HeyRuaHow to say “mean” in Irish
- Irish:
- suarach
- English:
- mean, paltry
- Word type:
- adjective
- Meaner:
- níos suaraí
- Meanest:
- is suaraí
- Plural:
- suaracha
- Pronunciation:
- “SOO-uh-rukh” /ˈsˠuəɾˠəx/
What does “suarach” mean?
“Suarach” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- mean
- Describes a person or act that is small-minded, nasty or contemptible.Also: petty, contemptible, despicable, low.
1 other meaning: paltry
- 2paltry
- Describes something small, poor or of little value or importance.Also: insignificant, trivial, measly, shabby.
Other Irish adjectives for mean: ceachartha (stingy)
“Suarach” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is suarach after fear (man, masculine), after girseach (girl, 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: girseach shuarach. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: fear suarach.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, suaracha. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant: fir shuaracha; after other plurals it does not: girseacha suaracha.
Meaner, meanest, very mean
Bhí sé níos suaraí ná a dheartháir. He was meaner than his brother.
| meaner | níos suaraí | in the past tense: ní ba shuaraí |
|---|---|---|
| meanest | is suaraí | in the past tense: ba shuaraí |
| as mean as | chomh suarach le | no change after chomh |
| very mean | an-suarach | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too mean | róshuarach | ró- lenites |
“Suarach” 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.
Mean in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for mean?
The Irish for mean is suarach (pronounced “SOO-uh-rukh”). It comes after the noun: fear suarach, a mean man; girseach shuarach, a mean girl.
How do you say meaner and meanest in Irish?
níos suaraí is meaner and is suaraí is meanest. In the past tense they become ní ba shuaraí and ba shuaraí.
Why does suarach become shuarach?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So girseach shuarach (a mean girl) but fear suarach (a mean man), because fear is masculine.
What is the plural of suarach?
With a plural noun suarach becomes suaracha: fir shuaracha, girseacha suaracha. After a plural that ends in a slender consonant it is lenited as well.
How do you say very mean in Irish?
an-suarach. Too mean is róshuarach, and as mean as is chomh suarach le.
Does suarach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Suarach can mean mean or paltry, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Is 'suarach' the same as 'gortach'?
No: 'gortach' means stingy with money, while 'suarach' means mean in the sense of petty or contemptible, or paltry in amount.
