spád
/sˠpˠɑːd̪ˠ/feminine
The English word spade is spád in Irish. Wiktionary also lists rámhainn and láí.
Meaning: garden tool with a handle and a flat blade for digging (noun)
Ways to say it
| Irish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| spád | /sˠpˠɑːd̪ˠ/ (Connacht, Munster) /sˠpˠaːd̪ˠ/ (Ulster) |
feminine |
| rámhainn | feminine | |
| láí | /l̪ˠɑːˈiː/ (Munster) /ˈl̪ˠɑː.iː/ (Connacht) |
feminine |
The term refers to a garden tool with a handle and a flat blade for digging.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /sˠpˠɑːd̪ˠ/.
Did you know?
- The term rámhainn descends from the Middle Irish word rámann. Its dual use for oars and spades suggests a historical connection between the act of pushing water and pushing earth.
- The word láí is not just a name for the tool itself but also refers to the 'blade' or 'edge' of various implements.
Examples in context
- An bhfuil spád agat?Do you have a spade?
Example conversation
Conor and Siobhán are working in the yard.
- ConorSiobhán, cá bhfuil an spád?Siobhán, where is the spade?
- SiobhánTá sé taobh an bhallais.It is beside the fence.
- ConorGo raibh maith agat, a Siobhán.Thank you, Siobhán.
- SiobhánNí cuireann sé Focal, a Chonaire.No problem, Conor.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “spade” translations and entries spád, rámhainn, láí, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries láí, rámhainn, spád, CC BY-SA 4.0.
