HeyRuaHow to say “basic” in Irish
- Irish:
- bunúsach
- English:
- basic, original, substantial
- Word type:
- adjective
- More basic:
- níos bunúsaí
- Most basic:
- is bunúsaí
- Plural:
- bunúsacha
- Pronunciation:
- “BUN-oo-suck” /ˈbʊnuːsəx/
What does “bunúsach” mean?
“Bunúsach” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- basic
- Forming the base or foundation of something; fundamental.Also: fundamental, essential, elementary.
2 other meanings: original or substantial
- 2original
- Being the first or primary form of something.Also: primary, primitive.
- 3substantial
- Solid and well-founded, or well-to-do and comfortably off.Also: well-founded, well-to-do, solid.
“Bunúsach” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is bunúsach after prionsabal (principle, masculine), after ceist (question, feminine) and after a plural.
séimhiú (the h) the ending
After a feminine noun the adjective gets a séimhiú, an h after its first letter: ceist bhunúsach. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: prionsabal bunúsach.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, bunúsacha. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant: prionsabail bhunúsacha; after other plurals it does not: ceisteanna bunúsacha.
More basic, most basic, very basic
Tá an fhadhb seo níos bunúsaí ná an ceann eile. This problem is more fundamental than the other one.
| more basic | níos bunúsaí | in the past tense: ní ba bhunúsaí |
|---|---|---|
| most basic | is bunúsaí | in the past tense: ba bhunúsaí |
| as basic as | chomh bunúsach le | no change after chomh |
| very basic | an-bhunúsach | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too basic | róbhunúsach | ró- lenites |
“Bunúsach” in a sentence: Irish examples
With a masculine noun, a feminine noun, a plural, a comparison and on its own.
Other adjectives in Irish
More everyday Irish adjectives to learn next.
Basic in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for basic?
The Irish for basic is bunúsach (pronounced “BUN-oo-suck”). It comes after the noun: prionsabal bunúsach, a basic principle; ceist bhunúsach, a basic question.
How do you say more basic and most basic in Irish?
níos bunúsaí is more basic and is bunúsaí is most basic. In the past tense they become ní ba bhunúsaí and ba bhunúsaí.
Why does bunúsach become bhunúsach?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So ceist bhunúsach (a basic question) but prionsabal bunúsach (a basic principle), because prionsabal is masculine.
What is the plural of bunúsach?
With a plural noun bunúsach becomes bunúsacha: prionsabail bhunúsacha, ceisteanna bunúsacha. After a plural that ends in a slender consonant it is lenited as well.
How do you say very basic in Irish?
an-bhunúsach. Too basic is róbhunúsach, and as basic as is chomh bunúsach le.
Does bunúsach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Bunúsach can mean basic, original or substantial, depending on context; the first is the most common.
How do I say 'basically' in Irish?
Use 'go bunúsach', for example 'Níl ann go bunúsach ach téacs' means 'It is basically just text'.
What is the difference between 'bunúsach' and 'bunaidh'?
'Bunúsach' is an adjective meaning basic or fundamental, while 'bunaidh' is a genitive form often meaning original, as in 'an leagan bunaidh' (the original version).
