HeyRuaHow to say “peevish” in Irish
- Irish:
- cantalach
- English:
- peevish, plaintive
- Word type:
- adjective
- More peevish:
- níos cantalaí
- Most peevish:
- is cantalaí
- Plural:
- cantalacha
- Pronunciation:
- “KAWN-ta-lukh” /ˈkaun̪ˠt̪ˠəlˠəx/
What does “cantalach” mean?
“Cantalach” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- peevish
- Easily annoyed and inclined to complain or be in a bad mood.Also: cranky, grumpy, irritable, querulous, cross.
1 other meaning: plaintive
- 2plaintive
- Sounding sad and complaining, like a whining or mournful voice.Also: whining, mournful.
Other Irish adjectives for peevish: cancrach (cantankerous)
“Cantalach” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is cantalach after seanfhear (old man, masculine), after bean (woman, 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: bean chantalach. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: seanfhear cantalach.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, cantalacha. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant: seanfhir chantalacha; after other plurals it does not: mná cantalacha.
More peevish, most peevish, very peevish
Tá sé níos cantalaí ar maidin ná san oíche. He is grumpier in the morning than at night.
| more peevish | níos cantalaí | in the past tense: ní ba chantalaí |
|---|---|---|
| most peevish | is cantalaí | in the past tense: ba chantalaí |
| as peevish as | chomh cantalach le | no change after chomh |
| very peevish | an-chantalach | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too peevish | róchantalach | ró- lenites |
“Cantalach” 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.
Peevish in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for peevish?
The Irish for peevish is cantalach (pronounced “KAWN-ta-lukh”). It comes after the noun: seanfhear cantalach, a peevish old man; bean chantalach, a peevish woman.
How do you say more peevish and most peevish in Irish?
níos cantalaí is more peevish and is cantalaí is most peevish. In the past tense they become ní ba chantalaí and ba chantalaí.
Why does cantalach become chantalach?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So bean chantalach (a peevish woman) but seanfhear cantalach (a peevish old man), because seanfhear is masculine.
What is the plural of cantalach?
With a plural noun cantalach becomes cantalacha: seanfhir chantalacha, mná cantalacha. After a plural that ends in a slender consonant it is lenited as well.
How do you say very peevish in Irish?
an-chantalach. Too peevish is róchantalach, and as peevish as is chomh cantalach le.
Does cantalach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Cantalach can mean peevish or plaintive, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between cantalach and crosta?
Both can mean cross or irritable, but 'crosta' is more often used for a naughty or bold child, while 'cantalach' suggests a peevish, complaining mood.
Is there a related noun?
Yes, 'cantal' means peevishness or grumpiness, as in 'Tá cantal air' (He is in a bad mood).
