HeyRuaHow to say “swarm” in Irish
- Irish:
- scaoth
- English:
- swarm, flock
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, second declension
- Pronunciation:
- “skeeh” /sˠkiːh/
- Plural:
- scaotha (swarms)
- Genitive singular:
- scaoithe, na scaoithe (e.g. fuaim na scaoithe, the sound of the swarm)
- Genitive plural:
- scaoth, na scaoth (e.g. ag faire na scaoth, watching the swarms)
What does “scaoth” mean?
“Scaoth” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- swarm
- A large group of insects, especially bees, moving together.Also: swarm of bees, cloud of insects.
1 other meaning: flock
- 2flock
- A large flock of birds in flight, or a great crowd or multitude of people or things.Also: flight of birds, multitude, crowd, host.
Other Irish words for swarm: saithe (swarm)
“Scaoth” with the article
The plural of swarm in Irish is scaotha. Here is scaoth after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Scaoth” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using scaoth, the Irish word for swarm.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Swarm in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for swarm?
The Irish for swarm is scaoth (pronounced “skeeh”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is scaotha. Depending on context it can also mean flock.
How do you pronounce scaoth in Irish?
Scaoth is said like “skeeh” (IPA /sˠkiːh/).
What is the plural of swarm in Irish?
The plural of scaoth is scaotha; with the article, na scaotha means “the swarms”. The genitive plural is scaoth, as in ag faire na scaoth (watching the swarms).
Does scaoth have more than one meaning?
Yes. Scaoth can mean swarm or flock, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'scaoth' and 'saithe'?
Both can mean a swarm, but 'saithe' is the usual word for a swarm of bees, while 'scaoth' is also used for flocks of birds in flight and for crowds in general.
Is 'ealta' the same as 'scaoth'?
'Ealta' is the standard word for a flock of birds; 'scaoth' suggests a large, dense mass moving together, like 'scaoth éan'.
