Spanner in Irish (Castaire): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for spanner?

The Irish for spanner is castaire (pronounced “KAS-tir-uh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is castairí. Depending on context it can also mean twister.

Q: What is the plural of spanner in Irish?

The plural of castaire is castairí; with the article, na castairí means “the spanners”. The genitive plural is castairí, as in tacar castairí (a set of spanners).

Q: Does castaire have more than one meaning?

Yes. Castaire can mean spanner or twister, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “spanner” in Irish

Irish:: castaire
English:: spanner, twister
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, fourth declension
Pronunciation:: “KAS-tir-uh” /ˈkasˠt̪ˠəɾʲə/

Various forms

Plural:: castairí (spanners)
Genitive singular:: castaire, an chastaire (e.g. cos an chastaire, the handle of the spanner)
Genitive plural:: castairí, na gcastairí (e.g. tacar castairí, a set of spanners)

What does “castaire” mean?

“Castaire” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

spanner: A hand tool for gripping and turning nuts and bolts.Also: wrench, monkey wrench.

1 other meaning: twister

2twister: A person or thing that twists or winds something, such as rope or yarn.Also: winder.

“Castaire” with the article

The plural of spanner in Irish is castairí. Here is castaire after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an castaire

the spanner

No change after an

na castairí

the spanners

Plural: no change after na

“Castaire” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using castaire, the Irish word for spanner.

Tabhair dom an castaire, le do thoil.

Give me the spanner, please.

Tá castaire de dhíth orm chun an bolta a scaoileadh.

I need a spanner to loosen the bolt.

Cá bhfuil mo chastaire beag?

Where is my small spanner?

Tá na castairí sa bhosca uirlisí.

The spanners are in the toolbox.

Bhris ceann an chastaire nuair a bhí mé ag obair.

The head of the spanner broke while I was working.

D'fhág sé an castaire i gcarr a dhearthár.

He left the spanner in his brother's car.

Cheannaigh mé tacar castairí nua inné.

I bought a new set of spanners yesterday.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Spanner in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for spanner?

The Irish for spanner is castaire (pronounced “KAS-tir-uh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is castairí. Depending on context it can also mean twister.

How do you pronounce castaire in Irish?

Castaire is said like “KAS-tir-uh” (IPA /ˈkasˠt̪ˠəɾʲə/).

What is the plural of spanner in Irish?

The plural of castaire is castairí; with the article, na castairí means “the spanners”. The genitive plural is castairí, as in tacar castairí (a set of spanners).

Does castaire have more than one meaning?

Yes. Castaire can mean spanner or twister, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does castaire change to chastaire or gcastaire?

Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) castaire becomes mo chastaire (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár gcastaire (eclipsis).

Is 'castaire' related to the verb 'cas'?

Yes, 'castaire' comes from 'cas' (turn, twist), so it is literally a 'turner', the tool you turn nuts with.

Spanner in Irish (Castaire): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage