HeyRuaHow to say “lunatic” in Irish
- Irish:
- gealtán
- English:
- lunatic
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine
- Pronunciation:
- “GYAL-tawn” /ˈɟalˠt̪ˠɑːnˠ/
- Plural:
- gealtáin (lunatics)
- Genitive singular:
- gealtáin, an ghealtáin (e.g. iompar an ghealtáin, the lunatic's behaviour)
- Genitive plural:
- gealtán, na ngealtán (e.g. iompar na ngealtán, the lunatics' behaviour)
What does “gealtán” mean?
- lunatic
- A crazy or mad person; often used loosely of someone acting wildly or foolishly.Also: madman, crazy person, maniac, nutcase.
Other Irish words for lunatic: gealt (lunatic), gealtach (madman)
“Gealtán” with the article
The plural of lunatic in Irish is gealtáin. Here is gealtán after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Gealtán” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using gealtán, the Irish word for lunatic.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Lunatic in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for lunatic?
The Irish for lunatic is gealtán (pronounced “GYAL-tawn”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is gealtáin.
How do you pronounce gealtán in Irish?
Gealtán is said like “GYAL-tawn” (IPA /ˈɟalˠt̪ˠɑːnˠ/).
What is the plural of lunatic in Irish?
The plural of gealtán is gealtáin; with the article, na gealtáin means “the lunatics”. The genitive plural is gealtán, as in iompar na ngealtán (the lunatics' behaviour).
Why does gealtán change to ghealtán or ngealtán?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) gealtán becomes mo ghealtán (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár ngealtán (eclipsis).
What is the difference between 'gealtán' and 'gealt'?
'Gealt' is the basic word for a mad person (also 'ar gealt', mad), while 'gealtán' is a derived form often used more loosely or colloquially for a lunatic or crazy person.
