HeyRuaHow to say “lively” in Irish
- Irish:
- preabanta
- English:
- lively, curt
- Word type:
- adjective
- More lively:
- níos preabanta
- Most lively:
- is preabanta
- Pronunciation:
- “PRAB-an-ta” /pʲɾʲabˠən̪ˠt̪ˠə/
What does “preabanta” mean?
“Preabanta” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- lively
- Full of bounce and energy; quick and spirited in movement or manner.Also: bouncy, sprightly, spirited, brisk.
“Preabanta” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is preabanta after cailín (girl, masculine), after beach (bee, 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: beach phreabanta. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: cailín preabanta.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, preabanta. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: beacha preabanta.
More lively, most lively, very lively
Tá sé níos preabanta ná a dheartháir. He is livelier than his brother.
| more lively | níos preabanta | in the past tense: ní ba phreabanta |
|---|---|---|
| most lively | is preabanta | in the past tense: ba phreabanta |
| as lively as | chomh preabanta le | no change after chomh |
| very lively | an-phreabanta | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too lively | róphreabanta | ró- lenites |
“Preabanta” 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.
Lively in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for lively?
The Irish for lively is preabanta (pronounced “PRAB-an-ta”). It comes after the noun: cailín preabanta, a lively girl; beach phreabanta, a lively bee.
How do you say more lively and most lively in Irish?
níos preabanta is more lively and is preabanta is most lively. In the past tense they become ní ba phreabanta and ba phreabanta.
Why does preabanta become phreabanta?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So beach phreabanta (a lively bee) but cailín preabanta (a lively girl), because cailín is masculine.
How do you say very lively in Irish?
an-phreabanta. Too lively is róphreabanta, and as lively as is chomh preabanta le.
Does preabanta have more than one meaning?
Yes. Preabanta can mean lively or curt, depending on context; the first is the most common.
How is 'preabanta' different from 'bríomhar'?
'Preabanta' suggests bounce and quick, springy movement, from 'preab' (a jump), while 'bríomhar' means vigorous or energetic in general.
