Worker in Irish (Saothróir): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for worker?

The Irish for worker is saothróir (pronounced “SEE-hroh-ir”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is saothróirí. Depending on context it can also mean cultivator.

Q: What is the plural of worker in Irish?

The plural of saothróir is saothróirí; with the article, na saothróirí means “the workers”. The genitive plural is saothróirí, as in cearta na saothróirí (the rights of the workers).

Q: Does saothróir have more than one meaning?

Yes. Saothróir can mean worker or cultivator, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “worker” in Irish

Irish:: saothróir
English:: worker, cultivator
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, third declension
Pronunciation:: “SEE-hroh-ir” /ˈsˠiːhɾˠoːɾʲ/

Various forms

Plural:: saothróirí (workers)
Genitive singular:: saothróra, an tsaothróra (e.g. obair an tsaothróra, the worker's labour)
Genitive plural:: saothróirí, na saothróirí (e.g. cearta na saothróirí, the rights of the workers)

What does “saothróir” mean?

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

worker: A person who works hard or labours at something; a toiler.Also: labourer, toiler, earner.

1 other meaning: cultivator

2cultivator: A person who cultivates land or crops, or who develops something such as a language or an art.Also: grower, tiller, developer.

Other Irish words for worker: oibrí (worker), fostaí (employee), fostúch (employee)

“Saothróir” with the article

The plural of worker in Irish is saothróirí. Here is saothróir after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an saothróir

the worker

No change after an

na saothróirí

the workers

Plural: no change after na

“Saothróir” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using saothróir, the Irish word for worker.

Is saothróir dícheallach é Seán.

Seán is a diligent worker.

Bhí an saothróir tuirseach tar éis an lae.

The worker was tired after the day.

Ba é m'athair an saothróir ab fhearr sa pharóiste.

My father was the best worker in the parish.

Tá na saothróirí ag obair sna páirceanna.

The labourers are working in the fields.

Fuair sé pá an tsaothróra.

He got the worker's wage.

Is saothróir mór teanga í an file sin.

That poet is a great cultivator of the language.

Bhí saothróirí ón gceantar sa chomhlacht.

There were workers from the area in the company.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Worker in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for worker?

The Irish for worker is saothróir (pronounced “SEE-hroh-ir”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is saothróirí. Depending on context it can also mean cultivator.

How do you pronounce saothróir in Irish?

Saothróir is said like “SEE-hroh-ir” (IPA /ˈsˠiːhɾˠoːɾʲ/).

What is the plural of worker in Irish?

The plural of saothróir is saothróirí; with the article, na saothróirí means “the workers”. The genitive plural is saothróirí, as in cearta na saothróirí (the rights of the workers).

Does saothróir have more than one meaning?

Yes. Saothróir can mean worker or cultivator, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does saothróir change to shaothróir?

After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo shaothróir. After ár (our) it stays ár saothróir, because s does not take eclipsis.

How does 'saothróir' differ from 'oibrí'?

'Oibrí' is the everyday word for a worker or employee, while 'saothróir' is more literary and stresses toil or cultivation, linked to 'saothar' and 'saothrú'.

Worker in Irish (Saothróir): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage