HeyRuaHow to say “busy” in Irish
- Irish:
- gnóthach
- English:
- busy, bustling, officious
- Word type:
- adjective
- Busier:
- níos gnóthaí
- Busiest:
- is gnóthaí
- Plural:
- gnóthacha
- Pronunciation:
- “GROH-hukh” /ˈɡɾˠoːhəx/
What does “gnóthach” mean?
“Gnóthach” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- busy
- Having a lot to do, occupied with work or tasks.Also: occupied, engaged, tied up.
“Gnóthach” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is gnóthach after lá (day, masculine), after sráid (street, 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: sráid ghnóthach. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: lá gnóthach.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, gnóthacha. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: sráideanna gnóthacha.
Busier, busiest, very busy
Tá mé níos gnóthaí an bhliain seo ná anuraidh. I am busier this year than last year.
| busier | níos gnóthaí | in the past tense: ní ba ghnóthaí |
|---|---|---|
| busiest | is gnóthaí | in the past tense: ba ghnóthaí |
| as busy as | chomh gnóthach le | no change after chomh |
| very busy | an-ghnóthach | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too busy | róghnóthach | ró- lenites |
“Gnóthach” in a sentence: Irish examples
With a masculine noun, a feminine noun, a plural, a comparison and on its own.
Phrases with gnóthach: Tá mé gnóthach (I'm busy)
Other adjectives in Irish
More everyday Irish adjectives to learn next.
Phrases with “gnóthach”
Busy in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for busy?
The Irish for busy is gnóthach (pronounced “GROH-hukh”). It comes after the noun: lá gnóthach, a busy day; sráid ghnóthach, a busy street.
How do you say busier and busiest in Irish?
níos gnóthaí is busier and is gnóthaí is busiest. In the past tense they become ní ba ghnóthaí and ba ghnóthaí.
Why does gnóthach become ghnóthach?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So sráid ghnóthach (a busy street) but lá gnóthach (a busy day), because lá is masculine.
What is the plural of gnóthach?
With a plural noun gnóthach becomes gnóthacha: laethanta gnóthacha, sráideanna gnóthacha.
How do you say very busy in Irish?
an-ghnóthach. Too busy is róghnóthach, and as busy as is chomh gnóthach le.
Does gnóthach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Gnóthach can mean busy, bustling or officious, depending on context; the first is the most common.
How do I say I am busy with something?
Use le: "Tá mé gnóthach leis an obair bhaile" means I am busy with the homework.
Why is it sometimes pronounced like "graitheach"?
In many dialects the cluster gn is pronounced gr, so "gnóthach" sounds like "gróthach", and Ulster speakers may say "graitheach".
