HeyRuaHow to say “questioning” in Irish
- Irish:
- ceisteach
- English:
- questioning, interrogative, doubtful
- Word type:
- adjective
- More questioning:
- níos ceistí
- Most questioning:
- is ceistí
- Plural:
- ceisteacha
- Pronunciation:
- “KESH-tyukh” /ˈcɛʃtʲəx/
What does “ceisteach” mean?
“Ceisteach” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- questioning
- Asking questions or showing that you want to know something; inquisitive.Also: inquisitive, curious, inquiring.
2 other meanings: interrogative or doubtful
- 2interrogative
- In grammar, used to ask a question, as in an interrogative pronoun or form.Also: question.
- 3doubtful
- Open to question or uncertain.Also: questionable, uncertain.
“Ceisteach” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is ceisteach after leanbh (child, 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 cheisteach. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: leanbh ceisteach.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, ceisteacha. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: mná ceisteacha.
More questioning, most questioning, very questioning
Tá an mac níos ceistí ná an iníon. The son is more inquisitive than the daughter.
| more questioning | níos ceistí | in the past tense: ní ba cheistí |
|---|---|---|
| most questioning | is ceistí | in the past tense: ba cheistí |
| as questioning as | chomh ceisteach le | no change after chomh |
| very questioning | an-cheisteach | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too questioning | rócheisteach | ró- lenites |
“Ceisteach” 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.
Questioning in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for questioning?
The Irish for questioning is ceisteach (pronounced “KESH-tyukh”). It comes after the noun: leanbh ceisteach, a questioning child; bean cheisteach, a questioning woman.
How do you say more questioning and most questioning in Irish?
níos ceistí is more questioning and is ceistí is most questioning. In the past tense they become ní ba cheistí and ba cheistí.
Why does ceisteach become cheisteach?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So bean cheisteach (a questioning woman) but leanbh ceisteach (a questioning child), because leanbh is masculine.
What is the plural of ceisteach?
With a plural noun ceisteach becomes ceisteacha: leanaí ceisteacha, mná ceisteacha.
How do you say very questioning in Irish?
an-cheisteach. Too questioning is rócheisteach, and as questioning as is chomh ceisteach le.
Does ceisteach have more than one meaning?
Yes. Ceisteach can mean questioning, interrogative or doubtful, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between 'ceisteach' and 'fiosrach'?
'Fiosrach' is the usual word for curious or inquisitive, while 'ceisteach' stresses asking questions, and is also the grammar term, as in 'forainm ceisteach'.
