HeyRuaHow to say “greedy” in Irish
- Irish:
- cíocrach
- English:
- greedy, ravenous, eager
- Word type:
- adjective
- Greedier:
- níos cíocraí
- Greediest:
- is cíocraí
- Plural:
- cíocracha
- Pronunciation:
- “KEE-kruch” /ˈciːkɾˠəx/
What does “cíocrach” mean?
“Cíocrach” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- greedy
- Having a strong, selfish desire for more food, money or things.Also: grasping, covetous, avaricious.
“Cíocrach” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is cíocrach after madra (dog, masculine), after bó (cow, 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: bó chíocrach. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: madra cíocrach.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, cíocracha. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: ba cíocracha.
Greedier, greediest, very greedy
Tá an madra seo níos cíocraí ná an ceann eile. This dog is greedier than the other one.
| greedier | níos cíocraí | in the past tense: ní ba chíocraí |
|---|---|---|
| greediest | is cíocraí | in the past tense: ba chíocraí |
| as greedy as | chomh cíocrach le | no change after chomh |
| very greedy | an-chíocrach | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too greedy | róchíocrach | ró- lenites |
“Cíocrach” 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 cíocrach (pronounced “KEE-kruch”). It comes after the noun: madra cíocrach, a greedy dog; bó chíocrach, a greedy cow.
How do you say greedier and greediest in Irish?
níos cíocraí is greedier and is cíocraí is greediest. In the past tense they become ní ba chíocraí and ba chíocraí.
Why does cíocrach become chíocrach?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So bó chíocrach (a greedy cow) but madra cíocrach (a greedy dog), because madra is masculine.
What is the plural of cíocrach?
With a plural noun cíocrach becomes cíocracha: madraí cíocracha, ba cíocracha.
How do you say very greedy in Irish?
an-chíocrach. Too greedy is róchíocrach, and as greedy as is chomh cíocrach le.
Does cíocrach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Cíocrach can mean greedy, ravenous or eager, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'cíocrach' and 'santach'?
'Santach' is the general word for greedy or covetous, while 'cíocrach' often suggests a ravenous, eager craving, especially for food. Both can take 'chun': 'cíocrach chun bia'.
Which preposition goes with 'cíocrach'?
Use 'chun' or 'i ndiaidh' for what is craved, as in 'cíocrach chun airgid' or 'cíocrach i ndiaidh an bhia'.
