HeyRuaHow to say “helpful” in Irish
- Irish:
- cúntach
- English:
- helpful, auxiliary
- Word type:
- adjective
- More helpful:
- níos cúntaí
- Most helpful:
- is cúntaí
- Plural:
- cúntacha
- Pronunciation:
- “KOON-tukh” /ˈkuːn̪ˠt̪ˠəx/
What does “cúntach” mean?
“Cúntach” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- helpful
- Giving help or assistance to someone.Also: assisting, supportive, of help.
1 other meaning: auxiliary
- 2auxiliary
- Acting as a support or extra help, as in an auxiliary verb or assistant role.Also: assistant, ancillary, supplementary.
Other Irish adjectives for helpful: cabhrach (helpful), cuidiúil (helpful), garach (obliging), oibleagáideach (obliging)
“Cúntach” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is cúntach after briathar (verb, masculine), after lámh (hand, 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: lámh chúntach. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: briathar cúntach.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, cúntacha. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: lámha cúntacha.
More helpful, most helpful, very helpful
Tá an leabhar seo níos cúntaí ná an ceann eile. This book is more helpful than the other one.
| more helpful | níos cúntaí | in the past tense: ní ba chúntaí |
|---|---|---|
| most helpful | is cúntaí | in the past tense: ba chúntaí |
| as helpful as | chomh cúntach le | no change after chomh |
| very helpful | an-chúntach | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too helpful | róchúntach | ró- lenites |
“Cúntach” 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.
Helpful in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for helpful?
The Irish for helpful is cúntach (pronounced “KOON-tukh”). It comes after the noun: briathar cúntach, a helpful verb; lámh chúntach, a helpful hand.
How do you say more helpful and most helpful in Irish?
níos cúntaí is more helpful and is cúntaí is most helpful. In the past tense they become ní ba chúntaí and ba chúntaí.
Why does cúntach become chúntach?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So lámh chúntach (a helpful hand) but briathar cúntach (a helpful verb), because briathar is masculine.
What is the plural of cúntach?
With a plural noun cúntach becomes cúntacha: briathra cúntacha, lámha cúntacha.
How do you say very helpful in Irish?
an-chúntach. Too helpful is róchúntach, and as helpful as is chomh cúntach le.
Does cúntach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Cúntach can mean helpful or auxiliary, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'cúntach' and 'cabhrach'?
Both mean helpful, but 'cúntach' is also used for auxiliary in grammar, as in 'briathar cúntach'. 'Cabhrach' is the more everyday word for a helpful person.
