HeyRuaHow to say “pagan” in Irish
- Irish:
- gintlí
- English:
- pagan, gentile
- Word type:
- adjective
- More pagan:
- níos gintlí
- Most pagan:
- is gintlí
- Pronunciation:
- “GINT-lee” /ˈɟɪnʲtʲlʲiː/
What does “gintlí” mean?
“Gintlí” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- pagan
- Belonging to or following a religion other than Christianity, especially the old pre-Christian beliefs.Also: heathen, gentile, pre-Christian.
1 other meaning: gentile
- 2gentile
- Not Jewish; relating to the gentiles, as in biblical usage.Also: non-Jewish.
“Gintlí” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is gintlí after dia (god, masculine), after féile (festival, 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: féile ghintlí. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: dia gintlí.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, gintlí. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: féilte gintlí.
More pagan, most pagan, very pagan
Bhí an pobal sin níos gintlí ná a gcomharsana. That community was more pagan than their neighbours.
| more pagan | níos gintlí | in the past tense: ní ba ghintlí |
|---|---|---|
| most pagan | is gintlí | in the past tense: ba ghintlí |
| as pagan as | chomh gintlí le | no change after chomh |
| very pagan | an-ghintlí | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too pagan | róghintlí | ró- lenites |
“Gintlí” 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.
Pagan in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for pagan?
The Irish for pagan is gintlí (pronounced “GINT-lee”). It comes after the noun: dia gintlí, a pagan god; féile ghintlí, a pagan festival.
How do you say more pagan and most pagan in Irish?
níos gintlí is more pagan and is gintlí is most pagan. In the past tense they become ní ba ghintlí and ba ghintlí.
Why does gintlí become ghintlí?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So féile ghintlí (a pagan festival) but dia gintlí (a pagan god), because dia is masculine.
How do you say very pagan in Irish?
an-ghintlí. Too pagan is róghintlí, and as pagan as is chomh gintlí le.
Does gintlí have more than one meaning?
Yes. Gintlí can mean pagan or gentile, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'gintlí' and 'págánach'?
Both mean pagan; 'gintlí' is the traditional word, often used of pre-Christian Ireland, while 'págánach' is a more modern borrowing. The noun 'gintlí' also means a pagan or gentile.
