Slave in Irish (Sclábhaí): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for slave?

The Irish for slave is sclábhaí (pronounced “SKLAW-vee”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is sclábhaithe. Depending on context it can also mean labourer or drudge.

Q: What is the plural of slave in Irish?

The plural of sclábhaí is sclábhaithe; with the article, na sclábhaithe means “the slaves”. The genitive plural is sclábhaithe, as in trádáil sclábhaithe (slave trade).

Q: Does sclábhaí have more than one meaning?

Yes. Sclábhaí can mean slave, labourer or drudge, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “slave” in Irish

Irish:: sclábhaí
English:: slave, labourer, drudge
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, fourth declension
Pronunciation:: “SKLAW-vee” /ˈsklˠaːwiː/

Various forms

Plural:: sclábhaithe (slaves)
Genitive singular:: sclábhaí, an sclábhaí (e.g. saol an sclábhaí, the life of the slave)
Genitive plural:: sclábhaithe, na sclábhaithe (e.g. trádáil sclábhaithe, slave trade)

What does “sclábhaí” mean?

“Sclábhaí” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

slave: A person who is owned by another and forced to work without freedom or pay.Also: bondsman, serf.

2 other meanings: labourer or drudge

2labourer: A person who does hard manual work for wages, especially unskilled labour.Also: laborer, manual worker, navvy.
3drudge: Someone who works very hard at dull or exhausting tasks.Also: hack, workhorse.

“Sclábhaí” with the article

The plural of slave in Irish is sclábhaithe. Here is sclábhaí after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an sclábhaí

the slave

No change after an

na sclábhaithe

the slaves

Plural: no change after na

“Sclábhaí” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using sclábhaí, the Irish word for slave.

"Ní sclábhaí mé," ar sé go feargach.

"I'm not a slave," he said angrily.

Fuair an sclábhaí a shaoirse sa deireadh.

The slave finally got his freedom.

Bhí lámha an sclábhaí garbh ón obair.

The slave's hands were rough from the work.

Bhí na mílte sclábhaí ag obair ar na feirmeacha.

Thousands of slaves worked on the farms.

Bhí na sclábhaithe ag obair sna páirceanna cadáis.

The slaves were working in the cotton fields.

Chaith m'athair blianta ina sclábhaí ar an mbóthar.

My father spent years labouring on the roads.

Is sclábhaí mé ag an mbainisteoir sin.

I'm a slave for that manager.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Slave in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for slave?

The Irish for slave is sclábhaí (pronounced “SKLAW-vee”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is sclábhaithe. Depending on context it can also mean labourer or drudge.

How do you pronounce sclábhaí in Irish?

Sclábhaí is said like “SKLAW-vee” (IPA /ˈsklˠaːwiː/).

What is the plural of slave in Irish?

The plural of sclábhaí is sclábhaithe; with the article, na sclábhaithe means “the slaves”. The genitive plural is sclábhaithe, as in trádáil sclábhaithe (slave trade).

Does sclábhaí have more than one meaning?

Yes. Sclábhaí can mean slave, labourer or drudge, depending on context; the first is the most common.

What is the Irish for slavery?

Slavery is 'sclábhaíocht', from 'sclábhaí'; the older word 'daoirse' means bondage or servitude.

Can 'sclábhaí' mean an ordinary labourer?

Yes, 'sclábhaí' is commonly used for a manual labourer, for example 'sclábhaí feirme', a farm labourer, as well as a slave.

Slave in Irish (Sclábhaí): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage