HeyRuaHow to say “harrowing” in Irish
- Irish:
- coscrach
- English:
- harrowing, moving, triumphant
- Word type:
- adjective
- More harrowing:
- níos coscraí
- Most harrowing:
- is coscraí
- Plural:
- coscracha
- Pronunciation:
- “KUS-krukh” /ˈkɔsˠkɾˠəx/
What does “coscrach” mean?
“Coscrach” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- harrowing
- Causing great distress or upset; very painful to experience or watch.Also: distressing, heartbreaking, heartrending, shattering, shocking.
2 other meanings: moving or triumphant
- 2moving
- Stirring strong emotion in someone, especially sadness or pity.Also: touching, poignant, wrenching.
- 3triumphant
- Victorious, or relating to a victory or triumph.Also: victorious, triumphal.
“Coscrach” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is coscrach after scéal (story, masculine), after oíche (night, 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: oíche choscrach. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: scéal coscrach.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, coscracha. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: oícheanta coscracha.
More harrowing, most harrowing, very harrowing
Bhí an dara lá níos coscraí ná an chéad lá. The second day was more distressing than the first.
| more harrowing | níos coscraí | in the past tense: ní ba choscraí |
|---|---|---|
| most harrowing | is coscraí | in the past tense: ba choscraí |
| as harrowing as | chomh coscrach le | no change after chomh |
| very harrowing | an-choscrach | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too harrowing | róchoscrach | ró- lenites |
“Coscrach” 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.
Harrowing in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for harrowing?
The Irish for harrowing is coscrach (pronounced “KUS-krukh”). It comes after the noun: scéal coscrach, a harrowing story; oíche choscrach, a harrowing night.
How do you say more harrowing and most harrowing in Irish?
níos coscraí is more harrowing and is coscraí is most harrowing. In the past tense they become ní ba choscraí and ba choscraí.
Why does coscrach become choscrach?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So oíche choscrach (a harrowing night) but scéal coscrach (a harrowing story), because scéal is masculine.
What is the plural of coscrach?
With a plural noun coscrach becomes coscracha: scéalta coscracha, oícheanta coscracha.
How do you say very harrowing in Irish?
an-choscrach. Too harrowing is róchoscrach, and as harrowing as is chomh coscrach le.
Does coscrach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Coscrach can mean harrowing, moving or triumphant, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Does coscrach mean sad or victorious?
In modern Irish coscrach usually means harrowing or heartbreaking, as in scéal coscrach. The older sense of victorious, from coscar, is mainly literary; for victorious today use buacach.
