HeyRuaHow to say “grey” in Irish
- Irish:
- liath
- English:
- grey, grey-haired, pale blue
- Word type:
- adjective
- Greyer:
- níos léithe
- Greyest:
- is léithe
- Plural:
- liatha
- Pronunciation:
- “lee-ah” /lʲiə/
What does “liath” mean?
“Liath” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- grey
- Having the colour between black and white, like ash or a cloudy sky.Also: gray, ashen, dull.
2 other meanings: grey-haired or pale blue
- 2grey-haired
- Having grey or white hair, usually because of age.Also: greying, white-haired, hoary.
- 3pale blue
- Of a pale bluish-grey colour, used of things like eyes or water.Also: light blue, bluish-grey.
“Liath” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is liath after capall (horse, masculine), after spéir (sky, feminine) and after a plural.
séimhiú (the h) the ending
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, liatha.
Greyer, greyest, very grey
Tá a ghruaig níos léithe ná mo ghruaig féin. His hair is greyer than mine.
| greyer | níos léithe | in the past tense: ní ba léithe |
|---|---|---|
| greyest | is léithe | in the past tense: ba léithe |
| as grey as | chomh liath le | no change after chomh |
| very grey | an-liath | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too grey | róliath | ró- lenites |
“Liath” 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.
Grey in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for grey?
The Irish for grey is liath (pronounced “lee-ah”). It comes after the noun: capall liath, a grey horse; spéir liath, a grey sky.
How do you say greyer and greyest in Irish?
níos léithe is greyer and is léithe is greyest. In the past tense they become ní ba léithe and ba léithe.
What is the plural of liath?
With a plural noun liath becomes liatha: capaill liatha, spéartha liatha.
How do you say very grey in Irish?
an-liath. Too grey is róliath, and as grey as is chomh liath le.
Does liath have more than one meaning?
Yes. Liath can mean grey, grey-haired or pale blue, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'liath' and 'glas' for grey?
'Liath' is the usual word for grey hair, ash and clouds, while 'glas' can mean grey of stone, sea or certain materials, as well as green, as in 'cloch ghlas'.
How do you say someone is going grey?
Say 'Tá sé ag dul liath' or 'Tá a chuid gruaige ag liathadh'.
