Spinning in Irish (Sníomh): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for spinning?

The Irish for spinning is sníomh (pronounced “shneev”). It’s a masculine noun. Depending on context it can also mean wringing or struggle.

Q: Does sníomh have more than one meaning?

Yes. Sníomh can mean spinning, wringing or struggle, depending on context; the first is the most common. Sníomh also has its own entry as a verb meaning to spin.

How to say “spinning” in Irish

Irish:: sníomh
English:: spinning, wringing, struggle
Word type:: noun (verbal noun)
Verbal noun of:: sníomh, to spin (ag sníomh, spinning)
Gender:: masculine
Pronunciation:: “shneev” /ʃnʲiːvˠ/

Various forms

Genitive singular:: sníofa, an tsníofa (e.g. tuirne sníofa, spinning wheel)

What does “sníomh” mean?

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

spinning: The act of spinning wool or thread; it is the verbal noun of the verb sníomh, to spin.Also: spin, twisting, twining.

2 other meanings: wringing or struggle

2wringing: The act of twisting or wringing something, such as the hands or wet clothes.Also: twisting, wrench.
3struggle: A strain or hard effort, or worry and anxiety about something.Also: strain, anxiety, care.

Other entries for “sníomh”

The same spelling has its own page as:

sníomhto spin · verb

“Sníomh” as a verbal noun

After ag, sníomh means spinning: it is the verbal noun of the verb sníomh (to spin). A noun that follows it goes into the genitive.

agat

sníomhverbal noun

ag sníomhspinning

“Sníomh” with the article

Here is sníomh after the article (an t-alt).

an sníomh

the spinning

No change after an

“Sníomh” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using sníomh, the Irish word for spinning.

Bhí mo sheanmháthair go maith ag sníomh olla.

My grandmother was good at spinning wool.

Tá an sníomh ina cheird an-sean.

Spinning is a very old craft.

Chonaic mé tuirne sníofa sa mhúsaem.

I saw a spinning wheel in the museum.

Bhí sí ag sníomh a lámh le himní.

She was wringing her hands with worry.

D'fhoghlaim sí sníomh ón tseanbhean béal dorais.

She learned spinning from the old woman next door.

Tá dúil mhór aici i sníomh agus i bhfíodóireacht.

She is very interested in spinning and weaving.

Other nouns in Irish

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Spinning in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for spinning?

The Irish for spinning is sníomh (pronounced “shneev”). It’s a masculine noun. Depending on context it can also mean wringing or struggle.

How do you pronounce sníomh in Irish?

Sníomh is said like “shneev” (IPA /ʃnʲiːvˠ/).

Does sníomh have a plural?

No plural form is given for sníomh in the standard. Many abstract and mass nouns in Irish have no plural.

Does sníomh have more than one meaning?

Yes. Sníomh can mean spinning, wringing or struggle, depending on context; the first is the most common. Sníomh also has its own entry as a verb meaning to spin.

Why does sníomh change to shníomh?

After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo shníomh. After ár (our) it stays ár sníomh, because s does not take eclipsis.

Is sníomh only about wool?

No. Besides spinning thread, sníomh can mean twisting or wringing, as in sníomh lámh, wringing of hands, and figuratively a struggle or strain.

Spinning in Irish (Sníomh): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage