HeyRuaHow to say “complicated” in Irish
- Irish:
- casta
- English:
- complicated, twisted, gnarled
- Word type:
- adjective
- More complicated:
- níos casta
- Most complicated:
- is casta
- Pronunciation:
- “KAS-ta” /ˈkasˠt̪ˠə/
What does “casta” mean?
“Casta” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- complicated
- Difficult to understand or deal with because it has many parts.Also: complex, intricate, involved, difficult.
2 other meanings: twisted or gnarled
- 2twisted
- Twisted, wound or curled round.Also: wound, curled, coiled.
- 3gnarled
- Bent, crooked or wizened, as an old tree or limb.Also: bent, crooked, wizened.
“Casta” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is casta after scéal (story, masculine), after ceist (question, 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: ceist chasta. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: scéal casta.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, casta. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: ceisteanna casta.
More complicated, most complicated, very complicated
Tá an fhadhb seo níos casta ná an ceann eile. This problem is more complicated than the other one.
| more complicated | níos casta | in the past tense: ní ba chasta |
|---|---|---|
| most complicated | is casta | in the past tense: ba chasta |
| as complicated as | chomh casta le | no change after chomh |
| very complicated | an-chasta | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too complicated | róchasta | ró- lenites |
“Casta” 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.
Complicated in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for complicated?
The Irish for complicated is casta (pronounced “KAS-ta”). It comes after the noun: scéal casta, a complicated story; ceist chasta, a complicated question.
How do you say more complicated and most complicated in Irish?
níos casta is more complicated and is casta is most complicated. In the past tense they become ní ba chasta and ba chasta.
Why does casta become chasta?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So ceist chasta (a complicated question) but scéal casta (a complicated story), because scéal is masculine.
How do you say very complicated in Irish?
an-chasta. Too complicated is róchasta, and as complicated as is chomh casta le.
Does casta have more than one meaning?
Yes. Casta can mean complicated, twisted or gnarled, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Is 'casta' related to the verb 'cas'?
Yes, 'casta' is the verbal adjective of 'cas' (twist, turn), so 'casta' literally means twisted, and by extension complicated.
