HeyRuaHow to say “broad” in Irish
- Irish:
- leathan
- English:
- broad, extensive, broad (vowel, consonant)
- Word type:
- adjective
- Broader:
- níos leithne
- Broadest:
- is leithne
- Plural:
- leathana
- Pronunciation:
- “LA-hun” /ˈlʲahən̪ˠ/
What does “leathan” mean?
“Leathan” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- broad
- Wide from side to side, not narrow.Also: wide.
2 other meanings: extensive or broad (vowel, consonant)
- 2extensive
- Covering a large range or area.Also: wide-ranging, wide.
- 3broad (vowel, consonant)
- In Irish grammar, describes the vowels a, o, u and consonants beside them.Also: broad, velarised.
Other Irish adjectives for broad: fairsing (wide)
“Leathan” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is leathan after bóthar (road, masculine), after sráid (street, feminine) and after a plural.
séimhiú (the h) the ending
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, leathana.
Broader, broadest, very broad
Tá an abhainn níos leithne anseo. The river is wider here.
| broader | níos leithne | in the past tense: ní ba leithne |
|---|---|---|
| broadest | is leithne | in the past tense: ba leithne |
| as broad as | chomh leathan le | no change after chomh |
| very broad | an-leathan | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too broad | róleathan | ró- lenites |
“Leathan” 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.
Broad in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for broad?
The Irish for broad is leathan (pronounced “LA-hun”). It comes after the noun: bóthar leathan, a broad road; sráid leathan, a broad street.
How do you say broader and broadest in Irish?
níos leithne is broader and is leithne is broadest. In the past tense they become ní ba leithne and ba leithne.
What is the plural of leathan?
With a plural noun leathan becomes leathana: bóithre leathana, sráideanna leathana.
How do you say very broad in Irish?
an-leathan. Too broad is róleathan, and as broad as is chomh leathan le.
Does leathan have more than one meaning?
Yes. Leathan can mean broad, extensive or broad (vowel, consonant), depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the opposite of leathan?
For width use 'cúng' (narrow); in grammar the opposite of 'leathan' is 'caol' (slender), as in 'caol le caol agus leathan le leathan'.
