Madman in Irish (Gealtach): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for madman?

The Irish for madman is gealtach (pronounced “GYAL-tukh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is gealtaigh.

Q: What is the plural of madman in Irish?

The plural of gealtach is gealtaigh; with the article, na gealtaigh means “the madmen”. The genitive plural is gealtach, as in teach na ngealtach (the madhouse (house of the lunatics)).

How to say “madman” in Irish

Irish:: gealtach
English:: madman
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine
Pronunciation:: “GYAL-tukh” /ˈɟal̪ˠt̪ˠəx/

Various forms

Plural:: gealtaigh (madmen)
Genitive singular:: gealtaigh, an ghealtaigh (e.g. gáire an ghealtaigh, the lunatic's laugh)
Genitive plural:: gealtach, na ngealtach (e.g. teach na ngealtach, the madhouse (house of the lunatics))

What does “gealtach” mean?

madman: A person who is mad or insane; also used loosely of someone who behaves wildly or foolishly.Also: lunatic, maniac, insane person, crazy person.

Other Irish words for madman: gealt (lunatic), gealtán (lunatic)

“Gealtach” with the article

The plural of madman in Irish is gealtaigh. Here is gealtach after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an gealtach

the madman

No change after an

na gealtaigh

the madmen

Plural: no change after na

“Gealtach” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using gealtach, the Irish word for madman.

Bhí sé ag tiomáint mar ghealtach.

He was driving like a lunatic.

Is gealtach ceart é, dar liom.

He's a real lunatic, in my opinion.

Rith an gealtach síos an tsráid.

The madman ran down the street.

Ná bí ag éisteacht le caint an ghealtaigh sin.

Don't listen to that lunatic's talk.

Bhí na gealtaigh ag béiceach sa slua.

The lunatics were shouting in the crowd.

Cheap siad gur gealtach mé nuair a léim mé isteach.

They thought I was mad when I jumped in.

D'oibrigh sí mar ghealtach an tseachtain ar fad.

She worked like a maniac all week.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Madman in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for madman?

The Irish for madman is gealtach (pronounced “GYAL-tukh”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is gealtaigh.

How do you pronounce gealtach in Irish?

Gealtach is said like “GYAL-tukh” (IPA /ˈɟal̪ˠt̪ˠəx/).

What is the plural of madman in Irish?

The plural of gealtach is gealtaigh; with the article, na gealtaigh means “the madmen”. The genitive plural is gealtach, as in teach na ngealtach (the madhouse (house of the lunatics)).

Why does gealtach change to ghealtach or ngealtach?

Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) gealtach becomes mo ghealtach (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár ngealtach (eclipsis).

What is the difference between 'gealtach' and 'gealt'?

Both mean a mad person; 'gealt' (feminine) is the older word, also meaning a panic-stricken person, while 'gealtach' is a masculine noun, also used as an adjective meaning 'mad'.

How do I say 'like a madman' in Irish?

Say 'mar ghealtach' or 'ar nós an ghealtaigh', for example 'ag rith mar ghealtach'.

Madman in Irish (Gealtach): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage