Focal an Lae #184
The Word of the Day in Irish
Word: sneachta (SHNAKH-tuh) [s′n′æxtə]
Meaning: sneachta = snow
Usage:
- Cá bhfuil sé ag cur sneachta? (KAW WIHL shay uh KUR SHNAKH-tuh) [kaː vil′ s′eː ə kur s′n′æxtə] = Where is it snowing? (lit., at putting of-snow)
- Níorbh iontaí liom an sneachta dearg ná é. (NEERV EEN-tee lyum uh SHNAKH-tuh JA-ruhg naw AY) [n′iːrv′ iːntiː l′um ə s′n′æxtə d′ærəg naː eː]
= Nothing could be more surprising. (lit., would-not-be more-surprising with-me the snow red than it)
History: Old Irish “snechtae” derives from the Indo-European root *sneigwh- (snow; to snow), which also gives us English “snow”.
A cognate in Irish is the verb “snigh” (to pour down, flow).
Scottish Gaelic: sneachd