HeyRuaHow to say “possessive” in Irish
- Irish:
- sealbhach
- English:
- possessive, possessory
- Word type:
- adjective
- More possessive:
- níos sealbhaí
- Most possessive:
- is sealbhaí
- Plural:
- sealbhacha
- Pronunciation:
- “SHAL-uh-wukh” /ˈʃaləwəx/
What does “sealbhach” mean?
“Sealbhach” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- possessive
- In grammar, showing who owns something, as with a possessive adjective or pronoun.Also: possessive case.
2 other meanings: possessory
- 2possessive
- Of a person, wanting to keep things or people for themselves.Also: grasping, acquisitive.
- 3possessory
- In law, relating to possession or ownership of property.Also: proprietary.
Other Irish adjectives for possessive: éadmhar (jealous)
“Sealbhach” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is sealbhach after forainm (pronoun, masculine), after tuairim (opinion, 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: tuairim shealbhach. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: forainm sealbhach.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, sealbhacha. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: tuairimí sealbhacha.
More possessive, most possessive, very possessive
Tá sé níos sealbhaí ná a dheartháir. He is more possessive than his brother.
| more possessive | níos sealbhaí | in the past tense: ní ba shealbhaí |
|---|---|---|
| most possessive | is sealbhaí | in the past tense: ba shealbhaí |
| as possessive as | chomh sealbhach le | no change after chomh |
| very possessive | an-sealbhach | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too possessive | róshealbhach | ró- lenites |
“Sealbhach” 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.
Possessive in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for possessive?
The Irish for possessive is sealbhach (pronounced “SHAL-uh-wukh”). It comes after the noun: forainm sealbhach, a possessive pronoun; tuairim shealbhach, a possessive opinion.
How do you say more possessive and most possessive in Irish?
níos sealbhaí is more possessive and is sealbhaí is most possessive. In the past tense they become ní ba shealbhaí and ba shealbhaí.
Why does sealbhach become shealbhach?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So tuairim shealbhach (a possessive opinion) but forainm sealbhach (a possessive pronoun), because forainm is masculine.
What is the plural of sealbhach?
With a plural noun sealbhach becomes sealbhacha: forainmneacha sealbhacha, tuairimí sealbhacha.
How do you say very possessive in Irish?
an-sealbhach. Too possessive is róshealbhach, and as possessive as is chomh sealbhach le.
Does sealbhach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Sealbhach can mean possessive or possessory, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is an 'aidiacht shealbhach' in Irish grammar?
It is a possessive adjective such as 'mo', 'do', 'a', 'ár', 'bhur', placed before a noun, as in 'mo charr'.
Is 'sealbhach' the same as 'éadmhar'?
No: 'sealbhach' means wanting to own or keep things, while 'éadmhar' means jealous.
