Certainty in Irish (Cinnteacht): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for certainty?

The Irish for certainty is cinnteacht (pronounced “KIN-tyukht”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is cinnteachtaí. Depending on context it can also mean limitation.

Q: What is the plural of certainty in Irish?

The plural of cinnteacht is cinnteachtaí; with the article, na cinnteachtaí means “the certainties”. The genitive plural is cinnteachtaí, as in liosta na gcinnteachtaí (the list of the certainties).

Q: Does cinnteacht have more than one meaning?

Yes. Cinnteacht can mean certainty or limitation, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “certainty” in Irish

Irish:: cinnteacht
English:: certainty, limitation
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine, third declension
Pronunciation:: “KIN-tyukht” /ˈcɪnʲtʲəxt̪/

Various forms

Plural:: cinnteachtaí (certainties)
Genitive singular:: cinnteachta, na cinnteachta (e.g. easpa cinnteachta, lack of certainty)
Genitive plural:: cinnteachtaí, na gcinnteachtaí (e.g. liosta na gcinnteachtaí, the list of the certainties)

What does “cinnteacht” mean?

“Cinnteacht” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

certainty: The state of being certain or sure about something.Also: sureness, definiteness, assurance.

1 other meaning: limitation

2limitation: The quality of being limited, fixed or restricted.Also: definiteness, fixedness.

Other Irish words for certainty: áirithe (certainty)

“Cinnteacht” with the article

The plural of certainty in Irish is cinnteachtaí. Here is cinnteacht after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an chinnteacht

the certainty

Lenition: c becomes ch after an (feminine noun)

na cinnteachtaí

the certainties

Plural: no change after na

“Cinnteacht” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using cinnteacht, the Irish word for certainty.

Níl aon chinnteacht ann go dtiocfaidh sé.

There is no certainty that he will come.

Labhair sí le cinnteacht mhór.

She spoke with great certainty.

Tá an chinnteacht sin tábhachtach do ghnólachtaí.

That certainty is important for businesses.

Bhí easpa cinnteachta ar an bhfreagra.

The answer lacked certainty.

Is beag cinnteacht atá sa saol.

There is little certainty in life.

Theastaigh cinnteacht uaim faoin dáta.

I wanted certainty about the date.

Ní féidir cinnteacht iomlán a bheith againn.

We cannot have complete certainty.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

dearmadforgetfulness céquay comharthasign maoiniúfunding sprioctarget cabhairhelp

Certainty in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for certainty?

The Irish for certainty is cinnteacht (pronounced “KIN-tyukht”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is cinnteachtaí. Depending on context it can also mean limitation.

How do you pronounce cinnteacht in Irish?

Cinnteacht is said like “KIN-tyukht” (IPA /ˈcɪnʲtʲəxt̪/).

What is the plural of certainty in Irish?

The plural of cinnteacht is cinnteachtaí; with the article, na cinnteachtaí means “the certainties”. The genitive plural is cinnteachtaí, as in liosta na gcinnteachtaí (the list of the certainties).

Does cinnteacht have more than one meaning?

Yes. Cinnteacht can mean certainty or limitation, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does cinnteacht change to chinnteacht or gcinnteacht?

Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) cinnteacht becomes mo chinnteacht (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár gcinnteacht (eclipsis).

What is the opposite of cinnteacht?

The opposite is éiginnteacht, meaning uncertainty.

Is cinnteacht related to cinneadh?

Both come from the same root, but cinneadh means a decision, while cinnteacht means certainty.

Certainty in Irish (Cinnteacht): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage