HeyRuaHow to say “lethargic” in Irish
- Irish:
- marbhánta
- English:
- lethargic, dull, close
- Word type:
- adjective
- More lethargic:
- níos marbhánta
- Most lethargic:
- is marbhánta
- Pronunciation:
- “MAR-a-vawn-ta” /ˈmˠaɾˠəwɑːn̪ˠt̪ˠə/
What does “marbhánta” mean?
“Marbhánta” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- lethargic
- Slow, heavy and lacking energy or life.Also: sluggish, torpid, listless, lifeless.
2 other meanings: dull or close
- 2dull
- Quiet and without activity or excitement.Also: sleepy, stagnant, slack.
- 3close
- Describes weather that is heavy, airless and oppressive.Also: sultry, oppressive, airless, muggy.
Other Irish adjectives for lethargic: spadánta (sluggish)
“Marbhánta” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is marbhánta after lá (day, masculine), after aimsir (weather, 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: aimsir mharbhánta. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: lá marbhánta.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, marbhánta. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: aimsirí marbhánta.
More lethargic, most lethargic, very lethargic
| more lethargic | níos marbhánta | in the past tense: ní ba mharbhánta |
|---|---|---|
| most lethargic | is marbhánta | in the past tense: ba mharbhánta |
| as lethargic as | chomh marbhánta le | no change after chomh |
| very lethargic | an-mharbhánta | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too lethargic | rómharbhánta | ró- lenites |
“Marbhánta” 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.
Lethargic in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for lethargic?
The Irish for lethargic is marbhánta (pronounced “MAR-a-vawn-ta”). It comes after the noun: lá marbhánta, a lethargic day; aimsir mharbhánta, lethargic weather.
How do you say more lethargic and most lethargic in Irish?
níos marbhánta is more lethargic and is marbhánta is most lethargic. In the past tense they become ní ba mharbhánta and ba mharbhánta.
Why does marbhánta become mharbhánta?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So aimsir mharbhánta (lethargic weather) but lá marbhánta (a lethargic day), because lá is masculine.
How do you say very lethargic in Irish?
an-mharbhánta. Too lethargic is rómharbhánta, and as lethargic as is chomh marbhánta le.
Does marbhánta have more than one meaning?
Yes. Marbhánta can mean lethargic, dull or close, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Is 'marbhánta' related to 'marbh'?
Yes, it comes from 'marbh' (dead), but 'marbhánta' means lifeless or sluggish, not actually dead.
