HeyRuaHow to say “critical” in Irish
- Irish:
- cáinteach
- English:
- critical, abusive
- Word type:
- adjective
- More critical:
- níos cáintí
- Most critical:
- is cáintí
- Plural:
- cáinteacha
- Pronunciation:
- “KAWN-tchukh” /ˈkɑːnʲtʲəx/
What does “cáinteach” mean?
“Cáinteach” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- critical
- Given to finding fault with people or things and speaking against them.Also: fault-finding, censorious, disparaging, carping.
1 other meaning: abusive
- 2abusive
- Speaking harshly or insultingly about someone; reviling.Also: reviling, sharp-tongued, scathing.
Other Irish adjectives for critical: criticiúil (critical)
“Cáinteach” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is cáinteach after fear (man, 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 cháinteach. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: fear cáinteach.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, cáinteacha. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant: fir cháinteacha; after other plurals it does not: mná cáinteacha.
More critical, most critical, very critical
Tá sí níos cáintí ná a máthair. She is more critical than her mother.
| more critical | níos cáintí | in the past tense: ní ba cháintí |
|---|---|---|
| most critical | is cáintí | in the past tense: ba cháintí |
| as critical as | chomh cáinteach le | no change after chomh |
| very critical | an-cháinteach | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too critical | rócháinteach | ró- lenites |
“Cáinteach” 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.
Critical in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for critical?
The Irish for critical is cáinteach (pronounced “KAWN-tchukh”). It comes after the noun: fear cáinteach, a critical man; bean cháinteach, a critical woman.
How do you say more critical and most critical in Irish?
níos cáintí is more critical and is cáintí is most critical. In the past tense they become ní ba cháintí and ba cháintí.
Why does cáinteach become cháinteach?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So bean cháinteach (a critical woman) but fear cáinteach (a critical man), because fear is masculine.
What is the plural of cáinteach?
With a plural noun cáinteach becomes cáinteacha: fir cháinteacha, mná cáinteacha. After a plural that ends in a slender consonant it is lenited as well.
How do you say very critical in Irish?
an-cháinteach. Too critical is rócháinteach, and as critical as is chomh cáinteach le.
Does cáinteach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Cáinteach can mean critical or abusive, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Which preposition goes with cáinteach when criticising someone?
Use 'faoi' or 'ar', for example 'Tá sé cáinteach faoin rialtas', he is critical of the government.
