HeyRuaHow to say “murky” in Irish
- Irish:
- modartha
- English:
- murky, overcast, surly
- Word type:
- adjective
- Murkier:
- níos modartha
- Murkiest:
- is modartha
- Pronunciation:
- “MUD-ur-ha” /ˈmˠɔd̪ˠəɾˠhə/
What does “modartha” mean?
“Modartha” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- murky
- Describes water or liquid that is cloudy or muddy and hard to see through.Also: muddy, turbid, cloudy.
2 other meanings: overcast or surly
- 2overcast
- Describes the sky or weather when it is dark and covered with cloud.Also: gloomy, dull, dark.
- 3surly
- Describes a person or look that is sullen, morose and unfriendly.Also: morose, sullen, grim.
“Modartha” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is modartha after uisce (water, masculine), after spéir (sky, 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: spéir mhodartha. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: uisce modartha.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, modartha. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: spéartha modartha.
Murkier, murkiest, very murky
Tá an abhainn níos modartha inniu ná inné. The river is murkier today than yesterday.
| murkier | níos modartha | in the past tense: ní ba mhodartha |
|---|---|---|
| murkiest | is modartha | in the past tense: ba mhodartha |
| as murky as | chomh modartha le | no change after chomh |
| very murky | an-mhodartha | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too murky | rómhodartha | ró- lenites |
“Modartha” 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.
Murky in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for murky?
The Irish for murky is modartha (pronounced “MUD-ur-ha”). It comes after the noun: uisce modartha, murky water; spéir mhodartha, a murky sky.
How do you say murkier and murkiest in Irish?
níos modartha is murkier and is modartha is murkiest. In the past tense they become ní ba mhodartha and ba mhodartha.
Why does modartha become mhodartha?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So spéir mhodartha (a murky sky) but uisce modartha (murky water), because uisce is masculine.
How do you say very murky in Irish?
an-mhodartha. Too murky is rómhodartha, and as murky as is chomh modartha le.
Does modartha have more than one meaning?
Yes. Modartha can mean murky, overcast or surly, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'modartha' and 'scamallach'?
'Scamallach' simply means cloudy, full of clouds, while 'modartha' suggests a dark, gloomy, murky look, and is also used of muddy water and sullen people.
