HeyRuaHow to say “sloe” in Irish
- Irish:
- airne
- English:
- sloe, kernel
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, fourth declension
- Pronunciation:
- “AR-nyuh” /ˈaːɾˠn̠ʲə/
- Plural:
- airní (sloes)
- Genitive singular:
- airne, na hairne (e.g. dath na hairne, the colour of the sloe)
- Genitive plural:
- airní, na n-airní (e.g. biotáille airní, sloe gin)
What does “airne” mean?
“Airne” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- sloe
- The small, bitter, dark blue fruit of the blackthorn bush.Also: sloe berry, blackthorn fruit, wild plum.
1 other meaning: kernel
- 2kernel
- A small hard lump or kernel, such as a gland or a seed-like node.Also: gland, lump, node.
“Airne” with the article
The plural of sloe in Irish is airní. Here is airne after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Airne” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using airne, the Irish word for sloe.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Sloe in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for sloe?
The Irish for sloe is airne (pronounced “AR-nyuh”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is airní. Depending on context it can also mean kernel.
How do you pronounce airne in Irish?
Airne is said like “AR-nyuh” (IPA /ˈaːɾˠn̠ʲə/).
What is the plural of sloe in Irish?
The plural of airne is airní; with the article, na hairní means “the sloes”. The genitive plural is airní, as in biotáille airní (sloe gin).
Does airne have more than one meaning?
Yes. Airne can mean sloe or kernel, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does airne sometimes have a t or h in front of it?
Irish nouns beginning with a vowel take a prefix after certain words: an airne (the sloe), a hairne (her sloe), a n-airne (their sloe), na hairní (the sloes).
Is 'airne' the same as 'airneán'?
No. 'Airne' is a sloe, while 'airneán' means a night visit or sitting up late chatting; they only look alike.
What is the bush that sloes grow on called?
Sloes grow on the blackthorn, 'draighean' in Irish, also called 'airneog' in some dictionaries.
