish word for shovel.

Tabhair dom an tsluasaid, le do thoil.
Give me the shovel, please.
Tá sluasaid nua ag teastáil uaim.
I need a new shovel.
Bhí cos na sluaiste briste.
The handle of the shovel was broken.
Cheannaíomar dhá shluasaid sa siopa crua-earraí.
We bought two shovels in the hardware shop.
Chaill mé mo shluasaid sa ghairdín.
I lost my shovel in the garden.
Chuir sé sluasaid ghuail ar an tine.
He put a shovelful of coal on the fire.
Tá na sluaistí sa scioból.
The shovels are in the barn.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

Shovel in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for shovel?

The Irish for shovel is sluasaid (pronounced “SLOO-uh-sid”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is sluaistí. Depending on context it can also mean shovelful.

How do you pronounce sluasaid in Irish?

Sluasaid is said like “SLOO-uh-sid” (IPA /ˈsl̪ˠuəsˠədʲ/).

What is the plural of shovel in Irish?

The plural of sluasaid is sluaistí; with the article, na sluaistí means “the shovels”. The genitive plural is sluaistí, as in lanna na sluaistí (the blades of the shovels).

Does sluasaid have more than one meaning?

Yes. Sluasaid can mean shovel or shovelful, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does sluasaid change to shluasaid?

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

What is the difference between 'sluasaid' and 'spád'?

A 'sluasaid' is a shovel with a broad, scooped blade for lifting loose material, while a 'spád' is a spade for digging.

Is there a verb related to 'sluasaid'?

Yes, 'sluaisteáil' means shovelling, as in 'ag sluaisteáil sneachta' (shovelling snow).

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