HeyRuaHow to say “willow” in Irish
- Irish:
- sail
- English:
- willow
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, fifth declension
- Pronunciation:
- “sal” /sˠalʲ/
- Plural:
- saileacha (willows)
- Genitive singular:
- saileach, na saileach (e.g. slata na saileach, the rods of the willow)
- Genitive plural:
- saileach, na saileach (e.g. coill na saileach, the willow wood)
What does “sail” mean?
- willow
- A tree or shrub with long, flexible branches that usually grows near water.Also: sally, willow tree, osier.
Other Irish words for willow: saileog (willow), saileach (willow)
“Sail” with the article
The plural of willow in Irish is saileacha. Here is sail after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Sail” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using sail, the Irish word for willow.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Willow in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for willow?
The Irish for willow is sail (pronounced “sal”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is saileacha.
How do you pronounce sail in Irish?
Sail is said like “sal” (IPA /sˠalʲ/).
What is the plural of willow in Irish?
The plural of sail is saileacha; with the article, na saileacha means “the willows”. The genitive plural is saileach, as in coill na saileach (the willow wood).
Why does sail change to shail?
After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo shail. After ár (our) it stays ár sail, because s does not take eclipsis.
Is 'sail' meaning willow the same word as 'sail' meaning dirt?
No. 'Sail' (willow) has genitive 'saileach', while the separate word 'sail' (dross, stain) has genitive 'saile', as in 'sail chluaise' (earwax).
Is the English word 'sally' related?
Yes, 'sally' in Hiberno-English means a willow, and 'slat saileach' is a sally rod.
