HeyRuaHow to say “healthy” in Irish
- Irish:
- sláintiúil
- English:
- healthy, hygienic
- Word type:
- adjective
- Healthier:
- níos sláintiúla
- Healthiest:
- is sláintiúla
- Plural:
- sláintiúla
- Pronunciation:
- “SLAWN-tchool” /ˈsˠlˠaːnʲtʲuːlʲ/
What does “sláintiúil” mean?
“Sláintiúil” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- healthy
- In good health, or good for your health.Also: wholesome, health-giving, fit.
1 other meaning: hygienic
- 2hygienic
- Clean and sanitary, so that it helps prevent disease.Also: sanitary, salubrious, clean.
Other Irish adjectives for healthy: folláin (healthy)
“Sláintiúil” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is sláintiúil after bia (food, masculine), after beatha (life, 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: beatha shláintiúil. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: bia sláintiúil.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, sláintiúla. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: beathaí sláintiúla.
Healthier, healthiest, very healthy
Tá torthaí níos sláintiúla ná milseáin. Fruit is healthier than sweets.
| healthier | níos sláintiúla | in the past tense: ní ba shláintiúla |
|---|---|---|
| healthiest | is sláintiúla | in the past tense: ba shláintiúla |
| as healthy as | chomh sláintiúil le | no change after chomh |
| very healthy | an-sláintiúil | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too healthy | róshláintiúil | ró- lenites |
“Sláintiúil” 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.
Healthy in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for healthy?
The Irish for healthy is sláintiúil (pronounced “SLAWN-tchool”). It comes after the noun: bia sláintiúil, healthy food; beatha shláintiúil, a healthy life.
How do you say healthier and healthiest in Irish?
níos sláintiúla is healthier and is sláintiúla is healthiest. In the past tense they become ní ba shláintiúla and ba shláintiúla.
Why does sláintiúil become shláintiúil?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So beatha shláintiúil (a healthy life) but bia sláintiúil (healthy food), because bia is masculine.
What is the plural of sláintiúil?
With a plural noun sláintiúil becomes sláintiúla: bianna sláintiúla, beathaí sláintiúla.
How do you say very healthy in Irish?
an-sláintiúil. Too healthy is róshláintiúil, and as healthy as is chomh sláintiúil le.
Does sláintiúil have more than one meaning?
Yes. Sláintiúil can mean healthy or hygienic, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between sláintiúil and folláin?
Both mean healthy; folláin often stresses being sound and wholesome (duine folláin), while sláintiúil is common for things good for your health, such as bia sláintiúil.
How do I say unhealthy?
Use míshláintiúil, as in bia míshláintiúil, unhealthy food.
