HeyRuaHow to say “intermittent” in Irish
- Irish:
- treallach
- English:
- intermittent, patchy, changeable
- Word type:
- adjective
- More intermittent:
- níos treallaí
- Most intermittent:
- is treallaí
- Plural:
- treallacha
- Pronunciation:
- “TRAL-ukh” /ˈtʲɾʲal̪ˠəx/
What does “treallach” mean?
“Treallach” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- intermittent
- Happening now and then, not continuously.Also: sporadic, fitful, occasional.
2 other meanings: patchy or changeable
- 2patchy
- Uneven, good in some parts and poor in others.Also: streaky, uneven, spotty.
- 3changeable
- Likely to change without warning or reason.Also: arbitrary, erratic.
“Treallach” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is treallach after fear (man, 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 threallach. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: fear treallach.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, treallacha. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant: fir threallacha; after other plurals it does not: girseacha treallacha.
More intermittent, most intermittent, very intermittent
Tá an ceangal níos treallaí inniu ná inné. The connection is more intermittent today than yesterday.
| more intermittent | níos treallaí | in the past tense: ní ba threallaí |
|---|---|---|
| most intermittent | is treallaí | in the past tense: ba threallaí |
| as intermittent as | chomh treallach le | no change after chomh |
| very intermittent | an-treallach | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too intermittent | róthreallach | ró- lenites |
“Treallach” 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.
Intermittent in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for intermittent?
The Irish for intermittent is treallach (pronounced “TRAL-ukh”). It comes after the noun: fear treallach, an intermittent man; girseach threallach, an intermittent girl.
How do you say more intermittent and most intermittent in Irish?
níos treallaí is more intermittent and is treallaí is most intermittent. In the past tense they become ní ba threallaí and ba threallaí.
Why does treallach become threallach?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So girseach threallach (an intermittent girl) but fear treallach (an intermittent man), because fear is masculine.
What is the plural of treallach?
With a plural noun treallach becomes treallacha: fir threallacha, girseacha treallacha. After a plural that ends in a slender consonant it is lenited as well.
How do you say very intermittent in Irish?
an-treallach. Too intermittent is róthreallach, and as intermittent as is chomh treallach le.
Does treallach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Treallach can mean intermittent, patchy or changeable, depending on context; the first is the most common.
How do I say something happens by fits and starts?
Use the adverb "go treallach", for example "D'oibrigh sé go treallach", he worked by fits and starts.
