HeyRuaHow to say “sieve” in Irish
- Irish:
- criathar
- English:
- sieve, honeycomb, anything full of holes
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, first declension
- Pronunciation:
- “KREE-uh-hur” /ˈkɾʲiəhəɾ/
- Plural:
- criathair (sieves)
- Genitive singular:
- criathair, an chriathair (e.g. poill an chriathair, the holes of the sieve)
- Genitive plural:
- criathar, na gcriathar (e.g. díoltóir criathar, a sieve seller)
What does “criathar” mean?
“Criathar” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- sieve
- A utensil with a mesh or perforated bottom used to separate fine particles from coarse ones, or liquid from solids.Also: riddle, sifter, strainer.
2 other meanings: honeycomb or anything full of holes
- 2honeycomb
- In the phrase criathar meala, the wax structure of cells that bees build to store honey.Also: comb.
- 3anything full of holes
- Used figuratively for something riddled with holes, like a sieve.Also: something full of holes, riddled thing.
Other Irish words for sieve: síothlóir (strainer), stráinín (strainer)
“Criathar” with the article
The plural of sieve in Irish is criathair. Here is criathar after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Criathar” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using criathar, the Irish word for sieve.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Sieve in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for sieve?
The Irish for sieve is criathar (pronounced “KREE-uh-hur”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is criathair. Depending on context it can also mean honeycomb or anything full of holes.
How do you pronounce criathar in Irish?
Criathar is said like “KREE-uh-hur” (IPA /ˈkɾʲiəhəɾ/).
What is the plural of sieve in Irish?
The plural of criathar is criathair; with the article, na criathair means “the sieves”. The genitive plural is criathar, as in díoltóir criathar (a sieve seller).
Does criathar have more than one meaning?
Yes. Criathar can mean sieve, honeycomb or anything full of holes, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does criathar change to chriathar or gcriathar?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) criathar becomes mo chriathar (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár gcriathar (eclipsis).
What is the difference between criathar and síothlán?
A criathar is a sieve or riddle for sifting dry material like flour or soil, while a síothlán is a strainer or colander for liquids.
How do you say 'riddled with holes' in Irish?
You can say that something is ina chriathar, literally 'in its sieve', for example tá an seanbhád ina chriathar.
