HeyRuaHow to say “greedy” in Irish
- Irish:
- santach
- English:
- greedy, eager
- Word type:
- adjective
- Greedier:
- níos santaí
- Greediest:
- is santaí
- Plural:
- santacha
- Pronunciation:
- “SAN-tukh” /ˈsˠan̪ˠt̪ˠəx/
What does “santach” mean?
“Santach” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- greedy
- Wanting more of something, especially food or money, than you need.Also: avaricious, covetous, grasping, acquisitive.
“Santach” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is santach after fear (man, masculine), after cearc (hen, 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: cearc shantach. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: fear santach.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, santacha. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant: fir shantacha; after other plurals it does not: cearca santacha.
Greedier, greediest, very greedy
Tá sé níos santaí ná a dheartháir. He is greedier than his brother.
| greedier | níos santaí | in the past tense: ní ba shantaí |
|---|---|---|
| greediest | is santaí | in the past tense: ba shantaí |
| as greedy as | chomh santach le | no change after chomh |
| very greedy | an-santach | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too greedy | róshantach | ró- lenites |
“Santach” 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.
Greedy in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for greedy?
The Irish for greedy is santach (pronounced “SAN-tukh”). It comes after the noun: fear santach, a greedy man; cearc shantach, a greedy hen.
How do you say greedier and greediest in Irish?
níos santaí is greedier and is santaí is greediest. In the past tense they become ní ba shantaí and ba shantaí.
Why does santach become shantach?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So cearc shantach (a greedy hen) but fear santach (a greedy man), because fear is masculine.
What is the plural of santach?
With a plural noun santach becomes santacha: fir shantacha, cearca santacha. After a plural that ends in a slender consonant it is lenited as well.
How do you say very greedy in Irish?
an-santach. Too greedy is róshantach, and as greedy as is chomh santach le.
Does santach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Santach can mean greedy or eager, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the noun related to 'santach'?
The noun is 'saint', meaning greed or avarice, as in 'Tá saint air' (he is greedy).
How is 'santach' different from 'craosach'?
'Craosach' refers specifically to gluttony with food, while 'santach' covers greed for anything, such as money or possessions.
