HeyRuaHow to say “needy” in Irish
- Irish:
- gátarach
- English:
- needy, necessary
- Word type:
- adjective
- Needier:
- níos gátaraí
- Neediest:
- is gátaraí
- Plural:
- gátaracha
- Pronunciation:
- “GAW-tar-akh” /ɡaːt̪ˠəɾˠəx/
What does “gátarach” mean?
“Gátarach” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- needy
- Lacking money or the basic things needed to live.Also: poor, in want, destitute, impoverished.
1 other meaning: necessary
- 2necessary
- Needed or required; urgently wanted.Also: needful, urgent, required.
Other Irish adjectives for needy: bocht (poor)
“Gátarach” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is gátarach after teaghlach (family, masculine), after clann (children, 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: clann ghátarach. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: teaghlach gátarach.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, gátaracha. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant: teaghlaigh ghátaracha; after other plurals it does not: clanna gátaracha.
Needier, neediest, very needy
Tá siad níos gátaraí ná mar a bhí riamh. They are needier than they ever were.
| needier | níos gátaraí | in the past tense: ní ba ghátaraí |
|---|---|---|
| neediest | is gátaraí | in the past tense: ba ghátaraí |
| as needy as | chomh gátarach le | no change after chomh |
| very needy | an-ghátarach | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too needy | róghátarach | ró- lenites |
“Gátarach” 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.
Needy in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for needy?
The Irish for needy is gátarach (pronounced “GAW-tar-akh”). It comes after the noun: teaghlach gátarach, a needy family; clann ghátarach, a needy children.
How do you say needier and neediest in Irish?
níos gátaraí is needier and is gátaraí is neediest. In the past tense they become ní ba ghátaraí and ba ghátaraí.
Why does gátarach become ghátarach?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So clann ghátarach (a needy children) but teaghlach gátarach (a needy family), because teaghlach is masculine.
What is the plural of gátarach?
With a plural noun gátarach becomes gátaracha: teaghlaigh ghátaracha, clanna gátaracha. After a plural that ends in a slender consonant it is lenited as well.
How do you say very needy in Irish?
an-ghátarach. Too needy is róghátarach, and as needy as is chomh gátarach le.
Does gátarach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Gátarach can mean needy or necessary, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What noun is 'gátarach' related to?
It comes from 'gátar', meaning need or want, as in 'i ngátar', in need. 'Cara i ngátar' is a friend in need.
