HeyRuaHow to say “cruel” in Irish
- Irish:
- danartha
- English:
- cruel, barbarous, harsh
- Word type:
- adjective
- Crueler:
- níos danartha
- Cruelest:
- is danartha
- Pronunciation:
- “DAN-ur-ha” /ˈd̪ˠanˠəɾˠə/
What does “danartha” mean?
“Danartha” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- cruel
- Deliberately causing pain or suffering, without pity.Also: heartless, merciless, cold-blooded, ruthless.
2 other meanings: barbarous or harsh
- 2barbarous
- Savage and uncivilised in behaviour.Also: barbaric, savage, inhuman, fierce.
- 3harsh
- Very severe or oppressive, as of laws or treatment.Also: severe, draconian, oppressive.
Other Irish adjectives for cruel: cruálach (cruel)
“Danartha” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is danartha after fear (man, 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 dhanartha. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: fear danartha.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, danartha. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant: fir dhanartha; after other plurals it does not: girseacha danartha.
Crueler, cruelest, very cruel
| crueler | níos danartha | in the past tense: ní ba dhanartha |
|---|---|---|
| cruelest | is danartha | in the past tense: ba dhanartha |
| as cruel as | chomh danartha le | no change after chomh |
| very cruel | an-danartha | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too cruel | ródhanartha | ró- lenites |
“Danartha” 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.
Cruel in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for cruel?
The Irish for cruel is danartha (pronounced “DAN-ur-ha”). It comes after the noun: fear danartha, a cruel man; girseach dhanartha, a cruel girl.
How do you say crueler and cruelest in Irish?
níos danartha is crueler and is danartha is cruelest. In the past tense they become ní ba dhanartha and ba dhanartha.
Why does danartha become dhanartha?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So girseach dhanartha (a cruel girl) but fear danartha (a cruel man), because fear is masculine.
How do you say very cruel in Irish?
an-danartha. Too cruel is ródhanartha, and as cruel as is chomh danartha le.
Does danartha have more than one meaning?
Yes. Danartha can mean cruel, barbarous or harsh, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between danartha and cruálach?
Both mean cruel; 'cruálach' is the everyday word, while 'danartha' is stronger and more literary, suggesting barbarous or savage cruelty.
