Story in Irish (Scéal): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for story?

The Irish for story is scéal (pronounced “shkayl”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is scéalta. Depending on context it can also mean news or matter.

Q: What is the plural of story in Irish?

The plural of scéal is scéalta; with the article, na scéalta means “the stories”. The genitive plural is scéalta, as in leabhar na scéalta (the storybook).

Q: Does scéal have more than one meaning?

Yes. Scéal can mean story, news or matter, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “story” in Irish

Irish:: scéal
English:: story, news, matter
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, first declension
Pronunciation:: “shkayl” /ʃceːlˠ/

Various forms

Plural:: scéalta (stories)
Genitive singular:: scéil, an scéil (e.g. deireadh an scéil, the end of the story)
Genitive plural:: scéalta, na scéalta (e.g. leabhar na scéalta, the storybook)

What does “scéal” mean?

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

story: A narrative account of events, real or imagined, told or written.Also: tale, narrative, account.

2 other meanings: news or matter

2news: A piece of news or information about something that has happened.Also: piece of news, report, information.
3matter: The situation or state of affairs, as in 'that is how matters stand'.Also: situation, affair, state of affairs.

Other Irish words for story: gearrscéal (short story)

“Scéal” with the article

The plural of story in Irish is scéalta. Here is scéal after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an scéal

the story

No change after an

na scéalta

the stories

Plural: no change after na

“Scéal” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using scéal, the Irish word for story.

An bhfuil aon scéal agat?

Have you got any news?

D'inis mo sheanmháthair scéal iontach dúinn aréir.

My grandmother told us a wonderful story last night.

Sin é an scéal uile.

That's the whole story.

Ní maith liom deireadh an scéil sin.

I don't like the end of that story.

Léann sí scéalta do na páistí gach oíche.

She reads stories to the children every night.

Ní chreideann aon duine mo scéal.

Nobody believes my story.

Bhí an t-ainm sin sa scéal a léigh mé.

That name was in the story I read.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Story in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for story?

The Irish for story is scéal (pronounced “shkayl”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is scéalta. Depending on context it can also mean news or matter.

How do you pronounce scéal in Irish?

Scéal is said like “shkayl” (IPA /ʃceːlˠ/).

What is the plural of story in Irish?

The plural of scéal is scéalta; with the article, na scéalta means “the stories”. The genitive plural is scéalta, as in leabhar na scéalta (the storybook).

Does scéal have more than one meaning?

Yes. Scéal can mean story, news or matter, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How do I ask 'what's the news?' in Irish?

Common greetings are 'Aon scéal?' or 'Cad é an scéal?' (Ulster 'Cad é mar atá tú' differs), meaning 'Any news?' or 'What's the story?'.

What is the difference between 'scéal' and 'nuacht'?

'Scéal' is a story or a single piece of news, while 'nuacht' is news in general, especially the broadcast news, as in 'an nuacht ar an raidió'.

Story in Irish (Scéal): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage