HeyRuaHow to say “sky” in Irish
- Irish:
- spéir
- English:
- sky, airiness, sphere
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, second declension
- Pronunciation:
- “spayr” /sˠpʲeːɾʲ/
- Plural:
- spéartha (skies)
- Genitive singular:
- spéire, na spéire (e.g. dath na spéire, the colour of the sky)
- Genitive plural:
- spéartha, na spéartha (e.g. rí na spéartha, king of the skies)
What does “spéir” mean?
“Spéir” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- sky
- The space above the earth where you see clouds, the sun and the stars.Also: heavens, firmament.
2 other meanings: airiness or sphere
- 2airiness
- Brightness, lightness or airiness, as of a sunny open place or a cheerful look.Also: brightness, light.
- 3sphere
- A sphere or orbit, especially in older or technical use.Also: orbit, circle.
“Spéir” with the article
The plural of sky in Irish is spéartha. Here is spéir after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Spéir” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using spéir, the Irish word for sky.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Sky in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for sky?
The Irish for sky is spéir (pronounced “spayr”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is spéartha. Depending on context it can also mean airiness or sphere.
How do you pronounce spéir in Irish?
Spéir is said like “spayr” (IPA /sˠpʲeːɾʲ/).
What is the plural of sky in Irish?
The plural of spéir is spéartha; with the article, na spéartha means “the skies”. The genitive plural is spéartha, as in rí na spéartha (king of the skies).
Does spéir have more than one meaning?
Yes. Spéir can mean sky, airiness or sphere, depending on context; the first is the most common.
How do I say 'everything under the sun' in Irish?
Irish says 'gach rud faoin spéir', literally 'everything under the sky'.
What is the difference between 'spéir' and 'aer'?
'Spéir' is the sky you look up at, while 'aer' is the air you breathe; you say 'san aer' for 'in the air' and 'sa spéir' for 'in the sky'.
