HeyRuaHow to say “clever” in Irish
- Irish:
- glic
- English:
- clever, cunning
- Word type:
- adjective
- More clever:
- níos glice
- Most clever:
- is glice
- Plural:
- glice
- Pronunciation:
- “glik” /ɟlʲɪc/
What does “glic” mean?
“Glic” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- clever
- Quick-witted and smart, especially in a practical way.Also: smart, shrewd, wise, astute.
1 other meaning: cunning
- 2cunning
- Clever in a sly or tricky way, good at getting what you want by deceit.Also: sly, crafty, wily, tricky.
Other Irish adjectives for clever: éirimiúil (intelligent)
“Glic” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is glic after sionnach (fox, masculine), after bean (woman, 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: bean ghlic. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: sionnach glic.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, glice. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant: sionnaigh ghlice; after other plurals it does not: mná glice.
More clever, most clever, very clever
Tá Seán níos glice ná a dheartháir. Seán is cleverer than his brother.
| more clever | níos glice | in the past tense: ní ba ghlice |
|---|---|---|
| most clever | is glice | in the past tense: ba ghlice |
| as clever as | chomh glic le | no change after chomh |
| very clever | an-ghlic | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too clever | róghlic | ró- lenites |
“Glic” 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.
Clever in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for clever?
The Irish for clever is glic (pronounced “glik”). It comes after the noun: sionnach glic, a clever fox; bean ghlic, a clever woman.
How do you say more clever and most clever in Irish?
níos glice is more clever and is glice is most clever. In the past tense they become ní ba ghlice and ba ghlice.
Why does glic become ghlic?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So bean ghlic (a clever woman) but sionnach glic (a clever fox), because sionnach is masculine.
What is the plural of glic?
With a plural noun glic becomes glice: sionnaigh ghlice, mná glice. After a plural that ends in a slender consonant it is lenited as well.
How do you say very clever in Irish?
an-ghlic. Too clever is róghlic, and as clever as is chomh glic le.
Does glic have more than one meaning?
Yes. Glic can mean clever or cunning, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'glic' and 'cliste'?
'Cliste' usually means clever or bright in a neutral, positive way, while 'glic' often suggests shrewdness or cunning, as in 'chomh glic le sionnach'.
