HeyRuaHow to say “sign” in Irish
- Irish:
- sín
- English:
- sign, portent, weather
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, second declension
- Pronunciation:
- “sheen” /ʃiːnʲ/
- Plural:
- síneacha (signs)
- Genitive singular:
- síne, na síne (e.g. brí na síne, the meaning of the sign)
- Genitive plural:
- síneacha, na síneacha (e.g. ainmneacha na síneacha, the names of the signs)
What does “sín” mean?
“Sín” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- sign
- A sign of the zodiac, one of the twelve divisions used in astrology.Also: zodiac sign, star sign, sign of the zodiac.
2 other meanings: portent or weather
- 2portent
- A sign or omen that something is going to happen.Also: omen, sign.
- 3weather
- Weather, especially stormy weather, in older or literary use.Also: storm, stormy weather.
Other Irish words for sign: fógra (notice), comhartha (sign), sínigh (sign), saighneáil (sign)
“Sín” with the article
The plural of sign in Irish is síneacha. Here is sín after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Sín” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using sín, the Irish word for sign.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Sign in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for sign?
The Irish for sign is sín (pronounced “sheen”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is síneacha. Depending on context it can also mean portent or weather.
How do you pronounce sín in Irish?
Sín is said like “sheen” (IPA /ʃiːnʲ/).
What is the plural of sign in Irish?
The plural of sín is síneacha; with the article, na síneacha means “the signs”. The genitive plural is síneacha, as in ainmneacha na síneacha (the names of the signs).
Does sín have more than one meaning?
Yes. Sín can mean sign, portent or weather, depending on context; the first is the most common. Sín also has its own entry as a verb meaning to stretch.
Why does sín change to shín?
After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo shín. After ár (our) it stays ár sín, because s does not take eclipsis.
Is 'sín' the usual word for a sign in Irish?
No, for an ordinary sign or signal use 'comhartha' (comhartha bóthair, road sign); 'sín' is mainly used for a sign of the zodiac or a portent.
Is the noun 'sín' related to the verb 'sín'?
No, the verb 'sín' means to stretch or extend (shín sé a lámh, he stretched out his hand), which is a different word.
