HeyRuaHow to say “forward” in Irish
- Irish:
- sonnta
- English:
- forward, assertive
- Word type:
- adjective
- More forward:
- níos sonnta
- Most forward:
- is sonnta
- Pronunciation:
- “SOWN-ta” /ˈsˠəun̪ˠt̪ˠə/
What does “sonnta” mean?
“Sonnta” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- forward
- Bold and pushy in manner, often too confident with other people.Also: pushy, bold, brash, impudent.
1 other meaning: assertive
- 2assertive
- Confident and firm in putting yourself forward.Also: self-assertive, confident, forceful.
“Sonnta” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is sonnta after buachaill (boy, 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 shonnta. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: buachaill sonnta.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, sonnta. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: girseacha sonnta.
More forward, most forward, very forward
Tá sí níos sonnta ná a deartháir. She is more forward than her brother.
| more forward | níos sonnta | in the past tense: ní ba shonnta |
|---|---|---|
| most forward | is sonnta | in the past tense: ba shonnta |
| as forward as | chomh sonnta le | no change after chomh |
| very forward | an-sonnta | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too forward | róshonnta | ró- lenites |
“Sonnta” 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.
Forward in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for forward?
The Irish for forward is sonnta (pronounced “SOWN-ta”). It comes after the noun: buachaill sonnta, a forward boy; girseach shonnta, a forward girl.
How do you say more forward and most forward in Irish?
níos sonnta is more forward and is sonnta is most forward. In the past tense they become ní ba shonnta and ba shonnta.
Why does sonnta become shonnta?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So girseach shonnta (a forward girl) but buachaill sonnta (a forward boy), because buachaill is masculine.
How do you say very forward in Irish?
an-sonnta. Too forward is róshonnta, and as forward as is chomh sonnta le.
Does sonnta have more than one meaning?
Yes. Sonnta can mean forward or assertive, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Is 'sonnta' the same as 'dána'?
They overlap, but 'sonnta' stresses pushiness or forwardness with people, while 'dána' is broader, meaning bold, daring or naughty.
