HeyRuaHow to say “to define” in Irish
- Irish:
- sainigh
- English:
- to define, specify
- Word type:
- verb, second-conjugation
- Verbal noun:
- sainiú (ag sainiú, defining)
- Verbal adjective:
- sainithe
- Pronunciation:
- “SAN-ee” /sˠanʲiː/
What does “sainigh” mean?
“Sainigh” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- to define
- To state exactly what something means or what its limits are.Also: specify, determine.
1 other meaning: specify
- 2to specify
- To set out something precisely, such as a rule, condition or requirement.Also: stipulate, lay down.
“Sainigh” in the different tenses
Every form follows An Caighdeán Oifigiúil.
Aimsir Chaite (Past)
| Person | Positive | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| mé (I) | Shainigh méI defined | Níor shainigh méI did not define | Ar shainigh mé?Did I define? |
| tú (you) | Shainigh túYou defined | Níor shainigh túYou did not define | Ar shainigh tú?Did you define? |
| sé / sí (he / she) | Shainigh sé / síHe defined | Níor shainigh sé / síHe did not define | Ar shainigh sé / sí?Did he define? |
| sinn (we) | ShainíomarWe defined | Níor shainíomarWe did not define | Ar shainíomar?Did we define? |
| sibh (you, plural) | Shainigh sibhYou defined | Níor shainigh sibhYou did not define | Ar shainigh sibh?Did you define? |
| siad (they) | Shainigh siadThey defined | Níor shainigh siadThey did not define | Ar shainigh siad?Did they define? |
| saorbhriathar (autonomous) | Sainíodh | Níor sainíodh | Ar sainíodh? |
Aimsir Láithreach (Present)
| Person | Positive | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| mé (I) | SainímI define | Ní shainímI do not define | An sainím?Do I define? |
| tú (you) | Sainíonn túYou define | Ní shainíonn túYou do not define | An sainíonn tú?Do you define? |
| sé / sí (he / she) | Sainíonn sé / síHe defines | Ní shainíonn sé / síHe does not define | An sainíonn sé / sí?Does he define? |
| sinn (we) | SainímidWe define | Ní shainímidWe do not define | An sainímid?Do we define? |
| sibh (you, plural) | Sainíonn sibhYou define | Ní shainíonn sibhYou do not define | An sainíonn sibh?Do you define? |
| siad (they) | Sainíonn siadThey define | Ní shainíonn siadThey do not define | An sainíonn siad?Do they define? |
| saorbhriathar (autonomous) | Sainítear | Ní shainítear | An sainítear? |
Aimsir Fháistineach (Future)
| Person | Positive | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| mé (I) | Saineoidh méI will define | Ní shaineoidh méI will not define | An saineoidh mé?Will I define? |
| tú (you) | Saineoidh túYou will define | Ní shaineoidh túYou will not define | An saineoidh tú?Will you define? |
| sé / sí (he / she) | Saineoidh sé / síHe will define | Ní shaineoidh sé / síHe will not define | An saineoidh sé / sí?Will he define? |
| sinn (we) | SaineoimidWe will define | Ní shaineoimidWe will not define | An saineoimid?Will we define? |
| sibh (you, plural) | Saineoidh sibhYou will define | Ní shaineoidh sibhYou will not define | An saineoidh sibh?Will you define? |
| siad (they) | Saineoidh siadThey will define | Ní shaineoidh siadThey will not define | An saineoidh siad?Will they define? |
| saorbhriathar (autonomous) | Saineofar | Ní shaineofar | An saineofar? |
Modh Coinníollach (Conditional)
| Person | Positive | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| mé (I) | ShaineoinnI would define | Ní shaineoinnI would not define | An saineoinn?Would I define? |
| tú (you) | ShaineofáYou would define | Ní shaineofáYou would not define | An saineofá?Would you define? |
| sé / sí (he / she) | Shaineodh sé / síHe would define | Ní shaineodh sé / síHe would not define | An saineodh sé / sí?Would he define? |
| sinn (we) | ShaineoimisWe would define | Ní shaineoimisWe would not define | An saineoimis?Would we define? |
| sibh (you, plural) | Shaineodh sibhYou would define | Ní shaineodh sibhYou would not define | An saineodh sibh?Would you define? |
| siad (they) | ShaineoidísThey would define | Ní shaineoidísThey would not define | An saineoidís?Would they define? |
| saorbhriathar (autonomous) | Shaineofaí | Ní shaineofaí | An saineofaí? |
“Sainigh” in a sentence: Irish examples
Past, present, future and conditional, with a negative and a question.
Other verbs in Irish
More everyday Irish verbs to learn next.
To define in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for to define?
The Irish for to define is sainigh (pronounced “SAN-ee”). It is a second-conjugation verb; the verbal noun is sainiú.
What is the verbal noun of sainigh?
The verbal noun of sainigh is sainiú, used after ag for the continuous: ag sainiú (defining). The verbal adjective is sainithe.
How do you say sainigh in the past and the future?
Past: Shainigh mé; negative Níor shainigh mé; question Ar shainigh mé?. Future: Saineoidh mé; negative Ní shaineoidh mé; question An saineoidh mé?.
What is the modh coinníollach of sainigh?
The conditional (modh coinníollach) first person is Shaineoinn (I would define); negative Ní shaineoinn; question An saineoinn?.
Does sainigh have more than one meaning?
Yes. Sainigh can mean to define or to specify, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'sainigh' and 'mínigh'?
'Sainigh' means to define something precisely, as in 'sainigh an téarma', while 'mínigh' means to explain it in general, as in 'mínigh an scéal dom'.
What does 'sainithe' mean on its own?
'Sainithe' is used as an adjective meaning defined or specific, as in 'téarmaí sainithe', defined terms.
