HeyRuaHow to say “hairy” in Irish
- Irish:
- gruagach
- English:
- hairy, shaggy
- Word type:
- adjective
- Hairier:
- níos gruagaí
- Hairiest:
- is gruagaí
- Plural:
- gruagacha
- Pronunciation:
- “GROO-uh-gukh” /ˈɡɾˠuəɡəx/
What does “gruagach” mean?
“Gruagach” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- hairy
- Having a lot of hair on the head or body.Also: long-haired, hirsute.
“Gruagach” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is gruagach 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 ghruagach. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: madra gruagach.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, gruagacha. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: ba gruagacha.
Hairier, hairiest, very hairy
Tá an cat seo níos gruagaí ná an ceann eile. This cat is hairier than the other one.
| hairier | níos gruagaí | in the past tense: ní ba ghruagaí |
|---|---|---|
| hairiest | is gruagaí | in the past tense: ba ghruagaí |
| as hairy as | chomh gruagach le | no change after chomh |
| very hairy | an-ghruagach | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too hairy | róghruagach | ró- lenites |
“Gruagach” 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.
Hairy in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for hairy?
The Irish for hairy is gruagach (pronounced “GROO-uh-gukh”). It comes after the noun: madra gruagach, a hairy dog; bó ghruagach, a hairy cow.
How do you say hairier and hairiest in Irish?
níos gruagaí is hairier and is gruagaí is hairiest. In the past tense they become ní ba ghruagaí and ba ghruagaí.
Why does gruagach become ghruagach?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So bó ghruagach (a hairy cow) but madra gruagach (a hairy dog), because madra is masculine.
What is the plural of gruagach?
With a plural noun gruagach becomes gruagacha: madraí gruagacha, ba gruagacha.
How do you say very hairy in Irish?
an-ghruagach. Too hairy is róghruagach, and as hairy as is chomh gruagach le.
Does gruagach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Gruagach can mean hairy or shaggy, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between gruagach and mothallach?
Both can mean hairy or shaggy, but 'mothallach' stresses a thick, bushy mass of hair, while 'gruagach' simply means having a lot of hair.
