HeyRuaHow to say “exact” in Irish
- Irish:
- baileach
- English:
- exact, thrifty
- Word type:
- adjective
- More exact:
- níos bailí
- Most exact:
- is bailí
- Plural:
- baileacha
- Pronunciation:
- “BAL-yukh” /ˈbalʲəx/
What does “baileach” mean?
“Baileach” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- exact
- Completely correct and precise, with nothing missing or wrong.Also: precise, accurate, correct.
“Baileach” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is baileach after cuntas (account, 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 bhaileach. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: cuntas baileach.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, baileacha. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant: cuntais bhaileacha; after other plurals it does not: mná baileacha.
More exact, most exact, very exact
Tá an léarscáil seo níos bailí ná an ceann eile. This map is more exact than the other one.
| more exact | níos bailí | in the past tense: ní ba bhailí |
|---|---|---|
| most exact | is bailí | in the past tense: ba bhailí |
| as exact as | chomh baileach le | no change after chomh |
| very exact | an-bhaileach | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too exact | róbhaileach | ró- lenites |
“Baileach” 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.
Exact in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for exact?
The Irish for exact is baileach (pronounced “BAL-yukh”). It comes after the noun: cuntas baileach, an exact account; bean bhaileach, an exact woman.
How do you say more exact and most exact in Irish?
níos bailí is more exact and is bailí is most exact. In the past tense they become ní ba bhailí and ba bhailí.
Why does baileach become bhaileach?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So bean bhaileach (an exact woman) but cuntas baileach (an exact account), because cuntas is masculine.
What is the plural of baileach?
With a plural noun baileach becomes baileacha: cuntais bhaileacha, mná baileacha. After a plural that ends in a slender consonant it is lenited as well.
How do you say very exact in Irish?
an-bhaileach. Too exact is róbhaileach, and as exact as is chomh baileach le.
Does baileach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Baileach can mean exact or thrifty, depending on context; the first is the most common.
How do I say 'exactly' using baileach?
Use the adverb 'go baileach', as in 'Níl a fhios agam go baileach' (I don't know exactly).
What is the difference between baileach and beacht?
Both mean exact; 'beacht' is often used for precise wording or measurement, while 'baileach' is very common in the phrase 'go baileach'.
