HeyRuaHow to say “contrary” in Irish
- Irish:
- crosánta
- English:
- contrary, naughty
- Word type:
- adjective
- More contrary:
- níos crosánta
- Most contrary:
- is crosánta
- Pronunciation:
- “KROS-awn-ta” /ˈkɾˠɔsˠaːn̪ˠt̪ˠə/
What does “crosánta” mean?
“Crosánta” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- contrary
- Describes someone who is perverse, awkward or deliberately difficult to deal with.Also: perverse, awkward, cantankerous, difficult.
1 other meaning: naughty
- 2naughty
- Describes a child who is mischievous or badly behaved.Also: bold, mischievous, wayward.
Other Irish adjectives for contrary: contrártha (contrary)
“Crosánta” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is crosánta after páiste (child, masculine), after girseach (girl, 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: girseach chrosánta. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: páiste crosánta.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, crosánta. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: girseacha crosánta.
More contrary, most contrary, very contrary
Tá sé níos crosánta ná a dheartháir. He is more contrary than his brother.
| more contrary | níos crosánta | in the past tense: ní ba chrosánta |
|---|---|---|
| most contrary | is crosánta | in the past tense: ba chrosánta |
| as contrary as | chomh crosánta le | no change after chomh |
| very contrary | an-chrosánta | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too contrary | róchrosánta | ró- lenites |
“Crosánta” 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.
Contrary in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for contrary?
The Irish for contrary is crosánta (pronounced “KROS-awn-ta”). It comes after the noun: páiste crosánta, a contrary child; girseach chrosánta, a contrary girl.
How do you say more contrary and most contrary in Irish?
níos crosánta is more contrary and is crosánta is most contrary. In the past tense they become ní ba chrosánta and ba chrosánta.
Why does crosánta become chrosánta?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So girseach chrosánta (a contrary girl) but páiste crosánta (a contrary child), because páiste is masculine.
How do you say very contrary in Irish?
an-chrosánta. Too contrary is róchrosánta, and as contrary as is chomh crosánta le.
Does crosánta have more than one meaning?
Yes. Crosánta can mean contrary or naughty, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'crosánta' and 'dána'?
'Dána' is the everyday word for a bold or naughty child, while 'crosánta' stresses being contrary, perverse or awkward to deal with.
