Storyteller in Irish (Scéalaí): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for storyteller?

The Irish for storyteller is scéalaí (pronounced “SHKAY-lee”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is scéalaithe. Depending on context it can also mean bearer of news.

Q: What is the plural of storyteller in Irish?

The plural of scéalaí is scéalaithe; with the article, na scéalaithe means “the storytellers”. The genitive plural is scéalaithe, as in féile na scéalaithe (the storytellers' festival).

Q: Does scéalaí have more than one meaning?

Yes. Scéalaí can mean storyteller or bearer of news, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “storyteller” in Irish

Irish:: scéalaí
English:: storyteller, bearer of news
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, fourth declension
Pronunciation:: “SHKAY-lee” /ˈʃceːlˠiː/

Various forms

Plural:: scéalaithe (storytellers)
Genitive singular:: scéalaí, an scéalaí (e.g. guth an scéalaí, the storyteller's voice)
Genitive plural:: scéalaithe, na scéalaithe (e.g. féile na scéalaithe, the storytellers' festival)

What does “scéalaí” mean?

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

storyteller: A person who tells stories, especially traditional folk tales.Also: narrator, teller of tales, seanchaí.

1 other meaning: bearer of news

2bearer of news: A person who brings or spreads news or tidings.Also: messenger, newsbearer, talebearer.

Other Irish words for storyteller: seanchaí (storyteller)

“Scéalaí” with the article

The plural of storyteller in Irish is scéalaithe. Here is scéalaí after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an scéalaí

the storyteller

No change after an

na scéalaithe

the storytellers

Plural: no change after na

“Scéalaí” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using scéalaí, the Irish word for storyteller.

Ba scéalaí iontach í an tseanbhean.

The old woman was a great storyteller.

Is scéalaí iontach é mo sheanathair.

My grandfather is a wonderful storyteller.

Bhí na páistí ag éisteacht leis an scéalaí.

The children were listening to the storyteller.

Thaitin stíl an scéalaí go mór liom.

I really liked the storyteller's style.

Tháinig scéalaithe ó gach cearn den tír.

Storytellers came from every corner of the country.

Bhí scéalaí sa teach againn aréir.

We had a storyteller in the house last night.

Ní maith liom scéalaí an drochscéil.

I don't like the bearer of bad news.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Storyteller in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for storyteller?

The Irish for storyteller is scéalaí (pronounced “SHKAY-lee”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is scéalaithe. Depending on context it can also mean bearer of news.

How do you pronounce scéalaí in Irish?

Scéalaí is said like “SHKAY-lee” (IPA /ˈʃceːlˠiː/).

What is the plural of storyteller in Irish?

The plural of scéalaí is scéalaithe; with the article, na scéalaithe means “the storytellers”. The genitive plural is scéalaithe, as in féile na scéalaithe (the storytellers' festival).

Does scéalaí have more than one meaning?

Yes. Scéalaí can mean storyteller or bearer of news, depending on context; the first is the most common.

What is the difference between scéalaí and seanchaí?

A scéalaí is any storyteller, while a seanchaí is traditionally a custodian of lore, genealogy and history as well as tales. In practice the words overlap a lot.

Storyteller in Irish (Scéalaí): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage