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Legendary in Irish (finscéalach): Meaning, Forms, Examples

Other uses of ‘finscéalach’: fictional

The Irish for legendary is finscéalach: laoch finscéalach, a legendary warrior.
Updated October 2026Report a mistake

How to say “legendary” in Irish

Irish:
finscéalach
English:
legendary, fictional
Word type:
adjective
More legendary:
níos finscéalaí
Most legendary:
is finscéalaí
Plural:
finscéalacha
Pronunciation:
“FIN-shkay-luck”  /ˈfʲiːnʲʃcẽːl̪ˠəx/

What does “finscéalach” mean?

“Finscéalach” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

legendary
Belonging to or told of in legends, or famous like a figure of legend.Also: mythical, fabled, fabulous.
1 other meaning: fictional
2fictional
Made up or imaginary, like a story rather than fact.Also: fictitious, imaginary.

“Finscéalach” after a noun

An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is finscéalach after laoch (warrior, masculine), after áit (place, feminine) and after a plural.

after a masculine nounlaoch finscéalacha legendary warrior
after a feminine nounáit fhinscéalacha legendary place
after a plural nounlaochra finscéalachalegendary warriors

séimhiú (the h) the ending

feminine
áitplace
+
finscéalachlegendary
=
áit fhinscéalacha legendary place

After a feminine noun the adjective gets a séimhiú, an h after its first letter: áit fhinscéalach. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: laoch finscéalach.

plural
laochrawarriors
+
finscéalachalegendary, plural
=
laochra finscéalachalegendary warriors

With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, finscéalacha. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: áiteanna finscéalacha.

More legendary, most legendary, very legendary

níosmore
+
finscéalaílegendary
=
níos finscéalaímore legendary
ismost
+
finscéalaílegendary
=
is finscéalaímost legendary

Tá an scéal seo níos finscéalaí ná an ceann eile. This story is more legendary than the other one.

more legendaryníos finscéalaíin the past tense: ní b'fhinscéalaí
most legendaryis finscéalaíin the past tense: ab fhinscéalaí
as legendary aschomh finscéalach leno change after chomh
very legendaryan-fhinscéalachan- lenites, except d, t and s
too legendaryrófhinscéalachró- lenites

“Finscéalach” in a sentence: Irish examples

With a masculine noun, a feminine noun, a plural, a comparison and on its own.

Is laoch finscéalach é Fionn Mac Cumhaill.
Fionn Mac Cumhaill is a legendary hero.
Chuala mé faoi áit fhinscéalach sna sléibhte.
I heard about a legendary place in the mountains.
Tá a lán ainmhithe finscéalacha sna seanscéalta.
There are many legendary animals in the old stories.
Tá an scéal seo níos finscéalaí ná an ceann eile.
This story is more legendary than the other one.
Tá an carachtar sin finscéalach ar fad.
That character is completely fictional.

Other adjectives in Irish

More everyday Irish adjectives to learn next.

Legendary in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for legendary?

The Irish for legendary is finscéalach (pronounced “FIN-shkay-luck”). It comes after the noun: laoch finscéalach, a legendary warrior; áit fhinscéalach, a legendary place.

How do you say more legendary and most legendary in Irish?

níos finscéalaí is more legendary and is finscéalaí is most legendary. In the past tense they become ní b'fhinscéalaí and ab fhinscéalaí.

Why does finscéalach become fhinscéalach?

After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So áit fhinscéalach (a legendary place) but laoch finscéalach (a legendary warrior), because laoch is masculine.

What is the plural of finscéalach?

With a plural noun finscéalach becomes finscéalacha: laochra finscéalacha, áiteanna finscéalacha.

How do you say very legendary in Irish?

an-fhinscéalach. Too legendary is rófhinscéalach, and as legendary as is chomh finscéalach le.

Does finscéalach have more than one meaning?

Yes. Finscéalach can mean legendary or fictional, depending on context; the first is the most common.

What is the difference between 'finscéalach' and 'miotasach'?

'Finscéalach' relates to legend or fiction (finscéal), while 'miotasach' means mythical, relating to myth (miotas).

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