HeyRuaHow to say “muddy” in Irish
- Irish:
- slabach
- English:
- muddy, slovenly
- Word type:
- adjective
- Muddier:
- níos slabaí
- Muddiest:
- is slabaí
- Plural:
- slabacha
- Pronunciation:
- “SLAW-bukh” /ˈsl̪ˠabˠəx/
What does “slabach” mean?
“Slabach” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- muddy
- Covered with or full of soft wet mud or mire.Also: miry, sludgy, slushy.
“Slabach” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is slabach after bóthar (road, masculine), after cathair (city, 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: cathair shlabach. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: bóthar slabach.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, slabacha. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: cathracha slabacha.
Muddier, muddiest, very muddy
Tá an cosán seo níos slabaí ná an ceann eile. This path is muddier than the other one.
| muddier | níos slabaí | in the past tense: ní ba shlabaí |
|---|---|---|
| muddiest | is slabaí | in the past tense: ba shlabaí |
| as muddy as | chomh slabach le | no change after chomh |
| very muddy | an-slabach | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too muddy | róshlabach | ró- lenites |
“Slabach” 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.
Muddy in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for muddy?
The Irish for muddy is slabach (pronounced “SLAW-bukh”). It comes after the noun: bóthar slabach, a muddy road; cathair shlabach, a muddy city.
How do you say muddier and muddiest in Irish?
níos slabaí is muddier and is slabaí is muddiest. In the past tense they become ní ba shlabaí and ba shlabaí.
Why does slabach become shlabach?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So cathair shlabach (a muddy city) but bóthar slabach (a muddy road), because bóthar is masculine.
What is the plural of slabach?
With a plural noun slabach becomes slabacha: bóithre slabacha, cathracha slabacha.
How do you say very muddy in Irish?
an-slabach. Too muddy is róshlabach, and as muddy as is chomh slabach le.
Does slabach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Slabach can mean muddy or slovenly, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'slabach' and 'lábach'?
Both can mean muddy, but 'slabach' often suggests wet, sloppy mire and can also describe slovenly work, as in 'obair shlabach'. 'Lábach' refers more simply to something covered in mud.
