HeyRuaHow to say “near” in Irish
- Irish:
- cóngarach
- English:
- near, convenient, terse
- Word type:
- adjective
- More near:
- níos cóngaraí
- Most near:
- is cóngaraí
- Plural:
- cóngaracha
- Pronunciation:
- “KOHNG-ga-rakh” /ˈkoːŋɡəɾˠəx/
What does “cóngarach” mean?
“Cóngarach” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- near
- Close by in place or time; used with 'do' for what it is near.Also: close, nearby, close by.
“Cóngarach” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is cóngarach after siopa (shop, masculine), after scoil (school, 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: scoil chóngarach. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: siopa cóngarach.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, cóngaracha. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: scoileanna cóngaracha.
More near, most near, very near
Tá an stáisiún níos cóngaraí ná an t-ospidéal. The station is nearer than the hospital.
| more near | níos cóngaraí | in the past tense: ní ba chóngaraí |
|---|---|---|
| most near | is cóngaraí | in the past tense: ba chóngaraí |
| as near as | chomh cóngarach le | no change after chomh |
| very near | an-chóngarach | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too near | róchóngarach | ró- lenites |
“Cóngarach” 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.
Near in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for near?
The Irish for near is cóngarach (pronounced “KOHNG-ga-rakh”). It comes after the noun: siopa cóngarach, a near shop; scoil chóngarach, a near school.
How do you say more near and most near in Irish?
níos cóngaraí is more near and is cóngaraí is most near. In the past tense they become ní ba chóngaraí and ba chóngaraí.
Why does cóngarach become chóngarach?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So scoil chóngarach (a near school) but siopa cóngarach (a near shop), because siopa is masculine.
What is the plural of cóngarach?
With a plural noun cóngarach becomes cóngaracha: siopaí cóngaracha, scoileanna cóngaracha.
How do you say very near in Irish?
an-chóngarach. Too near is róchóngarach, and as near as is chomh cóngarach le.
Does cóngarach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Cóngarach can mean near, convenient or terse, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Which preposition goes with 'cóngarach'?
Use 'do', which lenites: 'cóngarach don bhaile' means near the town.
Is there a noun related to 'cóngarach'?
Yes, 'cóngar' means a shortcut or nearness, as in 'cóngar a ghearradh', to take a shortcut.
