HeyRuaHow to say “mild” in Irish
- Irish:
- séimh
- English:
- mild, smooth, lenited
- Word type:
- adjective
- Milder:
- níos séimhe
- Mildest:
- is séimhe
- Plural:
- séimhe
- Pronunciation:
- “shayv” /ʃeːvʲ/
What does “séimh” mean?
“Séimh” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- mild
- Gentle and not harsh or severe, used of weather, people or manner.Also: gentle, placid, calm.
2 other meanings: smooth or lenited
- 2smooth
- Soft and smooth to the touch, ear or taste, not rough.Also: soft, mellow.
- 3lenited
- In grammar, describing a consonant that has been softened by lenition.Also: softened.
“Séimh” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is séimh after duine (person, 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 shéimh. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: duine séimh.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, séimhe. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: aimsirí séimhe.
Milder, mildest, very mild
Tá an ghaoth níos séimhe inniu ná inné. The wind is milder today than yesterday.
| milder | níos séimhe | in the past tense: ní ba shéimhe |
|---|---|---|
| mildest | is séimhe | in the past tense: ba shéimhe |
| as mild as | chomh séimh le | no change after chomh |
| very mild | an-séimh | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too mild | róshéimh | ró- lenites |
“Séimh” 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.
Mild in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for mild?
The Irish for mild is séimh (pronounced “shayv”). It comes after the noun: duine séimh, a mild person; aimsir shéimh, mild weather.
How do you say milder and mildest in Irish?
níos séimhe is milder and is séimhe is mildest. In the past tense they become ní ba shéimhe and ba shéimhe.
Why does séimh become shéimh?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So aimsir shéimh (mild weather) but duine séimh (a mild person), because duine is masculine.
What is the plural of séimh?
With a plural noun séimh becomes séimhe: daoine séimhe, aimsirí séimhe.
How do you say very mild in Irish?
an-séimh. Too mild is róshéimh, and as mild as is chomh séimh le.
Does séimh have more than one meaning?
Yes. Séimh can mean mild, smooth or lenited, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between séimh and mín?
Séimh stresses gentleness or mildness, as in aimsir shéimh, while mín stresses smoothness of surface or texture, as in craiceann mín.
Is séimh related to the grammar term séimhiú?
Yes, séimhiú (lenition) comes from séimh, and a lenited consonant is described as séimh in grammar.
