HeyRuaHow to say “carnal” in Irish
- Irish:
- collaí
- English:
- carnal, sexual
- Word type:
- adjective
- More carnal:
- níos collaí
- Most carnal:
- is collaí
- Pronunciation:
- “KUL-ee” /ˈkəl̪ˠiː/
What does “collaí” mean?
“Collaí” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- carnal
- Relating to the body and its physical desires, especially sexual ones, rather than the spirit.Also: fleshly, sensual, bodily.
1 other meaning: sexual
- 2sexual
- Relating to sex or sexual activity.Also: intimate, physical.
“Collaí” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is collaí after mothúchán (feeling, masculine), after mian (desire, 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: mian chollaí. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: mothúchán collaí.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, collaí. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant: mothúcháin chollaí; after other plurals it does not: mianta collaí.
More carnal, most carnal, very carnal
Bhí an dara leabhar níos collaí ná an chéad cheann. The second book was more sensual than the first one.
| more carnal | níos collaí | in the past tense: ní ba chollaí |
|---|---|---|
| most carnal | is collaí | in the past tense: ba chollaí |
| as carnal as | chomh collaí le | no change after chomh |
| very carnal | an-chollaí | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too carnal | róchollaí | ró- lenites |
“Collaí” 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.
Carnal in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for carnal?
The Irish for carnal is collaí (pronounced “KUL-ee”). It comes after the noun: mothúchán collaí, a carnal feeling; mian chollaí, a carnal desire.
How do you say more carnal and most carnal in Irish?
níos collaí is more carnal and is collaí is most carnal. In the past tense they become ní ba chollaí and ba chollaí.
Why does collaí become chollaí?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So mian chollaí (a carnal desire) but mothúchán collaí (a carnal feeling), because mothúchán is masculine.
How do you say very carnal in Irish?
an-chollaí. Too carnal is róchollaí, and as carnal as is chomh collaí le.
Does collaí have more than one meaning?
Yes. Collaí can mean carnal or sexual, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'collaí' and 'gnéasach'?
'Collaí' comes from 'colainn' (flesh, body) and means carnal, often in a moral or religious sense, as in 'mianta collaí'. 'Gnéasach' is the neutral modern word for sexual, as in 'oideachas gnéasach' (sex education).
