HeyRuaHow to say “fickle” in Irish
- Irish:
- guagach
- English:
- fickle, unsteady
- Word type:
- adjective
- More fickle:
- níos guagaí
- Most fickle:
- is guagaí
- Plural:
- guagacha
- Pronunciation:
- “GOO-ug-ukh” /ˈɡuəɡəx/
What does “guagach” mean?
“Guagach” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- fickle
- Changing your mind or mood often and not to be relied on.Also: capricious, inconstant, changeable, whimsical.
1 other meaning: unsteady
- 2unsteady
- Not stable, likely to wobble or change, as of weather or an object.Also: unstable, wobbly, variable, volatile.
“Guagach” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is guagach after duine (person, masculine), after aimsir (weather, 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: aimsir ghuagach. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: duine guagach.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, guagacha. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: aimsirí guagacha.
More fickle, most fickle, very fickle
Tá sí níos guagaí ná a deartháir. She is more fickle than her brother.
| more fickle | níos guagaí | in the past tense: ní ba ghuagaí |
|---|---|---|
| most fickle | is guagaí | in the past tense: ba ghuagaí |
| as fickle as | chomh guagach le | no change after chomh |
| very fickle | an-ghuagach | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too fickle | róghuagach | ró- lenites |
“Guagach” 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.
Fickle in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for fickle?
The Irish for fickle is guagach (pronounced “GOO-ug-ukh”). It comes after the noun: duine guagach, a fickle person; aimsir ghuagach, fickle weather.
How do you say more fickle and most fickle in Irish?
níos guagaí is more fickle and is guagaí is most fickle. In the past tense they become ní ba ghuagaí and ba ghuagaí.
Why does guagach become ghuagach?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So aimsir ghuagach (fickle weather) but duine guagach (a fickle person), because duine is masculine.
What is the plural of guagach?
With a plural noun guagach becomes guagacha: daoine guagacha, aimsirí guagacha.
How do you say very fickle in Irish?
an-ghuagach. Too fickle is róghuagach, and as fickle as is chomh guagach le.
Does guagach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Guagach can mean fickle or unsteady, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between guagach and luaineach?
Both can mean fickle or changeable, but 'guagach' is often used of moods and whims, while 'luaineach' stresses restlessness and constant movement.
