HeyRuaHow to say “biting” in Irish
- Irish:
- feanntach
- English:
- biting, scathing
- Word type:
- adjective
- More biting:
- níos feanntaí
- Most biting:
- is feanntaí
- Plural:
- feanntacha
- Pronunciation:
- “FYOWN-tukh” /ˈfʲaun̪ˠt̪ˠəx/
What does “feanntach” mean?
“Feanntach” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- biting
- Describes cold or wind that is sharp and cutting, as if it would strip the skin.Also: piercing, bitter, cutting, raw.
1 other meaning: scathing
- 2scathing
- Describes words or criticism that are harsh and wounding.Also: caustic, cutting, severe.
“Feanntach” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is feanntach after fear (man, masculine), after gaoth (wind, 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: gaoth fheanntach. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: fear feanntach.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, feanntacha. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant: fir fheanntacha; after other plurals it does not: gaotha feanntacha.
More biting, most biting, very biting
Tá an ghaoth níos feanntaí inniu ná inné. The wind is more biting today than yesterday.
| more biting | níos feanntaí | in the past tense: ní b'fheanntaí |
|---|---|---|
| most biting | is feanntaí | in the past tense: ab fheanntaí |
| as biting as | chomh feanntach le | no change after chomh |
| very biting | an-fheanntach | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too biting | rófheanntach | ró- lenites |
“Feanntach” 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.
Biting in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for biting?
The Irish for biting is feanntach (pronounced “FYOWN-tukh”). It comes after the noun: fear feanntach, a biting man; gaoth fheanntach, a biting wind.
How do you say more biting and most biting in Irish?
níos feanntaí is more biting and is feanntaí is most biting. In the past tense they become ní b'fheanntaí and ab fheanntaí.
Why does feanntach become fheanntach?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So gaoth fheanntach (a biting wind) but fear feanntach (a biting man), because fear is masculine.
What is the plural of feanntach?
With a plural noun feanntach becomes feanntacha: fir fheanntacha, gaotha feanntacha. After a plural that ends in a slender consonant it is lenited as well.
How do you say very biting in Irish?
an-fheanntach. Too biting is rófheanntach, and as biting as is chomh feanntach le.
Does feanntach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Feanntach can mean biting or scathing, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Where does 'feanntach' come from?
It is related to the verb 'feann', to skin or flay, so 'fuacht feanntach' is cold that seems to strip the skin off you.
