HeyRuaHow to say “gruff” in Irish
- Irish:
- grusach
- English:
- gruff, frowning
- Word type:
- adjective
- Gruffer:
- níos grusaí
- Gruffest:
- is grusaí
- Plural:
- grusacha
- Pronunciation:
- “GRUS-uh-ukh” /ˈɡɾˠʊsˠəx/
What does “grusach” mean?
“Grusach” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- gruff
- Speaking or behaving in a rough, surly, unfriendly way.Also: surly, brusque, grumpy, curt.
1 other meaning: frowning
- 2frowning
- Having a stern or scowling expression.Also: scowling, stern.
Other Irish adjectives for gruff: borb (rude)
“Grusach” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is grusach after fear (man, 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 ghrusach. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: fear grusach.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, grusacha. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant: fir ghrusacha; after other plurals it does not: mná grusacha.
Gruffer, gruffest, very gruff
Tá sé níos grusaí ná a athair. He is gruffer than his father.
| gruffer | níos grusaí | in the past tense: ní ba ghrusaí |
|---|---|---|
| gruffest | is grusaí | in the past tense: ba ghrusaí |
| as gruff as | chomh grusach le | no change after chomh |
| very gruff | an-ghrusach | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too gruff | róghrusach | ró- lenites |
“Grusach” 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.
Gruff in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for gruff?
The Irish for gruff is grusach (pronounced “GRUS-uh-ukh”). It comes after the noun: fear grusach, a gruff man; bean ghrusach, a gruff woman.
How do you say gruffer and gruffest in Irish?
níos grusaí is gruffer and is grusaí is gruffest. In the past tense they become ní ba ghrusaí and ba ghrusaí.
Why does grusach become ghrusach?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So bean ghrusach (a gruff woman) but fear grusach (a gruff man), because fear is masculine.
What is the plural of grusach?
With a plural noun grusach becomes grusacha: fir ghrusacha, mná grusacha. After a plural that ends in a slender consonant it is lenited as well.
How do you say very gruff in Irish?
an-ghrusach. Too gruff is róghrusach, and as gruff as is chomh grusach le.
Does grusach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Grusach can mean gruff or frowning, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Which preposition goes with grusach when it is directed at someone?
Use le: Bhí sí grusach liom, 'She was gruff with me'.
