HeyRuaHow to say “innocent” in Irish
- Irish:
- soineanta
- English:
- innocent, fine
- Word type:
- adjective
- More innocent:
- níos soineanta
- Most innocent:
- is soineanta
- Pronunciation:
- “SIN-yan-ta” /ˈsˠinʲən̪ˠt̪ˠə/
What does “soineanta” mean?
“Soineanta” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- innocent
- Without guile or bad intent, trusting and simple in nature.Also: naive, guileless, ingenuous, artless.
1 other meaning: fine
- 2fine
- Of weather or a day: calm, pleasant and settled.Also: calm, serene, pleasant, fair.
Other Irish adjectives for innocent: neamhchiontach (innocent)
“Soineanta” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is soineanta after páiste (child, masculine), after girseach (girl, 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: girseach shoineanta. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: páiste soineanta.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, soineanta. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: girseacha soineanta.
More innocent, most innocent, very innocent
Tá sí níos soineanta ná a deirfiúr. She is more naive than her sister.
| more innocent | níos soineanta | in the past tense: ní ba shoineanta |
|---|---|---|
| most innocent | is soineanta | in the past tense: ba shoineanta |
| as innocent as | chomh soineanta le | no change after chomh |
| very innocent | an-soineanta | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too innocent | róshoineanta | ró- lenites |
“Soineanta” 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.
Innocent in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for innocent?
The Irish for innocent is soineanta (pronounced “SIN-yan-ta”). It comes after the noun: páiste soineanta, an innocent child; girseach shoineanta, an innocent girl.
How do you say more innocent and most innocent in Irish?
níos soineanta is more innocent and is soineanta is most innocent. In the past tense they become ní ba shoineanta and ba shoineanta.
Why does soineanta become shoineanta?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So girseach shoineanta (an innocent girl) but páiste soineanta (an innocent child), because páiste is masculine.
How do you say very innocent in Irish?
an-soineanta. Too innocent is róshoineanta, and as innocent as is chomh soineanta le.
Does soineanta have more than one meaning?
Yes. Soineanta can mean innocent or fine, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'soineanta' and 'saonta'?
'Soineanta' suggests innocence and lack of guile, often positively, while 'saonta' leans more towards gullible or naive. Both can translate as naive.
