HeyRuaHow to say “dominant” in Irish
- Irish:
- ceannasach
- English:
- dominant, commanding, self-assertive
- Word type:
- adjective
- More dominant:
- níos ceannasaí
- Most dominant:
- is ceannasaí
- Plural:
- ceannasacha
- Pronunciation:
- “KYAN-a-sukh” /ˈcan̪ˠəsˠəx/
What does “ceannasach” mean?
“Ceannasach” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- dominant
- Having power or control over others, or being the strongest or most important.Also: ruling, sovereign, supreme.
2 other meanings: commanding or self-assertive
- 2commanding
- Acting with authority, like someone used to giving orders.Also: masterful, authoritative, imperious.
- 3self-assertive
- Bold and forward in pushing your own views or wishes.Also: forward, bossy, assured.
“Ceannasach” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is ceannasach 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 cheannasach. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: fear ceannasach.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, ceannasacha. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant: fir cheannasacha; after other plurals it does not: mná ceannasacha.
More dominant, most dominant, very dominant
Tá sí níos ceannasaí ná a deartháir. She is bossier than her brother.
| more dominant | níos ceannasaí | in the past tense: ní ba cheannasaí |
|---|---|---|
| most dominant | is ceannasaí | in the past tense: ba cheannasaí |
| as dominant as | chomh ceannasach le | no change after chomh |
| very dominant | an-cheannasach | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too dominant | rócheannasach | ró- lenites |
“Ceannasach” 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.
Dominant in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for dominant?
The Irish for dominant is ceannasach (pronounced “KYAN-a-sukh”). It comes after the noun: fear ceannasach, a dominant man; bean cheannasach, a dominant woman.
How do you say more dominant and most dominant in Irish?
níos ceannasaí is more dominant and is ceannasaí is most dominant. In the past tense they become ní ba cheannasaí and ba cheannasaí.
Why does ceannasach become cheannasach?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So bean cheannasach (a dominant woman) but fear ceannasach (a dominant man), because fear is masculine.
What is the plural of ceannasach?
With a plural noun ceannasach becomes ceannasacha: fir cheannasacha, mná ceannasacha. After a plural that ends in a slender consonant it is lenited as well.
How do you say very dominant in Irish?
an-cheannasach. Too dominant is rócheannasach, and as dominant as is chomh ceannasach le.
Does ceannasach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Ceannasach can mean dominant, commanding or self-assertive, depending on context; the first is the most common.
How is ceannasach related to ceannas?
It comes from the noun ceannas, meaning command or leadership, as in i gceannas ar, in charge of. Ceannasach describes someone who has or shows that command.
