HeyRuaHow to say “thrust” in Irish
- Irish:
- sá
- English:
- thrust, push
- Word type:
- noun (verbal noun)
- Verbal noun of:
- sáigh, to thrust (ag sá, thrusting)
- Gender:
- masculine, fourth declension
- Pronunciation:
- “saw” /sˠaː/
- Plural:
- sáite (thrusts)
- Genitive singular:
- sá, an tsá (e.g. neart an tsá, the force of the thrust)
- Genitive plural:
- sáite, na sáite (e.g. líon na sáite, the number of thrusts)
What does “sá” mean?
“Sá” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- thrust
- A sharp forward push or stab, for example with a knife, spear or stick.Also: stab, jab, lunge, dart.
1 other meaning: push
- 2push
- A shove or press against something, or a strong effort to get through or forward.Also: shove, press, drive.
Other Irish words for thrust: sáigh (thrust)
“Sá” as a verbal noun
After ag, sá means thrusting: it is the verbal noun of the verb sáigh (to thrust). A noun that follows it goes into the genitive.
“Sá” with the article
The plural of thrust in Irish is sáite. Here is sá after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Sá” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using sá, the Irish word for thrust.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Thrust in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for thrust?
The Irish for thrust is sá (pronounced “saw”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is sáite. Depending on context it can also mean push.
How do you pronounce sá in Irish?
Sá is said like “saw” (IPA /sˠaː/).
What is the plural of thrust in Irish?
The plural of sá is sáite; with the article, na sáite means “the thrusts”. The genitive plural is sáite, as in líon na sáite (the number of thrusts).
Does sá have more than one meaning?
Yes. Sá can mean thrust or push, depending on context; the first is the most common. Sá also has its own entry as a noun, masculine meaning thrusting.
Why does sá change to shá?
After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo shá. After ár (our) it stays ár sá, because s does not take eclipsis.
What verb is 'sá' connected to?
'Sá' is the verbal noun of 'sáigh' (thrust, stab, stick), so 'ag sá' means 'thrusting' or 'stabbing', as in 'bhí sé ag sá an bhata sa talamh'.
How do I say 'to stab someone' using 'sá'?
A common pattern is 'sá a thabhairt do dhuine', for example 'thug sé sá scine di' (he stabbed her with a knife).
