HeyRuaHow to say “funny” in Irish
- Irish:
- greannmhar
- English:
- funny, strange
- Word type:
- adjective
- Funnier:
- níos greannmhaire
- Funniest:
- is greannmhaire
- Plural:
- greannmhara
- Pronunciation:
- “GRAN-oor” /ˈɟɾʲan̪ˠuːɾˠ/
What does “greannmhar” mean?
“Greannmhar” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- funny
- Making people laugh or smile.Also: humorous, comical, amusing.
1 other meaning: strange
- 2strange
- Odd or peculiar, in the sense of 'funny' meaning unusual.Also: odd, peculiar, funny.
Other Irish adjectives for funny: saoithiúil (funny), ábhachtach (humorous), barrúil (funny)
“Greannmhar” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is greannmhar after scéal (story, 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 ghreannmhar. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: scéal greannmhar.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, greannmhara. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: mná greannmhara.
Funnier, funniest, very funny
Tá an dara scéal níos greannmhaire ná an chéad cheann. The second story is funnier than the first one.
| funnier | níos greannmhaire | in the past tense: ní ba ghreannmhaire |
|---|---|---|
| funniest | is greannmhaire | in the past tense: ba ghreannmhaire |
| as funny as | chomh greannmhar le | no change after chomh |
| very funny | an-ghreannmhar | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too funny | róghreannmhar | ró- lenites |
“Greannmhar” 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.
Funny in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for funny?
The Irish for funny is greannmhar (pronounced “GRAN-oor”). It comes after the noun: scéal greannmhar, a funny story; bean ghreannmhar, a funny woman.
How do you say funnier and funniest in Irish?
níos greannmhaire is funnier and is greannmhaire is funniest. In the past tense they become ní ba ghreannmhaire and ba ghreannmhaire.
Why does greannmhar become ghreannmhar?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So bean ghreannmhar (a funny woman) but scéal greannmhar (a funny story), because scéal is masculine.
What is the plural of greannmhar?
With a plural noun greannmhar becomes greannmhara: scéalta greannmhara, mná greannmhara.
How do you say very funny in Irish?
an-ghreannmhar. Too funny is róghreannmhar, and as funny as is chomh greannmhar le.
Does greannmhar have more than one meaning?
Yes. Greannmhar can mean funny or strange, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'greannmhar' and 'barrúil'?
Both mean funny; 'barrúil' is very common in speech, especially in Connacht and Munster, while 'greannmhar' is the general standard word, as in 'scéal greannmhar'.
